Time passed quickly. The Second Prince had already informed Yi Qiang that the duels would start three days from the banquet, which left him with a good amount of time to train - his stats, excluding Vigor, may not level as quickly at this point in his player lifespan, but his skills still always greatly improved when he devoted himself to training them.

As such, he spent those three days in a flash, training alongside Shenyu in the large room he had been provided. It was the role of the most unusual homebody - one reluctant to leave their house for no reason other than that they were too busy training to do so.

Regardless, Yi Qiang's skills improved greatly, and they would aid him in what he walked toward now.

With anticipation and excitement in his heart, Yi Qiang approached the large, open field where the first stage of the competition would likely take place. He was guided by two guards, one on each side, which was either common courtesy or proof that the royalty was less than completely trusting of him.

It took a few minutes for everyone to arrive and gather. Yi Qiang saw a few unfamiliar faces, meaning they were not at the banquet, but for the most part, he had already scoped out everyone's strength, a factor that only increased Yi Qiang's comfort here.

He began to scope out the area. They were standing in an open field outside of the imperial castle, with a forest directly in front of them and a few mountains Yi Qiang could pick up the silhouettes of, wreathed by the countless trees and the misty morning it was.

Most likely, it was that forest in which the first stage of the competition would proceed, but Yi Qiang couldn't discount the possibility that they were just here because the surroundings were nice.

There were quite a few contestants, a hundred or so. That should slim down quickly.

While he waited for someone to step up and begin to explain the competition to them, Yi Qiang thought back to Shenyu. He was in the room, like usual; hopefully, training like Yi Qiang had told him to. The archer was still opposed to bringing him anywhere of actual danger, mainly because the hatchling was still far from being able to defend himself. That should also motivate Shenyu to enhance and expedite his growth as much as possible because the faster Shenyu was able to join Yi Qiang in battle, the faster his potential as a Dragon Marksman would be fully realized.

He spotted a light-blue garbed man approaching them from a distance, walking at a casual pace but clearly headed towards them. This must be the first time I've seen anyone stronger than me coming. Nice first to have, Yi Qiang thought wryly.

Everyone else spotted him pretty soon after, judging from the hush that overcame the crowd as the man got closer. However, Yi Qiang could faintly hear one participant whisper to another.

"That's the Absolute! He's the one proctoring our tournament! This is a first in the entire history of this competition!"

"Who's the Absolute?"

"How do you not know who that is? Well, it's less of a specific person than a title. The Absolute is what we call the protector of the kingdom. It changes with every generation, but they're all insanely powerful - if you're the Absolute, two things can be said about you for sure. One: your talent was recognized early on in life, and you were given the best grooming the kingdom could afford, greater than anyone else's other than previous Absolutes. Two, you're uncontested in the kingdom, unless there's some sage master who does not show his face."

"That kind of person is controlling our tournament? Does that mean it'll be harder?"

"Well, I don't know about harder, but I can say for sure it'll be different."

The two friendly talents suddenly shut their mouths, either from the slow approach of who Yi Qiang now knew was the Absolute or the harsh glare Taren shot them. He was leaning towards the second.

With that example made, no one talked anymore, the large group standing in utter silence until, after that agonizingly slow walking pace of the Absolute finally brought the man to them, the man addressed the group.

"I'm sure you all know who I am. My name is Silvanni, and I'm the Absolute. The question is, do I know who you are? Well, that's not much a question - I don't. You know what that means? This is an unequal relationship, and I'm in the dominant position.

"There's only one scenario in which I see that changing. Strive not only to win but to impress me and the few powerhouses paying attention to this tournament. Luckily, you have a better chance than any of the previous generations of young talents taking part in this, because this time, I'm taking a direct role in this competition. I will be deciding who does what, and I will be deciding where they do it and when.

"Here's a nice overview of what's going to happen. The first round, I'm going to thin the crowd. There's not much that can be done with a group as big as yours, so I'm going to cull the weak. That should drop you down to a nice group of around thirty or so. Then, I'm going to have some fun crushing the dreams of those too weak to harbor them among you, whether that is weak of will, weak of body, or weak of future. That's how round two will go. Then, in round three, the fun will start. Those of you that still remain are going to be pushed. I will have been observing you, and I will know just what buttons to press. Just what pressure to apply and where. I'm going to make you crumble. Then, if you're lucky, you'll build yourself back up in time, and you'll move on to round four. Those that make it here are already the brightest of the kingdom. I anticipate that there will be around six or seven of you who make it this far.

"This is where I will realize the true purpose of this tournament. What you should value from here are not the prizes, winners, but the direct benefits you will receive just from participating. I will pull you apart, temper you, and if you're lucky, you'll get put back together. I won't actually help with that part. But come round four, I will do all that is in my power to shape you - shape your potential, and shape your future. I will mold who you are, and you will become all the greater because of it. Those few of you that make it far enough will come out of the tournament a different person than you entered. There will be a fire in you, and you will be held up by steel.

"If you want that, that's something I can't change. But if you're too weak, then I will crush you. The weak have no right to covet something beside the strong. And in this tournament, if you want me to change you, to mold you, and to make you great, you don't have to have potential. You have to be strong. There will be five rounds. Each will test you. Some will burn you. Hopefully, you won't fall.

"Now, let's get started, shall we?"