Mage Lian leaned back, folding his arms. "There's nothing to worry about. The competition will only feature youths around your age."
He didn't elaborate further, but Michael understood what he meant.
Unless another monster like himself showed up, this competition was already his to win.
Michael hadn't explored much of the Land of Origin yet, but judging by Lian's age and status, young grand mages were likely rare—perhaps even nonexistent.
Mage Lian saw the flicker of understanding in Michael's eyes and gave a soft hum, pleased. Still, he continued, "That said… the format is a tournament. The kind where matchups aren't decided by luck or chaos. The strong won't fall to the weak due to unfortunate pairings. It's structured. Layered. Designed to test different aspects at each stage."
Michael raised an eyebrow. "Meaning?"
"Meaning, Sir Mic," Lian said, leaning forward, "the competition won't be a simple brawl. It's a series of challenges. Duels, yes—but also trials. Puzzles. Team dynamics. Tactical simulations. Some may be public. Others… judged in private. Every round strips away more of the unworthy. By the end, only the most adaptable remain."
Michael leaned back slightly, processing. "So not just brute strength."
"Exactly. It's not enough to have power. One must know how to use it. When to reveal it. And when to hold back." Lian's gaze sharpened. "You'll face the pride of noble families. Heirs to knight houses. Young monsters trained in isolation. Some with strange blessings, some with bloodlines older than this kingdom. None of them will be as easy to read as common street thugs."
Michael didn't flinch. "Good."
He then asked, "when will the competition start?"
Mage Lian tapped his fingers thoughtfully on the table. "Roughly a month from now," he said, "though the opening ceremonies and preliminary gatherings will begin sooner. I'd recommend you arrive at the capital at least a week early."
Michael nodded. "Understood."
Lian's tone turned a bit more casual as he stood up and paced to the window. "Since the competition is in the capital, it won't be hard to find. Even if you tried to avoid it, the whole city will buzz with talk about it."
Michael nodded then without stopping asked a question he was very interested in..
"Can I reject the duke's daughter?"
At first, Mage Lian could not believe the audacity of the youth in front of him.
But after thinking of his strength and realising he himself had status, the matter shouldn't be impossible right...?
"Just don't do it in public and collect the prices first," Mage Lian later stated.
'Whatever. The youth might change his mind after seeing the princess. Also, it's possible the duke himself might not accept Mic since that's probably outside of his plan…..'
'Whatever! As long as I get that potion!'
After exchanging a few words with Mage Lian, Michael didn't stay for long.
Master Yuan was called back to lead him out of the core area back to the inner city.
Soon, Michael was back in the outer city.
He didn't stop and wonder and instead made his way to the Hunter's Guild.
Today he was going to take his last task in the iron hunter level.
The guild hall bustled with energy when Michael arrived.
Iron-ranked hunters milled about the open space, most in small groups, laughing, arguing, or resting with tired eyes and bruised bodies. Despite the chatter, Michael's entrance didn't go unnoticed. A few glanced his way. Some quickly looked away. Others whispered behind half-raised hands.
"Sir Mic," the receptionist greeted. In the entire guild, she was the one Michael was most familiar with. Her nameplate read "Elira," and she was known for her sharp tongue with newbies. But now, she smiled lightly. "You're here to register a mission, I presume?"
"Yes," Michael replied.
Elira nodded and reached beneath the counter, pulling out a stack of mission boards specifically tagged for Iron-level clearance. "Any preferences?"
"Something outside the city," he said. "Preferably alone."
A moment of silence passed between them before she handed him a single sheet.
Michael's gaze scanned the details:
> [Mission Type: Extermination]
Location: Gloomshade Ravine
Objective: Eliminate the Stonetusk Boar terrorizing border outposts
Threat Level: High Iron (Approaching Bronze)
Reward: 38 silver pieces.
Ohh and yes, Michael could read now.
He was not the best but thanks to his learning the past few days, he could now recognise several dozen characters.
Unfortunately his suspicion that he might be able to generate a skill didn't happen.
Michael nodded. "I'll take it."
"You'll need to sign the waiver," Elira said, sliding the mission ledger forward.
He scribbled his name and took the stamped parchment without another word. With that, he turned and left.
Michael stared at the map in his hand, memorizing the route out of the capital with a calm confidence he hadn't possessed a few days ago.
The sprawling paths, the wilderness trails—none of it intimidated him anymore. He had adapted. With the help of Ace and Lia's guidance, navigating this world had become second nature.
This time, he didn't need them.
Getting out of the capital was easy. No one stopped him.
Once clear of the city, Michael paused in a quiet grove, rolled up the map, and summoned his undead griffin.
The undead griffin stepped forward.
With practiced ease, Michael mounted it.
As it launched into the air, wind whipping past his face, Michael stared ahead at the distant hills
The wind was a sharp contrast to the warmth of the capital, its cool bite invigorating him.
The undead griffin's wings beat in a steady rhythm as they soared high above the land, cutting through the sky with effortless grace.
Below, the world unfurled in vast, untamed beauty—forests, rivers, and mountains stretching to the horizon.
After a few minutes of flight, Michael spotted the Gloomshade Ravine below.
The landscape shifted dramatically—a jagged, rocky gorge carved deep into the earth, surrounded by twisted, skeletal trees that seemed to writhe in the wind.
The air here was thick with tension, as if the ravine itself held a long-forgotten grudge against the world.