Liquinia.
One of the cities that was in the euphotic zone where sunlight could still reach. The city was teeming with all sorts of life around it, as at its center was a large bubble that repelled any water from coming in.
This was a city where Atlanteans held control. In their history, it was mentioned that Atlanteans were originally those from the human race, but after spending a significant amount of time in the sea, they adapted to living there. The curious thing was that for a majority of the cities they controlled, there were many areas where they used their technology to create pockets of air where many of the old human activities were carried out.
Their counterpart, Merfolk, preferred the sea in its entirety. Their cities were fully wrapped around in the water as this was their natural home.
Noah gazed at the City of Liquinia and curiously observed the new things around him. He saw a futuristic city full of lights, with multiple vehicles that looked like the most terrifyingly weaponized submarines docked around the city.
The buildings were a mixture of gothic architecture and the most futuristic additions you could imagine, with some tall skyscr.a.p.ers created spectacularly that it seemed like Jenga blocks were just stacked together.
Atlanteans and Merfolk floated around the perimeters with glistening tridents in their hands as they went in and out.
This was the city where the three Atlanteans he had just taken down were from. From the memories he obtained, they were under the employment of the same beings he was chasing, where they were in contact with a subdivision of a legion under a Demon King.
The demons were already actively moving around the Lost World of Atlantis and forming connections with the locals, turning those with weaker hearts against their own people already.
When the three traitors who had just killed their friend without batting an eye died, they also provided a few more things besides the memories.
[Low-level Telepathy] :: You can send your thoughts to those near you. The distance is limited.
[Aquatic Adaptation] :: The sea is your home, your speed and maneuverability are increased whenever in the water.
[Footman's Trident] :: A trident that those with slight distinguishment use for battle.
The gifts were two skills and the tridents that the three rank S Atlanteans were using. The telepathy skill was one that many beings living in the sea had and used, while [Aquatic Adaptation] just went to further increase the ease of moving around in the water.
Using the skill, it felt even easier while swimming across, as Noah arrived near the underwater city that had large tubes that made their way in and out of the pockets of the city that were filled with air. Memories of the city and its happenings swirled around his head as he found the first step to take.
There was already a general idea of how he should move in this world, and the Atlantean's memories provided an in-depth path that would allow Noah to follow the path laid out in advance while also being able to join the ranks of beings that held actual power in this world.
To do this, an identity had to be obtained, and it couldn't be of the rank S Atlanteans he had just taken down. That power would not be able to put any dents in the larger picture. Yet, an easy way to obtain an identity presented itself, as currently, a test was being held in the City of Liquinia to choose which champions to send to the center of the Lost World, the city lying in the deepest parts of the sea, Atlantis.
As the city that held the name of the entire world, it was the grandiose location that was the center of control for this world. Getting there though, was a headache for many. This was because the deeper you went under the sea, you would be faced with powerful deep-sea creatures that swarmed and killed Atlanteans and Merfolk for lunch.
The sea was wide and large, covering a majority of the world. It bore many species of powerful creatures that hunted in its waters, and there were a tremendous amount of them. The only pockets of protection were the ones provided by the world itself, where cities like Liquinia and Atlantis were surrounded by the Sea's Blessing.
The Sea's Blessing was an area of protection that surrounded many underwater cities for quite a distance, giving them a safe environment to move in. The moment you left the area of protection though, you might just become food for the many monstrous deep-sea creatures prowling the deeper waters.
The City of Atlantis that was the central location of this world was in the deepest parts where the most powerful of creatures ran amok, and yet it was where Atlanteans and Merfok prospered the most. The futuristic look present in the City of Liquinia seemed advanced, but it could not compare with the things to be found in Atlantis.
To get in this city, an identity was needed, and the one of a Champion was the best possible one. Noah moved past the gorgeous looking submarines and Atlanteans wielding sharp tridents as his figure swam towards a seabed where many figures were gathered.
A mock fight was already occurring as powerful shock waves were transmitted through the water. Two Atlanteans were practicing gleefully as their figures twisted and turned. Overseeing the mock fight was a Merman holding a shining green trident, along with a Neon armor that wrapped all over his body.
Even without sensing his power, any knowledgable being living in this wide sea would know the identity of someone who wore this type of armor. In the order of power, they were Blue, Neon, and then Gold. The armors were pieces of Atlantean technology that were given only to the most powerful, providing further boosts in their fighting power.
They corresponded with EPIC, LEGENDARY, and MYTHICAL for the beings that wore them. The Merman floating stably over the seabed was letting out a powerful aura of LEGENDARY rank, the Neon armor extenuating it even more.
Noah knew the customs from all the obtained memories, so he neared the powerful Merman and stopped a few meters before him, bringing the trident in his hands towards his chest and voicing out loudly.
"Neon Commander! I would like to take the Trial of Champions!"
The voice powerfully reverberated out, catching the attention of the onlookers as they began whistling.
"Haha, we have another critter who wants to descend the heavens in one step!"
"Hey hey hey, look at that shining confidence in his eyes, maybe he's a future Champion that's about to trek through the dangerous waters towards Atlantis!"
Many shouts and murmurings erupted out as the Neon Commander stared at Noah, a telepathic method being sent out right after.
"Your life could be in jeopardy during the trial, as I will not be holding back"
The LEGENDARY commander was smart, first starting the communication with telepathy, an ability that was only common with Atlanteans and Merfolk. In the case Noah was something else, he would be found out right away.
A light smile appeared on his lips as [Low-level Telepathy] was used, answering the question of the Neon Commander.
"I would expect no less to earn the title of Champion."
Light twinkled in the eyes of the LEGENDARY Merman as the message registered, and frighteningly white sharp teeth spread out as his mouth curved into a brutal smile.
"Good, come!"