"Hal Fennec advances after a masterful display of summon control!" declared Akari with a shaking, passionate voice as she began walking toward the main stage and ascending it.
Above her, the brackets updated:
"Match 96: Hal Fennec, 64th, vs Korren Neidisch, 82nd."
Despite the rising popstar’s enthusiasm, the crowd was so silent that one could hear a pin drop.
Hal’s match was the last to finish, so all eyes had been on them when his wolf rampaged against Wolfe’s summons like a crazed beast, moving at a speed far beyond what a wizard their age should be able to manage.
Finally, everyone was granted a glimpse of the most mysterious participant’s skill, and no one could deny now that he was indeed capable and, at the very least, deserved his spot as the 64th seed.
Even Ennya was left dumbstruck after Hal summoned a Spirit Wolf, unable to believe what she was witnessing.
From that mont on, the red-haired midget fell silent, her mouth still agape even now.
She truly had not expected that her childhood friend had prepared real combat spells instead of tricks.
"So he’s a summoner...?" Ennya muttered absentmindedly, still feeling surreal, a flood of questions racing through her mind.
Liora, on the other hand, was pleased as she glanced at her rival’s reaction.
She had long known how strong Hal was!
Soon, everyone snapped out of their disbelief, showering Hal with applause and the occasional whistle as he descended the stage.
He didn’t even bother to glance at Korren, who was glaring at him with eyes full of daggers.
"Everyone, it’s already lunchti, and the event will take a short break to allow our participants and all of you watching ample ti to eat and rehydrate. We will resu at the thirteenth hour."
Contrary to being a disruption to everyone’s excitent, the one-hour break gave them ti to digest all sixty-four matches, allowing the crowd and even the scouts to relish the brilliance of the winners.
Spittle flew as people dispersed into small groups.
Their voices were loud as they discussed who would move on next, what the losers could have done better, and of course, what Hal Fennec’s chances were of making it into the top eight.
So said that his wolf, although one-dinsional, would be enough to take him to the top sixteen, while others believed that the top thirty-two was the limit of a one-trick pony like him.
Of course, there were a handful of mad individuals who liked to run their mouths.
Those crazy few claid that his deanor gave them the impression he was a crouching tiger, still hiding a trump card that could land him a top-eight or even top-four finish.
**
*
anwhile, inside a luxurious hall adorned with refreshnts, a buffet table, plush chairs reserved for important guests, and a state-of-the-art holographic screen, a few elderly n and won gathered around a bespectacled, bearded old man.
"Deputy Headmaster Korvus, I heard you were the one who secured the 64th seed for that talented summoner?"
"Indeed, Lord Korvus. Could you share a bit more information about him?"
"Your decision to omit any additional description under his na truly baffles . If he’s a five-star student, why keep it a secret?"
"Hahaha, please try to understand the Deputy Headmaster. Perhaps he’s simply paving the way for the young man’s future."
The old academy leader in question, however, was inwardly breaking into a cold sweat.
Korvus had no idea what to say.
He could never admit that he, too, had no clue Hal possessed such advanced Spirit Wolf mastery.
In the end, he could only let out an awkward laugh and offer vague answers to save face.
Just then, a graceful and dignified yet approachable middle-aged woman with long purple hair and a few soft wrinkles stepped forward, rescuing the cornered old man.
"Everyone, please give my deputy so space," she said with a calm smile. "He’s been burdened with responsibilities both at the Grand Magic Academy and with Imperium affairs. Wouldn’t it be better to let the young man speak for himself? Please be patient."
"Hahaha, we apologize, Headmistress Isolde. We’re just quite excited at the thought of another talented young wizard."
**
*
It wasn’t just Korvus who found himself in the hot seat.
Right after the break was announced, Hal was ambushed by Ennya, who wasted no ti dragging him to the participants’ buffet area.
She said it was to eat with him, but it was more like an interrogation in disguise.
"So, can you now explain to how you were able to master the Summon Spirit Wolf spell to that degree? Co on, I thought we were best buds, huh?" Ennya asked with a desperate tone.
Her curiosity was killing her.
Of course, how could Hal not tease her a bit more after seeing such a mad, desperate look on her face?
They wouldn’t be real friends if he missed this pri chance!
"Hey, your food is getting cold. Eat first, talk later."
"Aihhh! Just tell !"
"I’ll tell you after we eat."
Ennya had never eaten a al in such a rush and such a frustrated mood before.
She downed her food in just a few minutes, making Hal nearly spit out his noodles from holding back his laughter.
Fortunately, there were soundproof partitions for each participant, giving Ennya the privacy she needed to avoid the flaming whips of her strict old hag of a master.
"SO?!"
"Can you calm down? I’m still not done eating..."
It was extrely hard for Hal to hold back his laughter as Ennya stared at him while he ate, her desperation and dumb expression reaching new heights.
In the end, Hal couldn’t bring himself to torture the poor midget any longer.
"Ahh, that was good," Hal said, generously praising both the food and the cook who had prepared it.
He took his ti wiping his mouth with the provided dining towel before finally turning to face Ennya.
"Like I said last ti, it has sothing to do with my mana-bound artifact. It gave a way to learn spells in a pretty exotic way, with way lower mana costs. That’s how I can cast them like a regular wizard, even with only one percent mana affinity. Happy now?"
"Can you at least explain in detail?!"
"I would, but lunchti’s almost over. There isn’t enough ti for that." Hal leaned back slightly. "Instead, let’s talk about sothing else. How did that Korren get so strong in such a short ti? Last I checked, he only had sixty-five percent mana affinity and a forty-five percent boost in water-elental magic."
Fortunately for Hal, the midget’s attention can be redirected quite easily.
"Hmph, knowing that guy, he probably convinced everyone to pool their resources into him in exchange for so sweet promises," Ennya guessed.
Hal silently agreed. That explanation made the most sense. Korren was annoyingly good at manipulating those around him, and it wasn’t hard to imagine him selling dreams to gather support.
Hal didn’t respond right away, lost in thought.
His silence made the midget frown with concern.
"So... do you think you can take him?" she asked, her tone a bit softer. "If I get the chance, I’ll avenge you, but I really hope you can beat him yourself. I can’t stand that guy’s ugly mug anymore, you know?"
Hal slowly turned his head with a flicker of amusent in his eyes, studying Ennya’s expression for a mont before speaking with quiet confidence.
"Who do you think I am?" he said, a small smirk tugging at his lips. "Leave that fake to ."
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