Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 1555 - 536: Showdown

Although Duke Davis lacked full knowledge of Rein’s exploits in the Federation, he had gleaned certain aspects of the Ferdinand Forest Battle via covert reports. Despite Menia’s prior command to suppress the information, details had still seeped through.

The elegant Jennifer in the front row let out a deep breath of relief upon hearing Duke Davis speak.

Clearly, not all attendees were convinced of Rein’s impending defeat.

Rein had assured her earlier that there was no cause for concern whatsoever, yet as a regular individual, Jennifer couldn’t help feeling a touch of unease.

In addition to her, Cleya experienced a wave of ease too, her lightly creased brows relaxing fully.

From her early years, tales of Imperial Guardians had filled her ears, fostering an almost innate respect and awe for their prowess. In general, she harbored significant anxiety regarding this duel.

On the other hand, the barbarian Lagaray placed greater faith in Rein, having observed his swift power surge and the epic kill of the massive Ancestor Dragon Kolaxius on the Frostwind Prairie just half a year prior.

Now, with yet another six months elapsed, no one could predict how far Rein’s abilities had advanced.

To Lagaray, the famed ’Storm Cloud’ appeared far from a worthy adversary for Rein.

"Duke Davis, that might not hold true. Yesterday, an ancestor delivered a report to the Imperial Royal Family, revealing that his dragon companion Hazas has advanced into the old dragon stage."

Just then, an aged nobleman made his way along the pathway; it was the tardy Duke Drum, who scanned the area with a smug look while uttering his words.

"What! An old dragon?" Duke Davis’s face shifted dramatically.

"How is that possible? Isn’t the Green Dragon Hazas..." Duke Davis began, only to cut himself off mid-thought, as though a sudden realization struck him.

The revelation prompted soft exclamations from the nearby elder nobles, noblewomen, and debutantes. As pillars of the Dragan Empire, they possessed deep familiarity with dragon maturation phases and variations.

An old dragon, regardless of personal variances, typically wielded power from Middle Stage up to Epic Peak.

When combined with the might of the Dragon Rider Pantoscoke himself, the implications were staggering...

Duke Drum’s announcement swiftly altered the countenances of the three women up front, who exchanged glances brimming with irrepressible concern.

"There he is—Rein has arrived."

One of the noble maidens cried out, instantly capturing the focus of the entire assembly.

A striking youth clad in wizard robes strode unhurriedly toward the arena’s heart. Despite his youth, he exuded composure, a subtle grin playing at his lips. His vivid dark eyes sparkled like jewels, evoking the most radiant stars amid the velvety night.

Numerous veteran nobles encountering Rein for the initial time started murmuring softly to one another.

While Rein’s reputation had reached many ears, beholding him firsthand proved a novel thrill for countless nobles, ladies, and young women.

"Is that Rein? The Empire’s rising sensation?"

"He’s incredibly youthful!"

"So youthful, and still able to challenge ’Storm Cloud’ His Majesty?"

...

Within the arena.

This marked Rein’s debut in the Royal Arena.

He surveyed his surroundings. The structure echoed the Ancient Roman Colosseum, yet it bore enchantments from numerous High Rank Defensive Witch Arrays, causing the pale marble barriers and pillars to gleam with elaborate luminous designs.

Given his current prowess, detecting the energies coursing via those designs came effortlessly to him.

His eyes initially locked onto the arena’s central circular stands’ most notable area. A opulent balcony offered prime visibility, featuring gold-plated barriers and refined carvings, signifying its Imperial Royal Family ownership.

Rein spotted the graceful and poised silhouette there too, lingering his look briefly while offering a soft smile.

Menia occupied the prime seat on the lavish balcony. Noticing Rein’s action, she responded with a natural grin and a nod.

To Menia’s right sat Prince Everton, while a unfamiliar striking young woman graced her left; this was Princess Renala.

"Aunt Menia, you don’t appear concerned about Rein possibly losing, right?" Renala inquired with interest, clasping Menia’s hand warmly.

She knew of her aunt’s bond with Rein, stemming from his heroic save during her Federation trip. Still, observing her aunt’s perpetual serene expression suggested zero fretting over Rein’s potential loss in this bout.

"Indeed, I trust in Rein fully," Menia replied smilingly, giving Renala’s pale hand a gentle pat.

Prince Everton maintained a smiling facade, though deep down he harbored total opposition to that view.

As Rein pressed forward, his attention soon caught a cluster of aura-suppressed powerhouses beside the royal balcony, among them the known ’Earth Pulse’ Reginald.

Without doubt, these dozen or so figures represented the full roster of Imperial Guardians, or equivalently, the Empire’s elite warriors of that caliber.

"Hmm? So this is Rein? Impressively potent," remarked an older man in a azure wizard robe, his features grave.

He had merely cast a cursory probe at Rein’s power, only to encounter an impenetrable barrier.

Such resistance demanded spiritual force comparable to a seasoned Dawn Wizard.

He figured that attaining Dawn at Rein’s tender age already signified remarkable genius. But presently, it appeared Rein’s capabilities exceeded his prior assumptions.