?After Archer and Sia finished, they returned to the road while dusting themselves off. He turned to the older woman with a grin when he saw her stumbling behind him to ask. ”Are you sure you’re okay? It looks like you got ravaged by a wild beast.”

Sia stopped walking while looking at him with a deadpan expression before answering sarcastically. ”I certainly did, my nephew. You’re a savage and had no mercy on this poor old woman.”

”Oh, shut up, Sia. You’re not old, and you were moaning so loud that I’m surprised that no one heard you. But I must admit it seems you loved it.” Archer responded with a grin.

Sia’s cheeks turned red, but she went quiet as he was right, causing him to smile even more. After messing around, the two continued walking toward the shipyard, and it came into view, and Archer was amazed.

Stretching across the vast expanse were rows of massive blimp-like aircraft tethered to the ground by sturdy ropes. The giants stood tall against the horizon, casting shadows over the grasslands.

The imperial army, clad in uniforms decorated with the emblem of the Avalon empire, patrolled the area, ensuring no one caused any trouble while people went about joining long lines.

Nobles walked proudly among regular folks, showing off their high status with fancy symbols on their clothes. Archer’s eyes widened because he couldn’t believe everything was big. The blimps were nearly as big as him in his dragon form.

Sia saw his reaction and smiled as she explained. ”The emperor agreed to let people travel by mana ship due to how far the different rounds are.”

”The Avalonians are paying for it?”

”No. All the kingdoms involved have put a certain amount of gold toward it.” Sia replied as they got closer.

A guard stopped them when they got close to the gate that separated the shipyard from the outside world. The couple stopped, and Sia spoke. ”What is it, soldier?”

The man looked at her, and his eyes widened in shock before speaking. ”Sorry, General Silverthorne. I didn’t recognize you.”

That’s when the two guards turned to Archer and instantly knew who he was. They let the two pass, causing Sia to laugh as she looked at him. ”I see you’re well known in the imperial army.”

Archer grinned as he nodded. ”Yes, that would happen if you rescued them enough times.”

Sia started laughing but soon hugged him tight as she spoke. ”Now enjoy the flight, husband. I’ll watch your fights when I get time, but get one of the girls to record it on a mana crystal.”

”I will. Just message me when you want to return, and I’ll summon you.”

The older woman smiled before kissing him as he opened a gate to the floating island, and she stepped through with a sweet smile. Archer was left alone, opened a portal to the domain, and the ten girls stepped through.

People around him looked confused as he sent away one woman and summoned even more who greeted him with kisses and hugs. Once they were there, a bell was heard, gathering people around a stage.

Leira walked up to him with a smile and spoke. ”When we return from the Qualification Round the Frostwinter Festival starts and as promised father will pay you what the empire owes you.”

”That’s fine. I can’t wait to see the amount.” Archer replied with a greedy smile, causing the cat girl to laugh.

Nefertiti approached him again and started showering him with affection but leaned into his ear and whispered seductively. ”You’re making love to me tonight. I can smell Sia all over you.”

Archer grabbed her thick waist and replied with a grin. ”You will be the first, my succubus. Now behave.”

The pink-haired girl smiled and backed off as another group approached them. Archer saw Lioran, Cian, and Llyniel’s big brother Alaric. A group of girls followed behind, including Maeve and Aurelia.

Two more boys were with them, and Archer wondered who they were. Lioran saw his look and laughed before introducing them. ”Brother! These are my classmates Lyndon and Torin Frostbane. They are from a noble family in the Frostwyn Duchy.”

Archer looked at the two boys, and they shared the same features, but one was taller. He greeted them with a nod before turning to Cian and Alaric. ”Hello, you two. It’s been a while.”

The wood elf boy smiled. ”Yes, it’s been a while, Archer. I hope you and my sister are getting along well.”

”Yes, Llyn is a lovely girl. I do enjoy her company.” He replied to the brown-haired boy.

Alaric smiled. ”Indeed she is. It’s a shame some people in the Oakheart Kingdom don’t see her like you do.”

