Chapter 219:

Chapter 219:

Chapter 219 It’s Okay.

The next day.

The representatives of the Magic Department, after resting well in their dormitories, arrived at the stadium early in the morning. As soon as they arrived, they looked around with astonished expressions.

The scenery was completely different from what they had expected.

“Did we come to the wrong place?”

“Haha... It doesn’t seem like the same place.”

“Why is it so grim?”

Becky, Trixie, and Louis glanced around with puzzled expressions. Until yesterday, affectionate gazes had been directed towards the Magic Department, but today, the atmosphere was very different.

Yesterday, both the participants and spectators were immersed in a festive mood, but today, there was a tense atmosphere.

Bang─!

Crack─!

The arena where the current match was taking place was even worse. The hostility was so intense that it almost felt like one could see the sharp aura with their eyes.

Becky shivered and rubbed her arms in fear.

“What’s wrong with this place? Just overnight.”

“The atmosphere has changed so much from yesterday.”

Until yesterday, there was a sense of learning and camaraderie as they competed, a warmth that could be felt. However, today’s situation was completely different.

“They seem intent on killing each other...?”

There is a vast difference between competing to ‘win’ and competing to ‘kill.’

In a simple pursuit of victory, the chance of a weaker opponent defeating a stronger one is negligible. But in a world where killing is involved, it’s different.

Since people are willing to risk their lives, unexpected turnarounds can occur.

In short, both the spectators and the participants were now fighting with their lives on the line, unlike yesterday.

Becky looked around with wide eyes like a deer.

“Why has the atmosphere changed so much in just one day?”

At that moment, Maiev spoke calmly.

“What do you think is the age range of the participants?”

“Age range? Why suddenly bring up age...? Oh, wait a minute.”

Becky narrowed her eyes and scrutinized the arena carefully.

“Now that you mention it, the people we competed against yesterday, they all seem quite old. We’re very young.”

“If you understand the reason, the problem is easily solved.”

Maiev nodded and continued.

“In times when there were no gaps in the Hero selection, how many people do you think honed themselves to become heroes?”

“A huge number, probably countless.”

“But then, suddenly, they stopped selecting heroes. What do you think happened to those who strived to become heroes?”

“That’s a tough one... Did they leave to find other work?”

“Of course not. To be precise, they couldn’t.”

Maiev’s eyes grew serious.

“If, right now, you had to stop practicing magic, what would you do, Becky?”

“Me?”

Becky pointed at herself with her index finger.

Magic was something Becky had done all her life. If she were told to find another path... she couldn’t. She had never thought about another path, and having done magic all her life, it was too ambiguous to start something else.

Moreover, that wasn’t the only thing.

Flan, Trixie, Maiev, Louis... When I looked around, there were comrades who had become incredibly precious. I wanted to continue doing magic with them. Just the thought of letting it go was unbearable.

He extended the paper a bit closer to Flan.

“Flan, you’re the one participating, right? Just sign here.”

The representatives of the Magic Department huddled around Flan. They quickly skimmed through the written content.

“This is...”

Becky, standing next to him, swallowed hard.

The content was simple yet intense.

Acknowledge the possibility of death during the match. Also, no one will be held responsible if you die. There will be no room to question the reasons for this.

“We need to hurry... Hmm...”

The royal official repeatedly lifted and set down one foot. He kept glancing at the watch on his left wrist.

“For the Magic Department, if even one person loses, it counts as a loss for the entire department. You are aware of this, right?”

“Really?”

Becky asked again.

“Of course... Originally, only Flan was supposed to participate, but due to his request, the other representatives were included. Therefore, this is only fair.”

“Ah...”

At that moment, Louis raised his hand and asked a question.

“Can we change the participant?”

“...?”

The official tilted his head to the side. His expression showed clear disbelief.

“Change the participant? When the opponent is a city knight?”

“Yes.”

“You do understand that if any of the representatives lose, the entire Magic Department is disqualified?”

In other words, the official’s words implied that no one but Flan could face the city knight. Despite the blatant disregard, Louis remained composed.

“Anyway, it’s possible to change, right?”

“Yes, but...”

The official looked Louis up and down.

“...Do you think any of the other representatives can face a city knight? It’s extremely dangerous. Don’t ask unnecessary questions.”

He tapped the paper with his finger.

“Just sign it first. Many people are waiting.”

As the official approached Flan, Louis snatched the pen and paper. Before anyone could say anything, he signed his own name.

“...!”

Everyone’s eyes widened in shock.

“Guys.”

Louis spoke with a serious face.

“I really want to do this.”

As Louis’s name appeared in blue mana above the arena, and Flan’s name did not, the audience began to buzz loudly.

“Louis!”

“Louis, wait...!”

Smiling as usual, Louis walked toward the arena. Then, suddenly, he looked back just once.

“It’s okay.”

He continued walking toward the arena.

There, waiting for him, was the city knight, Clotte.