Harem System In A fantasy World - Chapter 195: Hype

Chapter 195: Hype

Across Grimholt City, flying mounts were landing one after another at the city’s arrival ports.

The skies above the floating city were unusually busy. Massive flying tigers, sleek winged serpents, and even the incredibly expensive wyverns descended from the clouds as their riders arrived from every corner of the continent.

A large number of people were pouring into the city.

They had all come for the same reason.

The fighting tournament that would begin the very next day.

This was not just any ordinary competition. It was an event where some of the most talented members of the younger generation would be fighting in front of nobles, merchants, and powerful organizations from across the realm.

No noble house or influential group would willingly miss such an opportunity to observe the academy’s rising stars.

But the excitement had grown even larger after a shocking announcement.

If any outsider—someone who was not already a student—managed to defeat a current academy student of the same age, they would be granted immediate admission into the academy!

It was an outrageous rule!

And it had been proposed by Xavier himself.

He had suggested allowing talented youths from outside the academy to participate in the tournament.

To everyone’s surprise, the proposal had been accepted with no issue.

The announcement had spread like wildfire. The result was exactly what Xavier had expected.

The hype around the tournament had exploded overnight!

Not only did it make the event far more exciting, but it also attracted even more visitors—and even more revenue for the academy.

Because of that single rule change, thousands of people had arrived in Grimholt over the past week.

Merchants, nobles, adventurers, and hopeful young fighters all filled the streets of the floating city.

All those who felt like they deserved to be accepted here but were never awarded the opportunity felt like this was a golden chance to prove themselves and change their lives forever.

And now—

The tournament was only one day away.

A pair of familiar winged pythons descended from the sky and landed heavily at one of Grimholt’s many arrival ports.

The massive creatures folded their wings as soon as their talons touched the ground. Their saddles creaked as three people climbed down from their backs, followed by two servants.

One of them was a young maid, while the other was a familiar elderly figure.

Silas.

Of course, he was accompanying his master.

Gale, his wife, Mistress Gale, and their son Cedric stepped forward calmly while a port steward hurried toward Silas to take control of the mount.

Behind the steward came several workers pulling a small luggage carriage, meant to carry the family’s belongings.

Cedric looked around with open curiosity.

His eyes moved over the smooth paved streets and the tall buildings stretching up toward the sky.

“Wow,” he said in amazement. “This city looks smaller than Ashford, but it seems like it was built much better.”

“Don’t embarrass us!” Gale snapped in a low whisper. “Stop gawking like an idiot!”

Cedric’s face immediately turned red.

“Sorry, father.”

Mistress Gale chuckled softly.

“Let the boy enjoy himself, dear,” she said lightly, tugging Gale’s arm while fanning herself with the other hand.

Behind them, the female servant walked quietly, holding what looked like her mistress’s purse and other smaller personal belongings.

Gale’s expression remained annoyed.

“He’s already acting like some clueless country bumpkin,” he muttered.

His wife laughed again but said nothing further as they continued walking toward the nearest buildings.

The family had clearly prepared themselves carefully for this trip.

All three of them were dressed extravagantly.

Mistress Gale looked even more beautiful than usual. Her face had been carefully powdered, and she wore a luxurious red dress that shimmered under the sunlight.

Gale himself wore a formal black suit, though his round stomach pushed slightly against the fabric.

Cedric wore something similar to his father’s outfit. His clothing was simpler but still clearly expensive.

It was obvious they had spared no effort preparing for this important event.

“We need to find proper lodgings,” Gale said while scanning the nearby buildings.

At that moment, Silas finally caught up with them, walking briskly while two stewards followed behind with their luggage.

“Right away, sir,” Silas replied respectfully as he stepped ahead to lead the way.

Gale glanced toward the distance.

Far above the city, built along a raised mountain-like structure, stood an enormous complex that towered over everything else.

“I wonder how we are supposed to find Mira in a place like this,” Gale said thoughtfully.

His eyes lingered on the distant structure.

“I assume that must be the academy.”

“Yes, my dear,” Mistress Gale said with a smile.

His wife had been fortunate enough to attend the academy in her youth, while he had not been so fortunate.

Even though she dropped out along the way, she was still quite familiar with the place.

Cedric looked up at it as well.

“It looks just as amazing as I imagined,” he said, trying his best to hide the awe in his voice.

They continued walking through the bustling port district, following behind Silas as he led the way.

Grimholt was far more lively than Cedric had imagined.

The streets were crowded with travelers who had arrived from every corner of the continent.

Merchants shouted advertisements for their goods, port stewards hurried past with carts full of luggage, and groups of richly dressed nobles walked through the city with their guards in tow.

Above them, the sky was constantly filled with movement.

More flying mounts circled in the air, waiting for a place to land.

Cedric could not help but glance up again.

