Chapter 214: Arena.

A match between two new students was going to be held in the arena of St. Velia Magic Academy, and the Mage Sovereign himself would attend with the Saint Mages.

The news seemed to sprout wings, spreading throughout Igya City.

Many upperclassmen who lived off campus hurried back to the academy as soon as they heard, eager to watch this strange match.

Yes, strange.

Most people couldn't understand why a mere match between two Mage Apprentices had drawn the attention of the Mage Sovereign and the Saint Mages.

New students were currently enrolling, and there were still two days before classes officially began. Yet the academy was making a grand affair of holding a match between two freshmen in its largest arena.

It wasn't only the academy's students who found this baffling. Even residents who had lived in Igya City for years thought it utterly bizarre.

Nothing like this had ever happened before!

Just who were these two Mage Apprentices, and why had they caused such a stir?

It wasn't long before well-informed people dug up some interesting details.

Apparently, one of the Mage Apprentices was named Ludwig Snowo. He came from the Snowo family of the northern Pros Empire, and one of his relatives was a Saint Mage serving in the Magic Tower.

The other was named Sperien. He came from the Cecis Mountains in the western Dalia Empire and was a mountain villager with absolutely no background or connections.

The two had come into conflict over a dining table. Relying on the backing of his Saint Mage relative, Ludwig had pressured the headmaster of the magic academy in an attempt to punish a powerless mountain villager with no one behind him.

The righteous headmaster had refused to bow to authority and insisted that the two Mage Apprentices settle the matter in the arena. The loser would have to kneel and apologize to the winner.

Because a Saint Mage from the Magic Tower was involved, the Mage Sovereign had decided to serve as referee personally, ensuring that the Mage Apprentices could compete fairly and impartially.

Once people learned what had happened, indignation immediately swept through the city.

That Mage Apprentice named Ludwig was simply abusing his family's power to bully others. Worse still, his Saint Mage relative couldn't distinguish right from wrong and was using his seniority and strength to oppress a junior. It was disgraceful.

Poor Sperien was only a Seven-Element Intermediate Mage Apprentice. How could he possibly defeat a Senior Mage Apprentice specializing in fire magic?

Everyone knew that a properly trained Seven-Element Mage could become a genius among geniuses, but without the right training, he would be useless.

And with Sperien being nothing more than a mountain villager, how many good resources could he possibly have received?

Certainly nowhere near as many as the young master of a noble family.

This was a match he was certain to lose.

Countless people began sympathizing with Sperien and railing against the injustice on his behalf, wishing they could go to the arena themselves and cheer him on.

Unfortunately, seating in the arena was limited. Anyone who wasn't a student of the magic academy was barred from entering to watch the match.

Countless people could only sigh in bitter disappointment, while the academy's own students dropped whatever they were doing and rushed back to watch.

How could they possibly miss an event like this?

In the arena's VIP seating, Ilio leaned toward Zephyr and asked with a smile, "You're the one who spread the news, aren't you?"

He swept his spiritual sense around the spectator stands and listened to what everyone was discussing. That was enough to confirm that Zephyr had gone all out in shaping public opinion, effectively roasting Friton over an open flame.

Zephyr sat elegantly in his seat, his gaze drifting toward the enormous arena. "What do you think?"

Ilio let out a low chuckle. "I just hope Friton doesn't hide in a corner and cry after the match."

The corner of Zephyr's mouth twitched.

The youngest Elven warrior in the history of the Elves really did have as nasty a personality as ever!

"I wonder what expression Danlov made when he received your invitation." Ilio rubbed his smooth chin and turned toward the Mage Sovereign in the referee's seat.

What expression had Danlov made?

Surprise.

Nothing but surprise.

Zephyr had personally delivered the invitation to the Magic Tower and, right in front of all the Saint Mages, invited him to St. Velia Magic Academy to referee a match between two Mage Apprentices.

At first, Danlov had been reluctant.

Wasn't asking a Mage Sovereign to referee a match between Mage Apprentices rather excessive?

