To the naked eye, this arena looked brand new, but that wasn’t the case. Angel discovered several places on the platform where materials had been replaced or repaired.
This suggested that this arena wasn’t new; it might have existed for a long time. The many repair marks indicated that numerous duels had taken place on the platform, capable of breaking even such durable materials.
At least, Angel currently cannot achieve this. It indicates that many of those who previously dueled in this arena were True Knowledge Wizards and above.
However, none of this information is particularly useful; what Angel is somewhat concerned about is...
"Is there no Magical Energy Array set up in this arena?" Angel asked through the encrypted channel left by the Wise Sovereign.
Wise Sovereign: "That’s right. There is no need for a Magical Energy Array here."
The Wise Sovereign paused, his tone tinged with nostalgia: "In the past, this was a life-and-death stage. Whoever was knocked out of the arena’s bounds was the loser. Do you know why?"
Angel: "...Yes."
Not only did Angel know, but everyone present also understood the significance of this arena at that moment.
Because at some unknown point, countless massive dark shadows suddenly appeared around this arena, densely packed, all Magical Creatures nurtured in this Other-dimensional Space.
The Void concealed their specific forms, but their enormous bodies and pairs of eyes emitting a scarlet glow all testified to their existence.
Imagine this arena itself is already very large, but many of these Void Magical Creatures are not much smaller than the arena itself; they surround the arena, eyeing the people inside hungrily.
"Originally, I wanted to keep it a secret... Alas, it’s regrettable that these little darlings haven’t been fed for so long, making them so excited at your arrival."
Angel really couldn’t understand the Wise Sovereign’s aesthetic; calling these "little darlings"?
Putting other matters aside for now, Angel continued to ask, "Is it the Wise Sovereign’s idea to have us duel in this arena?"
The reason for this judgment is also simple; the Wise Sovereign previously said that the Magical Energy Array was her area of influence; she opened a back door for the Gray Merchant and others to leave this Other-dimensional Space because of the safety passage reserved in the Magical Energy Array.
And this arena doesn’t have a Magical Energy Array, naturally making it beyond her area of influence.
"That’s right, this arena has been sealed for millennia; it’s a rare moment to see it in daylight again, what a memorable occasion!" As the Wise Sovereign sighed with emotion, the Void Magical Creatures beside the arena let out deafening roars: "You see, the little darlings can’t wait to watch your duel."
Angel: ... Are you sure they want to watch, and not because they’re hungry?
Wise Sovereign: "I can’t talk to you alone any longer; I feel someone watching me secretly, I suspect she’s targeting me. A final reminder: although she came to observe your trump cards, and I hope you can win without exposing your trump cards, but if you must reveal them, don’t be stingy. It’s more important to pass this test than to be targeted because she knows your trump cards."
The Wise Sovereign indeed has high hopes for Angel’s side, as the presence of the Demons of the Panic Realm makes their strength quite formidable. But eliminating the Demons of the Panic Realm, the result becomes uncertain.
Although Angel’s Illusion Technique is strong, facing Bloodline Wizards, who are strong in reaction, speed, strength, and explosive power, Angel might not even be able to release the Illusion Technique.
If unable to release the Illusion Technique, Bloodline Wizards would surely dominate the duel.
Additionally, regardless of how large the arena appears, it ultimately has its limitations.
The Wise Sovereign once observed the Gray Merchant’s battle; upon activating his Bloodline, immense power gathered in his legs, capable of directly stomping a hundred-meter ground into a crack.
This arena should be able to withstand his stomping, but the power conduction from the stomping is unavoidable for Angel.
Even if Angel were to hide in the crevice formed by the fusion of space and illusion as he did earlier, how would he attack? Across the space crevice?
Therefore, the Wise Sovereign isn’t optimistic about Angel’s direct fight with the Gray Merchant, but with trump cards, Angel can still win reasonably easily.
Consequently, the Wise Sovereign reminded Angel that winning is more important than exposing trump cards.
The Wise Sovereign’s advice was absorbed by Angel, who is pragmatic enough not to act impulsively for the sake of temporary emotions; if he needs to use his trump cards, he will definitely use them.
However, from the Wise Sovereign’s tone, Angel feels somewhat underestimated.
Earl Mi and Speedy, from the start, Angel hasn’t hidden them; they are clearly the open cards.
And what exactly is a trump card? Anything that can be shown is definitely not a trump card.
...
"Here is where your competition will take place; in the past, it was known as the Evil Dragon Arena. The reason is that in the void, there’s a fierce dragon with a passion for arenas..."
The Wise Sovereign elaborated extensively, but few really listened, as most were drawn toward the surrounding magic monsters.
Angel was one of the few who completely listened to the Wise Sovereign’s explanation.
After listening, Angel felt that the Wise Sovereign was actually speaking nonsense.
A dragon that loves arenas? To prevent the dragon from causing a massacre in the void, they built this arena, exclusively for the dragon’s entertainment?
This all sounds odd, yet pinpointing what’s wrong seems impossible.
But to agree with these reasons would be pure foolishness.
Angel even suspects the Wise Sovereign was lying from the beginning, possibly it’s not "Evil Dragon Arena," but "Hungry Dragon Arena" more accurately.
The surrounding monsters aren’t here for a love of arenas; they are here to eat people.
After the Wise Sovereign finished telling the indistinguishable history of the arena, he immediately spoke about the arena’s three rules: First, being knocked out of the arena means losing. Second, there’s a height limitation on the arena, breaking the height limitation means losing. Third, if the battle damages the arena, compensation is required.
Angel clearly understood these three rules; the first two stem from the relationship with the Void monsters outside; one cannot leave the safety range to avoid being swallowed as food by these monsters.
However, the appearance of these two rules greatly compresses Angel’s battle space, inversely benefiting Bloodline Wizards.
Similar to the Sky Tower, Bloodline Apprentices often dominate the rankings at Sky Towers across locations, largely because the Sky Tower restricts the range of the competition, benefiting Bloodline Wizards, while restricting other series.
Perhaps the Mirror Bearer agreed to the Wise Sovereign staging the duel here because this place restricts their abilities more, allowing her to see more trump cards you may reveal.
"The first duel will use the ground’s color to decide who goes first. If the ground is white, the left side will go first; if the ground is black, the right side will go first."
The ground color? Isn’t the ground a yellowish brown?
While everyone was puzzled, the slabs on the ground began to alternate between black and white, and only then did everyone understand why there was mention of black and white.
After three seconds, the interlacing black and white squares on the ground gradually faded, leaving the stone slabs entirely white.
"White, representing the Gray Merchant’s side, thus you will send out the first battle personnel."