In one of the rooms of the Arena, Dragon Academy representative instructor, Ricardus is almost roaring at the organizing committee members. Along with them, Barton was also seated.
"Are you not paying attention to my words? I will say it clearly once again. You can't allow the devil to receive the prize. It's the same as acknowledging his actions. Everyone saw it with your own eyes how Azrael damaged the soul orbs of our team members.
Now, Hazel Hemlock, Arthur Corals, and Webster, all three of their futures are impacted.
And Alan Tauris? He's the holder of a platinum grade beast, the one with a potential to reach the pinnacle of the realms, the pillar of humanity, and now, he's become nothing more than a mortal. Our Dragon Academy will not let this slide if we don't get justice. You have to null the match..."
"Only the lives of your people matter?" Barton could no longer put up with his arrogant behavior. He slammed the table in anger in response, "I'm staying quiet for a while because I feel pity for your loss but you are crossing the limits.
Your Alan Tauris is the holder of a mere one platinum grade beast. My disciple is the holder of two platinum grade beasts. Whose life is more important for humanity? Ask anyone here. Your students used a trap that has the power that was in the realm of seven-star. It is clear that they tried to kill my disciple.
And you have the audacity to blame Azrael who nearly died and null the match just because your students suffered?"
The Dragon Academy's representative instructor scoffed at his claims and replied that Azzy was alive while his academy lost two gems. Clearly, he was the victim. He further mentioned that a dark existence like Azrael needs to be eradicated for the good of humanity.
Barton was enraged even more. Releasing his aura, he crushed the table into dust. "You dare..."
A heavy imposing aura pressured the organizing committee members and the instructor a little bit.
To fight it off, Ricardus also released his aura and crackled his knuckles, "Do you think I will fear you just because you are in an eight-star realm. You only made a breakthrough recently. You aren't much stronger than me, anyway."
"Now, please calm down, both of you." The organizing committee head shouted, gaining the attention of both of them. "Now, the tournament hasn't ended. A lot of distinguished guests are staying nearby. Both of you retract your aura or else, we will consider that you are insulting the authority of WAMO."
As they instantly controlled themselves, the committee head continued with a stern tone, "Mr. Ricardus, Azrael hasn't broken any rule. Dove was indeed thrown into the prism by Azrael's Arcana but you can't deny that her cause of death was because of fratricide. You can't act like a victim here.
Moreover, your academy has a history of killing people in the World League. If the trapped one isn't Azrael but any of his other teammates, they would have faced death. Then, will you let it go if we were to null the match?
If this match becomes null, then, Dragon Academy would have to return many trophies it gained over the course of years as there are casualties.
Moreover, we have suspicions about those skill cards. Surely Alan couldn't have created such a powerful card on his own.
Gifting Skill cards for their representatives are within the rules. So, there's nothing if you have given it. However, its impact is still suspicious that it might be an activated card.
You should be thankful that Mr. Everglade isn't lodging a formal complaint. Now, Mr. Ricardus, I hope you understand what our decision is. If your students wake up by evening, then, tell them to attend the Prizing Ceremony for the runner-up.
If they weren't in such a state or if they aren't willing, then, as the representative instructor, you can take the prize on behalf of your team."
"Fine, you win but I won't let this matter be rest." Ricardus stormed out of the place in anger.
Soon, Barton also left the place.
"This will cause a headache to the Headquarters." The committee head let out a long sigh as both of them disappeared from his view.
***
<strong>Meanwhile, at the infirmary;</strong>
"Azzy, you are smiling."
"huh!" "Huh!" Claire and Azzy were taken aback upon hearing Gideon's statement with the others also look like they were shocked.
Claire let go of Azzy and looked at him. She saw Azzy was frowning. An expression of delight appeared on her face. "Your expression is back, again."
"Back?" The four of them looked at each other wondering whether Claire knew something about it.
On the other hand, Azzy appeared to be confused. "How is that possible?"
After all, he could sense there are no seals placed on his soul orb. Then, how are his emotions are restored?
He couldn't help but ask the Reaper. However, the latter stayed silent as it is troublesome to explain the situation.
"I guess student Azrael's nervous system was probably affected because of the incident." As the nurse wondered out loud about the possibility, Azzy and others thought for a second and felt it might be true.
Meanwhile, Claire and Gideon were on high clouds. Grabbing his shoulder, Gideon smiled, "today is indeed worth celebrating. We won the tournament, nothing happened to you, moreover, your expression also has been returned..."
"Ah, Yes..." Azzy slowly replied to him, looking down. "It would have been if there weren't any casualties." He looked to the side where the unconscious opponents are resting on the beds.
When Gideon reminded him of their victory, Azzy was also reminded that a person has died and another person lost everything. At the same time, he chose not to reverse the time. It only made him feel guiltier.
Azzy's comment made everyone silent. Until now, his friends were worried about him. So, they didn't care a bit about Dove. Now that they were reminded about it, they too couldn't help but feel a little bit sad.
At the same time, it's an unfamiliar experience for them to see that sort of expression on a stoic-faced Azzy.
"It wasn't anyone's fault." As the person with the most amount of life experience, Sahara voiced her opinion. "Sometimes, things just happen. We need to learn what we can from those incidents and then, move on with life. After all, we, Arcana Masters have a long life ahead of us."
"Yes." Everyone nodded in understanding, although their expressions weren't that good.
*Clap*
"Anyway, you have woken up at a perfect time. All of you have to get ready for the evening's Prizing Ceremony followed by the Royal feast. Come with me..." The Vice-Principal then took them to the indoor training facility, which is located nearby the infirmary and is within the perimeter of training grounds-1.
Usually, it is where card-creation class and sometimes, combat classes take place but right now, a barrier was put over the entire facility to make sure no one enters the place.
Looking at the place, Azzy mumbled, "I can't believe I'm back to this place again."
Barton did that to protect a few secrets from these foreign academy students. Azzy's private training was also halted because of this. In one way, all this mess started because Barton restricted his entry.
If Barton would have allowed him to train in isolation, he wouldn't have interfered in Gideon's challenge, which gave the path to his battle to Vann, followed by his death, followed by Azzy's participation in the Champions League. He would have minded his own business like usual.
In the end, Azzy let out a sigh as he followed Sahara who opened a door-like entrance on the barrier.
After everyone got inside, the barrier was closed once again. Unknown to the group, two people were spying on them while hiding behind the rocks.
"What to do now? Should we wait? Or should we go and inform his majesty?" The younger guy asked his senior.
The senior replied to him that the King wouldn't like the news. So, they should stay quiet and observe. He further told him that they can just gather more information and relay it to the King after he got the news and redirect his anger on someone else.
However, these two, who think they are good enough to hide from even a seven-star-realm expert like Sahara, didn't know that a teenage girl was watching them from the rifle scope.
Her finger was on the trigger, ready to shoot at any time.
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