While a janitor was scrubbing the carpets, Norval sprinted into the hotel lobby. A drop of his sweat tricked down his face and fell on the carpet and they exchanged awkward glances with the janitor. He assumed and continued to walk towards the elevator when he met up with Jalon. Jalon had a plate full of food on his tray, including toasted bread, an omelette, and a glass of juice balanced on the toast. At the same time, he was munching on a sausage.

"Seriously? "Did you go for a jog?" With a bit of sausage still in his mouth, Jalon inquired.

"Unlike you, I prefer to have my body taken care of," he replied.

"When the gods provide you with a body like mine, you don't have to worry about looking after it," Jalon remarked, throwing another chunk of sausage into his mouth, "We leave it to the gods to worry about that."

"I thought the hotel provided room service, so why did you come all the way down here?"

"I wanted to do some reconnaissance in the region," He expressed his dissatisfaction by saying, "I heard hotels like these have the hottest staff, turns out I was mistaken." Norval snatched the glass of juice from Jalon's tray and went in front of him, flushing the entire glass down in one go, as they both boarded the elevator and made their way to the floor where they were staying.

Jalon seemed unconcerned. Vandrad strolled past them as they were about to enter their rooms, his damp hair bouncing from side to side as he headed towards the elevator. Norval and Jalon responded that he was courteous enough to welcome them as he passed past them. They stood there watching him try to knot his robe's belt.

Luciana appeared not long after, coming from the same way as Vandrad. She too was wearing the exact same robe that the two guys saw Vandrad with and both of them had wet hair. Based on their findings, it was obvious where their minds were leading them. Luciana was fighting to get her key into her room's keyhole, and she could feel their gazes fixed on her.

Her quivering hands couldn't keep the keys steady long enough to insert it through the keyhole, and the key slid from her grasp. As she reached for it, she noticed the boys staring at her with puzzled expressions. It took her a minute to figure out what they were thinking, but once she did, she lashed at them like a snake.

"Get your dirty minds out of the gutter! Nothing happened,"
"But," Jalon tried to brush it off, "we didn't say anything."

"You'll lose your eyes by the end of breakfast if you keep staring at me!" Luciana stated this as she adjusted her robe to hide her bathing suit.

"Wow, that's a fantastic colour scheme!" Giggling, Jalon said. When he saw Luciana stomping her way towards him, he dashed into his room and slammed the door shut.

"You should put it on for today's trials!" Jalon yelled from the safety of his room, then burst out laughing. Norval's patience had run out. He, too, burst out laughing from inside his chamber. Luciana had had her fill with embarrassment for the day, so she returned to her room and took the key. Her hands stopped shaking from the cold as a result of her rage, and she was able to open the door. When she entered, she could still hear the two obnoxious boys laughing their heads off.

The candidates gathered outside the hotel, awaiting their transportation. Right on schedule, a coach arrived to pick them up, surrounded by a throng of fans and well-wishers who had congregated to catch a glimpse of them. The journey back to the Olympus Sports Complex was mostly quiet, the atmosphere contemplative, until they neared the complex itself.

An influx of visitors seemed to converge upon the property, creating a lively buzz. As they drew closer to the entrance, the crowd intensified, and unfamiliar faces could be spotted among the sea of people outside the bus windows, their excited screams punctuating the air. The parking area and entrance were abuzz with activity, swarmed by attendees.

Passing by, they caught sight of a group brandishing banners with their names emblazoned upon them, as well as merchandise adorned with their likenesses on shirts and hats. The candidates had a realization: the Complex was going to be bustling with spectators eager to witness their trials. Stepping off the bus, they were met with a cacophony of applause and cheers.

Led through the entrance, they were guided through the crowded area, their way cleared by security personnel who shielded them from the enthusiastic crowd longing for a closer encounter. Finally, they found refuge within the halls of the staff area, a haven away from the fervor.

In this quieter space, they were directed to a meeting with the management, the anticipation and weight of the trials hanging in the air.

"I'm really sorry; I hope no one was hurt?" Terrence the manager inquired.

"You didn't warn us that it would be that packed; I thought only a few people came to witness the trials?" Norval was the one who inquired.

"Well, this is Sunset City, and our folks go nuts for events like these," Terrence explained, "especially because it will be a tournament format."

"It was a free invitation, and I never expected such a large number of people to show up. I hope I don't throw you off; I wouldn't want to be the one to sabotage your chances with this stunt," Terrence remarked.

"Throw me off? You just inspired me, dude." Jalon said, pocketing his smartphone, "The crowd adores me, and now I have to bring my A-game."

"The locker room is where you guys practiced yesterday. I've arranged for a clothing change to suit your preferences." The manager added, giving over the keys to all three candidates, "Every suit and apparel has been made to your satisfaction."

Guided by the staff member, they made their way to the elevator and ascended to the training floor. The corridor they entered was transformed, each door now bearing a name tag. As they walked down the corridor, they took note of the names: 'Eadmer Todd,' 'Wardric Waller,' and 'Vandrad Stanier.' Wearing their own name badges, they reached the end of the hallway where a list of three rooms awaited them.