“Father… there are even more people arriving,” he muttered.

“Of course there are,” Gale replied calmly. “This is not some small regional gathering. The academy’s tournament attracts attention from all over the continent.”

He adjusted the sleeve of his coat while walking.

“Many powerful families will be attending. Some come to watch the students, others come to scout potential talents for their factions.”

Cedric nodded slowly.

He understood that much.

But seeing it in person was still overwhelming.

Mistress Gale walked beside her husband, occasionally fanning herself while observing the surrounding buildings.

“This city is more impressive than I remember,” she said thoughtfully. “Everything looks better, and so well-maintained. The city has grown.”

Silas, who was walking slightly ahead of them, spoke without turning around.

“Grimholt, the floating city may be separate from the academy, but recently, I hear that it has been maintained by the combined efforts of the rulers of the different races, madam.”

“I’m aware,” she said as Silas lowered his head. He thought he was being useful, but it turns out he was just being an annoyance.

She continued, not showing any sign of displeasure, “The infrastructure here is supported by several massive mana arrays beneath the city.”

Cedric’s eyes widened slightly.

“So the whole city is basically… floating because of magic?”

“More or less,” His mother replied calmly.

They soon reached a wider street where several large inns and hotels stood side by side.

Many of them already had banners hanging outside announcing that rooms were fully booked.

Gale frowned.

“Hmph. I expected as much.”

Mistress Gale glanced around with interest.

“Perhaps we should have reserved rooms earlier.”

“We tried,” Gale replied flatly. “But every noble family had the same idea.”

Silas slowed his steps and looked back at them.

“If I may, sir,” he said politely, “there are still several establishments further ahead that cater specifically to visiting nobles. We may have better luck there.”

Gale nodded.

“Lead the way.”

As they continued walking deeper into the city, Cedric’s thoughts drifted again toward the towering academy in the distance.

’So Mira lives up there… How lucky.’

He wondered how different her life must be compared to theirs.

A small smile appeared on his face.

Soon enough, he would see for himself.

…

A similar scene was playing out all across the great city.

Families, nobles, merchants, and powerful figures were settling into hotels and guest residences as they prepared to watch the upcoming tournament.

In one particularly lavish hotel suite, Lord Moon had just finished settling into the large room with his seductively beautiful wife.

“Father! When can I go see big sister?”

An incredibly cute young girl with long blue hair tugged at her father’s arm with all the strength she could manage.

She looked no older than nine or ten, and her bright blue eyes were full of excitement.

“Soon, Aurelia,” Lord Moon said patiently, giving his daughter a gentle pat on the head.

Aurelia wore a lovely blue dress, similar in design to the elegant gowns her mother often wore, though hers looked more reserved and innocent. The flowing fabric matched her deep blue hair perfectly.

“Come here, dear,” the beautiful Mrs. Moon called out softly.

Her voice was smooth and calm as she sat on the plush couch inside the suite. Her lips were painted a deep velvet red, and she wore a navy blue silk dress that hugged her sexy figure.

A tasteful slit ran along one side of the dress, revealing part of her long legs up to her thigh while still maintaining a dignified elegance.

Aurelia happily ran over and climbed onto her mother’s lap.

“Now tell me,” Mrs. Moon said kindly, brushing her daughter’s hair aside, “what did I say you should do while we are here?”

Aurelia immediately put on a pondering expression on her face.

She poked her cheek thoughtfully while staring upward in deep concentration.

“Mmmmm…”

Then suddenly her eyes lit up.

“Oh! I know!” she said proudly. “You said I should act like a big girl!”

Mrs. Moon chuckled softly.

“That’s right. And what does a big girl do?”

Aurelia frowned again, thinking very hard.

Her small brows furrowed cutely.

“Mmmmm…”

She struggled for a moment before finally blurting out an answer.

“Not bother, daddy!”

Mrs. Moon smiled and lightly flicked her daughter’s forehead with her forefinger.

“Exactly.”

“Ow ow ow!” Aurelia immediately protested, clutching her forehead as tears welled up in her eyes. “That hurt!”

“Now go unpack your bags,” her mother said calmly.

“Fine…” Aurelia grumbled as she climbed down from her mother’s lap.

She stomped toward one of the many doors inside the luxurious suite before disappearing into the room, leaving her parents alone.

Lord Moon leaned back slightly, his broad shoulders relaxing as he looked toward the window.

“I wonder when I’ll be able to meet this Elion,” he said thoughtfully.

His wife laughed lightly and slipped her arm around his.

“I see you’re already looking forward to meeting your future son-in-law,” she teased.

Moon snorted.

“Son-in-law? We’ll see if he deserves her first.”

His eyes sharpened slightly.

“I just hope he’s participating in this tournament so I can see for myself how capable he is. If not…”