"Ah, you're wondering what I know. I know that for the other saviors, this is just a ga. So, they wouldn't bother sitting down and talking to us 'NPCs,' would they?" Lady Rael said with a smile. "Don't worry, only Sir Zephyrion and I are aware of this fact for now. Since I received the divination about the saviors' arrival, it's only natural."
"I see," Arlon replied, his mind racing. He knew so things from the future, but not everything.
Especially since the Trion governnt had already fallen apart in the last tiline once people realized it wasn't a ga.
"But I think you knew this wasn't a ga, just like you knew about the tournant," Lady Rael continued. "I don't know how, but I'm assuming we're lucky to have you. So, I'm actually here to make you an offer."
"What kind of offer?" Arlon asked, his tone cautious. "I might have to reject it if it's impossible or sothing too burdenso."
"Do you know why we're running this tournant, especially when there aren't many notable saviors? It's because we can't fight the Keldars directly— they can revive," Lady Rael explained. "Sir Zephyrion wants to train strong saviors who can also revive. We're looking for promising candidates, and of course, you are our number one priority."
"So, you want to co to Kelta and train there?" Arlon asked.
"Yes and no," she replied with a thoughtful smile. "We're inviting you to Kelta to give you a reward for defeating a Nad Monster and, most likely, as the tournant winner. The training is a secondary offer. Of course, you can decline, but I ask that you consider it while we travel to Kelta. You can make your decision by the ti you return."
"Hmm. I can't promise to commit to the training, but I'll co to Kelta for the reasons you ntioned," Arlon said.
"Thank you, that will be more than enough. I'm sure Sir Zephyrion will change your mind," Lady Rael replied, her tone warm.
"No, thank you for this dinner. I think it's ti for to go now. Please excuse for leaving early, Lady Rael."
"Of course. I'll see you after the event, then."
---
Arlon imdiately headed to his room. Since there was a possibility of getting tailed, he changed routes a few tis.
Lady Rael was also intelligent, Arlon realized. So, it was best to be careful around her.
It's a good thing I changed my voice with a spell or she could catch up. If Lady Rael is like this, I can't even think about Zephyrion. But he had to go to Kelta for more than one reason.
Should I join the training? Arlon was already learning spells instead of skills as a mage, but he was still using skills as a warrior.
Warriors, too, could develop unique abilities outside the typical skills. In his past tiline, Arlon had even created a few abilities of his own.
However, this kind of innovation had a far greater impact on mages than other classes.
Still, he'd need to give serious thought to the offer during his stay in Kelta.
More pressing matters occupied his mind, though. He needed to ensure that the right candidates were chosen for training, and he suspected he might receive an invitation as Arlon the guide. Could he maintain both personas in Kelta?
If he traveled as a player with the others, he'd also need to "log out" with them—sothing that might raise questions given his unique situation.
Lastly, there was Zephyrion himself. Arlon needed a way to avoid drawing suspicion from the ruler of Trion.
With these thoughts swirling in his mind, Arlon reached his room, determined to find solutions before the ti ca.
---
The next day began like the one before. Arlon woke early and sent his doppelganger to the storefront before heading out himself.
It was ti for the quarter-finals. Though Arlon felt no excitent—his victory seed inevitable—he was curious to see who would advance to the finals.
The eight remaining participants and their close friends gathered in the sa room as before, joined by the eliminated participants who had been asked to attend.
Arlon knew why they were here. Lady Rael had ntioned the training offer during their dinner. He saw no need to explain it to anyone, as the details would soon be revealed.
The Gars Guild mbers were present to support Pierre and June. Zack, sitting nearby, shot Arlon sharp looks, but Arlon didn't acknowledge him.
After so ti, the doors opened, and a group of administrators entered.
Lady Rael, accompanied by Ben and Leon, led the group. The sight of the blind woman in elegant robes drew curious whispers from the participants.
"Hello, everyone," Lady Rael began, her voice calm and composed. "I am called Lady Rael."
Arlon suppressed an eye-roll. How many tis have I heard this introduction now?
"I am here to congratulate you on advancing to this stage. You've all done well to get here, and I comnd your efforts."
