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The scene on the countless monitors zoomed out until it encapsulated the entire terrace. Khan became the center of a diverse scenery, something that most of the audience had only seen in holograms or history books.

The terrace had n.o.bles, Thilku, Scalqa, and Ef’i sitting together and enjoying their respective company. The diverse group almost seemed united under a single banner, and the audience could only find one explanation for that theoretically impossible sight.

The bright-eyed man at the group’s center looked both human and alien, and his interactions with the various representatives of each race conveyed pure respect. The different parties all looked up to him or valued him enough to fight for his attention.

The zooming-out had been a planned move. Prince Thomas wanted everyone to see Khan in his best environment, and the action had the intended effects. The tournament would bolster Khan’s fame, but that single scene achieved something far greater. It showed the public that Khan’s leaders.h.i.+p was undisputed.

Nevertheless, the audience didn’t get the chance to acknowledge the eerie feelings the scene was giving birth to. Khan had made an announcement, and someone eventually cheered in excitement. That triggered a chain reaction, spreading uproar among the stages.

“Humankind is more engaged than I predicted,” Lord Rsi said in his perfect human accent. “Is this normal?”

“No, My Lord,” Khan commented. “This event is unusual, which is why they are excited.”

“They should make it a common occurrence,” Lord Exr joined the conversation. “It’s also a good way to separate strong and weak.”

“The weakest warrior can become the strongest with the right training,” Tlexicpalli announced, seemingly only wanting to contradict Lord Exr. “Humans have proven themselves flexible enough to prove that.”

“[Ah]!” Lord Exr cried. “It’s not training. It’s guts.”

“Prince Khan?” Tlexicpalli called.

“Yes, [Blue Shaman],” Lord Rsi uttered. “What do you think?”

Khan was already annoyed. The tournament had yet to begin, but the Thilku and Ef’i didn’t waste time trying to get the upper hand in the conversation. Moreover, Khan also had to mind the attentive n.o.bles, so the wrong answer could trigger an endless discussion.

“The best training is useless without the right mindset,” Khan exclaimed, opting for honesty. “The tournament will test this. None of the contestants have equal backgrounds, so their instincts will make them s.h.i.+ne.”

“Well said, Prince Khan,” Princess Rachel Montares announced. “You even exemplify your words perfectly. While you have n.o.ble blood, your prowess doesn’t come from it.”

Princess Montares wasn’t supposed to say that. The other n.o.ble representatives understood why she did it, but the matter remained problematic, especially before alien envoys.

Everyone knew Khan was the exception among exceptions. His power made no sense and broke all human standards. His superiority over the n.o.ble descendants was justified and had become accepted. Yet, Princess Montares had implied something deeper. She stated that all non-n.o.ble descendants could rise higher than her peers.

That statement wanted to declare Princess Montares’ allegiance with Khan. She didn’t speak for her whole family, but the tournament was important enough to have vast repercussions. It stood to reason her faction was behind her and approved her words.

As beneficial as the open support was, Khan’s annoyance intensified. The two alpha-dog species were already breathing on his neck, and Princess Montares pushed the n.o.bles into the fray.

Luckily for Khan, lights shone on the floor, creating screens for the terrace’s guests. Similar but bigger holograms appeared under the stages, illuminating the battlefield while depicting the same scene.

Princess Rebecca stood up from her seat in one of the towers, knowing the scanners were pointing at her. Her warm character made her a better fit than her brother for the announcer’s role, and the genuine smile that broadened on the many screens silenced the stages.

“The first group of contenders will feature,” Princess Rebecca announced, her voice echoing throughout the area through speakers.

Another round of cheers exploded when Princess Rebecca finished her announcement, and the various screens promptly zoomed in on specific areas at the arena’s edges. The black and silver metal there opened, creating pa.s.sages that led the contestants to the battlefield.

The arena was big enough to feature multiple battles simultaneously. Moreover, the battlefield’s metal floor was a ma.s.sive scanner on its own, keeping track of all sorts of data the audience could study from their seats. Exposing one’s prowess could be dangerous, but many contestants wanted the n.o.bles to notice them, and revealing their skills could attract their attention.

The floor had more functions. Each contestant wore silver armor of grade appropriate to their level. The thin, metal protection had scanners of its own, which sent more data to the arena. It didn’t only defend the descendants but also recorded each blow’s might, highlighting the deadly ones.

The silver metal used in the armor hinted at the Fuveall’s involvement and vastly improved Khan’s initial idea. The item was light enough to avoid hindering movement and techniques, but its st.u.r.diness remained reliable. It allowed the battles to unfold without referees, automating the process without forsaking the contestants’ safety.

Of course, incidents could happen, but the contestants had agreed to the risks. Moreover, the arena’s lower levels were filled with doctors ready to intervene. Casualties could happen, but Khan had made sure to limit their likelihood as much as possible.

