100% DROP RATE : Why is My Inventory Always so Full? - Chapter 213

Chapter 213: Chapter 213 – Grand Arena
The Celestial Race Proxies approached Lucien the moment the crowd dispersed. They were among the few who had clearly sensed the faint trace of divine energy that had leaked during the match.

Their eyes softened. Not with suspicion but with something like recognition.

The female proxy spoke first. Her voice was gentle yet dignified.

“Wolf Junior, your disguise is impeccable. Even with my Celestial Realm perception, I could not pierce through it.”

Her companion leaned closer, lowering his voice to a whisper only Lucien could hear.

“Tell us truthfully… are you one of ours, sent under a hidden directive from the Ancestors?”

Lucien met their gazes calmly and gave a courteous bow.

“Seniors, thank you for earlier. But my identity… I can’t reveal it yet. I’m simply a normal person trying not to cause trouble.”

The two Celestials exchanged looks but did not pry further.

They understood discretion.

Lucien kept quiet for a simple reason. Certain eyes might recognize him.

He had seen them. Nephralis and Varkhaal sect members.

Ignathar and Varun, the peak Ascendant Realm duo he encountered the moment he first arrived in the Big World, stood in the distance with the same cold arrogance as ever.

A cluster of elders surrounded them, clearly preparing to fight in the Trial of Ascendancy as well.

‘Of course they’re here… Sect elites thrive on ruins. And with how quiet they’ve been lately, they’re definitely desperate to refill their treasuries. Hmph… silence from groups like them usually means they’re plotting something unpleasant.’

Before he could dwell on it, Solar Concordium’s officials approached him with respectful bows.

“Junior Wolf of the Verdant Veil,” one said warmly, “the Eternal Master has already confirmed your identity. You will find no obstacles here. Please call on us whenever assistance is needed.”

They weren’t just polite, they were subtly protective.

Lucien noticed the Verdant Veil group walking taller than before with pride visible in their expressions.

Soon…

Eirene guided them through the bustling streets, leading the group toward their designated dwelling place within the Meridian Gate.

•••

Their assigned dwelling stood nestled within one of the Meridian Gate’s inner terraces.

The building was a seamless blend of elegance and latent power. Jade-green stone walls wrapped in living vines framed the structure and silverwood beams etched with delicate runic motifs supported the halls.

Soft luminescent crystals glimmered across the ceiling, bathing everything in a gentle glow. A courtyard rested at the center wit its garden shaped like a miniature forest.

A waterfall cascaded from the roof, circulating mist of mana through the air.

Lucien was very impressed.

Eirene sighed, massaging her temple.

“I fought tooth and nail for this place.”

Marie blinked. “Another contest?”

Eirene’s expression darkened slightly.

“Yes. A merchant’s duel… and my opponent was from the Star-Forge Cartel.”

She didn’t continue… but the bitterness in her scent was obvious.

‘She must’ve lost something during that fight…’ Lucien guessed.

And it clearly still soured her mood.

•••

Later, everyone retreated to their private rooms.

Lucien sat cross-legged on the bed and finally pulled out the scholar’s storage ring.

The seal was already removed, a proof of genuine surrender.

That alone raised his respect for the Obsidian Collegium.

He pushed his consciousness inside…

…and froze.

“…What in the…”

The chamber lit up with reflected radiance from the sheer wealth inside.

— high-grade spirit crystals stacked like mountains

— northern sect treasures, each humming with restrained power

— finely-crafted law-infused items.

Among the artifacts, four stood out.

Equilibrium Balancer Beads — beads that stabilize any chaotic Law

Northwind Prism — concentrates Law into a blade-thin beam

Harmony Vellum — paper that records movements of Laws

Crimson Axiom Needle — stabilizes the flow of energy circulation

— and books… dozens of them.

Lucien’s eyes lit up as he read each cover.

“Principles of the Law of Equilibrium”

“Balance Arts: Volume II”

“Equilibrium’s Path — Theory and Application”

Inside were annotations written by the youngest scholar himself. It was detailed, insightful, brilliant.

Lucien let out a low whistle.

‘This isn’t a simple junior… he’s heavily favored. These aren’t resources… they’re investments.’

Then he chuckled.

‘And now they’re mine.’

After reading through each one, he fed the books into his Magic Book. A moment later, a new entry surfaced.

The Law of Equilibrium has been unlocked.

•••

At dawn, a knock shook the door.

Solar Concordium officials arrived, bearing scrolls sealed with golden light.

“The rules of the Trial of Ascendancy,” they announced.

Lucien felt the air tighten.

