June wasn't just watching the match; she was also preoccupied with her lingering suspicion that the two Arlons might be the sa person.
She had co across plenty of clues that suggested they weren't. Still, for reasons she couldn't quite explain, the feeling persisted.
This uncertainty gnawed at her, and she found herself studying both Arlons whenever possible—whether it was during their guidance sessions with Arlon the guide, while Arlon the player was competing in the tournant, or even when helping him with guiding the players that ca to Istarra for the tournant.
The most baffling part was unfolding right now. As Arlon the player fought in front of her, she could see Arlon the guide seated among the NPCs in the audience.
He was sitting beside Charon and Shirl, mingling with the higher-tier administrators, as calm and composed as ever.
Her mind spun with the contradiction. How could they possibly be the sa person if they're both here at the sa ti?
Even though Arlon the player was wearing a mask, he was similar in build to the Legendary Guide. Their nas were the sa, they were both warriors using two-handed swords.
Were these enough to prove anything when her eyes were telling otherwise, though?
June's thoughts were interrupted by Zack's voice, loud and tinged with unease.
"What... are you doing?"
Only one second passed and Arlon uttered the spell's na: Fla Pillar.
---
Crimson flas erupted in a towering column around Zack, ascending from the ground to the sky in an instant. When the fire subsided, nothing remained but scorched earth.
A stunned silence filled the arena. No cheers, no applause—only the collective question echoing in every viewer's mind: "Wasn't Arlon supposed to be a warrior?"
As a player, there was only one plausible explanation. Arlon wasn't a warrior at all but a mage in disguise, using a sword for so unfathomable reason.
Of course, this assumption couldn't have been further from the truth. However, since players shared a limited set of class options, the theory seed logical.
If there were extra classes only so people could choose, at least one of them would be leaked.
Still, confusion lingered. If he's a mage, how has he won so many matches with nothing but punches and sword slashes? Could his STR stat be just as high as his INT?
Whispers rippled through the crowd, but no one dared voice their thoughts aloud.
It wasn't until Arlon calmly left the arena, ascending the stairs to the participants' area, that the referee announced the winner and the spell over the crowd broke.
A wave of cheers and applause erupted, the noise almost deafening as admiration overca their shock.
Despite the roaring crowd, the questions remained unanswered.
Arlon took his seat in the participants' area, his expression unreadable.
With only three matches left for the day, he settled in to watch, his thoughts already shifting toward what lay ahead.
---
When the last match started, everyone was getting ready to leave the arena. The quarter-finals would only start the next day.
In the anti, Zack ca back with a defeated face.
"Hey, you cheated!" he said to Arlon.
Arlon glanced briefly at him but then turned away without saying a word.
This is botherso, Arlon thought, his irritation rising at Zack's continued antics.
Luckily, his friends in the Gars guild imdiately intervened, keeping Zack from doing anything rash.
Zack had lost the bet—he had barely lasted thirty seconds in the match and hadn't managed to land a single hit on Arlon.
Now, he had to fulfill his end of the wager, granting June two wishes.
"Why aren't you answering? Are you really ignoring ?" Zack snapped, his patience wearing thin. His hot temper flared as he couldn't get a response.
"Next ti, I'll win for sure. Now that I know you're a mage, I'll be ready!" Zack declared, his voice laced with renewed confidence.
Arlon, standing up from his seat, turned to him once more. He offered a simple reply, calm as ever. "Next ti, don't make wait," and left the arena before the match ended.
---
The announcer's voice bood, signaling the end of the day's event.
"Thank you, everyone, for coming today! Congratulations to those who won, and condolences to those who lost. I'm sure you'll all try harder and win next ti."
The crowd clapped politely, the day's excitent winding down.
"Rember, the tournant continues tomorrow, and we'll have another event the day after! So, don't leave Istarra yet, for a grand prize awaits!"
The nas of the players advancing to the quarter-finals were displayed, sending a ripple of anticipation through the crowd.
"Here are the nas of the participants qualifying for tomorrow's matches: Arlon, June, Evan, Pierre, Maria, Aedar, Liyam, and Crag. We'll see you all tomorrow!"
With that, the event officially ended. The audience began to trickle out of the arena, and the participants prepared for the next day's matches.
---
Outside the arena, Arlon was heading back to his room when soone called out to him.
"Mr. Arlon, please wait... haah."
Arlon turned to see a winded ssenger, likely from running to catch up.
"Mr. Arlon, I'm here on behalf of Lady Rael. If you're available, she would like to speak with you over dinner today."
"Sure, I'm available," Arlon replied, his tone casual.
"Thank you, Mr. Arlon. Do you know the inn on the west side of the city?"
"Yes, I'm familiar with it." Of course, Arlon wouldn't make it obvious he was there the day before.
"Perfect, Lady Rael will be waiting for you there in one hour."
Arlon felt a wave of mixed emotions. He was going to speak with Lady Rael for the second ti—but this ti, as Arlon the player.
He would have to stay in character, ignoring everything he already knew about her. It would be a challenge, but one he was prepared to face.
---
"It's nice to et you again, Sir Arlon."
"Again? Ah, do you an the first day of the tournant or when we spoke through telepathy?" Arlon replied with a smile. "It's also an honor to et you!"
Lady Rael watched him carefully, gauging his response.
She'd tried to test him, but whether because Arlon was too cautious or there was nothing to uncover, she hadn't gotten the answers she was looking for.
"Please, sit down," she said, gesturing to the chair opposite her. "You can order anything you want."
Arlon took a seat, keeping his guard up. He knew this dinner wouldn't be just about casual conversation. Lady Rael was a master at getting what she wanted.
"Please, order whatever you like," she said again, as though making it clear he had the freedom to choose. "Do you fancy the food here?"
"It's my first ti here, actually. I'd like to see the nu if possible," Arlon replied, doing his best to play the part.
Lady Rael's gaze sharpened slightly. "It seems like you know who I am, but I don't know much about you."
Arlon smiled faintly. "Ah, there's not much to know. I'm Arlon, and I like to win. That's all."
"I see," Lady Rael said, her voice laced with curiosity. "So, I suppose I won't be able to see your face today."
Arlon chuckled softly. "I think so secrets add charm to a man."
"Unfortunate," she mused, though there was no judgnt in her tone. "Anyway, let's order. I don't like to talk business while eating. Perhaps so drinks first?"
"That sounds good, but as you know, I can't stay for too long. When the ti cos, I need to go like everyone else."
This was the log-out ti or pause ti as known in Trion.
He could log out when the ti ca and log back in later, but he didn't want to do it since this would cause his "Continuously logged in" status in his title, Unfair Regressor.
So, he wanted to get out of here before the log-out ti.
Arlon kept his voice casual, though internally he was focused. He needed to keep his cover intact, and that ant avoiding any questions about his status as a player.
"I know," Lady Rael replied, her voice surprisingly understanding. "Don't worry. Our talk will end before that ti."
They placed their orders, and the conversation flowed to other topics.
Arlon remained guarded, answering her questions but carefully steering the conversation away from anything too revealing.
Lady Rael, realizing she wouldn't catch him off guard, or maybe deciding there is nothing to catch, eventually gave up on trying to expose anything and shifted the conversation back to lighter matters.
But as dinner ca to a close, she finally leaned forward, her eyes glinting with intent.
"Sir Arlon, it seems like you know more than the other saviors."
Arlon was shocked she understood that just through their talk during the dinner. His guard was always up but she had deduced this much already.
"Ah, you are wondering what I know. I know that this is just a ga for the other saviors."
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