Conquering The Novel

The next morning, Ares occupied his usual spot at the breakfast table, with Cynthia seated opposite him. Beside her was Eris, who had fully healed, dressed in casual attire, her golden hair cascading down her shoulders. Her striking green eyes were fixed intently on Ares.

Silence filled the room, with only the ambient sounds of culinary preparations breaking the stillness.

Their breakfast consisted of – fluffy scrambled eggs, golden brown pancakes drizzled with maple syrup and a generous stack of buttered toast. The tantalizing aroma of coffee wafted through the air, filling the room with its rich, inviting scent.

Eris took a bite of her food, all the while keeping her intense gaze fixed on Ares as if she were engrossed in watching a captivating television program.

Under the scrutiny of Eris's unwavering attention, Ares continued to eat his breakfast, unfazed.

Suddenly, the uncomfortable silence was broken by Cynthia, who cleared her throat. "Um, Ares, did something happen between you and Fiona? I knocked on her door several times this morning, and she didn't answer. Now, she's not at the breakfast table either."

"...Yeah, we broke up," Ares replied casually, causing Cynthia to nearly choke on her food in shock.

Cough— Cough—

She hastily reached for her glass of water and managed to regain her composure before speaking again. "W-What did you just say?"

'That can't be right, can it? I must have misheard him!' Cynthia thought, seeking confirmation.

Ares gave her a blank stare and retorted, "Stop being so dramatic. Yes, you heard me correctly—we broke up."

"...."

Cynthia's expression remained one of disbelief. "I... can't believe that you guys broke up," she muttered, her thoughts racing with the incongruity of Ares letting go of Fiona so easily, especially given his possessive nature.

However, she remained silent, choosing not to pry into Ares and Fiona's personal matters. She focused on her food, her thoughts shifting to other topics.

But just as the breakfast table began to regain a semblance of normalcy, Eris, who had been quiet all this while, spoke unexpectedly. "My... name is Eris!" she introduced herself abruptly, her gaze still fixed on Ares.

Cynthia gave Eris a surprised look upon hearing her speak. "Eh, you can talk? I-I thought you were mute," she commented. "And... didn't the healers say that you might have amnesia or memory loss or some shit?" Curiosity tinged her tone.

However, Eris seemed to ignore Cynthia's questions, her gaze never wavering from Ares. "Thank you... for saving me," she spoke softly yet gently, bowing her head slightly.

"...."

Observing Eris's intense focus on Ares, Cynthia's frustration started to show, a metaphorical vein throbbing on her forehead. 'Seriously, she's acting like she's never seen a handsome boy before,' Cynthia thought inwardly, both amused and exasperated.

Ares simply nodded in response to Eris and rose from his seat, signifying his intention to depart. Despite being face to face with Eris, the one he once loved deeply, he now felt a profound sense of detachment. It was as if the person sitting before him shared the same appearance but lacked the essence of the one he had cherished.

But as he was about to exit the hall, Cynthia's voice pierced the air, her tone tinged with a mix of urgency and sadness. "Ares," she called out, her voice stopping him in his tracks. He paused, his back half-turned toward the exit, waiting for her words.

"I'm... sorry," Cynthia's tone was tinged with sadness as she spoke, regret evident in her voice.

"I'm sorry that I couldn't do anything to stop you from participating in today's competition." She lowered her gaze, her apology genuine but filled with a sense of helplessness.

Ares met her gaze, his expression softening. He offered her a faint, understanding smile. "Don't worry about it," he replied in a calm, reassuring tone. "This was my choice. Besides, I've been in tougher spots."

With those words, he turned once again to leave the hall. The sound of his footfalls grew fainter as he moved away, leaving Cynthia and Eris sitting alone at the breakfast table.

Cynthia watched his retreating figure, a mixture of emotions swirling within her. She knew Ares well enough to understand that he was resolute in his decisions, even if they were risky. As her gaze shifted to Eris, she noticed her unwavering focus still fixed on Ares.

!!

Cynthia couldn't help but feel a mix of curiosity and concern about Eris's intense interest in Ares. She shook her head slightly, deciding that it was best not to pry into matters that might not concern her. Pushing aside her thoughts, she turned her attention back to her unfinished breakfast.

