Chapter 34 - Participants (Part 2)
[ Mystery Box.
A box containing random rewards.
Would you like to open it? ]
'Yes.'
Wallace answered as he waited for the result.
[ Opening... 3.. 2.. 1...
You have received 1 Body Strengthening Potion (Small) ]
"Another one... well, it's not bad. But I just hope I can get something new in the next box."
Wallace muttered as he saw a familiar potion. It was the same potion he received when he succeeded in joining the student council. He then proceeded to open another mystery box.
[ You have received 1 Berserk Potion Recipe. ]
"Recipe?"
Wallace was surprised upon seeing this. He immediately checked it's content and confirmed that a list of ingredients and methods on how to brew the potion was included.
He had been wondering before how were the potions he was receiving from pathfinder were made. This can help him to understand more about what pathfinder can do. It seems that there may be a recipe for body strengthening potion that he could receive someday.
Wallace kept the potion and recipe for now as he doesn't have a plan to consume the potion due to the known side effects. As for the recipe, it may take quite a while before he'll have a chance to use it so after he glanced on the paper containing the recipe, he just kept it on his pocket. But it was good to know that it was possible to concoct a potion in the future.
Although Wallace has learned a lot in the academy about how to utilize the plants, materials and other things that contain mana, he doesn't have the plan to be an apothecary. Even if the potions study hadn't completely phased out in this continent, their usage was so limited and unorthodox compared to mana artifact that was able to give stable performance.
Wallace continued browsing the internet to be aware of the current events of this country. Aside from knowledge about magic and a little bit of history, he realized that he has a little information about this world itself.
More than an hour passed by and after noticing that the meeting was about start. He stopped his browsing and went to the Training Room A to meet with his fellow participants.
Wallace activated his Divine Sense again before he entered the room and observed the place. He felt familiar mana fluctuations within the room. It is a room for practicing combat so there is a space on the left side and a few seats on the other side.
There were several students in the room but all the participants selected hadn't arrived yet. There should be a total of 24 students but only 18 has arrived. Wallace looked at the time and saw that there's still about 4 minutes before the appointed time. Anyway, it wasn't unusual to have late students.
Wallace noticed that the two seniors he knew has already arrived. They noticed him as well and approached Wallace.
The male has blond hair, prominent cheekbone, and fair skin. The female has short brown hair, blue eyes, and tanned skin. Both of them is wearing Moon Class uniform for 3rd year. It is Eric and Mei, the students who Wallace assisted to provide technical assistance in the Armor Tech they are researching.
"Wallace, I'm not surprised that you'll participate in the competition."
"Right! With you participating we should be expecting better results."
It was first Eric and followed by Mei. Wallace already saw the list of participants and wasn't surprised upon seeing the duo. He wasn't familiar with their 3rd companion but noticed that her name was Talia Caseja.
Wallace chatted with them a bit and approached Tracy and Ross. They were already seated and reserved a seat for him.
"So, our classmate is popular with our seniors."
Tracy smilingly commented as she gestured Wallace to sit.
"Not really, I just got to know them weeks ago."
Wallace replied and nodded at the silent Ross beside her. Ross smiled at him and acknowledged Wallace. There's nothing to talk to between the two or they both don't know how to start their conversation.
While they are waiting for the others, Wallace remembered the impressive mana fluctuations he felt prior to his visit to the library. He noticed that the same girl was actually in the room and seems to be a participant as well.
Wallace saw that her other 4 companions were chatting happily while she was there awkwardly seated. They don't seem to be close to her.
"Tracy, do you know her?"
Wallace couldn't help but be curious about this female student. He whispered at Tracy describing where the girl was seated and her pink hair-band. Tracy immediately recognized her and replied to Wallace.
"Oh, you have good taste. She's Hilda Calem, 1st-year section 2 in Sun Class. She's the only section 2 participating in the competition this year. Isn't she amazing? She's a good catch."
Wallace immediately regretted asking Tracy and thought that he could've waited until they were introduced. After all, there's only 24 of them who will be participating, he'll know her name sooner.
"So that's why... I was just curious since I noticed that her companions seem to be ignoring her presence."
Wallace ignored Tracy's teasing and told her what he noticed.
"Oh, I noticed it as well. She just actually arrived just about a couple of minutes before you. Hmm... Maybe because she replaced their classmate that they're expecting to be selected."
After Tracy replied, they noticed a cluster of students arrived as the group of 24 participants is now completed.
About 5 minutes after the appointed time. A familiar figure arrived. It was the Headmaster Percival accompanied by 5 more instructors.
All the students immediately stood up and greeted the newly arrived group.
"First of all, as your headmaster. I congratulate all of you for being selected as a participant for the Twelve Magic Academies Competition.
There are some changes in the rules for this year's competition, so here is Instructor Jake to explain them to you."