Supremacy Games!

One of the most spectacular events of the Great Solar Empire, or even the entire Human Domain. It brought forth the true geniuses who would become the future pillars of the Empire every single year.

Every student who performed well in these Games had a great future without any exceptions. There were a few dark horses who didn't perform well in the Games but shone later in the real world, but they were incredibly rare.

Even new nobles rose from this, while some old houses lost their titles. It wasn't immediate, but one could see their family's future through these Games, so all eyes remained glued to this grand event.

The fact that even the Emperor attended this event showed its true importance. Most of all, there were chances of the Emperor himself choosing retainers here.

It had happened many times in the past. Apparently, most of the current Emperor's personal Guards were taken directly from these Games.

So it wasn't wrong to say that everyone was excited for the Games but many were anxious and nervous too. After all, their entire future depended on this event.

The whole Empire prepared to watch the Games, since it was the single time the Academy actually broadcasted something to the entire Empire.

This was done to give everyone hope and let them see who would carry the responsibilities of the future. Most of all, it was done to motivate the young generation, so even remote talents could aspire to rise through the Academy.

In a way, it was propaganda.

Only a massive organisation like the Academy could do something on such an enormous scale and afford it every year.

Every citizen finished their work early, waiting for the day the Supremacy Games would be held.

And it finally came, bringing people from all over the Empire as noble families, including the High Dukes, gathered in the Academy, while the citizens gathered in their city plazas to watch the Games.

Taking the opportunity, vendors set up their stalls so that everyone could remain seated the whole time and enjoy without having to worry about food or water.

This was the influence of the Supremacy Games on the Human Domain.

Naturally, it was also the perfect time for demons to attack and bring despair to humans, so the security was at the top level as even the Emperor's personal army, made of Elites, assisted the Academy.

It was only then that a rumor spread all over the Empire, something that shook every person's heart.

The Elf Princess, Elara Slyvaris, was going to attend the Supremacy Games as well. And the one to invite her as a guest was none other than the strongest prodigy whose awakening had made the heavens burn.

Even now, the scar remained in the sky, reminding people of the monstrosity the world had produced.

Everyone became even more excited, wondering if it was true. If it was, then a lot of things would change.

Many people were distressed by this news and began to make their own preparations. Many didn't want this to happen, but they also knew they couldn't act recklessly now.

And thus, the day of the Supremacy Games arrived, garnering more attention from the whole world than ever before.

Not only humans, but even other races, including the wild Northern beast tribes, focused on it.

...

Once every year, the Academy opened its second entrance to the world, the one leading to their Eternal Sanctum, which they had shaped like a massive stadium and which was used to host the Supremacy Games.

Commoners weren't allowed here, so every single person entering inside was a noble or someone with similar status. Even the lowest status was that of a Baron.

The majority of the nobles arrived early because they knew the main time was reserved for the entrance of the main guests, the people who commanded true respect across the Empire.

Nobody wanted to mess with them, so they chose to come silently and early.

The Eternal Sanctum rested inside the Giant God's Hand unlike the other parts of the Academy, located inside the joint connecting the middle finger with the rest of the divine hand.

Inside the godly bone of deep crimson horror, the Academy had spent an unimaginable amount of resources to carve out their desired space, giving it a look similar to a massive stadium.

But it remained a fact that everyone was now standing inside the dead God's hand.

As it was, the moment someone stepped inside, an indescribable pressure settled upon their shoulders.

It wasn't suffocating but ancient, as if the Giant God's lingering divinity still judged every mortal who dared to trespass into its frozen body… or perhaps its colossal corpse.

The crimson bone walls curved upward like the inside of a gigantic dome, etched with faint runic lines that pulsed at slow intervals, imitating the heartbeat the God had once probably possessed.

Nobody knew if the Gods even had heartbeats or not, after all. They were beings far above their understanding, too unfathomable.

This was why they were worshiped, yet now people were crawling inside a God's vessel like ants.

Each pulse from the runic lines sent a gentle vibration through the white bone platforms, making the entire arena feel… alive.

The nobles couldn't help but look around with mixed awe and apprehension. Even those who had seen it before felt a strange shiver crawl down their spines.

No matter how many times they experienced this, they never got used to it.

After all, this was the Eternal Sanctum, a place built upon the remains of a being whose mere corpse could destroy the entire Empire.

The main arena sat at the center, a circular platform large enough to host intense battles, surrounded by thousands of neatly carved seating tiers.

Despite its grand size, the Sanctum never felt "empty".

Guards in obsidian armor, the Emperor's personal elites, stood at every entrance. Their expressions never shifted, but their hands rested firmly on their weapons, eyes sharp and senses stretched to their limits.

Everyone knew it.

This was the safest day of the year… because it was also the most dangerous.

The demons had always targeted great events, and the presence of the Elf Princess only increased the risks. A single misstep today could rewrite history in the worst way possible.

Nobles whispered among themselves in low voices.

"She's really coming?"

"If the Princess appears… does that mean the alliance talks are real?"

"What about the Prodigy? Will he show himself before her?"

"Idiot, he's the one who invited her!"

"Quiet! Don't say such things unless you want to be executed!"

Rumors mixed with excitement, excitement mixed with fear, and fear mixed with anticipation. Every person in the Sanctum could feel it, tension so thick it was almost tangible.

All those who should have come early had already taken their seats, meaning only a few important people were left to arrive.

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