Chapter 286: Golden Ladle Championship: Finale [2]

Soren immediately used Advanced Appraisal on the newcomers as soon as they stepped out of the portal.

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Name: Orvane Krell

Race: Human

Age: 47

Status: Healthy

Rank: 6th Circle (Late Stage)

Current Mana Level: 2,158,400

Mental State: Hungry, Watchful, Calculating

Abilities: Mana Drain, Mana Transfer

Affinities: None (Incompatible)

Hidden Talent / Traits: Mana Sense, Pain Dampening, Overload Immunity (Partial)

Potential: 7th Circle (Estimated)

Investment Value: High

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’Mana Drain...’

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Name: Draven

Race: Half-Human / ?

Age: 42

Status: Healthy

Mental State: Observant, Cautious

Ability: Null Constitution

Affinities: None

Hidden Talent / Traits: Mana Void, Pain Tolerance

Potential: ?

Investment Value: High

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’Null Constitution... Ethea guessed it right.’ Soren thought to himself as he scanned the status windows. ’It’s really the Hollow Pair. But... who is the third one?’

His gaze landed on the blonde young man.

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Name: Lucent Starlight

Race: Human

Age: 24

Status: Healthy

Rank: Unawakened

Mental State: Amused, Confident, Unbothered

Hidden Talent / Traits: Keen Nose, Spoiled, Entitled

Potential: ?

Investment Value: Low

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’He’s unawakened?’ He squinted in confusion. ’Why did they bring an ordinary person here?’

However, as he heard the fake Faris start to introduce the guy, the pieces started to fall into place.

At the same time, the surrounding mana suddenly began to fluctuate, like ripples spreading across the surface of a lake before vanishing into nothing. The air grew still, and within the span of a single breath, every trace of mana in the arena was gone. Soren felt it in his chest, a strange hollowness where his connection to the mana had been. It was as if the world itself had gone mute.

’...So this is how his constitution works. It’s indeed a terrifying thing to experience firsthand.’

Had it not been for his own constitution, he would be reacting like the guards below, gasping for breath and even collapsing.

’Fortunately, Lady Nuelia and Sir Damir look fine.’

A few more minutes, and she would be able to stand on her own. However, for the sake of safety, Soren carried her away from the portal and the three newcomers.

They noticed but fortunately didn’t act.

’...For now, things are going as planned.’ Soren thought to himself as he saw Lariel floating above the arena, staring coldly at the two hooded figures. ’I just hope he doesn’t lose control of his emotions and mess everything up again.’

"...Mr. Soren and Damir..."

Hearing the fake Faris address them, Soren shifted his gaze to the approaching figures. The pressure emanating from the two-meter-tall Nullifier intensified, and Soren even felt as if his vitality was being sucked out of his body from just standing too close.

’This explains why Nuelia was in that state. She must have been-’

His train of thought was cut short as Leech grabbed Damir’s wrist. Within seconds, the color drained from Damir’s face. His knees buckled, sending him straight to the floor. Before Soren could react, Leech casually reached out and grabbed his arm next.

"!"

The next moment, Soren felt the mana inside him surge toward the point of contact, pulled by an invisible current. It was like his blood was being drawn out through a wound he couldn’t see. His core convulsed, and his knees almost buckled as the draining continued. The world dimmed at the edges, and the hollow sensation spread through his chest.

"Hmm?" The Leech raised a brow as he continued to drain Soren’s mana. ’How does he have so much mana? Its purity is extremely high too...’

But Soren didn’t give him time to dwell on it and used the Pebble Among Stars to the fullest.

"Huff... Huff..."

For the sake of appearances, he let himself collapse onto his knees, breathing raggedly as if he had been drained to the brink. His shoulders heaved, and he kept his head low, hiding the faint gleam in his eyes.

The Leech watched him for a moment longer, then let out a short, dismissive snort.

"Hmph. Nothing special."

He finally took his hand away and walked away with the Nullifier. They paused briefly in front of the blonde young man, and Soren managed to overhear them saying, "Good luck, Young Master. We believe in you!"

’...I get it now.’ Soren continued to pretend as his mind raced. ’Lucent guy must be the son of their leader, and he is probably the reason why all of this is even happening, considering his traits...’

However, he didn’t let his guard down, recalling everything Ethea said about them yesterday.

’This might be a distraction from their actual plan, so we need to stick to the plan...’

"Hey."

Soren looked up just in time to see Lucent toss a small bottle toward him. It stopped just short of his knee, then another was thrown to Damir, who was still trying to catch his breath.

"Drink it," Lucent said with an annoyed expression. "I don’t wanna win by playing dirty. There’s no fun in that."

Soren’s eyes flicked to the vial, activating Advanced Appraisal. ’...It’s a high-quality vitality replenishment potion.’

’...He must really be spoiled.’ Soren thought as he uncorked it and drank, keeping his movements weak and hesitant. ’Throwing around something this expensive like it’s nothing.’

"Huff... Huff..." He let his breathing slowly begin to steady while watching color return to Damir’s face soon after he swallowed his own potion.

"Hey!" Lucent turned toward the broadcasting platform. "Explain the rules while they recover. We don’t have enough time to waste."

"Ah, yes! Sorry for the delay!" The fake Faris bowed apologetically, then straightened and looked at the camera.

"Ladies and gentlemen, due to the special circumstances I mentioned earlier, the rules of the final round have also changed. From this point on, contestants will not be allowed to use mana in any form. You may only use the basic tools provided at your stations and the ingredients already there. Everything must be done by hand, including creating and controlling the flames."

He paused, letting the rule settle before continuing.

"After all, a true chef must be able to create a masterpiece without relying on special ingredients or tools. In this world, too many have grown dependent on their gifts, hiding behind affinities, artifacts, and enchantments to make up for their lack of real skill. If you cannot create something magnificent with your own two hands, then you have no right to call yourself a chef."