"If there's anything else you need before we start, just call for help and they'll be there in a second. Otherwise, you have fifteen minutes left, and we can meet back in the lobby when you're finished. I wish you all the best of success, and don't forget to break a leg." The manager muttered as he dashed to the elevator and returned to his office in a funny manner. The students then entered the room one by one, wearing their labels.

Upon entering the room, Luciana was immediately struck by the decor. To her left, a shoe rack showcased a wide variety of footwear, from brightly colored shoes to ankle-tying boots and comfortable flats. Hanging on a nearby drawer was an assortment of suits in different color palettes. However, what captured her attention the most was a shelf adorned with an array of vials, beakers, and belts stacked meticulously. The options seemed endless – belts that could be worn around the waist or over the shoulders, and vials of various shapes and sizes.

As Luciana approached the shelf, she noticed that everything was organized according to the company's specifications. The top rack held the high-end vials, while the lower tiers contained samples. Among the arrangements, she came across a briefcase adorned with the IAA school insignia. Opening it revealed flasks of potions and mutagens. Some were her own creations, while others had been provided by the school.

Inside the room, the sound of the crowd's enthusiastic chants in the complex's stadium could be heard. Luciana felt a surge of anxiety building within her. Her heart raced, and the atmosphere seemed charged with anticipation. She swiftly selected the vials she needed and started filling them one by one, placing them neatly in compartments on the utility belt she had chosen.

After filling the vials, Luciana turned her attention to the suits. She selected a sleek black suit with delicate light pink embellishments on the shoulders and shins. The outfit perfectly complemented her slim yet curvaceous figure, and the measurements had been tailored precisely to fit her physique. She slipped into a pair of leather boots and fastened a utility belt around her waist to ensure the vials remained secure. Taking a couple of deep breaths to steady herself, she felt satisfied with her appearance and ventured out into the corridor.

Luciana waited outside, allowing Norval and Jalon to complete their preparations. Norval emerged, dressed in a black jumpsuit adorned with blue shoulder accents and matching boots. He had opted for a chest-spanning utility belt that provided easy access to his vials. Soon after, Jalon joined them, casually enjoying a lollipop while tidying his hair. He donned a black jumpsuit and, instead of a utility belt, wore a jacket equipped with external straps. Numerous vials were secured to these harnesses, creating a distinctive look. He paired his jumpsuit with black cargo trousers and strategically placed a few vials in the pockets. To complete his ensemble, he adorned himself with a ghostly mask hung around his neck.

"A mask?" Norval had approached him with the question.

"Hey, when a dazzling flash of light temporarily blinds you, you'll think to yourself, 'I should have worn a mask, like Jalon,'" he continued, his voice unsteady, owing to the fact that he was trying to speak while a ball of sugar rolled across his tongue.

As they approached the elevator, another door blasted open in front of them, and a massive arm kept it open for a time. Eadmer Todd, the tiny youngster, walked out shortly after. He was dressed in a brightly colored jumpsuit that radiated green throughout the corridor. His hands were hidden under gloves that reached all the way to his elbows, and his eyes were hidden by glasses. He lowered his shades and winked at Luciana as he turned to the three candidates.

"I hope to see you on the battlefield soon enough, and I hope you're bringing your best; I didn't come here to waste my time," he remarked as he headed towards the stairwell, followed by his bodyguards.

"Ugh, that little brat. I feel like bashing his little head in," Luciana said spitefully, though she didn't mean it.

"Well, there's definitely a Seolaran doctor who could heal it in a matter of seconds, if I were you, I would go for it," Jalon remarked jokingly. As they descended into the lobby, the mob grew louder and louder. They came shortly after and joined the rest of the group

Wardric Waller was dressed in a similar attire to the previous day, though he had omitted the bead necklace that he had worn before. Vandrad Stanier, on the other hand, sported a casual ensemble consisting of a loose-fitting jacket, well-fitted denim pants, sneakers, and a black turtleneck shirt. This attire was a contrast to the candidates' expectations, as they had anticipated a more traditional monk-like appearance due to his Lorth magician background. However, his self-taught status meant he wasn't bound by such attire.

The candidates were momentarily taken aback by Vandrad's appearance. Luciana made an effort to stay behind Jalon, occasionally peering out to avoid eye contact with him. The memory of their earlier encounter that morning still lingered in her mind, and she hoped to keep her distance.

As they entered the stadium, the audience erupted in excitement. An announcer's voice echoed over the microphone, heightening the crowd's enthusiasm. Luciana glanced up and saw herself displayed on the massive screen suspended from the ceiling, along with the images of the other candidates.

Spotting a group of girls in the stands, Jalon enthusiastically waved and even blew kisses to them. Meanwhile, Vandrad Stanier adjusted the belt that stretched diagonally from his shoulder to his waist. He had a black grimoire with a prominent red diamond adorning its leather cover, suggesting his formidable magical prowess.

"Greetings, ladies and gentlemen! There they are! Please help me welcome the participants to the tournament of the Trials! "The crowd surged once more," the announcer stated.