BXBX NOVEL Chapter 102: The trial ends
His body still tingling from the recent battle, Jaegar stepped forward, his gaze locked on the swirling portal. The weight of his experiences on the isle hung heavy in the air, and he felt a surge of intent to leave it all behind.
The thought of returning to the world beyond was an enticing one, a reminder of the life he had temporarily set aside for this treacherous journey and the woman who had been on his mind ever since he came here, Fiona. He wanted to see her again. But he felt selfish and wrong to see her, and thinking of her made him remember his friend.
With a resolute breath, Jaegar crossed the threshold of the portal, his form enveloped by the swirling energies.
The sensation was both exhilarating and disorienting, as reality itself seemed to warp around him. He felt the familiar sensation of being pulled and stretched, a sensation to which he would not get used to.
Moments later, as abruptly as it had begun, the sensation ceased.
Back in the hall, everyone was ready for the students to come out. And they have already seen Jaegar come out of the portal.
The crystal shone with green embers; a portal was conjured right on the platform, visible to everyone in the hall. From the portal emerged Jaegar, collecting gasps and shock from the audience.
Jaegar found himself standing on solid ground once more, his surroundings shifting from the mystic isle to a grand hall filled with an audience.
Jaegar stood, leaned a bit to the front, and froze in place, staring at the hall full of people.
Gasps and murmurs filled the air as the spectators stared in awe and surprise, their expressions ranging from curiosity to astonishment.
Jaegar\'s eyes swept across the hall, taking in the sea of faces that regarded him with a mixture of wonder and intrigue.
Among them, he spotted familiar figures, Piers and Jennifer, and a few fellow students from his academy.
Their eyes widened in recognition, and they exchanged excited glances as they realized the implications of Jaegar\'s return.
But it wasn\'t just over yet, under the curious gazes of everyone, the crystal shone again. Following his lead, Denica came out of the portal and then Milos came out and his other schoolmate.
A hush fell over the room as Lorcan and Veronica stepped forward, their presence commanding attention. Their expressions were a blend of relief and anticipation.
Quickly, he looked to his front and saw that students had already come out before him, making him feel disappointed.
As the hall remained abuzz with whispers and curious gazes, another group emerged.
Ivar and his companions made their way out of the portal, their expressions a mix of doubt and relief.
The other two weren\'t sure if they had come to the hall from which they went to the island.
And then, not long after, Parkar emerged behind them, just a couple of seconds later.
As he came out, his gaze fell on Jaegar, and he bore a smile, seeing that he was safe and sound.
For a moment, the hall was suspended in a tableau of anticipation, each individual processing the implications of the result of the event.
After the students emerged from the portal, a sense of anticipation filled the hall as Arthur and the head of the academies stepped forward.
His authoritative presence commanded attention, and the room fell into respectful silence.
With a measured tone, Arthur announced the victor of the event, declaring Jaegar the winner. Cheers and applause erupted from the audience, echoing throughout the hall. And Douxmarth Academy won with the most number of beasts slayed by them.
Amidst the celebrations, Denica beamed at Jaegar, raising her thumb in a gesture of congratulations.
As the applause subsided, Arthur continued, delivering a formal speech that acknowledged the efforts of all participants. His words resonated with pride and admiration, a tribute to the dedication and resilience displayed by the students. The event\'s culmination was marked by a photo session, where Jaegar and the three Douxmarth students stood alongside Arthur, capturing the moment of their triumph.
With the conclusion of Arthur\'s speech, the students were given permission to rest and were informed of an upcoming ball to celebrate their achievements.
The hall buzzed with excitement as the students mingled, sharing stories and laughter as they looked forward to the festivities.
As the crowd began to disperse, Arthur approached Jaegar, accompanied by Ashfield and another figure—the head of the Raerath Institute.
The four of them retreated to a quieter room, their expressions a mixture of puzzlement and concern.
The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as Arthur broached the subject, his voice steady as he inquired about Jaegar\'s experiences on the mystic isle.
Ashfield\'s gaze was fixed on Jaegar, his curiosity evident as he awaited Jaegar\'s response.
Jaegar stood staring at them, not understanding what the minister was implying.
Seeing him, Ashfield interjected, explaining the reason for their inquiry—Jaegar\'s image not appearing on the screen during the event\'s broadcast. The question hung in the air: had something unusual occurred on the isle?
Jaegar hesitated for a moment, absorbing the weight of their inquiry. He recounted the events that had transpired—the appearance of the woman, the battles that had unfolded, and the challenges he had overcome. He shared his suspicions and experiences, omitting certain details about the ghost in the cave, given their concern about the interrupted broadcast.
A deep silence followed as Arthur, Ashfield, and the head of Raerath Institute absorbed the gravity of Jaegar\'s narrative. The implications were far-reaching, hinting at mysteries that extended beyond the realm of the isle itself.
As Jaegar continued, he told them about the way they disguised themselves as students. And they guessed which academy they were from. The only ones who didn\'t come out of the portal were Raerath\'s students.