***

Ares arrived at the grand "Californium Arena," the stadium where the competition was set to take place. The Californium Arena was a colossal structure, a testament to the grandeur of the event. Its gleaming steel and glass exterior shimmered brilliantly in the sunlight, and the entrance was adorned with banners from various countries, each displaying their national pride.

Anticipation filled the air, a palpable energy that seemed to intensify with every passing minute. Reporters, armed with cameras, microphones, and notepads, were stationed at the entrance, ready to capture every moment of the rising stars' arrivals. They jostled for positions, eager to get the perfect shot or conduct the most sought-after interviews.

One by one, the participants from around the world began to arrive, each with their own entourage and supporters.

The reporters swarmed around them like a relentless wave, firing questions and thrusting microphones, attempting to capture the essence of these young talents. The rising stars, accustomed to the attention, gracefully answered the queries, their faces adorned with the confidence that came from being the pride of their nations.

From Russia emerged Dmitri Ivanov, a formidable ice mage known for his precise control over frozen elements. He had an undefeated record in international competitions and was hailed as the "Ice Tsar" by his fans.

Japan's representative, Haruki Sato, was a lightning-fast martial artist who had mastered the ancient art of Iaido. His uncanny reflexes and sword skills had earned him the moniker "Thunder Blade."

Priya Sharma, the fire-wielder from India, was known for her unparalleled control over flames. Her record was dotted with impressive victories, and she carried the title of "Inferno Priestess."

Germany's pride was Maximilian Braun, a brilliant tactician, and strategist who had a knack for outsmarting his opponents. His undefeated streak in chess-inspired battles had earned him the name "The Chessmaster."

Amid the frenzy of reporters and rising stars, interviews were conducted, and the question that seemed to unite them all was, "Who do you consider your toughest competitor today?"

Dmitri Ivanov, the ice mage from Russia, spoke confidently, "For me, it has to be Joshua from England. His control over wind and his aerial maneuvers make him a formidable opponent. I'll need to stay on my toes to keep up."

Haruki Sato, the lightning-fast martial artist from Japan, echoed Dmitri's sentiments. "Joshua is quick, just like me, and his precision with wind-based attacks is something I've never seen before. He's my biggest challenge today."

Priya Sharma, the fire-wielder from India, expressed her concerns. "His mastery of air currents makes my fire tricks less effective. I'll have to come up with some creative strategies to counter him."

In between the chaos of reporters and rising stars, Ares, who arrived alone, slipped through the crowd unnoticed. The reporters were too engrossed in their interviews and stories about the other participants to pay much attention to him. His unassuming and uncelebrated record worked to his advantage, allowing him to enter the stadium unbothered.

As Ares walked past the interviews, he couldn't help but overhear the common consensus. It seemed that everyone had their eyes on Joshua, and the reasons were clear – he was the youngest A-Rank Hunter in history and his control over wind gave him a unique advantage, making him a formidable opponent for everyone.

Just as the conversation revolved around Joshua being the prime competitor, a reporter suddenly shifted the focus.

"And about the participant Ares, representing the United States? What are your thoughts on him?"

A brief pause hung in the air as confusion and bemusement marked the faces of the gathered competitors. The name "Ares" seemed unfamiliar to most, and they exchanged puzzled glances.

"Who's Ares?" Dmitri Ivanov raised an eyebrow as if he'd never even heard the name before. "I thought the Americans were sending Leon, the one with all those feats under his name."

Maximilian Braun chimed in, looking genuinely perplexed. "Yeah, what's up with that? Ares must have done something impressive to be here, right?"

Haruki Sato, known for his bluntness, shrugged. "Honestly, I don't know much about him. Joshua's the one making waves from England. Ares... I guess we'll see what he's got."

Priya Sharma couldn't hide her skepticism. "It's strange that Ares is here instead of Leon. I mean, Leon's achievements are well-known. What has Ares done to earn this spot?"

Ares continued on his path, not bothered by the lack of recognition or the questioning gazes. He knew he had a lot to prove today, and that's exactly what he intended to do.

To be continued...