NOVEL WEB CHAPTER 73: Bettings
"Guys-" Lian interrupted the three's chatter, drawing attention back to himself, his voice cutting through their banter like a blade.
"Oh, right, you are still here. If you do not want to join us, then get lost. These seats are reserved." Christopher's powerful voice echoed through the stands as countless eyes turned toward the area, his words carrying the weight of authority.
"Sure, but first… how do I participate in the sparring?" Lian began to move. He did not want to spend another second with these arrogant guys; however, he needed information, his curiosity now tinged with determination.
"That is the place you need to go to," Trevor said indifferently, pointing to the registration desk at the top of the structure, his gesture casual yet dismissive.
"But I advise you to give up for today. The members of our factions will be competing; you would lose before you even know what happened. I suggest you come back another day to seek glory." He added, a disdainful smirk forming on his face as he did not even glance at the boy. His attitude had changed 180 degrees , from welcoming to scornful.
Rebecca did not speak, limiting herself to throwing a few glances at Lian. The boy's nonchalant attitude only made her reflect. Moreover, she could sense something strange from his body… a faint anomaly that piqued her instincts.
Lian shook his head, his gaze steady. "Thanks for the information and for your concern. See you around!" his tone polite but resolute.
With those words, Lian turned, walking away from the three, his steps purposeful and unyielding.
"Tsk, let us see if you will still have the courage to act cocky. In this place, those without a faction to back them up do not go far." Christopher murmured, his voice low and threatening.
"He is much stronger than he seems." Rebecca whispered softly as she watched him walk away. Should I perhaps bet on him in secret? she added in her mind. She did not want the others to know her thoughts, her strategy carefully guarded.
Unaware of all these dynamics, Lian headed toward the registration desk, his focus singular and determined.
"What a strange place this academy is. I definitely did not imagine things like this. Also…" he murmured, looking around in amazement, "This place is huge; the number of Mages is insane! Were they not supposed to be rare? I suppose it is better this way… with the times we are in, it is better to have more people to rely on."
Lian thought back to the headmaster's words. The monsters were becoming more aggressive, more numerous, and more powerful. The students would be sent to the border under the pretext of training, but the reason was different, a grim truth lurking beneath the surface.
Lian knew it well, not because he was smarter or anything, but only because the headmaster himself had told him.
There were not enough resources for everyone. There was an urgent need to identify the most promising Mages among the students and cultivate them into powerful experts as quickly as possible, a race against an encroaching threat.
That was why Lian wanted to participate in the arena. He had to become stronger, and to do so, he needed to absorb Mana Cores, in addition to meditating and cultivating, his path to power clear in his mind.
So he needed money, and the fastest way to do that was here, in the arena, through bets.
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Lian approached the registration desk, his heart pounding with a mix of excitement and determination, a fire burning in his chest.
The crowd around him continued to roar, the clang of spells and shouts of encouragement filling the air, a chaotic symphony of battle.
The man at the desk, an elderly Mage with a grizzled beard and a bored expression, looked up from his register, his eyes dulled by routine.
"Name and rank." He said in a flat voice, as if he had repeated that phrase for years, each word heavy with monotony.
"Lian Veyr, Bronze 4." he replied, keeping his tone calm but resolute, trying to mask his anxiety in some way. After all, it would be his first time performing in a fight in front of so many people, a daunting prospect for a newcomer.
The man scribbled something in the register, then handed him a small, glowing crystal, a soft blue that pulsed faintly, like a heartbeat of mana.
"This is your combat token. When they call your name, step onto the assigned ring. The rules are simple. No lethal blows or artifacts. Only spells or common weapons." his voice clear and authoritative.
Lian's eyes widened for a moment. This reassures me, he thought, continuing to listen to the man, his nerves settling slightly.
"The duel ends when one of the two surrenders or can no longer fight. All clear?" the man's gaze sharp, ensuring understanding.
"Yes, all clear." Lian responded with a serious look, then added, "How do the bets work? I would like to bet everything on myself-" his voice brimming with confidence.
A smile formed on the man at the desk. "Interesting… you are very sure of yourself. Let me remind you that your matchups are semi-random. You might end up facing a Bronze 5. Sure, a victory could make you rich, but a defeat will leave you penniless. Likewise, you might face boys with a Bronze 3 cultivation level. At that point, you would not earn much. Are you sure you want to do this?" his tone a mix of caution and intrigue.
Lian listened carefully to the man's words. He had not expected such a rule, but he was not scared. It was not arrogance; it was confidence in himself and in its system abilities, of couse.
Lian had been through too much to fear a mere Bronze 5 without artifacts. That was the only thing that could make him hesitate, but they were forbidden, so…
"I understand, and I am sure I want to do it." Lian replied without hesitation, making a gesture with his hand, his determination unwavering.