This caused Archer to grow curious, but Llyniel interrupted them. ”Brother, there’s no need to bring that up anymore. It’s in the past now.”

When Archer heard this, he decided to ask the wood elf later and turned to Cian and greeted him. ”It’s good to see you, Cian. How have the last two weeks been?”

The orange-haired boy smiled before replying with a friendly smile. ”Training with Maeve and some of our classmates. The Professor has started a wager on you.”

”Yes, they think you will win. Alongside some of your ladies.” Cassie spoke, causing Cian to agree with a nod.

Before Archer could respond, an enthusiastic voice rang out. “Arch! I’m thrilled about the tournament. Hopefully, we’ll get a chance to spar with some of the magic knight students.”

He turned to see Maeve, her excitement obvious in her sparkling grey eyes. Her orange hair was tied in a ponytail, and she wore warrior’s armor concealed beneath a warm-looking white cloak.

”Hopefully. How have you been, Maeve? Training hard?” Archer asked with a smile as the girls started speaking to Nalika, Leonora, and the other girls.

Maeve smiled as she started talking. ”The training was fun. It was hard but worth it as I’ve increased in level and leveled up some of my skills.”

She turned to the girl standing not far from them and smiled. ”Arch. You might have met her before, but let me introduce you to my best friend, Aurelia Vitalis, the third princess of the Vitalis Kingdom.”

Archer shifted his attention to the beautiful girl with violet hair, her eyes mirroring the same captivating shade as his own. Her hair was neatly arranged in a bun, and she was wearing metal armor emphasizing her curves and large boobs.

While watching her, Archer heard a sultry voice comment. ”My eyes are up here, dragon. It’s finally nice to meet you properly.”

He looked up to see a grin on her pretty face before shaking his head. ”Sorry. It’s not every day I get to meet a beautiful mermaid.”

Aurelia smiled. ”You’re a smooth talker like the rumors say. It doesn’t surprise me as you’ve gathered a lot of beautiful princesses. Should me and Maeve be worried?” .

”I don’t care, Aury. I want to be taken by a dragon, but he can’t claim me because I’m engaged.” Maeve spoke in a sulky tone.

Archer knew she was messing around, so he joined in. ”I do claim princesses, but you missed one thing.”

He looked into her grey eyes and continued with a charming smile. ”They seem to claim me and are more than willing to be claimed. Just ask them.”

Aurelia grinned before speaking. ”Noted. But it’s finally good to talk to you, Archer. I noticed you’re not in classes much, and when you are, it’s random. Do you not like them?”

”I do. But trouble always seems to find me, so I’m always doing something.” He replied.

Archer continued to chat with the two girls, discussing various topics. However, their exchange was interrupted when an older student hurriedly approached them, instructing everyone to proceed to the College of Magic area.

He said his goodbyes to the two girls, who gave him smiles as they went their separate ways. Archer rejoined the group, where everyone talked among themselves, including Lioran and Cian’s ladies.

After that, all ten of his women greeted him before they went to the College Of Magic section to see hundreds of people gathered there. Archer saw some of the professors standing behind the headmistress, Ophelia.

Jade was standing behind the headmistress and quickly noticed him. She smiled at his group, but Archer couldn’t resist winking at her, causing the bear woman to look away with a huff.

He chuckled, and Ella asked in a teasing tone. “Chasing after the Duke’s little sister, are we? You lewd dragon.”

Archer was about to respond, but the headmistress started talking to the gathered students. With a wave of her hand, the chattering among the students gradually quieted down, and all eyes turned toward her.

Ophelia’s gaze swept over the sea of faces, a mix of experienced seniors and eager newcomers.

“Good evening, students of the College of Magic,” she began, her voice carrying a certain gravitas that demanded respect. “As we stand here today, we are not just a collection of individuals. You will be representing the college in the Arcane Tournament.”

If there are any mistakes, point them out, and I’ll edit it. Thanks

Updated from 𝑖𝘳.𝒸ℴ𝑚