A vast circular arena, surrounded by five tiers of audience seating, with a balcony section for the judges and an honorary platform reserved for the high-ranking officials of Verlyn Academy. At the center of the field, four battle stages have been neatly and symmetrically arranged—each enclosed within a transparent protective barrier.
A number of priests take their positions as guardians of the battlefield, providing special protection to ensure that the competition participants don't suffer any serious injuries during their matches.
Students and academy staff fill every seat in the audience, buzzing with excitement. Liam and his three patrol juniors, take their seats in the very back row. The three juniors sit in a row to Liam's left.
After settling into a comfortable position, the corner of Liam's eye catches a few people seated to his right, seemingly watching him on purpose while whispering among themselves.
Liam turns his gaze to the right to see directly. He spots three teenage girls in academy uniforms stealing glances at him, blushing and whispering to one another with soft, muffled giggles.
The junior to Liam's left also notices and quickly tries to divert his senior's attention.
"Nothing unusual, Senior. It's always like that whenever you're around groups of girls."
Another junior beside him cuts in, "It must be because of your perfume, Senior—the one that's never sold anywhere."
The one on the his left nods in agreement, "Yeah, my friend's a perfume collector, said Senior Liam wears a scent that isn't sold anywhere. She was shocked when I told her you make it yourself."
The first junior who spoke mutters in annoyance, "Don't you guys get it? Those girls are looking at Senior because of his face."
Liam gives a faint smile as he watches his juniors argue.
"Seems like my perfume's scent is a bit too strong," Liam remarks casually.
The junior beside him grows even more annoyed. "This isn't about the perfume!"
"I once thought about making a special perfume for the three of you. But when I tried to imagine a scent that suited you, the only thing that came to mind was cauliflower."
The juniors immediately protest, "Senior! Is the only thing you find memorable about us our habit of eating vegetables???"
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Jacelin has also taken her seat in the second row of the audience and quickly saves the seat next to her for someone.
"Senior Bertan! Over here!"
Bertan Youse, a tall young man with light purple hair and glasses, walks over calmly and takes the seat Jacelin had saved for him. He's dressed in the uniform of an alchemy instructor.
"Thanks, Jacelin."
Bertan's voice carries a gentle and friendly tone, matching his calm expression—completely opposite to Jacelin, who is always brimming with energy, especially when provoking confrontations. The girl casts a cynical glance at the people sitting in front of her.
"I was planning to sit in the front row, but the crowd went nuts and filled up all the front seats right away."
The students seated in the front row immediately shoot sharp glances back at Jacelin.
"What are you staring at?!" Jacelin snaps irritably.
Bertan simply watches with a gentle smile.
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The announcer steps onto the special platform.
"The participants in each group have drawn lots to determine their opponents and match order. However, as per tradition in previous years, the first lot number has been specially assigned by the Faculty Council to the participant predicted to be the winner of each group."
"To fire up the opening matches, let's welcome the first lot holders from each group!"
Liam and his three juniors eagerly await the moment.
"Here we go—who are this year's predicted semifinalists?"
The first lot holders from each waiting room step out, making their way toward the four different battle stages.
"From Group A, Tseryo Lavrel! Water-element battlemage!"
The cheers from the girls in Karsh student uniforms are absolutely deafening as they root for Tseryo. The main reasons: the young master's striking handsomeness, his tall and ideal build, his consistently neat and classy appearance, and that calm smile of his that gives off a friendly and approachable vibe.
"From Group B, Herian Geroga! Fire-element battlemage!"
Matching his element's color, a broad-shouldered young man with shoulder-length red hair steps onto Group B's stage. His tough appearance seems to reflect his unusual level of strength. He appears with a confident smile, dressed in the Argoust student uniform.
"And next, from Group C, Lugia Walner! Fire-element Battlemage!"
A cute-looking girl with long black hair braided into two, steps onto the stage, wearing a confident smile. Her full turquoise uniform signifies she is a student from the Carrion region.
Jacelin's face is full of protest. "The faculty council is so incompetent—they should've picked Vichel as the predicted semifinalist!"
Vichel lets out a disappointed sigh, watching from the waiting room with its wide window.
"I figured she'd get lot number 1."
"But…" a contestant standing next to Vichel, responds with an intriguing guess. "It seems like the Faculty Council purposely gave you lot number 2, Vichella."
Which means Vichel will be facing Lugia Walner in the first match. Vichel looks at the lot number in her hand, just as puzzled.
"Lastly…" the announcer cheers, "from Group D, Zeeefff Looou Roaaan! Electro-element Battlemage!"
Zeff steps onto the stage, crackling sparks of electro energy flickering around his body. The crowd erupts—girls and boys alike cheer wildly for him, as if he has supporters from all walks of life.
Even the Grand Master of Verlyn Academy, Lutzer Swan, smiles at Zeff's appearance.
"My dark horse has arrived."
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From the spectator area, Liam lets out a heavy sigh.
"Alright, I regret choosing to sit all the way in the back. I can't see their faces clearly from here."
The three juniors immediately respond with protest,
"That's why we were willing to fight for front-row seats with the other students, but you stopped us!"
Liam doesn't hesitate to admit his mistake.
"Forgive my naivety. After all, as seniors to the students, we shouldn't cling to ego like we did in our teenage years."
"Now you're giving us a lecture?! What happened to all that complaining just now?!"
"William …"
A woman's voice calls from behind, cutting through the juniors' commotion. Liam turns around.
"Miss Dels?"
"The Grand Master wants to speak with you."
The middle-aged woman in formal attire is the aide to the Grand Master of Verlyn Academy. Realizing the message, Liam quickly turns toward the honor platform and indeed sees Grand Master Lutzer Swan smiling in his direction. Without delay, Liam rises from his seat.
"I'll be going now."
The three juniors are left stunned.
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"Grand Master."
Grand Master Lutzer Swan flinches slightly as the voice greets him from behind—Liam has already appeared beside him.
"Ah, William. As always, you arrive in the blink of an eye. I just saw you walking with Miss Dels."
"I'll apologize to Miss Dels later for leaving her behind."
"Haha! She's probably grumbling about it right now."
The 60-year-old Grand Master shifts his seat to fully face Liam, while the announcer's voice continues to echo energetically through the arena.
"You're dressed so neatly—are you returning to Argoust today?"
"That's right, Grand Master. I'll be heading back to Argoust after the competition ends."
"A true fan of battlemage competitions, yet never once a participant. That means I wasn't wrong to prepare a seat for you today."
The Grand Master gestures toward an empty chair right beside him.
"Sit down—you'll be watching the competition with me until the end. There's much we need to discuss."
Liam shows a hint of reluctance.
"I don't feel worthy of sitting on the honor platform beside the Grand Master."
"What are you saying? If you're no longer part of this academy, then that means you've returned to your original status—as an honored guest from Argoust. And this is the honor platform. Must this old man get up just to properly invite Your Grace to take a seat?"
A quiet chuckle slips from Liam. He gives in to the Grand Master's request and takes a seat on the honor platform.
Sitting there brings a breath of relief—he can now see the entire battle arena clearly.
Lutzer Swan had known from the beginning that this student of his was no ordinary noble from Argoust.
In a soft voice, he says,
"It's an honor for me to watch this competition alongside the third prince of Argoust."
Those words draw Liam's gaze—and a gentle smile—toward the Grand Master of Verlyn Academy. Despite his status as the son of the King of Argoust, Liam will always respect Lutzer Swan as his teacher.