Though Duke Davis wasnât clear about Reinâs achievements in the Federation, through secret intelligence, he learned about some details of the Battle of Ferdinand Forest. Even though Menia had issued a gag order back then, the news still managed to leak out.
With Duke Davisâs words, the beautiful lady Jennifer in the front row immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
It seemed that not everyone believed Rein would lose.
Although Rein had told her before that she didnât need to worry at all, Jennifer, being an ordinary person, was still a bit apprehensive.
Besides her, Cleya also felt quite relieved, her slightly furrowed eyebrows smoothing out.
Since childhood, she had heard many stories about Imperial Guardians and had a near instinctive reverence and admiration for their strength. Overall, she was quite worried about this competition.
In contrast, the barbarian girl Lagaray had more confidence in Rein, as she had witnessed his rapid increase in strength and his feat of slaying the gigantic Ancestor Dragon Kolaxius on the Frostwind Prairie six months ago.
Now, another half a year had passed, and who knew to what extent Reinâs strength had grown.
The so-called âStorm Cloudâ, in Lagarayâs eyes, would hardly match Rein.
"Duke Davis, thatâs not necessarily the case. An ancestor submitted a report to the Imperial Royal Family yesterday, stating that his dragon partner Hazas has entered the old dragon phase."
At this moment, an elderly nobleman walked down the aisle; it was Duke Drum, arriving late and casting a proud glance around as he spoke.
"What! Old dragon?" Duke Davisâs expression changed.
"How could it be? Isnât the Green Dragon Hazas..." Duke Davis said half a sentence, then immediately swallowed it back, as if he had thought of something.
Upon hearing the news, the surrounding senior nobles, noble ladies, and young ladies all let out a low gasp. As the cornerstone of the Dragan Empire, they were well-versed in the growth stages and distinctions of dragons.
An old dragon, even with individual differences, would have strength ranging between the Middle Stage and the Epic Peak.
Coupled with the power of the Dragon Rider Pantoscoke himself, wouldnât it...
Duke Drumâs words naturally also changed the expressions of the three women in the front row, looking at each other with uncontrollable worry.
"Look, Rein is here."
Someone among the noble young ladies exclaimed, immediately drawing everyoneâs attention.
A handsome young man in a wizard robe slowly walked into the center of the arena. Though young, his demeanor was calm, with a hint of a smile at the corners of his mouth. His bright black eyes were like gems, resembling the brightest stars in the deep night sky.
Many senior nobles seeing Rein for the first time began whispering among themselves.
Though many had heard Reinâs name, seeing him in person was a different experience for many nobles, noble ladies, and young ladies.
"So this is Rein? The new star of the Empire?"
"So young!"
"So young and yet he can contend with âStorm Cloudâ His Majesty?"
...
In the arena.
It was Reinâs first visit to the Royal Arena.
He looked around. The arena was styled like an Ancient Roman Colosseum but enchanted with many High Rank Defensive Witch Arrays, making the white marble walls and columns shimmer with intricate glowing patterns.
At his level of power, he could naturally sense the energies flowing through these patterns.
His gaze first focused on the most prominent section of the central circular stands of the arena. There was a luxurious viewing platform with the best view, adorned with gilded railings and exquisite sculptures, indicating that it belonged to the Imperial Royal Family.
Rein also noticed the noble and elegant figure there, pausing his gaze slightly and smiling faintly.
Menia was seated at the center of the luxury viewing platform. Seeing Reinâs gesture, she naturally smiled and nodded in return.
Sitting to Meniaâs right was Prince Everton, and on her left was a young beautiful woman whom Rein had never seen before; she was Princess Renala.
"Aunt Menia, you donât seem worried that Rein will lose, do you?" Renala asked curiously, holding Meniaâs hand affectionately.
She had heard about her auntâs relationship with Rein, knowing that he had rescued her aunt during a visit to the Federation. However, seeing her auntâs constant smile, it seemed she was not worried at all about Rein losing this match.
"Yes, I have confidence in Rein," Menia said with a smile, patting Renalaâs fair hand.
While Prince Everton also wore a smile, he inwardly disagreed completely.
As Rein continued onward, he soon noticed a group of restrained aura strongmen on one side of the royal viewing platform, including the familiar âEarth Pulseâ Reginald.
Evidently, these ten or so people must all be Imperial Guardians, or in other words, Empire strongmen of the same tier.
"Hmm? Is this Rein? Quite strong indeed," said an elderly man in a water-blue wizard robe with a solemn face.
He had just glanced slightly at Reinâs strength but found himself blocked outside.
To achieve such a feat, one must have spiritual power akin to that of an established Dawn Wizard.
He had thought that at Reinâs young age, reaching Dawn was already an extraordinary talent. Yet now it seemed that Reinâs strength surpassed his initial estimate.