Chapter 9

  A new day began in the palace as the sun rose slowly, spilling golden light across the vast green gardens. Birds sang with cheerful energy, as if welcoming the promise of a busy morning.

  In a quiet corner of the garden, Suero sat alone on the grass. His head was lowered, his gaze fixed on the ground. His face carried a strange mix of calm and distraction, as though his mind were buried beneath heavy memories.

  Spailo’s words echoed clearly in his thoughts:

  “Suero. You’ll have to struggle just to keep up with me. If you truly want to save this world… then you must become stronger.”

  The words repeated again and again, tightening something in Suero’s chest.

  What did he mean by that?

  Why has Spailo changed so much?

  Ever since the day he fell from that hill… he’s been a completely different person.

  Lost in thought, he failed to notice Baysal approaching until her hand rested gently on his shoulder. She studied his distant expression, unsettled by the strange air surrounding him. Suero turned slowly, his eyes hollow as they met hers.

  Her voice was soft with concern.

  “Are you okay? What’s on your mind?”

  “I’m fine…”

  His reply was calm, yet empty.

  He rose to his feet, then looked at her and asked quietly,

  “Have they started?”

  Baysal nodded.

  “Yes. They’re in the meeting room now.”

  “Alright.”

  He walked past her toward the palace with steady steps, but Baysal felt it clearly—he was carrying an unspoken weight. After a brief hesitation, she followed him in silence, trying to understand what troubled him so deeply.

  ---

  The Meeting Room

  The room was lavish, furnished with embroidered sofas and tables carved from fine wood. Inside, Moryo, Veb, Kamyo, Hambo, Alia, Jan, and Rita were already seated, each waiting with varying degrees of patience.

  Moryo glanced toward Veb, his tone cold.

  “They still haven’t arrived?”

  Veb tilted his head, curiosity flickering in his eyes.

  “Who do you mean? Baysal and Suero—or Master Sbyam and Master Betma?”

  Moryo let out an irritated sigh.

  “I mean Baysal and Suero. As for those two, they’re always late.”

  “Should I go look for them?” Veb offered.

  Before Moryo could respond, the door opened. Suero and Baysal entered and took their seats beside the others, settling near Moryo, Veb, and Kamyo. Moryo leaned slightly toward Baysal, masking his annoyance.

  “Where were you?”

  “In the garden,” she answered casually.

  He studied her for a moment, then nodded.

  “Ah… I see.”

  This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

  But Baysal added in a lower voice,

  “Still… Suero was deep in thought.”

  Moryo raised an eyebrow.

  “About what?”

  She glanced at Suero. He remained silent, his eyes fixed on the floor.

  “I don’t know. But it’s obvious something’s weighing heavily on him.”

  Before Moryo could press further, the door swung open once more.

  Sbyam entered, Betma at his side.

  “My students!!”

  Sbyam’s lively, mocking shout instantly drew everyone’s attention. Behind him, Betma stepped in with calm confidence. As the students’ gazes shifted between the two instructors, Rita felt a sudden rush of excitement.

  Her eyes sparkled as she stared at Sbyam.

  It’s Sbyam Brius…!

  Sbyam, somehow aware of her thoughts, let out a tired sigh.

  “No. Please don’t.”

  Rita lunged forward eagerly, arms outstretched as if to hug him. Before she could reach him, Sbyam raised a finger. A sharp black spark shot out, wrapping around her body and freezing her in place. Even restrained, her enthusiasm refused to fade.

  Sbyam smiled, slipping a hand into his pocket as he walked forward at an unhurried pace.

  “Stay right where you are.”

  Hambo watched in stunned silence.

  Is that one of their clan’s techniques?

  The Kurmo Technique…?

  Sbyam dropped into a seat beside his students with casual arrogance, crossing one leg over the other, a smug grin resting on his face.

  —

  Rules of the Event

  As side conversations continued, Alia’s eyes lingered on Sbyam’s new white outfit. Curiosity got the better of her.

  “Why did you change from your old uniform?”

  Sbyam shrugged, utterly indifferent.

  “I got bored of it.”

  Betma stepped forward calmly, positioning himself between his students and Sbyam’s group.

  Hambo spoke up, his tone serious.

  “Alright. What are the rules?”

  Before anyone could answer, Suero interrupted, his voice firm.

  “Wait a second.”

  All eyes turned toward him in surprise.

  “I have no idea what this event is even about.”

  Betma’s students exchanged glances. Jan stared at Suero in disbelief.

  “Are you new here or something?”

  Sbyam burst into loud laughter.

  “He’s a first-year.”

