"She isn’t short of money, she’s just thrifty."
Ave, who was also born into a noble family, found it hard to understand Rowena’s penny-pinching way of living—back in Ximu Town, whenever Rowena treated guests to a meal, she’d buy the ingredients and cook herself. Her theory was, "With the same amount of money, we should eat better things."
To save a dozen silver antelopes, Rowena preferred to spend an extra afternoon working in the kitchen.
When Rowena returned to her place, Ethan and Miss Keroy had already tidied up the kitchen.
Sophia finally met the legendary competitor she had been yearning for, albeit in a most unexpected way.
The atmosphere here was nothing like the competition she imagined!
Even Miss Keroy, the goddess revered by Imperial Capital People, had been corrupted!
This goddess willingly carried the ingredients Rowena bought back to the kitchen.
Why were these renowned individuals gathered together just to cook? This was something that could easily be done by the servants!
Sophia saw Ethan take off the armor that symbolized the glory of the Imperial Knight, put on an apron, and present the new seasonings they had brought back from the northern border to Rowena.
"Aren’t you going in?"
Ave patted Sophia’s shoulder.
Sophia gathered some strength and barged into the room, mustering the courage to stand before her most admired hero in a wheelchair, and asked the deepest question in her heart, "Miss Rowena, I want to ask you, why did you participate in the competition back then?"
She was in dire need of a speech about dreams and passion to lift her spirits.
"Hmm? Your Highness?"
Rowena was a bit stunned, her impression of Sophia lingering from that one time they met in the Royal Palace.
"I want to...hear your answer."
"For the prize money."
Rowena’s answer was like the coldest wind from the northern border, leaving Sophia frozen in place, all her admiration and passion turned to ice.
Rowena continued to deal the final blow without reservation, "At first, I didn’t want to participate, but the Astrology Guild and the royal family offered so much."
"Then, Miss Ethan...she..."
"She didn’t do it for the prize money."
A hint of light reignited in Sophia’s eyes as she looked excitedly at Ethan—who had become a myth among the competitors in just one competition!
This must have been the culmination of effort and sweat, the blooming of ideals!
"Oh, that day the magic supply store in Fireplace Bay was having a sale, Rowena didn’t have time to attend the competition, so I went on her behalf."
With Ethan’s revelation, Sophia’s last illusion deep inside her heart vanished.
Just as disappointment was about to engulf her, a voice like a savior came from behind her.
"But, unexpectedly, a few days after we left, the competition had already started to take shape."
It was Ethan who spoke. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novel fire.net
Upon observing the gathering wind elements, he had an idea.
It wasn’t just about practicing elemental magic, but also about altering this abstract history he inadvertently initiated.
Rowena said, "In the past, the Astrology Guild often hosted similar competitions, but back then they mostly used magical brooms, and non-magic users couldn’t participate, plus they weren’t as fast as electric wheelchairs. This time, they took advantage of the event to really make a name for themselves."
"Since it has become a formal event, it should have a more professional vehicle."
Ethan said, "The electric wheelchair I made for you is, after all, just a daily mobility tool; it’s a bit challenging to use it for the competition."
"Wait a second, you mean—"
The room fell silent, even Rowena, who didn’t particularly care about the competition, was affected.
Whenever Ethan spoke, it always heralded a revolution.
"Have you ever heard of the legend of the ghost fire?"