Chapter 140


    After the day''spetition, the young nobles of Warriors'' Vale left the city''s administration abuzz


    with excitement, fervently discussing the day''s events.


    As thepetitors took their leave, news about the day''s Tournament quickly spread throughout the


    city.


    That very night, the city''s authorities hosted a grand feast in honor of the Eight Orders'' Protégés.


    After all, the sh of Eight Orders was a friendlypetition. On stage, fierce battles were fought,


    but off stage, harmony was expected—at least on the surface.


    All of the Organization Elders were present, ostensibly to mingle with the Protégés, but in truth, they


    were there to keep an eye on them, fearing any disorder. These young upstarts were all fired up,


    and thest thing needed was a brawl breaking out on this evening.


    vin truly didn''t want to attend but had no choice; the Organization had given a strict order. Unless


    a Protégé was severely injured in the arena, attendance was mandatory.


    So, vin and Cedrick, two who were not fond of socializing, took their seats in a corner, helping


    themselves to food and sipping on fine ale. Mari, a loner by nature and one who disliked bustling


    crowds, surprisingly joined their little circle.


    The three of them sat without speaking. vin ate quietly, Cedrick drank leisurely, and asionally


    they''d clink their tankards together.


    Mari sat behind them, eyes closed in meditation, a veil adorning her face.


    "How shall we fight tomorrow?" Cedrick asked, throwing back a bowl of strong ale.


    vin took a small sip, the spicy liquid burning his throat. "I''m pondering that."


    "nning to y rough?"


    "That''s the thought."


    "How rough can you y?" Cedrick inquired further, taking another gulp of ale.


    vin raised an eyebrow and looked towards the area where the Earthbound Spirits were gathered,


    silently strategizing. To prove himself, he knew he couldn''t just y by the book; he had to fight


    fiercely and crazily, catching everyone off guard and revealing none of his tactics.


    "vin, congrattions, you''ve passed the first round smoothly," a group of handsome youngds


    approached, greeting him proactively.


    "Good to meet you," vin replied with a nod and a faint smile.


    "How confident are you about tomorrow''spetition?" They eyed vin with curiosity. A Stage


    VIII Protégé had defeated a Stage IX Protégé, an unprecedented event in the history of the


    Tournament, as no Stage VIII Protégé had ever participated before. He had won today, but what


    about tomorrow? Could there be more surprises?


    "I intend to win," vin responded diplomatically.


    "Who do you wish to challenge?"


    "Being the lowest in the stage, I have no choice. I''ll fight whoever steps up."


    "I''ve heard someone''s taken an interest in you."


    vin chuckled. "There must be quite a few."


    "The Floral Enchantress, Lylian. The youngest this tournament."


    "A girl? I don''t fight women," vin shook his head.


    "Heh, you might not have a choice," one of the young men pointed to the lively crowd in the


    distance, where many handsome gentlemen were chatting merrily with groups of youngdies.


    They were Protégés of the Floral Enchantress, an organizationposed entirely of females, likely


    rted to their practice of Combat Magic. Each was pretty and delicate, inspiring affection, yet after


    today''s first round of thepetition, no one dared to underestimate them—with nine participants


    and five victories, their sess rate was astonishing.


    Among the Floral Enchantress Protégés was a young girl who seemed more youthful than the


    others, stealing nces their way.


    It’s Lylian. The legendary figure of the Floral Enchantress, who today had defeated Cobalt Strike''s


    Golden Protégé, Semar.


    "Her swordsmanship and movements don''t follow conventional rules. She might not have even


    used eighty percent of her strength today. Be careful tomorrow," Cedrick slurred, recliningzily


    beside vin.


    vin clinked his tankard with Cedrick''s. "I haven''t used even thirty percent. Do you believe me?"


    "Alright, I believe you," Cedrick burped.


    At that moment, a handsome and dashing young man approached them, smiling slightly and


    bowing courteously to Mari. "Lady Mari, I am Kean of the Ster Precepts. May I have the


    pleasure of yourpany?"


    Kean, one of the three Advanced Mage Protégés of the Ster Precepts, was both a notable and a


    charming figure who found interest in ice queen beauties like Mari, kindling his passion for


    conquest.


    Mari coolly lifted her eyelids, her gaze tranquil as a flowing stream, beautiful yet cold.


    Kean bowed with a warm, polite smile, extending his hand towards Mari.


    vin shifted aside to make way, not wanting to cause trouble. "You y your games."


    But Mari pointed at vin without paying heed to Kean and continued her meditation.


    "Hm?" Kean was puzzled and nced at vin.


    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    vin shrugged, clueless and innocent.


    "Lady Mari means...?"


    "Ask him," Mari said coldly, her lips barely moving.


    "Him??" Kean''s eyes shifted, and then he understood. "Apologies for my presumption. vin, you


    are fortunate."


    "What do you mean?" vin nudged Cedrick.


    "She''s yours," Cedrick said, eyes half-closed, half-awake.