"Look, that's Sir Levan. I heard he single-handedly managed all the supplies in this academy. Since he became the exclusive supplier, he must be rich beyond words. But as far as I know, he never flaunts his wealth
around, making everyone appreciated his humble behavior."
After Karte pointed and explained a thing or two about Levan, Baston nodded silently and looked at his target from far. The man looked ordinary without any arrogance on his face, yet the fat boy knew the truth. Deep inside this humble face, there were many lies and despicable things he hid from the public. If the old book never stated the information, Baston also would be fooled easily. He already saw the target and the next was how to eliminate him.
Since the hall was very crowded, it would be hard to take Levan out in here. There surely must be a quiet place because the focus of
people was concentrated into the arena at the moment. As long as he could bring the target far away from here, there would be a chance. It would be better if Levan himself left the academy because the security in here would be the highest. Not to mention the guards and teachers here, what Baston afraid of was the existence of Principal Viral. There would be no way such a high position in the academy was simple. Even though the old man looked simple from outside, his
level and ability was more important.
"Baston, what are you doing here? If you stroll around right now, you will miss the call. Don't you know you will be disqualified by then?" Ms. Pashan suddenly patted from behind.
"That's what I'm trying to do…" Baston thought, looking at his teacher before replying, "I'm just nervous. It's my first time on attending this kind of competition."
"I thought you will be confident after you come back from Zeverius Academy. There was a rumor that you were strong enough to contend with the senior. Also, few students talked about you being a fallen noble despite
many rejected the idea."
Baston thought he was safe in Prius Academy, but he never knew his misleading words reached until here. Despite it was all lies, several people tended to believe it. He kept silent regarding what his teacher said and Ms. Pashan also didn't mind it. She escorted Baston to the waiting room so he
wouldn't miss his magic battle. On the way to the area, a handsome man came from behind. In his hand was a bouquet of flowers, smiling over the beautiful teacher.
"Ms. Pashan, it's been a long time since we have met again. This time, it's our fate to encounter each other here. Instead of wasting this precious opportunity, I want to invite you for dinner tonight. May I have your
time?"
"Another noble who courts the beauty, huh? Really, I have to get away from beautiful girls and women in this world…" Baston thought.
What happened at the moment simply reminded Baston when he met Clark at Zeverius Academy. The noble boy was jealous over his relationship with Alicia. He thought Alicia was fond of the fat boy, but it was just curiosity over the cult. Despite there were no love feelings, the trouble kept
growing until Baston finally must make a move. It was just temporary so he didn't know whether Clark himself already prepared something worse for him or not.
"I'm sorry. It looks like I can't attend it. In these days, I will be very busy with the magic competition from the academy."
"Really? Can you not spare a little time? I mean I already prepare the best for the dinner tonight. If we can't make it out, I'm afraid there will be no chance."
"Yes, I'm very sorry. Perhaps, another time…"
Baston could see Ms. Pashan tried her best to reject the invitation. Just by the tone of her words, she was uncomfortable for facing the
man. Despite the efforts, the noble man finally relented and promised to deliver another invitation when she had time. Ms. Pashan only chuckled and informed him that perhaps, she would be still busy just after the magic competition ended since she needed to make score and valuation regarding the
battle experience. From start to finish, Baston didn't comment until the man left
them.
"I really wonder when he will just leave me alone? Although I already give a sign, he still insists."
Baston gave a questioning look, making Ms. Pashan continued, "Despite looking good and handsome, the man before is actually a playboy. I heard he had many lovers outside. Once he felt bored, he then simply broke with them."
"So, he just wants to have fun?"
"Yes, it is. Because of that, I already reject him many times, but he still keeps coming here. If I don't work on the academy, I'm
pretty sure he will force me then. Since Prius has the authority from royalty, he won't dare to do anything."
"I see…"
Beautiful women always became popular in every world. Just like Alicia, Ms. Pashan was also troubled by it. But surely, if Baston had to ask whether they wanted to be ugly, it was certain they chose the present. The face was priceless asset so each woman would take care of it just like they kept their lives. As for a man, face wasn't too important since what they thought of was the strength and wealth. Most people in this world were like this, just the same as Baston with his hidden strength.
"Then, what your favorite type of man, Ms. Pashan?"
"Me? Well, I'm not too fond of fat person…"
Baston gave a thumbs up inside his heart. He also agreed many women didn't like fat people. It was typical for them to dream their men as a hero. With slim body and muscle, most women thought this was a requirement
for their lovers to be. As for fat men in this world, they would associate it with pervert and greedy behavior. It was the worst, but Baston himself didn't mind it since people would stay away from him then.
