Chapter 198 - Final Thoughts Before the Tournament

"Hi, my name's Oliver. It's a pleasure to meet you, Assistant Lizbeth."

"Oh? Has Keldon already told you about me?" Lizbeth chuckled. 

"Professor, this is the young man that Hurman has recommended for the tournament."

"Oh, I see…" Inspecting Oli's well-defined physique, Lizbeth smiled, "Then I'm all the more excited to meet you. It's been a long time since Hurman has recommended someone, let alone someone as intriguing as you."

"Thank you. But I'm not all that interesting. I'm just a cultivator seeking better chances to learn and better techniques to master."

"Ah… Then it's true that you're not a swordsman?"

"I can promise that Oliver specializes in other things. But we need to get going," Keldon stated. "I wanted to show him the arena and answer some questions about--"

"Then let me give you a grand tour!"

Caught off guard, Keldon gave Lizbeth a curious look. "The last time you spoke so openly with me was back at the institute. So why the sudden excitement from meeting a student that almost failed out of class?"

"For one, I've heard you're doing quite well for yourself. But I'm more intrigued about Oliver. As someone who has earned Hurman's approval, getting to know you before the tournament would help a lot."

"Sorry, Lizbeth, but we should get going," Keldon insisted. "You'll just have to list Oliver's abilities and potential as unknown."

"Fine… but I'm willing to treat you both to a meal? How about that?"

This time Oli replied, "It's a pleasure meeting someone that Hurman spoke of so highly, but I must be going."

"Oh, so Hurman did mention me?"

"That--"

"Apart from your looks, Patriarch Hurman also mentioned how capable you were. But I'm already busy and have things to prepare before the tournament tomorrow. Perhaps you and the other higher-ups can get to know me better after the tournament?"

"Oh, hoh… Those are some big words to fill. I hope you're able to match such boasting in battle."

"I wouldn't say so otherwise." Oli bowed humbly to the mature, blonde beauty. "It was a pleasure meeting you and seeing why Hurman acknowledges your beauty. Farewell for now."

"Farewell… Until tomorrow." She nodded in response as Oli turned to leave.

"So long, Professor Lizbeth. It was nice seeing you again," Keldon added before leaving behind Oli.

Outside city hall, Keldon laughed and shook his head. "Man… Hurman will freak out after hearing what you told her."

"And why should we tell him about that? I just made sure to share honest thoughts that could move the conversation along," reasoned Oli, looking toward the amphitheater turned open-aired arena. "So, this is where it's going down?"

Dropping the subject, Keldon replied, "Yeah. This is where the fights will take place and that's where you and the other contestants will sit."

Looking at the lowest seats around the raised platform, Oli committed the setting to memory. He noticed the extended distance between the contestant's seats and the next row of the audience, which was roped off and unavailable to those waiting all day for a seat. "Are those reserved for the sponsors?"

"That's right," answered Keldon. "Having paid for their entrants in the tournament, the sponsors are given guaranteed seating. There are still the wild card entrants, those pulled randomly from a group of unaffiliated cultivators on a waiting list. But there's no guarantee of joining the fights without a sponsor and some sort of backer. And the more influential the backer--"

"The more attention you get on stage."

"You know it. And the more attention you get on stage, the more likely you are to join the institute." Keldon explained, "Anyone can apply for the institute, but those who perform well in the tournament can enter with honors. Anyone who wins the tournament will be automatically accepted."

"So I wouldn't need to win the tournament to enter the institute?" asked Oli.

"No, but it would be the best way to get in. You wouldn't need to take the entrance exam and you'd have them offering courses to you instead of you seeking permission to take certain courses."

"Hmm… I'll keep that in mind." 

"There are only three things you should be concerned about for tomorrow: showing your potential as a cultivator, outshining your opponent, and openly offending too many people."

"Trighton Institute accepts donations?"

Smiling, Keldon nodded. "That's right. Being funded through public money and various guilds allows the influence of outside parties to sometimes alter the institute's perception."

"Well, maybe I'll just have to put on a show they won't be able to ignore?" laughed Oli, taking in a slow, deep breath. "But that does leave one question unanswered…"

"That being?"

Not hiding his grin, Oli answered, "What sort of show should I put on?"

"What do you mean?"

After a moment of thought and staring at the empty arena, Oli finally turned away. "I should be getting back. Depending on how things go tomorrow, I may need to come up with a backup plan?"

"Oliver, what do you--"

"Thanks for the tour but I'll be going now. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"

"Okay… Then you'd best be ready." Seeing Oli walk off with confidence despite his uncertain remarks, Keldon wasn't sure what to think.

"He's an interesting kid."

Looking to his side to find no one, Keldon couldn't help but chuckle. "Professor, please don't play games with me. Not again…"

"From his confidence, one would guess that he plans to win the whole thing. Do you think he has a shot?" Lizbeth appeared beside Keldon in the exact place Keldon had glanced. "Or do you think he's just lying to himself?"

"If he were to go all out… I'd be surprised to see him lose. But I doubt we'll see that happen."

All the more intrigued, Lizbeth asked, "Care to explain?"

"There's no need to, given the tournament tomorrow."

"I'm willing to pay quite handsomely for it," offered Lizbeth. "Consider it an inquiry about his betting value."

"How handsomely are we talking? Hurman handsome, or me?"

Chuckling, Lizbeth added, "That depends on the intel provided..."