And then…

The rules were unveiled:

1. All who wish to enter the ruin must register. Unregistered parties have no right to tread upon ancient grounds.

2. All registrants must participate in the Trial. A forfeit without battle is seen as disrespect to fate itself.

3. Only those below the Celestial Realm may fight. No Celestial may interfere.

4. On the day of battle, the host will draw lots. Fate will choose who fights whom. Refusing a drawn match results in immediate elimination.

5. The top ten groups earn entry priority based on their performance. The order of entry is absolute.

Lucien’s brows rose.

The rules feel deliberate. Like a net designed to force him onto the stage.

‘It seems like the Solar Concordium wants to see my potential firsthand, huh…’

On the other hand, Eirene’s jaw tightened.

“I originally wanted us to strategically forfeit when facing overwhelming opponents. Injuries before the expedition would be disastrous. But now—”

She exhaled.

“There’s no avoiding it. We must fight.”

The group answered with grim nods.

Destiny’s script had already been written.

•••

Four days passed in a flash as Eirene handled registrations, negotiations, and documents while the rest trained relentlessly.

Finally…

They made their way toward the Grand Arena.

On the marble steps ahead, a group stood as though they had been waiting.

They were the five scholars of the Obsidian Collegium.

And instead of hostility, their expressions carried a solemn and respectful calm.

The youngest stepped forward first, bowing low.

“Brother Wolf, I must again apologize for our offense days ago. The fault was mine. My mistake stemmed from ignorance… not malice.”

The Verdant Veil members bristled.

“You call pinning him down ‘ignorance’?”

“You nearly killed him!”

The chill senior brother raised his hands, smiling lightly.

“Peace, friends. You’ll notice we only rooted you. If we’d intended harm, you would have felt something far worse. We were forceful with the Wolf Junior, yes… but only to unveil his true nature. Scholars do not take lives without cause.”

The eldest added with dignified sincerity.

“We acted rashly because of a prophecy. We have seen too much and fear the future. And anomalies… they are never trivial in our path. When signs appear, we are duty-bound to intervene… but never without seeking the truth first. That day, we overreached. For that, we acknowledge our mistake.”

His humility disarmed even the most irritated Verdant members.

Respectable. Honest. Principled.

Lucien offered a small nod.

“It’s fine. What’s done is done.”

He meant it. He had gained far more than he lost.

The scholars exchanged relieved smiles.

It felt less like apology… and more like the beginning of acquaintance.

Just then—

A ripple of pressure swept over the street.

The Star-Forge Cartel strode forward.

Their leader walked at the head. She was a dazzling beauty with stellar energy swirling behind her like a cosmic forge.

She bore a single horn at the center of her forehead, a mark of the Solhorn, a race born with natural might rivaling the old Oni clans. Their strength was said to be woven into their bones from birth.

Her presence was confident, radiant, annoyingly flawless.

Eirene’s fragrance soured the moment she arrived… as if flowers instantly turned bitter.

The woman shot Eirene a dismissive glance, rolled her eyes, then turned to Lucien with a radiant smile.

“I watched your match, little wolf. Impressive. Come to my group. Whatever Eirene offers, I can match… or exceed.”

Eirene’s jaw clicked.

“Oh? Matching me already?” she said with a sweet, venom-laced tone. “Lilith. I didn’t realize losing to me last time made you so desperate.”

The woman smiled sharper.

“Losing? Remind me. Who was the one limping home after the merchant’s duel?”

Eirene’s eyes narrowed dangerously.

Lucien sensed the sparks forming and only offered a polite, noncommittal smile.

He had absolutely no intention of getting dragged into that kind of woman-to-woman warfare.

Marie leaned in and whispered… “Wow… must be nice having two girls with huge knockers fighting over you, Mr. Popular.”

She earned a light knock on the head from Lucien before she could snicker any further.

Another group appeared behind them.

The Silent Monastery of the Ninth Bell.

Monks and nuns draped in pure white. Their leader was a nun with a blindfold, walking with serene composure.

Lucien’s heart tightened.

For a moment, he saw Clara in her.

Noticing Lucien’s gaze, the blindfolded nun offered a gentle bow before continuing on. Her footsteps were as soundless as drifting snow.

Other factions soon gathered. Each was bearing the weight of pride and ambition.

And at last—

The path cleared.

All groups began walking toward the Grand Arena.

Hundreds of banners fluttered overhead.

The ground trembled with the presence of the world’s top talents.

Marie exhaled.

“It’s starting…”

Lucien smiled faintly.

“Yeah. Time to see what fate wants.”

Above them, the Grand Arena loomed like a titan carved from stone and destiny.

The Trial of Ascendancy… was about to begin.