  Betma studied Suero for a brief moment, then nodded.

  “Very well. Let’s explain everything from the beginning.”

  The room fell quiet as Betma began, his voice steady and authoritative.

  “The Mana Event is a competition between students from different mage academies. Each team demonstrates its strength through one-on-one duels.”

  Suero leaned forward slightly.

  “And the reward?”

  “There is none,” Betma replied plainly.

  Disappointment was written all over Suero’s face. Baysal clearly felt the same.

  She let out a frustrated sigh.

  “I already knew that… but it’s still disappointing.”

  Kamyo looked at her, confused.

  “What exactly is disappointing?”

  “I was hoping there’d be something worth getting excited about.”

  Betma continued, unfazed.

  “Each student will face a counterpart from the opposing team. The objective is to knock your opponent down. Causing serious physical harm is strictly forbidden.”

  Then he added, almost casually,

  “While you’re competing, Sbyam and I will be meeting with the leaders of the organization.”

  Suero raised an eyebrow.

  “The leaders? Who are they?”

  Hambo answered without hesitation.

  “The three Clan leader. They oversee the Mage Organization—setting laws and making all major decisions.”

  …

  Sbyam stood up, a mocking grin spreading across his face.

  “Well then, my students will obviously win with ease.”

  He turned and walked out confidently, leaving behind a heavy silence. Everyone watched him go until Betma finally spoke.

  “Any questions?”

  The students exchanged looks, but no one dared to speak.

  “Very well,” Betma concluded.

  “The event begins today.”

  ---

  As Betma finished, Moryo rose to his feet, his expression cold.

  “Let’s move. Everyone.”

  Sbyam’s students reacted instantly, standing one after another and following Moryo out of the room, leaving Betma and his team behind.

  Alia turned to Betma, her face serious.

  “So, Master, you’ll be assigning each of us an opponent from Sbyam’s team.”

  Betma sat down calmly, his eyes moving across his students before he spoke.

  “Hambo. As the strongest among you, you’ll face Sbyam’s strongest student…”

  Hambo answered before he could finish, confidence unwavering.

  “Moryo. Right?”

  Betma nodded.

  “Yes.”

  He then turned to Alia.

  “Alia, you’ll face Sbyam’s second strongest—Veb.”

  “I’m ready for him,” she replied without hesitation.

  Next, Betma looked at Jan.

  “Jan, you’ll be fighting Baysal.”

  Jan smiled faintly.

  “Alright. I’ll do my best.”

  Finally, Betma turned to Rita.

  “And you—being the weakest—you’ll face Kamyo.”

  Rita responded at once.

  “Understood, Master.”

  Jan glanced toward Suero.

  “What about him? He’s new. Shouldn’t we consider where he fits?”

  Betma waved the thought aside.

  “Don’t worry about him. He knows very little about the world of magic. He’s no match for any of you.”

  Hambo nodded confidently.

  “As you say, Master.”

  He stepped toward his team, standing tall as he raised his voice.

  “Let’s win this, everyone!”

  Betma’s students shouted in unison:

  “Yes!”

  ---

  Elsewhere in the Palace

  Sbyam sat on the floor, leaning back against the wall, one leg crossed over the other. He looked as calm as ever, though a faint trace of mockery clung to his relaxed posture.

  Suero spoke up, tension clear in his voice.

  “Master… how will our opponents be decided?”

  Baysal cut in before an answer came, her tone edged with frustration.

  “There won’t be any assignments.”

  Suero turned to her, confused.

  “What? What do you mean?”

  Veb answered coolly, unfazed.

  “It’s simple. We won’t be divided like Betma’s team.”

  Suero raised his voice, unable to hide his frustration.

  “Wait—what’s going on? Why are we different?”

  Moryo responded calmly.

  “Master Sbyam doesn’t bother with matchups. We’re one team, and we fight as one.”

  Sbyam rose to his feet, his gaze sweeping over them with faint amusement.

  “What you see before you is all you need, my students. There’s no reason to complicate things.”

  Suero felt frustration twist together with confusion, while the rest of the team remained as composed as ever.

  ---

  Outside the Palace

  Baysal clenched her fist, eyes shining.

  “No matter what happens, we’re going to win!”

  Veb replied flatly,

  “Don’t get too excited. Victory isn’t guaranteed.”

  Suero tightened his fists, resolve burning in his chest.

  “It doesn’t matter. Let’s win—together.”

  Moryo led the group forward, guiding them outside as they prepared for the coming event. Despite Suero’s determination, his eyes still betrayed a mix of curiosity and unease about what awaited them.

  ---

  End of Chapter.