Grand Assembly Hall
When the final hour of the second game was approaching, more and more people began to fill the arena where one could spectate the ongoing game. There were so many people that the entire seating was packed to the brim. Looking at it from the sky one could even feel cramp.
Nearly a hundred of thousands of spectators from all the institutes and guests from outside the academy came to watch this once in ten years event. After all, the second game with its renowned battle royale format was the most exciting to watch.
Magus Sarena, who acted as the host of the game, ceaselessly entertained the audience with her beautiful figure and outgoing personality. Thanks to her, the already exciting second game became even more enjoyable.
However, despite her attracting presence, the objects mostly taking the attention of everyone were the 10 screens flying above the arena, making them clear to see from every direction.
Everytime an acolyte was defeated and sent out of the virtual arena, they would be spawned into the center of the arena hall. Moreover, their appearance would also be followed by the comments from both the magus and the audience.
Most of the audience generally didn't care when a Lucky class acolyte was defeated. However, every elite acolytes did bring their utmost attention. One could even say the regular acolytes were ignored by the masses, while the elites were the focal point of the game.
On the second floor, where all the magus instructores were seated, a group of magus could be seen discussing the game. If Emery could see this group of magus, he would definitely recognize who they were.
Xion, Darius, Carla, Minerva and a sulking Magus in all-white robes, Urix.
The reason the white-robed magus sulked was because, not only did he lose a big bet against Xion and Minerva during the first game, the elite acolyte his faction was interested in and supported was defeated early in the second game.
Said acolyte was mentioned to be the best in his class. He had the best talent among his peers. However, such 'talent' was defeated by an unknown rank 6 acolyte. And, as if the wound wasn't enough, Urix felt as if someone poured salt into it when he realized this unknown acolyte was from the group responsible for his previous lost bet.
Unfortunately, as someone once said, "Another person's bad luck can be someone else's fortune."
The more Urix became sulky, the wider the smile on Xion's face. And surely, the prouder he was with said acolyte. On the other hand, Minerva was joyful with her gain from the last bet and tried to persuade Urix to do another one.
"Huh?! Another bet?!! I don't want to hear anything about group 7 anymore. You said please? No! No bet!"
Despite the rejection, Minerva kept pushing the magus. After all, it was a rare chance to annoy the sulky magus and the best part was he couldn't do anything! If he was provoked, then the bet would happen. If he didn't, then he could only be annoyed by her persistence. Knowing that, how could Minerva stop?
The acolytes from all 10 groups in the 10 arenas were all currently fighting to the best of their abilities and giving their all to reach the top 50. However, an anomaly happened in group 2, who received the open field arena. The game ended way faster than everyone expected .
In less than two hours, all the 300 plus acolytes inside were defeated. Only one figure could be seen through the screen. He was standing tall among them all, Zach the dragon bloodline. The open field arena was the only silent witness of the bloody massacre and the elite half-blood was the reason for it.
"Other than that dragon boy, the other nine groups are boring!" commented Minerva. "Well, except my group 7 of course." She added, glancing towards the still sulky Urix.
It was surely an interesting situation when an unknown acolyte managed to defeat two elite acolytes in a row, especially when one of the two was the expected number one of the group, Lodos.
"Huh?! Please! He had reinforcement, alright?" Urix snarled, when he realized Minerva's glance on him.
Even though he previously said he didn't want to talk about group 7, he still followed all the things Emery did inside the game. His mood became increasingly worse when he saw Emery manage to defeat another acolyte.
Hence, when he saw what Roran did to Emery and the others, he could not help but jump from his seat and laughed loudly.
"HAHAHAHA!!! That's what you got for challenging the big guy! That's Harlight's youngest son, isn't he?
The screen showed Emery's precarious situation made Magus Xion worried. On the other hand, Minerva took the chance and offered an 'olive branch' to the excited Urix, "Come on, Urix. Another bet, do you dare?"
Alas, the excited Urix suddenly turned calm and said, "That boy already killed three elites. Thus, there's a big chance he will get accepted to the elite class. So, no deal." It appeared the sulky magus didn't want to bite the bait.
"Aaa… You are no fun, Urix."
"However, I will bet that he won't reach the top 10 highest points. How is that? Hahaha!" Urix smiled widely.
Upon hearing the ridiculous bet, Minerva commented, "Are you crazy? There are 50 other elites and he is only a rank 6 acolyte! The odds are too lopsided!" Turning her head away, she added, "Huh! Just say if you don't want to bet. Coward."
Ignoring the last word spoken by Minerva, Urix turned towards Xion, "Hehehe, what about you, Xion? Do you want to bet on your favorite boy over there?"
"No, no… You see, I'm quite short of silver." Xion said, while waving his hand.
"Alright! It doesn't need to be silver. What about artifacts? We will bet with artifacts, then. I heard you obtained quite a good life-saving artifact from your last mission." Urix said with the smile of a greedy merchant.
Before Xion could say anything, Minerva intervened, "Don't accept it, Xion. Look at that, they are ambushed and there are only nine of them left.
However, against all odds, Xion instead said, "Alright, I will bet my artifact. But if I win, I want your family to sponsor him. How about that?"
Upon hearing Xion's words, Urix's face changed to disbelief, "What?! We never took a regular acolyte!"
"Duh! Urix, you are being stupid again. Think! If you win the bet and he really is untalented as you said, you will receive my artifact for free! But if I win the bet, that means he managed to enter the top 10 and he isn't a normal regular acolyte that will waste your resources! It's a win-win situation for you."
"Ahh…" Urix was contemplating Xion's words deeply, as he didn't want to be fooled by him. "Huh! Tell me! What's your agenda with this..."
"Nothing." Xion said, while returning his attention back to the screen. This time, an incredulous expression clearly plastered on Urix's face.
"I just want the best for him and your family can do exactly that. Why do you want to support Lodos when you can get the one who defeated him."
Pondering again for a while, Urix then nodded, "Alright then. The bet is on!"
Right as Urix finished saying that, the situation shown in one of the screens suddenly changed again, attracting everyone's attention. The whole arena was in awe as they saw the screen displaying the group seven.
There, the metal wall was destroyed and more people joined the fight. The seemingly hopeless situation underwent a sudden 180-degree turnaround, causing everyone to get excited.
Meanwhile, Urix was pissed off, again.
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Written and Directed by Avans, Published by W.e.b.n.o.v.e.l,