The Magic Tower was extremely busy. Where would he find the time?

But the moment he learned that one of the Mage Apprentices was named Sperien, Danlov's attitude changed completely. He frowned and asked Zephyr to confirm it.

Once he received an affirmative answer, Danlov immediately put aside his work and gathered the Saint Mages to head for St. Velia Magic Academy.

The other Saint Mages were utterly bewildered but instinctively obeyed the Mage Sovereign's command. Only after learning the reason behind the match did they begin expressing their dissatisfaction with Friton.

A dignified Saint Mage protecting his own over such a trivial matter was practically an insult to the prestige of the rank.

When Danlov saw Friton's ashen expression, he didn't rebuke him. Instead, he beckoned Sperien over. When the Little Fairy trotted up to him, he asked kindly,

"When did you arrive in the Central Court?"

"Yesterday."

"Why didn't you come to the Magic Tower to see me first?"

"Oh, you're always so busy with work. I was afraid I'd disturb you."

Those few short exchanges were enough to reveal how close the two were, and the Saint Mages accompanying the Mage Sovereign all showed expressions of surprise.

Friton, completely sidelined, went deathly pale.

Danlov smiled at the innocent Little Fairy. "Do your best in the match."

"Okay, Danlov. Thank you."

After giving him a bow, the Little Fairy headed toward the seats near the arena with his companions.

When Danlov caught sight of the blond, green-eyed youth walking at the very back, his expression instantly froze. He nearly blurted out, "Teacher."

Fortunately, his self-control was extraordinary, and he forcibly swallowed the word.

The Elven King!

Why had the Elven King personally disguised himself as a human to accompany the Little Fairies on their journey across the continent?

Danlov swore on his name as Mage Sovereign that he hadn't mistaken him!

Had the dark forces accelerated their plans, or was the Dark God going to descend ahead of schedule?

Danlov couldn't help growing nervous. He desperately wanted to follow and ask, but the circumstances made that impossible, so he could only activate telepathic magic.

Teacher, you...

Before he could finish his question, the Elven King's gentle voice sounded in his mind.

"Danlov, there's no need to be nervous. Just treat me as an ordinary student."

Having received his teacher's instructions, Danlov secretly breathed a sigh of relief and, without drawing attention, inclined his head respectfully toward the retreating blond youth.

"Mage Sovereign, do you know that boy?"

One of the Saint Mages couldn't suppress his curiosity.

"Yes." Danlov smiled. "He's a mountain villager I met while passing through the Cecis Mountains. He possesses exceptionally high magical talent."

"Then I'll have to watch this match carefully." The Saint Mage's eyes lit up. "Oh, right. I heard Ilio is back?"

"Yes!" Danlov looked toward Ilio, who was sitting beside Zephyr, and smiled helplessly.

With the underage Little Fairies out gaining experience under the protection of both the Elven King and an Elven warrior, who would dare provoke them?

No wonder Friton's face had looked so dark earlier. He had probably suffered a barrage from Ilio's vicious tongue, the kind that could infuriate a man to death without consequences.

This match between Mage Apprentices was probably Ilio's doing as well.

Elves and Fairies were honorable and upright peoples. They would rather compete openly and fairly than resort to underhanded tricks.

Although Sperien was an Intermediate Grand Mage, Danlov trusted that he wouldn't use advanced magic beyond the Mage Apprentice level.

Danlov walked unhurriedly toward the referee's seat. The arena immediately erupted into thunderous cheers as the spectators rose and respectfully saluted the Mage Sovereign.

He raised a hand and waved. Half a minute later, he sat down with a solemn expression.

The referee was in position.

It was time for the contestants to enter the arena.

In the front row of the spectator stands, Shu Li's teammates from the Light Squad cheered him on.

"Sperien, you have to teach that bastard a lesson!"

"Exactly! Show him what happens when you throw your weight around and finally pick on someone you shouldn't have."

"Mages are messengers of light. Despicable people will never receive the Light God's favor."

"Hopefully he'll learn how to behave like a decent person after this lesson."

