"Thank you very much, sir."
"Mr. Tesron. They have arrived."
Several people came to Tesron, who came with his grandfather.
"So, this ace team has arrived? I have been wondering what kind of man manages to invite Christina Elseingarde." Tesron's grandfather, one of the Tier 9 humans in the world, Carrick Khalika Melesviet, smirked. "I have been thinking about making her my granddaughter-in-law, so it seems I have to crush them first. You understand that, right, Tesron?"
Tesron nodded carefully. They had prepared a few things. And it was obvious that his grandfather wanted him to eliminate Clovis. With the obstacle going away, there was nothing that could stop them anymore.
The people from other academies nodded their heads in agreement.
The door was slammed open confidently by several Tier 8 humans.
The people were confused, looking at the people entering the hall.
"Is that… Alan? Why would the guardian of the north come here?"
"No. The one next to him… is that old lady Via."
"Heh?" Carrick stepped forth while smirking. "You guys are bold. Isn't it just a meeting with this so-called ace team? Are you perhaps trying to challenge me?"
"My, my. We don't have that intention, Mr. Carrick. It's just… I hope you don't make such a casual remark. People might misunderstand you." An aged voice echoed from behind the two of them.
"!!!" The people from other academies couldn't help but gasp.
Even Carrick couldn't help but furrow his eyebrows. "Hoh? Even you come here?"
The grandmaster in their mouth was none other than the country's first explorer—the man who was said to be the leader of the resistance as well as the reason that the country could still stand to this day.
He single-handedly led the restoration of the country and made it powerful, Grandmaster Radric.
Radric smiled and nodded politely. "I hope you don't bully the young too much."
"Heh. I have never thought you would actually side with them, Radric." Carrick opened his hand as if he was going to fight depending on his answer.
Radric simply smiled. "It's nothing. I'm just repaying the favor by bringing the kids here."
"How can you do this?"
"You were supposed to be neutral."
Hearing the complaints, Radric couldn't help but raise his voice. "Shut up. You guys are the ones disappointing me. I have remained neutral this whole time because I want the competition to be healthy and help to raise the future generations. But look at you; you are even inviting a foreign party."
Their faces turned pale.
"Sharp words…" Carrick pointed at Radric. "Are you ignoring my presence here? Do you think these twerps are capable of inviting me? I come here because I want to. If you're going to annoy me, then…"
"Is that a threat?" Radric squinted his eyes. "If that's the threat, I hope you can retract it… or you might regret it."
"Regret? Me?" Carrick grinned.
"That's right. You might regret it, Carrick." Another voice echoed from behind as another old man entered the room.
"Isn't he supposed to be injured?"
The people became afraid. Unlike them, who had to use all their resources to invite Carrick here, this person was close to a certain person, so they didn't need anything to invite him.
Carrick's expression turned solemn. "Ezekiel."
That was right. The person that they personally invited this time was none other than Christina's grandfather, Ezekiel.
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm just like you. I come here because I want to. Though, I'm not narcissistic like you, who always declares your arrival boldly. Are you thirsty for attention?" Ezekiel chuckled.
"It seems the Old Bow has made a mistake. He should have shot you in the mouth."
"Really? I don't think he's capable of doing that." Ezekiel snorted.
"Well…" Carrick stepped to the side. "Get up and greet your grandfather-in-law."
"Grandfather-in-law? Bold of you to assume that I find your idiot son suitable to become my grandson-in-law…" Killing intent leaked out of Ezekiel's eyes, pressuring Carrick.
"In this world, the only person who is qualified to marry your granddaughter is my grandson, and vice versa. You shouldn't deny that." Carrick smirked.
"Heh? Do you think the world is centered around you? You should keep sleep talking when you're asleep." Ezekiel harrumphed.
"Your words are not light, you know?" Carrick's expression turned serious.
"No need to beat around the bush. I already have found an ideal partner for my granddaughter and it's not like my granddaughter is opposed to it." Ezekiel pointed at Tesron. "This little mutt can go back home for all I care."
"You're talking about Clovis? There's nothing special about him. And this competition will prove it. I don't know how he is capable of getting the Skylarks, but in the end, he is a nobody."
Ezekiel shrugged. "You can think of it that way, and I don't really care. All I know is… today. Your grandson will lose to him."
Carrick's face turned cold. Even Tesron couldn't stand down after that declaration.
Carrick walked toward Ezekiel, glaring at him. "Are you sure you want to do this, Ezekiel?"
"I should be the one asking you that question." Ezekiel still felt relaxed.
"What if I win today's battle? Are you going to make an official apology and engage your granddaughter with my grandson?" Carrick grinned.
"There's no way I'm going to agree to such a bet."
"You… Are you afraid?"
"No. I'm just thinking… I will be foolish to accept a bet that is not equal. You have no right to decide my daughter's life. Piss off." Ezekiel snorted. He took out a small letter. "How about this? This contract is equal to 10% of the harvest of my territory. It will last for ten years. How is it? I dare you to bet the same thing."
"!!!" Carrick looked surprised at first. If Ezekiel bet such a thing, he would have a certain level of confidence that he would win. At the same time, he couldn't see any way for his grandson to lose. "Fine by me. 10% of the harvest for 10 years. Getting an additional fund is good enough. I will wait for your family to go bankrupt and have no choice but to sell your granddaughter to me."
"If you can win, that is." Ezekiel snorted.
"Of course, I can win." Carrick smirked as if he had been planning this the whole time. "You must have forgotten about this. This is a battle between my group and the academy. Even though your granddaughter is affiliated with the Libation Fiesta, she is not an academy student. Your granddaughter can't participate in this battle, Ezekiel."