Dimension System: SSS Rank Talent Awakening

Chapter 111 The Stage is Set

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Dabi sat quietly in the living room of his home, the faint morning light filtering through the windows.

His siblings, Eli and Mira, sat across from him, their faces brimming with excitement.

The National Ranking Tournament was only a few hours away, and it was all they could talk about since waking up.

Eli, the younger of the two, leaned forward eagerly. "Are we really going to see you and Fen fight today, big brother?" His eyes sparkled with anticipation.

Mira chimed in, her voice filled with the same excitement. "And Whity and Nyx too, right? You've never shown us what they can really do outside of practice. This is going to be so cool!"

Dabi smiled at them, feeling a pang of affection. He had been training so hard these past few weeks, pushing himself to his limits, but his siblings were always his anchor.

Find your adventure at empire

They were his motivation to keep getting stronger, to protect them in a world that had taken so much from him already.

"You're going to watch from home," Dabi reminded them gently, his voice firm but kind.

"You have school, and it's better if you stay here. The tournament will be broadcast live, and Nafo will make sure you don't miss anything."

Nafo, the family's trusted protector, stood in the corner, nodding respectfully. "Don't worry, Dabi. I'll make sure they're safe and well taken care of while they watch the tournament."

Dabi turned back to his siblings. "I might summon Fen, Whity, and Nyx during the battles. You'll finally get to see them in action for real, not just in the training room."

Eli's face lit up, and Mira let out a small cheer. "Yes! I can't wait to see Fen in a real fight! He's going to be so awesome!"

Dabi chuckled softly. His siblings had only ever seen his spirit pets in practice, where he deliberately held back their power.

They had no idea just how formidable his pets really were. But today, they would see. He felt a surge of determination. Not just for himself, but for them.

"You two behave for Nafo," Dabi instructed, his tone shifting to something more serious. "And don't get into any trouble. The tournament will be long, but I'll come home as soon as it's over."

Both Eli and Mira nodded obediently, though their excitement was still palpable.

Nafo stepped forward. "I'll keep a close eye on them, mister Dabi. You have nothing to worry about. Focus on the tournament."

Dabi gave a small nod of appreciation before standing up and ruffling Eli's hair. "Alright then. I'll see you both tonight. Don't forget to cheer for me."

"We will!" they both shouted in unison, beaming as Dabi turned and headed out the door.

The National Stadium loomed ahead, an immense structure that was even more impressive in person than Dabi had imagined.

The air was electric with excitement, and the streets around the stadium were filled with spectators, vendors, and teams arriving from academies all across the nation. The buzz of anticipation was palpable.

Dabi walked with his team Zen, Lira, Rean, and Tova through the stadium's main gate.

Their professor, Farek Ferrin, led the way, his expression unreadable as always. But even he couldn't completely mask the intensity of the moment.

"This is bigger than I expected," Zen said, his eyes wide as they passed by the throngs of people. "I mean, I knew it would be packed, but this is crazy!"

Dabi nodded in agreement. He had heard that the stadium could hold more than 500,000 people, but seeing it filled with such an enormous crowd was something else entirely.

Every seat seemed occupied, and the sound of voices, laughter, and chatter created a constant roar in the background.

Above them, magical screens floated, showing different views of the stadium and broadcasting live to people all over the country.

Magic technology had advanced so far that now even those in distant cities could watch the tournament as if they were there in person.

As they walked further into the stadium, Dabi's attention was drawn to the VIP area high above.

There, in the exclusive seats reserved for nobles, wealthy families, and government officials, sat some of the most influential people in the nation.

Their faces were familiar, having been featured in news reports and government announcements.

Dabi's eyes scanned the rows of important figures, noticing the representatives from various academies, including some of the principals and professors he had heard about but never met.

They were all here to witness the tournament, their gazes focused on the teams below, assessing the talent and potential of the next generation.

Zen nudged Dabi. "Hey, look up there. That's the VIP section. Must be all the nobles and big shots."

Dabi glanced briefly at the section, recognizing a few faces from his brief encounters with the aristocracy.

He noticed the finely dressed figures, many of whom held themselves with the arrogant air of those born into privilege.

But one face stood out Reniel Vantore, the noble who had interfered with Dabi's acceptance into the top academies.

Reniel sat among the VIPs, his sharp eyes surveying the crowd below. Dabi clenched his fists but quickly forced himself to relax.

This tournament wasn't about revenge or proving something to Reniel. It was about winning for himself and his team.

Professor Farek glanced back at them, his voice cutting through the noise. "Let's go to our team room.

We need to stay focused. The tournament will begin soon, and we'll have plenty of time to assess the competition."

Dabi and his team followed Farek through the stadium, eventually arriving at a spacious room reserved for their academy.

The room was simple but comfortable, with a large window offering a view of the stadium floor.

The noise from the crowd was slightly muffled here, providing a momentary reprieve from the chaos outside.

They gathered around a table in the center of the room, where Farek laid out a few last-minute strategies.

"There are over 50 teams participating," Farek began, his tone calm and measured.

"Each academy has sent their best students. You'll be facing teams from all over the country, and the competition will be fierce.

Remember what we've been practicing focus on teamwork in the group battles. Use your individual strengths to support each other. And above all, stay calm under pressure."

Lira, always the analytical one, asked, "What's the format for the battles? Do we know yet?

"Farek nodded. "There will be both team battles and individual battles.The team battles will determine the ranking of the academies, and the top five academies will receive extra funding from the government.

As for the individual battles, that's where things get more personal. The top three students in the individual ranking will have the opportunity to enter the government vault and select one item of their choosing."

Rean whistled. "The government vault, huh? That's a serious prize. I bet they've got some rare artifacts in there."

"Exactly," Farek said. "But don't let the prize distract you. Focus on the battles ahead. The first rounds will be the team battles.

After that, we'll move on to the individual competitions. We've trained hard for this, and I have no doubt in your abilities. But remember this isn't just about personal glory.

How we perform as a team will determine the future of Astral Heaven Academy."

Dabi glanced at his teammates, feeling the weight of the moment settle over them.

The National Ranking Tournament wasn't just a test of skill it was a chance to prove themselves on the national stage, to show the world what Astral Heaven Academy was capable of.

And for Dabi, it was an opportunity to stand among the best, to show that despite all the setbacks and challenges, he belonged here.

An hour later, the sound of trumpets echoed through the stadium, signaling the start of the tournament.

Dabi and his team were called to the main arena, along with the other teams, to be introduced to the audience.

The stadium was even more overwhelming now, with every seat filled and the magical screens projecting their images to the world.

The announcer's voice boomed through the stadium, welcoming the spectators and introducing the teams.

As each academy was called, the teams stepped forward, receiving cheers from their supporters.

When Astral Heaven Academy was announced, Dabi felt a surge of pride as they walked onto the field, standing tall alongside his teammates.

In the VIP section, the nobles and officials watched closely, their eyes critical but intrigued.

This was their chance to scout future talent, and Dabi could feel the weight of their gaze on him.

After a series of speeches from government officials and nobles, the tournament was officially declared open.

The roar of the crowd was deafening, and the energy in the air was almost tangible.

Dabi looked around at his teammates, feeling a mixture of nerves and excitement.

The tournament had begun, and there was no turning back now. They were ready.

To be continued…

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