’No, seriously... Who’s interested in watching that kind of slow duel?’
He gazed at the spectators’ red faces and eager shouts in disbelief as the question rumbled in his mind.
Was it because they were regular humans for most, and even the tiny speck of magic was a show they couldn’t miss?
Then, why were the students sitting by him as impressed as them? Didn’t they see their teachers conjure spells with a single word?
Already bored, he sighed as the two boys’ spells clashed fiercely in the arena’s center.
Hot gales blew the public’s hair, and sparks illuminated their visions. But to him? Everything seemed like an amateurish performance he wouldn’t spend a bronze coin to watch.
’Tsk. I can’t enter my soul sea, or my puppet will disappear. I guess I can only use the chat box to spend time until it’s my turn.’
Without wasting time, he opened his interface before a provocative smirk of absurd proportion split his face.
[Adam: I’m back! Did you miss me? I bet you did, or some wouldn’t have spread rumors during my absence. I’m deeply saddened by their negative opinion of me and Earth’s hero. Therefore, I want to propose something!]
’Hehehe. Let’s see how you humiliate yourselves now.’
A flow of complaints and a few curses followed his message as every earthling unhappy with the white tigers manifested.
’Pour more oil on the fire! They’ll soon show up to salvage their reputations. Hahaha!’
The noise of his hand slapping his legs in amusement drew his friends’ attention, making them tremble at his devilish expression and sparkling eyes.
They joined the chat, too, and witnessed the chaos he had created and... joined it.
Soon, some white tigers stepped up to protect their crumbling honor, only to be swept by a sea of curses. Nothing escaped the angry earthlings, not even their late ancestors.
Finally, the leader cracked under the pressure and joined the chat.
[Brad: We only spoke about our feelings. I want to extend my heartfelt apologies if our words affected you in any negative way, and I am eager to read your proposition. The white tiger guild doesn’t want to antagonise you. In fact, I’d love for you to join us.]
He clicked his tongue and rolled his eyes at the shrewd leader’s message, understanding he wanted to defuse the situation.
’Humph. You want to play? Let’s see who’ll give up first.’
[Adam: I’d love to join your guild! But as you can see in the rankings, I became a high-tiered crafter this year... the best crafter. So? What salary would you offer for my services?]
[Brad: Hahaha! I won’t underpay you, don’t worry. I thought about paying you for each crafted piece, meaning your salary would depend on your performance and our needs. As for the exact numbers... Ten thousand gold coins for tier-three items and fifty thousand for tier-four ones. What do you think?]
His friends chuckled once they read Brad’s shameless message.
Meanwhile, all the fun he had until now disappeared as anger reignited in his soul.
’I think you’re lucky not to be in front of me. I would have knocked your teeth off! What is this? Slavery?’
[Adam: Do you realise that gold coins can’t purchase tier-four items? I won’t even speak about the doubtful salary for the rest.]
[Brad: Hmm. I know. But I thought you would help earthlings develop in this magic world. Aren’t you a little greedy?]
His chair’s armrest exploded into a rain of splinters, surprising everyone as his eyes twitched in frustration.
’Trying to throw mud at me in a public discussion? Fine! I’m not playing anymore.’
[Adam: You misunderstood me. My offer is much better than yours, so decide after reading it. I’m competing in the inter-academy tournament and heard you had a few members there. If they beat me, I’ll work for you. If I win against them in under five seconds, you’ll never use my or Prometheus’ name in your petty propaganda. What do you say? After all, I lost my shine.]
The chat grew silent for a few seconds as everyone wondered what Brad would do.
Yet, Adam was already smirking.
’You have no choice. Refusing means admitting you lied to recruit more members, but accepting will mean you’ll lie because no one can defeat me under the archmage tier. How is it? That’s how you throw mud at someone! Unlike you, I don’t need to deceive others.’
As he chuckled evilly, Brad finally answered.
[Brad: I’d like to refuse to preserve your reputation.]
[Adam: The same reputation you smeared in the first place by abusing my absence? I thought you were smarter. Try again.]
Ten seconds later, his brows creased into a frown as he scrutinised the chat.
Seconds passed, then minutes, yet Brad didn’t send any answer.
"Did he run away? I guess that’s also an option..."
His lips curled into a disgusting smirk that chilled every competitor’s soul as he sent one last message and closed the chat.
[Adam: Coward. I’ll drop the matter if you don’t use our names again.]
Then, frowning in confusion, he noticed the others’ uneasy gazes and the deadly silent arena.
Asha’s soft whisper reached his ears the next second, making him realise why.
"It’s your turn. Alice called for you three times already. Go before she disqualifies you."
"You have three seconds to come up, or I’ll take it as you’re too scared to fight."
The public’s angry boos followed Alice’s stern warning.
Without wasting a second, he turned into a black and red blur, landing on the arena in a split second in a show of horrible swiftness. The public’s outrage vanished in a puff of smoke, and their jaws, opened to spit curses, dropped in shock.
"Sorry, I dozed off because the first match was boring. I missed all the others, too."
With a fake smile, he apologised to the public before he added, his voice dripping with confidence.
"Let me show you a performance you’ll never forget!"
’Just not the one you would expect, though.’
He rolled his eyes, preparing himself to become the best actor.
As his voice echoed in the silent arena, Alice raised her arm and yelled.
"First round of the tournament, Adam versus Paul. Begin!"