The silence in the Great Hall fractured the instant Kent's hand remained in the air. Lady Kim's sharp eyes locked onto him, her expression hardening.
"You…" her voice was laced with restrained fury, "step down. This competition is between mid Heavenly Rank Wizards. You are barely at the Immortal Earth realm, no matter what titles follow your name."
A murmur of agreement rolled through the crowd.
"She's right, he's too low in rank."
"He doesn't understand what kind of monsters the mid Heavenly Wizards are."
"He'll be crippled before he even touches the Memory Pond."
Kent's gaze remained steady. "I know the risk. Still, I will face them. I need this opportunity."
Lady Kim's brows arched sharply. "Foolish. Even a sandalwood tree takes years to grow before it releases its fragrance. You cannot force your roots before your time. You must wait, or you will snap."
