Chapter 356: The start of the Semi-Finals

It was now the sixth day of the Grand Mage's tournament, and the audience had cooled down from the first day's excitement. There had been too many unexpected things that happened which dampened the mood of the tournament. Some of the people were starting to worry that the tournament will become less interesting. If the Grand Mage's tournament becomes less popular some businesses might lose out.

Henrietta was also a bit worried but for different reasons. Yesterday the match was Natasha's win because Artifice was a no show. So after yesterday's match, Henrietta alongside some of the other High Ranking Mages within the kingdom started their investigation about Artifice's disappearance. They checked the inn Artifice was staying at and found no trace of him. The room he rented didn't even look like someone was living there, it was too clean.

They asked the people in the surrounding area but not a single one has seen Artifice exit his room after entering it two days ago. The investigation team was about to give up when Layfon found something interesting. There was one person that had a different answer to the rest. The one who rented the room next to Artifice's room couldn't remember who Artifice was. After some intensive questioning of the tenant of the room next door, Layfon learned a few things. The person could remember almost everything that happened in the week he rented the room but anything related to Artifice was gone from his memory. Even the fact that Artifice was part of the quarterfinalist was blocked from the person's memory.

'Maybe that person saw the one who dealt with Artifice. So it's either Artifice was killed or kidnapped. There's also the possibility that Artifice went into hiding, but the timing and the way he disappeared drew too much attention to himself.' After that revelation, the investigation had little progress as they had no other clue as to who would want to kidnap or kill Artifice. At first, the main suspects were the other contestants of the tournament especially Natasha who was supposed to be his opponent. But after questioning them each one of them had an alibi and had given proof as to where they were during the supposed attack on Artifice.

...

A day has passed by there was no other clue that was found the investigation had hit a dead end. Henrietta was a bit worried about what the purpose of the assailant was. Why would anyone do anything to Artifice at that timing, when all eyes were on him? Was it on purpose to draw their attention or was it something else entirely... Not much was known about Artifice only that he was part of a secretive group of people, that were similar to assassins.

'I guess in that line of work, you wouldn't know when you could die. Death can come to you even as you sleep. Still, Artifice wasn't a pushover, and to deal with him without anyone noticing means the opponent was stronger than him by a large margin, or it could be a group of people that attacked.'

Henrietta sighed as she looked at the audience. Even though there seems to be trouble going around the Grand Mage and the king wanted the tournament to continue. She felt that something ominous was about to happen.

'Well, for now, it's not my problem but the royal guards' problem. Still, I better prepare to escape with my research materials if something does happen.'

Henrietta started thinking about what to do next just in case this ominous feeling she had comes true. As she was lost in thought the time for the semi-finals to start was nearing.

...

Lara, Valdel, Natasha, and Hime were all staying in the contestant's waiting room. Unlike the other times when their opponents were announced in advance this time they had no clue who would fight who. Among the four participants that reached the semi-finals, only Hime wasn't part of Valdel's group.

Valdel, Lara, and Natasha were at one side while Hime was alone at a corner. Hime was not really bothered by the isolation as she was using this time to stabilize her mana and readying her mentality for the battle to come. She wasn't going to do it like last time, no matter who her opponent was she was going to go all out from the start.

...

While Hime was meditating Valdel, Lara, and Natasha were looking at each other with troubled looks.

"This tournament was not what I expected it to be. Missing contestants, contestants that quit without even getting hurt, and rules that don't seem to be fair." Valdel spoke while scratching the back of his neck. 'Also the person I was hoping to show in the tournament didn't show at all.'

"Yes, compared to the past tournaments I watched this year's tournament had the most powerful contestants but the way they lost was too weird." Natasha gave out her opinion.

"It doesn't matter if the tournament is weird or not, I will complete the mission given to me and win," Lara spoke with her usual indifferent tone, but Valdel was quick to notice that something was off.

"Did you talk to Afeus as well?"

"...Yes I did..." Valdel sighed as he looked at his childhood friend. Usually, it was hard to get a read on her, only Ren was able to do that. But at times like this, even he could see through her stoic expression.

"I guess I-" Before Valdel could finish what was he was going to say, Lara had placed her index finger on Valdel's mouth.

"I don't want you forfeiting, being given such a victory will not make me happy. As Ren's supposed best friend surely you should understand that the most?" When Valdel heard Lara's response he immediately bowed his head.

"I'm sorry I don't know what came over me... It's just that I don't like seeing you this sad, Lara. I don't how to make you happy, I'm not Ren and I can't understand what you're thinking without you telling me."

"You're my childhood friend, but that doesn't mean, you need to make me happy, that's not your job." As Lara was going to continue to nag at Valdel, she was interrupted by Henrietta's voice.

"It's time to start the Semi-Finals!"