Chapter 8: (4/9)

"Three minutes left, I can…" Merlara died before she could finish the thought. Githa's [Sandstorm] had created new injuries on Merlara each second passed. Merlara's flesh skin was torn up to the point all the audience could see was blood all over her body. No one was aware Merlara died because of her [Storm Bringer] was still active.

Another twenty seconds passed, and the arena announcer noticed Merlara was no longer moving using his [Detection Wind]. The announcer quickly announced “Merlara Selorn is dead, Githa Bersk has won this match! Legend arena master, please stop this match immediately.”

The Legend-tier area master ran down to cast [Dispel Magic] to dispel Merlara’s [Storm Bringer] then revived her using [Resurrection].

[Dispel Magic], level 35 Light spell. This spell can be used to dispel all Novice, Intermediate, and Master-tier magic spells of all Elemental Souls (including Twin Soul). If casted by a Saint-tier Light Mage, it could dispel all Novice, Intermediate, Master, and Legend-tier magic spells. However, the mana cost for the Light Mage used to activate [Dispel Magic] will always be higher compared to the mana cost of a magic spell going to be dispelled.

Githa sighed in relief and thought to herself, “If I keep my [Stone Skin] spell active for the next three minutes, it will cause some suspicions among high-tier magic casters in the audience.” Githa has always been very careful with her true identity and takes extra steps in making sure she won’t be exposed.

After Merlara was revived, the first question she asked was, “Did I win?”

“I’m sorry, you did not. You were too close.” Githa respectfully answered.

Tears ran down from Merlara's eyes as she said, “Thank you for the great duel.”

Githa nodded and said, “Merlara, you are strong. A Thunder Mage nearly defeated an Earth Mage despite the triangle effect disadvantage. I truly respected you.”

Githa thought to herself, “You are very strong, Merlara Selorn. I’m sorry that I have robbed your chance of winning today. I promised you when the times come for us to be enemies, I will grant you an instantaneous death.”

Githa saw the battle between Arthur and Alek, she thought Alek was a Blood Mage but decided not to take any action that could risk exposing her true identity. Unlike Kain, Githa would never risk her life to protect Alek. She knew her mission is much more important than to save a stupid Blood Mage who almost exposed his true identity for a chance of glory. At the time Githa saw Alek get back to the arena, Githa was confused because she didn’t know if Alek was somehow saved by another Senior Blood Mage or he was not a Blood Mage from the start. Regardless, it’s none of Githa’s business. Her objective is to penetrate the Mages Council and she will not fail the Blood Mages Guild.

Githa stood in the middle of the arena letting the audience cheered out her name, “Githa Bersk, Githa Bersk, Githa Bersk…”

Just like Githa had thought, winning this tournament helped her catch the attention of Kath Donoghan, leader of the Brown.

Merlara walked out of the arena as the loser but what surprised her was a strange male magic caster was waiting for her together with students of Nosh and Professor Biersack.

Before Merlara could say anything, the man introduced himself, “Merlara Selorn, my name is Hyden Bowman. I am one of the thirty-six Captains of Alpha Hunters. I hereby officially offer you to join our Mages Guild.”

Alpha Hunters, ranking number twenty-two in the top one hundred Mages Guilds of Toria Continents. Guild members gained access to all kinds of Magical Equipment that could help them to train faster and have a better chance of advancing into the Legend-tiers. They will also get paid higher in quest completion compared to less infamous Mages Guilds.

Merlara was so happy that she was offered the chance to join one of the famous Mages Guild. She answered in a happy tone, “Captain Bowman, I am honored to!”

Hyden nodded in acknowledgment and said, “On the day you graduated from the Mages’ Academy and received your Mage’s License; we will send envoys to escort you and all of your family members to our Guild Hall.”

“Thank you, Captain Bowman!”

After Hymen left, Professor Biersack said, “Merlara, congratulations on receiving an invitation to join Alpha Hunters.” Other students of Nosh also congratulated Merlara. Merlara was cheerful as well. She lost the final battle but her future was still secured by joining the Alpha Hunters.

The Student Mages Battle Tournament was designed not only for strong students but for their teamwork as well. The teams of Novice, Intermediate, and Master Student Mages that have won the final battle of this year's tournament were requested to come into the arena for the ceremony. Arthur, Sofia, and other teammates in their Student Intermediate Mages team attended the ceremony while Professor Biersack and other students of Nosh stayed in the audience side to applaud for them.

A week later, it's time to depart from Flumen city. Kain wanted to visit Alek to give back the Blood Pendant and yell at him for being an idiot that almost exposed himself as a Twin Soul Blood Mage. However, that would not be a wise decision. Kain and Arthur were visited by Executioner Bodwyn the day before they departed from Flumen city. Kain secretly gave David the Blood Pendant. Needless to say anything, David knew this Blood Pendant belonged to Alek and will find a way to give it back to him without causing any suspicion. Alek is a student of Mages’ Academy of Flumen, he lived in the capital of Bifjorkian Theocracy and will have plenty of chances to speak with David compared to Kain who lived in the Commonwealth of Krorg.

Returning to Nosh city, all the students, professors, and principal Myriam Starag of Mages’ Academy of Nosh received invitations to a party hosted by President Ander Oakbar. President Oakbar was elected six years ago and became the current leader of the Commonwealth of Krorg. Each President serves a twenty years term and has a maximum of two terms. If the President did a bad job in managing the nation, the people of the Commonwealth of Krorg can vote him/her out of the President’s Office after the first term is over.