Everyone finally returned on their own. None of them called for help, and no one choose to overstays. If there are any who choose to overstay, I'll leave them be anyway. They are free to practice for how long they want. But they won't be my responsibility to protect anymore.
Everyone returned with a satisfied expression on their faces. Telling me that their training in this one week has been successful.
And so was mine, you know? I managed to use my new special move in a real fight. Although it needed some more improvement, it was considered as success to me since I can break a shell that is much harder than the Giant Salamander's scale. I need to give a name to that technique. But I'm bad at it, so I will think it carefully.
Those who stayed behind, welcomed them with a huge feast filled with any kind of seafoods that I got. But the shark delicacies seem to be ignored until the last second. The other dishes are more delicious after all. Though in the end, everything is gone.
And while everyone is enjoying themselves, Albert stepped forward and make a speech.
"Everyone, thank you for coming. Tomorrow is a free day, and the day after, you will all return back home. Unless you have been assigned to other places. I have given the order to some people to change the location they will be assigned to. They will also be given new tasks." Albert said.
Seems like even today, he's still doing his work as the king.
"And we have an announcement to give you. Soon, universities around the kingdom will be accepting new students. Some of you might think that going to magic academy after becoming this strong is useless, but don't worry! Soon, we will be holding a new event only for students of magic universities all around the kingdom! It's a tournament to decide which university has the strongest mages! If you want to participate, you will need to be registered as one of the students of any university in the kingdom! If you think that you are the strongest, or you want to test your strength, go enter a university and participate. This only applies to those who haven't graduated yet."
So, this is the announcement he's making, huh? Well, it doesn't matter to me. I'm not participating after all. I mean it, you know? I'm going to a medical school after all. Although I'm already a doctor.
"What are you thinking, Roy?"
Ms. Wendy suddenly approached me and asked what's on my mind.
She's also joining this training camp, and already getting along with many people.
And since she said she want to be a teacher, I don't think she will participate either. I guess we're comrade in not going to participate.
"Just thinking that I'm glad to not have to take part in it." I said honestly.
"Hmm… is that so…" Ms. Wendy smiled.
I feel like her smile is scary. What is it? Is there something I don't know about? Is this another one of Albert's scheme to get me do some work? I'm scared.
I feel like I have been scared a lot more often in this three year after returning back to the past, than my whole life in the previous life.
"What is it? Why are you smiling like that? You're scaring me!" I said.
"Hmm? Nothing. I'm just happy with the result of my training. That's all."
Albert! Come here and tell me that she's speaking the truth! Please!
But Albert didn't notice my peril and continue speaking about the tournament in the future.
"The tournament is actually a preliminary. We can find out who is the strongest mage in the country with it. But after that, we will have a meeting with other kings to hold the world-wide tournament. The participants of this kingdom-wide tournament, will be carefully selected to participate in the world-wide event as well. Then, the strongest mage in the world will be decided! I believe no one wants to let go of this chance, right?"
After hearing Albert's announcement, everyone here shouted in excitement. Either they are male or female, everyone wants to have a go in becoming the strongest. Well, except for me and those of my clan who already know about this.
No matter how strong I have become, I will still choose to be a coward. This time, I will survive no matter what and won't pick any stupid decision anymore. Hopefully.
"Of course, we have other goals as to why we will hold this tournament. The same as to why we all gathered here. It's to destroy the Evil Cult!"
After hearing this line, everyone quieted down. Seems like none of them have forgotten about this real goal. I'm so proud.
"First, with the goal of becoming the strongest, I hope that everyone, not just those who participated in training camp, but other people as well, to become stronger. The stronger we become, the more chance we have in destroying the cult!"
Albert is stating the obvious here. Of course, when we become stronger, we have more chance of victory. But it's easy to understand. Especially to those with low intellect. Like Angela and few others. As for the Werewolves, they don't care about the tournament since it's a competition between humans. But they are excited about the war instead.
…the war is still a long time, my friends. I hope they have enough patience to wait.
"Second, the tournament will be a gathering of the strongest mages. We might be able to use this chance to find any cultists using this tournament as the bait. This way, we can reduce their power little by little. And during the world tournament, we might be able to get some clues about where they are hiding from the cooperation of other kings. Don't forget that our real goal is to destroy the cult! We have to stop them from killing our beloved anymore! Only we can protect our beloved from them!"
I see many people is holding their anger. They must be those who lost their beloved during the stampede. Some of them are clenching their fists. I see a man and a woman is hugging each other. I don't want to know their story. Must be something tragic.
"That's why, for those who want to participate in the tournament, I wish you the best. For those who can't participate, there are other ways to support your friends. Never give up hope. We will surely destroy that Evil Cult to the very core!"
After that, Albert finished his speech and returned to eat with his wife and his children. The festive mood just changed into this serious mood. I'll just eat until I'm full.
While I'm eating, Albert who was supposed to be with his family, approached me instead.
"What is it? I'm eating here." I asked Albert.
"Girls' talk. I can't participate in it so I moved here." Albert said.
We ate in silence for a while, and then Albert is the first one to open his mouth.
"Roy, I want to thank you. As the king and also personally, as just Albert. As the king, I want to thank you for approaching me and informing about the future tragedy. With this, we can prevent more tragedy from happening." Albert said.
"Hmm. I was just trying to let you do everything when I informed you so I won't do anything. But it turned out this way where we have to cooperate together. Though it feels nice to do something good. I also managed to stop the stampede from destroying Melk and just received minimum damage."
"Yeah. You keep wanting to leave everything to me even now. And you even did more than me. Sorry to keep pushing you on everything." Albert said.
"Don't worry about it. Though I will keep complaining whenever it happens. But if there's a task that someone else can do, don't give that job to me. I'm already busy with the clan. Anyway, is that what you're here for? To say something sentimental? I'm warning you that I'm easily moved to tears. You might see me cry and it's pretty ugly." I said.
"You're admitting that you're a crybaby? I haven't thanked you yet as Albert."
"It's probably something like delivering the twins and saving your wife. What else? Letting Shirley join me? Babysitting Lana? I guess that's it."
"…yeah, that's about it. Can't I be the one who said it so I can see you cry?"
"No. that's why I said it first." I said.
After that, Kron, Oleg, and Hill noticed us and joined as well. And the five of us started to talk nonsense and playing around.
…this is great. I'm enjoying my life despite the uncertain future.
Unlike my past lonely life, I'm surrounded by my friends and have a lot of lovers. I feel that every day is a blessing.
Oh, shit! I'm starting to tear up! Come on, hold it back! Please! Can't let these people see me crying! They will make fun of me!
The party went on until everyone is tired. Everyone is sleeping outside tonight. No one cares about building a shelter, or entering Albert's villa.
Whether it's a king, servant, noble, commoner, everyone is sleeping outside.
As for me, I went for a dive. No one can see me crying underwater.