Eternal Tower: Atreia Era

The cheers on the arena lasted for a long time. The news of Lynn's comeback and the formation of his battle wings spread like wildfire throughout the entire junior department, and even alarmed the senior students and instructors in the academy.

Countless students who had not previously paid attention to the freshman ranking competition flocked to the central training ground, eager to see this extraordinary border genius with their own eyes.

The referee, looking at Lynn's upright posture and composed demeanor on the stage, was full of approval. He announced loudly, "Lynn has advanced to the final round. After a short rest, the final battle of this year's ranking competition will begin in half an hour to determine the champion of the junior division!"

Lynn nodded slightly and leaped off the stage.

As soon as they landed, Lina ran over, her face full of excitement and her eyes slightly red: "Lynn, you're amazing! You actually managed to conjure wings during the battle and defeated Karen! I knew you could do it!"

"Thanks to my training over this period of time, and thanks to your encouragement." Lynn smiled slightly, his tone calm, without the slightest arrogance of a favorite to win the championship.

The surrounding students gathered around, and the look in their eyes when they looked at Lynn was no longer one of disdain and doubt, but rather one of awe and admiration. Even those students who had previously been critical of him now took the initiative to come forward and wanted to befriend him.

"Senior Brother Lynn, your fight just now was absolutely amazing!"

"Lynn, you are truly the pride of our freshmen!"

Faced with the compliments from the crowd, Lynn responded indifferently and did not pay much attention to them. He found a quiet corner, sat down cross-legged, closed his eyes and regulated his breathing, quickly recovering the etheric power consumed in the previous battle.

His battle with Karen, though seemingly an easy victory, actually took a huge toll. In particular, the breakthrough and condensation of his wings during the battle nearly depleted his Ether Sea. He must adjust his condition as soon as possible to prepare for the upcoming final match.

His opponent in the finals was also a top-tier powerhouse among this year's freshmen. Born into a noble family of the Celestial Clan, he received orthodox Guardian training from a young age. His strength was in no way inferior to Karen's at her peak. He was experienced and skilled, making him an even more formidable opponent than Karen.

Half an hour passed in the blink of an eye.

The final match has officially begun!

The referee announced loudly: "The final match of this year's Elementary School Ranking Tournament: Lynn vs. Albert!"

The entire arena fell silent instantly, all eyes focused on the central main arena. This was the pinnacle showdown of this year's freshman ranking competition, destined to become a hot topic of discussion within the academy in the near future.

Lynn slowly opened his eyes, a flash of golden light disappearing from them. Golden wings instantly unfurled behind him, and he leaped into the air, landing steadily on the central arena. His aura was calm and restrained, yet contained awe-inspiring power.

His opponent, Albert, also stepped into the ring.

Albert stood tall and straight, dressed in exquisite Celestial Clan student attire. He had a handsome face and a refined demeanor, yet his eyes were sharp. A pair of complete golden wings were also spread out on his back, indicating that he had already broken through to the Wing Condensation Realm and possessed formidable strength.

Unlike Karen's arrogance and temper, Albert is calm and composed, acts with humility, and advances steadily and surely, revealing unfathomable strength.

Albert looked at Lynn, his eyes filled with respect rather than contempt, and bowed slightly: "I have long admired Brother Lynn's strength. I will certainly go all out in today's battle."

"Likewise, please enlighten me." Lynn nodded slightly in polite response.

Two newly emerged powerhouses, both having condensed their wings, stood facing each other. The air instantly became heavy as two powerful aetheric auras clashed on the arena, an invisible pressure spreading out.

The judges took a deep breath and announced loudly, "The final match begins!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Albert made the first move. He held nothing back, his aether rapidly circulating around him as he quickly formed hand seals and unleashed the sect's orthodox basic combat technique—Light Blade Dance!

Dozens of condensed light blades rained down on Lynn like a storm. The blades were arranged in an orderly fashion and their power was superimposed, blocking all of Lynn's evasive routes. They were far more sophisticated and troublesome than Karen's attacks.

Albert's fighting style is calm and meticulous, integrating offense and defense. He has clearly received professional combat training, and every move he makes is flawless.

Lynn's eyes were serious, and he dared not be careless in the slightest.

He flapped his wings lightly and retreated quickly, while simultaneously gathering ether in his hands to form a solid protective light membrane in front of him, doing his best to resist the attack of the light blade.

Bang bang bang!

A series of explosions rang out as light blades continuously bombarded the protective light membrane, causing it to shake violently and ripple, yet it remained steadfast and unbroken.

Taking advantage of the gaps in the light blade attacks, Lynn used his Instant Step technique, his figure moving like a ghost, weaving through the gaps in the light blades and rapidly closing in on Albert.

He knew very well that he was at a disadvantage in long-range combat, and that only in close combat could he make use of his strength and fighting instincts.

Seeing this, Albert's gaze remained unchanged. He formed hand seals again, and a protective light membrane instantly condensed around him. At the same time, light blades surrounded him, forming a defensive barrier to prevent Lynn from getting close.

In an instant, the arena was filled with light as two figures darted back and forth. The sounds of light blades colliding, instantaneous dodges, and protective light membranes clashing were deafening, making the battle exceptionally fierce.

The two were evenly matched and at the same level, resulting in a stalemate where neither could gain the upper hand.

The audience below the stage was overwhelmed by the spectacle, with cheers and shouts of encouragement rising and falling. Everyone was awestruck by this epic showdown.

