With everyone else not in any condition to battle, Ainsley, who doesn't want to display his secret techniques for foolish pride, made the decision of giving up the match and walked down from the platform along with his teammates. Their representative instructor, who is an elder of the dragon clan, carried the unconscious teenagers with an energy technique.
The day ends with Team Twilight topping the group standings once again with 12 points. With only 2 matches left to go, their advancement into the knockouts was pretty much guaranteed and all of them had a comfortable sleep at the hotel.
By the following noon, they have completed the remaining matches with wins.
Upon learning that Team Twilight has 3 platinum grade users of which the strongest one didn't even participate until now, some of the prominent teams that got allotted in the same arena started to get worried.
The rest of the day was given a break for the participating teams and so, Claire decided to surprise her boyfriend. With Mia tagging along with her, both of them went to the portal point and teleported to the Arcana world's central city.
<strong>Heavenly Academy, Central City, World of Arcana;</strong>
In the stands of Arena-6, Azzy and Leah were watching the remaining preliminary battle royale matches. The death toll reached 47. That number only belonged to this Arena. The overall number had already crossed 200. Every five years, hundreds of deaths will be seen in this tournament, and yet, neither the governments nor the organizations would even bother about stopping this.
Maybe, this is why there won't be exclusive coverage on any newspaper or news channels. Except for the tournament results, nothing is permitted to be published anywhere. WAMO takes strict measures to prevent it. Of course, truth always comes out somehow but the organization simply states that the participants are Arcana Masters who risk their lives every day in the wild zones to improve their strength. So, they knew what they are signing up for.
Fortunately, WAMO makes sure there won't be deaths in the junior division, considering they are minors. As a result, the organization doesn't face much ire from the public. Regarding accidental deaths, nothing can be done about it.
As the 48th and 49th deaths occurred simultaneously, ending the match, Leah commented as she got up from her seat, "It looks like we are going to face tougher competition than I expected."
Azzy responded with a question, "How far are you aiming, Leah?"
"The Grand Arena," answered Leah with a serious look on her face. Azzy abruptly turned his head in surprise as he didn't expect her goal would be so high. Getting to the top 16 means they would have to defeat several Exalt realm experts on the way.
While he had earlier killed rank-7 experts, they were possessed by demons and didn't have any Arcana to support them. Not to mention, they have been holding back from the start to hide their identities. However, battling a genuine Arcana Master who will go all out for victory is going to be different.
Once or twice can be possible, but it is very difficult to keep the winning streak without revealing the trump cards.
He was hoping to keep his necromancy abilities hidden to not attract unnecessary hate, but it appears that he had to go all out, after all. As he intends to keep the promise made by the Reaper, Azzy said, "I'll try my best to support you."
"I have said it before but let me say it again." Leah looked straight into his eyes, "Whatever the result we might face, I and our Camelot will be behind you. I will also take the responsibility for the safety of your loved ones. So, you don't need to worry about anything and give your best. I'm confident that we will pull this off."
Azzy nodded in agreement.
Soon, both of them left the Arena along with other spectators and started walking toward one of the cafeterias to have lunch. While Leah went with the healthy option of cucumber tomato avocado salad, which Azzy found weird because Arcana Masters can burn their calories even with soul energy if they have enough control over it.
But then again, it's her choice. Azzy forgot about it and ordered a BBQ Chicken Pizza, garlic bread, mozzarella bites, zucchini fries, and lastly a beverage.
While waiting for the dishes, they started talking.
"We have rest until tomorrow. Do you have any plans?" She asked.
Azzy nodded as he leaned back, "I'm thinking of visiting the Silver City. My friends were done with the first round and were free for the rest of the day like us."
"Ho, it looks like you are missing your girlfriend, eh. How sweet…" Leah tried to tease him but the lack of expression on his face while nodding in agreement made it no fun for her.
Since the topic was unknowingly started by Leah, she decided to continue by asking him, "Azrael, you have been dating Claire for the past eight months. So, I guess you must have been completely familiar with her personality, her mood, likes, and dislikes, etc…
Tell me something. What do you see in her? Why do you like her in the first place? I'm curious."
Azzy fell into thoughts for a while. He questioned himself many times. To date, he couldn't understand whether it was because his older self showed his future with Claire or whether it was because of his own feelings. He likes her for sure and she has a special place in his heart but he doesn't know the exact reason why he fell for her in the first place.
Seeing the dazed look on Azzy, the princess of Camelot was taken aback. Her question was quite simple. What is there to think so much? She couldn't understand at first but then, she thought about whether this partner of hers is in a delusion that he likes the princess of Triastal. Leah knows that Claire loves Azzy but now, she started doubting Azzy's feelings towards his girlfriend.
If that's the case, then, shouldn't it be better if she just steals him from her? Then, Azzy would be her boyfriend. Then can just spar together, spend time together, go on dates…
Ehhhh? Wait for a second…
All of a sudden, Leah realized what she was thinking about the flow.
Originally, Leah had thought of him as a potential candidate for a husband, not out of love or something but because of Camelot's future. She pushed those thoughts away after she realized that he was already taken by Claire.
Now, as those thoughts returned to her mind just because Azzy stayed silent, Leah felt deeply ashamed of her corruptive thinking. Since when she had fallen so low to even think about breaking up couples?
Just as she was about to change the topic, Azzy opened his mouth after deep thinking, "When I arrived at Aclein city, I had no one, Leah. Suddenly, I got a family who loved me dearly and made me feel like I'm not alone. But, it was short-lived. Due to certain circumstances, Aunt Affea, Uncle Oakley, and Avia were forced to go into hiding and I was left alone again."
Visit freewe𝑏(n)ovel.𝘤ℴ𝑚 for the best novel reading experience