Can the sadness that magic cannot take away be offset by love?

"Sister Iris, there are fried eggs for breakfast!"

The black-haired girl with two pigtails tied behind her head told her the good news with sparkling eyes.

Iris walked towards her from the cafeteria door, picked up a children's napkin nearby and tied it on her, teasing her:

"So you got up so early today just to make fried eggs?"

Alexia shook her head violently:

"No! I woke up early to have breakfast with my sister."

After taking the food, the girl started eating. Iris just picked up the cutlery and her eyes fell on the napkin of Alexia who was sitting opposite her, then she lowered her eyelashes slightly.

Vague memories emerged. In the cozy little house, there was a pair of hands that tied a napkin for her in front of the steaming omelette and coaxed her:

"Don't worry, no one is going to snatch it from you. Tie your napkin first, don't get your clothes dirty..."

Iris quickly pulled her mind away from her memories and finished her breakfast in silence. Alexia followed her as she walked around the airship to digest the food.

They were on an airship flying from Kakar to Zozo, the capital of the Celtic Kingdom. The Sufi Academy of Magic, Science and Technology in Zozo - a magic academy that was in no way inferior to St. Ferguson's in strength - was the venue for this competition.

A total of several million people participated in the first game, and finally 500,000 people were selected to enter the second game.

Of course, it was impossible for so many people to squeeze into Sophie Academy at the same time, so the exchange competition committee placed the opening ceremony venue in a space ball that could accommodate everyone at the same time, and then arranged for contestants from various countries to enter the space ball in the academy square in batches, entering the venue in staggered periods to avoid congestion.

The committee has explained the special circumstances of this competition to all participants. In order to reduce casualties, this competition will be held in the space ball, a new technology newly developed by St. Ferguson College of the Kingdom of Aaron. People who are dying on the field will be sent out of the competition venue in time by the space ball's pre-set program.

The participants sent by various countries are all potential wizards and treasures of their own countries. Therefore, this proposal that can minimize casualties was quickly passed when it appeared. After the test, it was officially put into use in the new exchange competition.

The students of St. Ferguson finally understood why their college had been so determined to increase the number of credit activities in the past few semesters - it was to allow the students who would eventually participate in the competition to adapt to the space ball mode in advance.

As for whether this would be unfair to other contestants, as a technology provider, what would it matter if St. Ferguson enjoyed this slight advantage? Moreover, the space ball was ultimately meant to simulate reality, and when used in the official competition, the only difference between it and reality was that the safety of the contestants' lives was guaranteed.

The competition officials can indeed artificially control the environment inside the space ball to achieve the desired competition goals, but in past exchange competitions when there was no space ball, the committee would also use various magic to process the required competition venues. The ultimate results to be achieved by both are the same.

Let’s talk about Alexia again. Those on this airship are either contestants from St. Ferguson, professors leading the team, or special people like Albinia who are here to serve as judges. “Accompanying family members” like Alexia are very rare.

However, before the exchange competition, the academy provided the contestants with rewards that could greatly improve their personal strength, some of which were contributed by the Ramirez family - although there is no public data, everyone knows it, so naturally no one mentions the special treatment of some people.

Even if we take a step back, what would it matter if there was one more child on such a big ship? Would it also cost her a meal? As long as the people of the Ramirez family could take good care of her, who would care?

Before the airship landed, the professor in charge reminded them again:

"Don't think that you don't have to worry about your life just because you have the Space Ball this year. Think about why the academy gave you the Fountain of Life and the Substitute Stone. Use these things decisively when you need them, whether they are on the field or not. Don't feel bad! In previous competitions, many people died on the field, and there were definitely quite a few who died outside the field! I hope that there will be so many of us when we come here, and not one less when we leave! If you have any problems, you can come to us, or to Professor Albinia. She is one of the judges this time and is absolutely reliable. If you have a hunch or guess that someone is planning to ambush you outside the field, even if you have no evidence, you must report it to the professor. Such advance reports have truly saved the lives of many of your seniors!"

It was not until the airship landed that the leading professor allowed them to leave with some reassurance.

Alexia landed as a "special guest" and a special guard team accompanied her to prevent any accidents.

Due to the current limited space in Zozo, everyone was unable to find a hostel to stay in, but went directly into the space ball of the opening ceremony to wait for the first game to begin.

After the first game, only 500,000 people will remain here, and the others must return by airship to make room for the remaining contestants and the Zozo natives.

After passing through the space ball passage, they came to the spacious opening ceremony venue and waited inside for three days.

"Special guests" like Alexia don't need to wait in vain. The Celtic Kingdom has found a special place for them to rest in the capital.

To the left of her room lived the chief of the Mage Tower, who was also a guest of the competition.

While the contestants were waiting for the opening ceremony, the guests held a private meeting. Alexia, who had already cut off contact with Ernest and others in the space ball, was of course able to attend. The theme of the meeting was to draw lots to determine the provider of the plot materials for the first round of the competition.

The scope of the draw includes all the special guests.

The plot material is not required to come from real experiences. It is fine if the provider is willing to make up a story on the spot. The main feature is a sense of freedom... oh no, randomness.

The important competition system had already been decided in advance, and the so-called plot material was just a nice and plump cover for the competition.

All the work is progressing steadily.