Lynn grew stronger with each battle, constantly familiarizing himself with the power after condensing his wings. His combat skills became increasingly proficient. He no longer relied solely on brute force, but instead imitated Albert's combat rhythm, taking advantage of his strengths and compensating for his weaknesses to maximize his own advantages.

With the keen intuition he had honed while hunting on the frontier, he repeatedly dodged Albert’s deadly attacks while constantly searching for the slightest flaws in his opponent’s defenses.

Hundreds of moves, thousands of moves...

The two fought fiercely for thousands of rounds, yet neither gained the upper hand. The etheric power within their bodies was being rapidly depleted, and their auras were gradually becoming disordered.

Albert was increasingly shocked. He had been practicing orthodox combat techniques since childhood and had abundant resources, but he had been unable to defeat him for a long time. This young man from the border was not only strong, but also had an extremely tenacious will. No matter how he attacked, he could not defeat him.

"We can't delay any longer!"

Albert's eyes narrowed, and he decided to use his trump card. He bit the low-grade ether crystal hidden in his mouth, instantly replenishing the ether he had consumed. His body shone brightly, and he raised his hands high, condensing a giant light blade several meters long. This was the strongest combat skill he could currently use!

"Brother Lynn, take this!"

Albert roared, and the giant light blade, carrying unparalleled power, slashed down fiercely towards Lynn. The oppressive aura swept across the entire arena, making everyone below feel terrified.

Faced with this deadly blow, Lynn's eyes remained firm, showing no sign of backing down.

He took a deep breath, gathering all the remaining etheric power in his body into his right fist, while simultaneously drawing upon the luminous ether of heaven and earth to merge into his fist. The golden wings on his back shone brightly.

This punch contained all his strength, all his will, and all his beliefs!

It's a fight for revenge!

It's a fight to protect!

They are fighting for their own path as guardians!

"drink!"

Lynn roared and his fist slammed out, colliding fiercely with Albert's giant light blade!

boom--!!!

A deafening roar echoed throughout the entire training ground, golden light radiated everywhere, and shockwaves surged. The protective barrier of the arena shook violently and nearly collapsed.

A powerful shockwave spread outwards, and the audience below the stage retreated, their faces filled with shock.

As the light faded, the scene on the arena became clearly visible to everyone.

Lynn's fist was firmly planted on Albert's chest, while Albert's giant light blade had already shattered and dissipated. He froze on the spot, then a trickle of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth, and he slowly knelt down.

"I... lost."

Albert's face was full of bitterness, but he was convinced and managed to utter three words with difficulty.

The judges, their voices trembling with excitement, announced loudly, "In the final round, Lynn wins! Lynn is the champion of this year's Elementary Department Ranking Tournament!"

The entire arena erupted in deafening cheers, with applause and shouts rising and falling, as everyone cheered for the newly crowned beginner champion!

Lynn slowly withdrew his fist, his wings gently folding back. His ether was nearly depleted, yet his posture remained upright as he stood in the center of the arena, receiving the attention of the entire audience.

Head Instructor Gavin personally descended from the platform and approached Lynn, holding a golden champion's medal and an academy award document, solemnly pinning the medal on Lynn.

"Lynn, your performance was outstanding. Your talent and temperament are both exceptional. You truly deserve to be the champion of this year's Elementary Department." Head Instructor Gavin's tone was solemn and full of praise. "According to the academy's rules, I hereby grant you ten low-grade ether crystals, permanent access to the first floor of the library, priority in participating in border combat missions, and I will personally serve as your personal mentor!"

These words caused the entire audience to erupt in cheers once again!

Having Gavin, the head instructor, personally serve as his exclusive mentor is the highest honor the academy can bestow upon top geniuses, something countless students dream of, yet it unexpectedly fell upon Lynn, a border boy!

Lynn was also filled with surprise, and immediately bowed, saying, "Thank you, Head Instructor, and thank you for the academy's cultivation!"

"No need for formalities. Your strength and hard work deserve this honor." Chief Instructor Gavin nodded slightly, his eyes full of expectation. "Cultivate diligently. In the future, you will surely become a backbone of the Celestial Race, protecting Atreia and fighting against the Dragon Race. A heavy responsibility rests on your shoulders."

Lynn straightened his back, his eyes resolute, and nodded emphatically: "This disciple will certainly live up to Master's expectations and fulfill the mission of a guardian!"

Sunlight shone on Lynn, making his golden championship medals gleam, and the faint outline of wings appeared on his back. The young man stood tall and proud, full of vigor.

He started as an ordinary hunter in a border village, endured the suffering of his home being destroyed, awakened his ethereal power in despair, entered the Celestial Guardian Academy, and overcame all obstacles to finally become the champion of the junior division and obtain the academy's highest honor.

This was the first glorious moment on his path as a guardian, but it was by no means the end.

After the awards ceremony, Lynn walked off the ring surrounded by the crowd. His glory was well-deserved.

But no one noticed that in the shadows outside the training ground, a cold gaze was fixed on Lynn, filled with killing intent. Then, it quietly turned around and disappeared into the crowd, heading towards the dark area outside the academy.

The dragon clan's spies have already relayed Lynn's existence back to the Dragon Realm. This extraordinary young celestial being has become a thorn in the side of the dragon clan.

After receiving the academy's honor and having a dedicated mentor, Lynn will embark on a more systematic and rigorous training path. His strength will experience a new leap forward, and what awaits him is a more brutal battle, a more hidden truth, and a grander conflict in Atreia!