"As you know, there will be a reward for the tournant winner: a custom-made weapon or armor piece of your choice from one of Trion's finest blacksmiths, tailored specifically for you."
The participants nodded, but Lady Rael's next words caught their attention.
"But I want to announce that this will not be the only reward."
The room stirred with murmurs. Most assud Arlon would win, making additional rewards seem pointless. Lady Rael quickly silenced the noise with a raised hand.
"Allow to clarify. This new reward is not for the tournant winner alone. It is an offer from our ruler, Sir Zephyrion, to train under his elite team. Promising candidates will be selected, even if they've been eliminated."
A louder uproar erupted, with Zack leading the charge.
"What the f*ck? Why are you telling us this now? If we'd known earlier, we could've tried harder to stand out!" he shouted.
Before anyone could react, Leon was behind Zack in a flash, his sword pressed lightly against Zack's throat.
"You will not disrespect Lady Rael in my presence," Leon growled, his voice cold and dangerous.
Even though Zack couldn't die since he was a player, the primordial fear of death kept him frozen in place.
"Sir Leon, it's fine," Lady Rael said gently. "Please, let him go."
Reluctantly, Leon stepped back, his gaze still sharp with disapproval.
"Mr. Zack, right? Sir Ben should have already told you yesterday to do your best even if you are sure to lose."
She turned to Ben and asked with a look, so Ben answered, "Of course, I conveyed your ssage."
Zack coughed, his temper still simring. "But that's just a suggestion!" he said, his voice less confident. "It didn't an there was a reward attached to it." Zack continued to object with the courage he got from Lady Rael's interference.
Lady Rael t his defiance with a calm smile. "If we'd announced the reward, it would've changed the spirit of the tournant. Besides, shouldn't you always do your best in a fight? But rest assured, even if soone didn't perform at their best, our specialists are adept at evaluating potential."
Zack fell silent, unable to find a counterargunt. He had focused on his bet with June rather than fighting seriously.
Just as Zack opened his mouth to protest again, a deep voice interrupted him.
"Ah, enough of this bullsh*t! You lost, even with your potion. Just shut up and let us get on with it," said Crag, a burly barbarian warrior and the 13th on the leaderboard.
Zack turned to face Crag, his irritation boiling over. Though Crag looked intimidating, Zack knew he was at a lower level and felt emboldened.
Since Zack had been beaten by Arlon, lost a bet to June, got threatened by Leon, and was snubbed by Lady Rael, his mood was far from good.
Crag's provocation was the final straw. With a burst of frustration, Zack jumped from where he stood, drawing his sword and lunging at Crag.
Before Leon could act, Arlon stepped in, positioning himself between the two. With a swift motion, he caught Zack's sword mid-swing with his bare hand.
"I think that's enough for today," Arlon said, his tone calm but firm as he looked between Zack and Crag. "We shouldn't let this escalate further and show any more disrespect in Lady Rael's presence."
Though he disliked Zack's rashness, he was equally unimpressed with Crag's provocation.
"Hah! As if respecting NPCs actually matters," Crag scoffed, but he lowered the massive double-handed axe he had drawn in the anti.
Zack, still fuming, shot Arlon an angry glare but ultimately turned back to rejoin his friends without a word.
The other participants remained silent, observing the exchange. The tension was palpable, but Ben quickly stepped in to diffuse it.
"If we're all settled," Ben began, his voice steady, "let's move on with the tournant. We'll now proceed to draw lots for the quarter-finals brackets."
He gestured to two boxes at the front. "As with yesterday, there will be no loser's bracket. Each of you will draw a number from these boxes. Those with matching numbers will face each other in the next round."
Participants approached the boxes one by one to draw their numbers. The process went smoothly without further incident.
Once the drawing was complete, Ben announced the matchups:
"Here are today's fights:
Maria vs. Liyam
June vs. Crag
Evan vs. Aedar
Arlon vs. Pierre
The matches will be held in this order. Except for Maria and Liyam, the rest of you may return to your seats for now."
His intent was clear—to disperse the group before another argunt could break out. The participants followed his instructions, heading to their seats to await their turns.
It worked and everyone except those two went up to the participant seats.
With that, the first match started.
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