Chapter 141


    On the second day, the stands were bustling with crowds that had arrived early. Not only were the


    noble sons and daughters from yesterday present, but many wealthy merchants had also found


    ways to slip in, bringing their children to broaden their horizons. Many city guards also gathered as


    close as possible, eager to witness the rare spectacle of thrilling duels.


    Today''s battles were not just between the victors of the first round but also featured the mighty


    shes of Advanced Mages. They promised to be the highlight of the day.


    The Commanders and Elders had arrived early, recognizing the critical nature of today’s fights,


    especially with the Advanced Mage Protégés’ tournament scheduled.


    Protégés from the Eight Orders gathered at different sides of the arena, each eager and fully aware


    of the significance of the second round. A victory could propel them into the top ten, while defeat


    would mean the end of their chances. If yesterday’s bouts had been fought with a casual ease,


    today’s would be tense, with everyone summoning their full spirit and strength.


    "Do you reckon vin will win today?" E, cradling a small fox, asked with a mischievous smile,


    her blood-red eyes gleaming wickedly as she looked in vin''s direction.


    "Are you interested in him?" a Bloodlore Protégé asked curiously.


    "Do you think he''s really just a servant? I bet Cobalt Strike hasn''t told the whole truth."


    "Who among you will take the field today?" Ond asked, ncing at vin and then Roald. "You


    can deal with vin, but Roald... he''s mine!"


    Roald, feeling the intensity of Ond''s gaze, sensed trouble. Had he really caught the eye of that


    man?


    "Are you scared?" Cedrick asked coldly.


    "Are you joking?" Roald retorted.


    The atmosphere grew more intense as Protégés from each organization made ready, their attention


    turning to the main tform. Was it time to begin?


    Without much ceremony, the old Lord of the City proimed the start of the second round of the


    tournament.


    vin was the first to take the stage. "For Cobalt Strike, vin calls for battle!"


    There was no need for dawdling when a battle was at hand. With the first fight upon them, he was


    ready to lead.


    "Well done,d, quite the bold move."


    "Indeed, it takes guts to volunteer for the first battle."


    "Quiet now, quiet! Pay attention. I refuse to believe that he, a mere Stage VIII, could keep defeating


    Stage IX Protégés."


    The stands, unusually silent, were determined to observe vin''s Combat Magic and tactics


    closely, after having been bewildered the day before.


    "I''ll go!" dered a Protégé from the Earthbound Spirits, but before he could advance, Lylian leaped


    gracefully onto the arena. "From the Floral Enchantress, Lylian epts the challenge."


    "Lylian,e down. vin is a challenge for the Earthbound Spirits," protested the other man.


    Ignoring the protest, Lylian strode toward vin and pointed her sword at him. "I can''t stand


    showoffs."


    vin, dumbfounded, wondered how could he be called a showoff.


    The audience smiled at the matchup. "The youngest against the lowest ranked—this seems like a


    fair fight."


    "Isn''t vin about fifteen as well?"


    "I heard he''s nearly sixteen."


    "Fair! Though young, Lylian is a formidable force. She’s ranked in the top three of the Floral


    Enchantress'' team this time."


    vin, facing Lylian, felt resigned. "I don''t fight girls."


    "You''re just scared you can''t even beat a girl," Lylian retorted, her appearance innocent, but her


    presencemanding. She didn''t waste more words; instead, she charged at vin with a sword


    technique so brilliant it left a dazzling trail in the air. Her powerful strike was aimed directly at him.


    "My apologies," vin said as he suddenly vibrated his arms, flicking forth eight throwing knives


    from his fingertips, each gleaming sharply as they flew in unison toward Lylian.


    Whoosh! The knives whistled through the air, spinning rapidly and stirring up visible whirlwinds,


    tracing semicircr paths locked onto Lylian.


    Throwing knives? The crowd gasped in surprise, wondering if this was cheating or if vin was


    using a form of Combat Magic.


    Even Roald and the others were stunned. Combat Magic using throwing knives? Where had vin


    learned that?


    Lylian, unflustered, dodged with agility, emerging unscathed from the barrage of des.


    Thud, thud, thud—the knives struck the ground of the arena, chipping it into fine debris. They


    embedded deeply into the surface, which was made of a special material resistant to even the


    slightest scratch, hinting at the knives'' formidable power.


    vin charged after his thrown knives, his fist seemingly slow but reaching Lylian first, and with a


    thunderous roar, he dered again, "My apologies!"


    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    Lylian''s eyes narrowed, and a gust seemed to radiate from her, lifting her into the air with the grace


    of a startled swan, effortlessly avoiding vin''s heavy punch.


    The graceful beauty was a stark contrast to the ferocity of vin''s punch—a visual feast.