More and more people poured into Venice, the little city on the water. Its once-empty streets and waterways gradually grew congested.
Quiet Venice suddenly came alive.
The culprit was, naturally, the World Academy Competition, which was about to begin.
As one of the few world-class mage tournaments, the World Academy Competition had been the most closely watched of them all since its inception, without exception.
Magic was solemn and sacred, yet also full of violence and destruction.
Students, young and spirited, with cultivation neither too high nor too low, could bring all those qualities of magic together while also displaying vigorous vitality and passion.
The Doge's Palace, streets, and various arenas in Venice were hung with the flags of the thirty-two participating countries. Large screens along the streets broadcast updates in real time, while speculation about the competition grew ever more intense online!
The opening ceremony was held on a university sports field near the Doge's Palace. Italy's flag fluttered in the wind, flanked by the flags of the other thirty-one qualifying countries.
The opening ceremony was broadcast live, hosted by Fabio, the Doge of Venice.
The sports field was not large, but aside from the students and mentors, everyone seated there was a world-renowned mage.
The powers they represented were sacred destinations that the vast majority of young mages aspired to reach.
The Five Continents Magic Association, the Hunters' Alliance, the Parthenon Temple, the Holy Judgment Court, the Global Clan Alliance, the Coastline Alliance, the University Alliance...
There were also the most prominent governmental bodies and organizations from each country.
The Imperial Palace, the Tokyo Mage Shrine, Tehran Magic Ridge, Saint Petersburg Cathedral... each was a powerful organization within its own country, or even across its continent.
"And, of course, the stars of this grand magical competition: the finest