"Sperien... be careful. Ludwig must have plenty of high-ranking magic scrolls on him."

Hector gave him a worried warning.

He knew Ludwig well. The man was full of schemes and would never obediently rely on his own abilities to win the match.

"Magic scrolls aren't prohibited in arena matches."

Shu Li stood, straightened his mage robes, and took an ordinary low-ranking magic staff from his storage pouch.

"Hector, don't worry. No matter what tricks he has up his sleeve, he can't win."

Seeing his absolute confidence, Hector nodded firmly.

No matter what, he had to believe in his friend.

"I'm going in."

Shu Li held his head high and strode toward the arena.

"Sperien—"

Ace's pleasant voice came from behind him. Shu Li instinctively turned and looked at the handsome blond youth.

"Enjoy the match," Ace said.

"You got it!"

Shu Li flashed him a victory gesture.

Ace meant that he should drag the fight out a little instead of winning immediately. Otherwise, the spectators wouldn't get their fill, and Shu Li himself wouldn't feel much satisfaction.

He had a point. Only after suffering blow after blow would someone truly remember the lesson. Since no one had bothered to teach this arrogant young noble how to behave, Shu Li was more than happy to do it for them.

Wearing a brilliant smile, Shu Li stepped into the arena.

At the same time, Ludwig made his dazzling entrance.

He was dressed in magnificent high-ranking mage robes and held a high-ranking magic staff set with a sunstone. High-ranking magical defensive equipment covered his forehead, arms, waist, and ankles. He was armed to the teeth.

By comparison, Shu Li wore the standard Mage Apprentice uniform and carried the lowest-ranking magic staff, without a single piece of defensive equipment.

He looked downright shabby.

A Senior Mage Apprentice against an Intermediate Mage Apprentice.

Top-tier equipment against trash-tier equipment.

This was an unfair match.

Somewhere in the stands, a hooded figure pressed close to Seidler and murmured, "Tsk, tsk, tsk. A poor mountain villager against a noble family's young master. Quite the contrast. That little guy is probably going to suffer."

Seidler frowned.

"Shut up."

If Moresy wanted to watch the match, he should stay quiet. Did he have any idea how much risk Seidler had taken just to sneak him into the academy?

The Dark Elf Moresy mimed zipping his mouth shut and obediently fell silent.

Seidler watched the two Mage Apprentices facing each other in the arena and said gravely, "Equipment and rank aren't what determine victory."

Elemental affinity was the truly crucial factor.

Any high-ranking mage who wasn't blind could sense that the elemental power surrounding the boy named Sperien was terrifyingly dense.

Moresy gave him a thumbs-up with his gloved hand.

Seidler: "..."

Inside the arena, Ludwig arrogantly raised his magic staff and pointed it at Shu Li, sneering. "Originally, this was only a dispute between Hector and me. You chose to involve yourself, so don't blame me for being ruthless."

Shu Li hugged his magic staff against himself and met his gaze without fear. "Hector is my teammate. His business is my business. If you're going to be ruthless, then I won't hold back either."

The moment the words left his mouth, he moved.

With startling agility, he charged straight at Ludwig, giving him no time to react. His right leg whipped up in a vicious kick and struck Ludwig squarely in the chest.

"Bang!"

Caught completely off guard, Ludwig was sent flying. He slammed heavily into the ground and rolled several times.

"Whoa—!"

Cries of astonishment erupted throughout the arena.

Dazed, Ludwig staggered back to his feet, clutching his aching chest as he demanded furiously, "Y-You actually dared to kick me?"

Shu Li stood elegantly in the center of the arena and grinned. "There isn't any rule saying mages can't fight in close combat."

Ludwig froze.

Shu Li's figure flashed.

In an instant, he appeared behind him and kindly reminded him, "Spacing out in the middle of a fight can get you killed!"

With that, he raised his foot and kicked Ludwig squarely in the backside.

For the second time, Ludwig went flying. He pitched forward and landed face-first on the ground, grimacing in pain.