“Are you feeling nervous?” Brendu asks while holding my hand. We’re all sitting in the private box watching some of the matches. None of us will participate today. There’s a small special mini-event because the number of participants isn’t perfectly even, so they’re taking everyone who had the lowest rankings for this event.
In the end only 128 participants will remain for the final event. The organizers decided to take the top 100 placements, and the remaining 28 spots will be chosen through this event.They must face a group of five Grade-3 monsters, and the best times will earn the remaining places.
“Not really… I actually feel pretty calm and focused.” I thought I’d be more nervous. I’m not even using Thundersnow to keep my mind cool and steady.
I just have this feeling that everything will go well. No matter what happens, I’ll find a way to solve it. My instincts keep telling me that. Am I becoming too confident? I don’t know if it’s self-confidence or simply underestimating the others, but I don’t see any of the participants above me.
“That’s wonderful. You’re forbidden from losing to anyone. The only one allowed to beat you is me.” Areci says from the side, wearing a comfortable dress very similar to Brendu’s.
“I’m not losing to you again. You used up all your luck that day.” I stick my tongue out at my friend. I have no intention of losing to her. If I get the chance to even the score, I’ll do it. I won’t make it easy for her.
Everyone laughs at my comment, but Areci and I both understand the seriousness behind my words. Neither of us is willing to give the other even a single centimeter.
I glance over at Shawu and Humyr sitting on their own couch, playing some kind of card game. It’s like they’re in their own world, completely ignoring the participation of the other contestants.
I haven’t been able to ask them directly about it. They’ve been busy with their own matters, and I also used these days to go on several dates with Brendu and talk with the girls. The few times we crossed paths we only talked about my health and other unimportant things.
The only thing I know about their relationship is what Brendu told me. They’re officially dating now. Humyr found the courage to confess his feelings, and Shawu—although surprised—was very excited and happy to finally take that step.
Apparently Humyr stood there for several seconds without saying anything, only saying, “Shawu, I have something to tell you.” His brain froze for almost a full minute after that. Somehow he found the courage to blurt everything out in one burst, speaking so fast that Shawu wasn’t sure she heard him correctly at first.
I never imagined my big friend could be so shy, or become so embarrassed. Normally he doesn’t hesitate at all when facing monsters a rank above him. I’m happy for both of them. They look really happy together.
Ogine seems completely immersed in her own work. Whenever she has free time she keeps researching anatomy and how different types of mana can assist in healing, especially focusing on life mana.
She has always been addicted to books. She’s told us stories about her childhood. Ogine always loved reading and learning. That love is as great as the one she has for her parents and the profession they both practice.
The twins… are still the twins. They’re quietly staring at their tablets. Sometimes they start fighting each other using their Imra. They have some kind of game no one else understands. Both of them have sharp senses, and they always notice when I’m looking at them.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
Over these months they’ve experienced the greatest growth in power among all of us—except for Brendu. The princess has been taking training very seriously lately.
The matches continue, and each of us remains absorbed in our own things. This box is large enough for everyone to sit in the same space without hearing each other, and it even has several small rooms for more privacy.
I open my eyes instantly. I’m inside one of those small rooms with Brendu. I felt a powerful presence approaching the door of our box. My senses have been extremely sensitive since the last fight.
I don’t sense any ill intent from this person. The aura feels completely calm and composed. In fact, it seems they’re openly revealing their presence so everyone can detect them.
“I’ll be right back. They’ve come for me.” I stand up and speak to Brendu.
“Good luck. I hope everything goes well.” the princess replies.
I know why this person is coming to our box. She’s even stopped in front of the door without knocking, leaning her back against the wall across from it. She’s here to escort me to the emperor’s room. I received a letter today saying someone would come for me during the mini-event.
I leave the room quickly, trying not to attract too much attention. I only receive a few curious glances, but nobody asks anything.
“The emperor is waiting for you.” The girl greets me with a slight nod before speaking.
She has black hair cut to her neck, brown eyes, a small upturned nose, and she must be around 165 cm tall. Her build is slender but toned in all the right places.
I’m not surprised that she didn’t give a formal noble greeting. This girl is very close to reaching Obsidian rank; she’s earned the right to be a little arrogant. She hasn’t been rude or aggressive, just giving the casual greeting one noble might give another. I don’t know if she belongs to a noble house, but at her level she already deserves to be treated as part of that circle.
“I’ve heard quite a lot about you, Maki.” she says as we walk.
“Really? Was it something bad or good?” I ask with genuine curiosity. There are many rumors surrounding me, and not all of them are pleasant.
“A bit of everything.” She glances at me and lets out a small laugh. “That you’re a womanizer looking for noble girls with higher status.” I almost choke on my own saliva when I hear that.
She bursts into laughter when she sees my reaction. “I’m not judging you, but that was my first impression at the beginning. Little by little I’ve changed my opinion.”
“I’m not a womanizer… and I’m not chasing noble girls either. Things just happened that way.” I answer. “Is that all? Haven’t you heard anything else?” I try to change the subject quickly.
“If you say so.” She shrugs as if the topic doesn’t matter. “I also heard you’re a little crazy for fighting people much stronger than you, that you’re a magnet for all kinds of danger and trouble.”
I grunt slightly when she finishes speaking. Why do people only say bad things about me? I can’t deny that I’m a magnet for problems, but that can’t be everything.
“Is that all? No good rumors?” I ask the woman walking beside me.
She laughs again. “I’m joking. I’ve heard many good things about you. You’ve helped many people, you’ve faced dangers you weren’t obligated to face, and most importantly… I’ve heard you’re very strong.” Her smile becomes a little more aggressive.
“What do you think? Do the rumors do me justice?” I ask with more excitement than I intended to show.
“The rumors fall short. People either didn’t value you correctly… or you’ve improved again.” She releases her Imra toward me.
I don’t feel attacked. There’s no sense of danger coming from her. Her Imra slips into tiny cracks within mine, and I can feel it probing deeper than I’d like.
I’m not alarmed by the lack of fear, but at the same time the situation worries me. My body hasn’t reacted defensively. It isn’t sealing the tiny cracks she used. It feels as if someone had simply embraced me naturally.
What monstrous mastery! Her control and use of Imra are extremely dangerous. I’ve never met anyone capable of doing something like this. Many people could break through my defenses by force, but she simply walks through them without resistance.
This is extremely dangerous. If she can touch my Imra like that, she could discover a lot—how and when I use my skills, Laws, or Banner, my affinities, even my emotional state or whether I’m lying.
I force my Imra to block her path. It becomes a brief struggle—her Imra searching for more cracks while mine tries to seal every path. After a few seconds she withdraws her Imra.
“You really are something unusual, Maki.” She nods slightly while looking at me.
“I’m not the only unusual one here.” I answer, clearly excited and surprised by her display.
“I’m Anny. Nice to meet you. I hope we’ll see each other again.” She stops in front of a massive door made of some strange material. “Keep growing, little womanizer.” She disappears instantly from my sight as soon as she finishes speaking.