"But as long as he's a powerful wizard, I don't mind it. The premise is the man must not be a pervert and have to take care of me…"
"You don't mind a fat wizard?" Baston was dumbfounded.
"It's because when the person is getting old, their body will tend to get fatter. I think it will be unavoidable so I just need to accept it," Ms. Pashan explained, looking at Baston teasingly, "Do you want to marry your own teacher?"
Baston suddenly gave an uninteresting look, "No."
"Ha… ha… ha… You're really interesting boy. As far as I teach in the academy, you're the one who answers differently. Every boy I ask
always nods, even though it's simply unreachable."
"I will be damned by then…" Baston thought, lamenting on how many men would come to him to make a trouble in the future.
"Don't you worry about it. I heard rumor that you and Alicia have certain relationship. It was said that the girl defended you at Zeverius Academy. Right at the moment, I feel one or two contestants will surely target
you just because of this matter. Be careful out there…"
"Yep, I'm already damned right now…" Baston thought while sulking.
It was just unfounded rumor, but surely, many boys seemingly had already been drowned into jealousy. He thought he could find a chance to surrender after several battles, but pretty sure they wouldn't let him get away easily. At least, they had to embarrass him in deprecating way. Baston smiled bitterly, walking through the waiting room. The atmosphere was tense and he
could find several boys who seemingly got jealous of the rumor before.
"Look at that fat boy! I heard he adored Alicia too much…"
"Did he look himself at the mirror? How could a dirty toad like him dare to chase after swan?"
"Just watch me defeat him terribly. I will knock all his teeth so Alicia can see how ugly he is."
"Ha… ha… ha… That's for sure. But remember, don't let him lose. If not, he will get away easily. I suggest we beat him enough and just surrender. By then, other boys could smack him too."
The boys nodded happily, agreeing with the plan. By then, anyone could have a chance to beat him out until they were satisfied. Despite their whispering, Baston could hear them clearly. It seemed since his magic
power had increased much, he became more sensitive about the surroundings. The
him right now was way ahead than any junior students here. Just by a snap of finger, he could defeat them easily. Although it was a sure win, his plan was never like that. The true mission he had to achieve was to kill Levan. While he was waiting, he could hear the announcer started the magic competition.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the magic competition held by Prius Academy. From today onward, you will see many promised students here fight with each other to achieve the champion. I guess you can't wait anymore, right?"
"YEAH!!!"
"That's more like it! Before we proceed with the battle, let us welcome Principal Viral to give important speech to us first."
The audience gave an exciting applause toward the old man. Principal Viral stood at the podium, facing everyone who couldn't wait for the fight to happen. He smiled amicably and started to talk so that he wouldn't waste anymore time.
"Good morning, everyone! I bet anyone here hardly has a sleep yesterday because they were curious over who will be the winner," the old man started, giving a laugh to everyone, "I also want to know, but I need to
wait just like you are because each student here already prepares for many days to strengthen themselves. What I want to say is despite of winning and losing, you must try your best so you won't regret it. If your opponent gives 100%, then you must come with 200% of your power."
"EXACTLY!"
"OF COURSE!"
The crowd were full of spirit and the principal continued, "We know every magic competition needs much more resources and money in order to run it. Because of that, we have to be thankful of Sir Levan here. Since he becomes our exclusive supplier, he already done a good job over years. Without
his help, we surely can't hold this event."
Once again, the audience gave a hard applause toward Levan. The man himself smiled and waved to everyone. His good reputation made him famous to the extent that no one would think he had done several evil deeds. If anyone dared to tarnish his name, believe it or not, the people in the town would hunt that person. Because of this, Baston couldn't just spread the truth
since no one would believe him. Perhaps, only Alicia and Panto would take his words but it wouldn't be enough.
While the speech continued, everyone in the waiting room already prepared themselves. Because there were too many students involved in the magic competition, the first one was battle royale between each group. In this big arena, all participants would rumble their own way until the last person
standing would be the winner. Each winner then would continue for second round where
the one who got the first and second highest points could participate in the next battle.
After that, the battle would transform to round-robin where each participant would fight in one versus one. The audience would be then captivated by the experienced students who could handle their magic better. At this time, it would be hard to pick who would be the winner since everyone was proficient in their own class. Unless there was someone like Alicia, no one
could easily guess the competition.
The staff called everyone and Baston also stood up. Once he came out to the arena, the people broke the silent by shouting and giving applause. In this glory, most students were happy when the audience gave them
spirit. Just shouting their name directly indicated someone were rooting over them. The cheer was exploding until the announcer called them to stop. By then, the referee came to the view and started to prepare before giving the signal.
"THE FIRST ROUND! START NOW!"