This Beast-Tamer is a Little Strange

The weeks passed quickly until it was finally time for Kain and the others to head to the Capital for the tournament.

Likely due to the importance of the event, the college was willing to start up the teleportation gate.

After all, why waste valuable training days on a moving train when they can train for an extra week and arrive at the Capital instantly?

Kain lined up with the others while the familiar hum of the gate starting up triggered a feeling of noxiousness in Kain.

Kairos on the other hand, likely not knowing what they were about to suffer through, was jittering with excitement.

"This is both of our first time going to the capital. I created a list of must see attractions for tourists while we're there." He said to Kain excitedly.

Kain decided to not dampen his excitement by informing him that he had in fact gone to the capital previously, especially since that trip was supposed to be a secret. He simply nodded his head in agreement while trying to choke down the bile rising from his throat.

Kain went to the very back of the line to postpone the inevitable. When only one of the remaining staff members who was travelling with their team was left behind Kain to ensure they all entered, Kain couldn't help but stop just before the gate, finger fiddling at his sides.

"Ahem! Lady's first…" Kain tried to step aside while waving his hand towards the gate in a gallant gesture when he felt a hard shove into his shoulder as he was in the process of turning around.

Mouth open in a silent scream, Kain was once again forced to go through the uncomfortable ordeal. Strangely after the extremely painful travel through the temporary gate the previous time, this time the feeling as though his body was being stretched and then compressed was more bearable than he'd expected.

The experience was unsettling and disorienting, but thankfully over quickly. Soon the world snapped back into focus and he felt the ground beneath his feet again.

As well as the chatter of all of his teammates. Well not all of them, since this was Kairos and Ranya's first time through a teleportation gate they were supporting each other with extremely pale faces. Next to their feet Kain was a brown chunky puddle of what vaguely resembled the porridge he'd seen Kairos eating for breakfast that day.

"H-how…how are you so fine…?" Kairos said while staring at Kain in amazement. This was both. Of their first times teleporting, why was the difference in their ability to endure so great.

'Is this the difference from a student in the top 2?' Kairos thought in self-pity.

After getting his bearings, Kain took a look around at his surroundings. Obviously, they weren't teleported into a sketchy-looking motel room like he was previously. Instead, they were teleported to a very large clearing just mere feet from the city's walls.

The clearing was inlaid with a very large circle of grey stones that were carved with sigils in the process of dimming. Likely the sigils had a guiding effect for those teleporting to the capital, and were likely responsible for why this ride felt smoother than the previous times he teleported.

Kain followed his seniors and the staff travelling with them towards the city gates. After showing his identification, they were able to smoothly enter the city.

Transportation had likely been arranged beforehand, and they were brought to the core of the city where a large stadium stood towering above them.

The Capital's Grand Arena was the site of most major competitions within the empire.

The Grand Arena was a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture that embodied the competitive spirit of beast-taming. Its towering columns of polished marble rose majestically, each adorned with intricate carvings of legendary beasts and heroic tamers locked in battle with one another.

Since the tournament would only start in a couple more days, they did not enter and Kain and the others would have to wait until later to see the inside of the arena.

However, likely due to the influx of tourists that wish to watch the tournament in person, there were still many vendors outside the arena, filling the entire street with the scent of roasted meats and sweet pastries.

The air was humming with excitement and Kain could already see evidence of tourists coming from afar to show off their regional pride.

Colorful banners flapped in the breeze hanging outside the main entryway of the stadium. Each banner adorned with the school crest of all the Empire's colleges eligible for the National competition.

There were dozens of banners of every colour of the rainbow, but 5 large ones were larger and took center stage just above the doors of the arena.

The one in the center was red and gold with a crest composed of a dragon soaring towards the sun. At the top were the arrogant words of the empire's first college's motto: "Unrivaled in excellence, Unyielding in purpose." Looking around Kain could also see many civilians wearing red and gold while waving around small flags with that same crest.

Majority of the vendors were also handing out merchandise and snacks with that colour scheme.

'Looks like the number 1 college also has the home advantage…not that they even needed it...' Kain grumbled.

To the left of the center was the second-place college, whose crest was mostly a deeper blood-red—befitting their notorious blood-thirsty nature. At its center, a striking orange phoenix rose dramatically, its wings outstretched with flames trailing behind it, symbolizing rebirth, resilience, and the fierce spirit of its students.

Surrounding the phoenix, sharp orange flames rose and coiled around its legs, representing the fierce competition and challenges faced by tamers of the college. Above, the banner had the motto in bold, angular lettering: "Rise from the Ashes," emphasizing resilience and their determination to conquer any obstacle. .net

After the capital's colours, the blood red of Supernova College was the second most populous colour Kain saw on the street.