“Did Cirvags attend the tournament?” Lord Rsi asked as the battles began.

“He is in the Thilku Emba.s.sy,” Khan revealed. “He has a seat reserved in one of the towers.”

“He should sit here,” Lord Rsi commented.

“I’ll arrange it and let him know,” Khan stated. Things were strange between Mister Cirvags and him, but Lord Rsi’s words had weight. Besides, Mister Cirvags owned a cape, so his position was with the Thilku.

“What about …,” Lord Rsi continued before eyeing Lord Exr.

“Amba.s.sador Abores,” Lord Exr reminded.

“Amba.s.sador Abores,” Lord Rsi repeated.

“He’s dead,” Khan calmly said. “I killed him.”

Many representatives were unaware of the matter, but the revelation didn’t alter their expressions. The n.o.bles could kill freely, and it didn’t take a genius to guess that Khan had his reasons. Moreover, adding one life to Khan’s kill count wouldn’t change much now.

“So,” Lord Rsi continued, “Everything is here now.”

Lord Rsi didn’t do it intentionally, but the representatives inevitably read between the lines. Khan was already advertising Baoway as the best and only connection with the Empire, but hearing one of its Lords confirm it added some certainty to it.

The human side’s general attention moved to Monica since she handled most Thilku businesses. Her faction also owned trade routes on Neuria, making her an appealing middleman for potential financial inquiries.

Still, Monica mainly focused on the spectacle below or Khan while he handled the talk. She had already requested and delivered a few drinks to him while enjoying his hidden caresses on her back. Monica would join any political conversation where her presence was needed. Yet, from the outside, she looked unavailable.

Monica’s apparent unavailability didn’t stop the representatives from finding new targets. Luther and Anastasia Solodrey sat among them, and the n.o.bles promptly involved them in casual conversations.

“Ooh!” Tlexicpalli exclaimed when one of the contestants launched a fiery spell that engulfed his opponent. The attack was a clean hit, and the battlefield’s floor declared its first winner.

“Humans have so many spells,” Tlexicpalli continued. “Will your training grounds teach them, Prince Khan?”

“I’m only providing better training environments,” Khan explained. “However, we can try that.”

“Didn’t humans and Ef’i share mana studies already?” Lord Exr asked.

“Humans, yes,” Tlexicpalli stated. “Prince Khan, not yet.”

Lord Exr didn’t say anything, and Lord Rsi also remained silent. Yet, the former eyed the huge aliens at his side, seemingly implying something his pride didn’t allow him to voice, especially before his superior.

Khan didn’t need to move his bright eyes from the battlefield to understand what Lord Exr wanted. The Empire had helped develop training regimens for the Scalqa without getting much in return. Still, Lord Exr couldn’t admit that Khan could provide the same treatment to the Thilku.

“Obviously,” Khan announced, holding back a helpless sigh. “The Empire will also be part of the process. It’s only natural to share our achievements with all of us.”

“Thilku and humans have a similar approach to mana,” Lord Exr commented. “Maybe we’ll discover something while working with the [Blue Shaman].”

“I’m sure the Empire’s support will quicken our joint progress,” Monica finally spoke, seizing Khan’s empty cup and lifting a hand to summon the waiters. “Our cooperation has been extremely beneficial until now. I hope it will continue like this.”

“It improved already,” Lord Rsi said, “Miss Solodrey. As for these training grounds, the Empire will collaborate to ensure their quality.”

“My Lord,” Monica called, “Monica is fine. I can’t ask my fiancé’s allies to be so formal with me.”

“Then,” Lord Rsi exclaimed, pondering the matter, “Princess Monica?”

“Apologies, My Lord,” Monica slightly lowered her head. “I’m not married yet, so I didn’t earn that t.i.tle.”

“[Ah]!” Lord Rsi scoffed. “[Blue Shaman], you are firm in battle but hesitant with love.”

“Lord Rsi, pardon the intrusion,” Princess Montares stated. “This topic interests me. Prince Khan, when is the marriage happening?”

“Yes, Prince Khan,” Monica called, lifting her head to show a teasing smile. “When is our marriage happening?”

‘Kill me now,’ Khan thought before eyeing the two Lords. “[Thilku women pale compared to her].”

Lord Exr and Lord Rsi could see Khan’s words as an insult, but both exploded into a loud laugh, which Monica’s glare prolonged. She had learned the Thilku language long ago, so she didn’t miss the comment.

“[Ah! Blue Shaman],” Lord Exr exclaimed. “[Maybe you are more Thilku than you realize].”

Khan hoped the topic could end at that joke, but the word was out now. The representatives, Alexander, and Monica’s parents were all ears, waiting for someone to add inquiries about the marriage.

Meanwhile, Khan focused on Tlexicpalli and the Scalqa. Those aliens were the only ones focused on the battles, and he hoped the other guests could imitate them. Sadly, that moment never arrived.

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