Legacy of the Dark Sage

Two sets of golden numbers hovered above the hall. One set was timed for three hours and hovered on the left side. While the other still had three zeroes, hovered on the right.

These were the timers for the upcoming Alchemy and Solo Competitions.

At ten minutes before nine in the morning, all participants finally appeared at the hall's center.

Six participants in total for the Alchemy Competition, three on each team, and ten for the Solo Competition, five on each.

As all participants arrived, a female Courtenay member walked to the hall's center. She flew midair and faced the booth where Euan, Iulia, and Haylee were. She bowed in respect and said, "Greetings to His Majesty, Emperor Euan, Her Majesty, Empress Iulia, and Her Highness, Crown Princess Haylee."

Sitting on a gold high chair with red accents, Euan nodded in acknowledgment.

Iulia and Haylee, who sat on similarly designed high chairs, albeit smaller by a foot than Euan's, also nodded their heads in response.

The female announcer regarded the audience before continuing.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we will now begin with today's event. For this morning, we will witness the Alchemy and the Solo Competition between the Royal Army and the Conclave of the East.

"I will first explain the rules of the Alchemy Competition.

"Each participant will be given a medicine to concoct. It can be a potion or a pill. All ingredients will be provided. Participants, please remember that you are not allowed to use your own furnace or ingredients," the female announcer said the latter while looking at the Alchemy participants sternly.

"This is to ensure that all of you are using the same quality of ingredients and furnace," she added before looking at the audience again.

"Participants will be given three hours to complete their assigned medicine. After which, they will be graded according to the level of their concoction.

"Five points for low-grade pill or potion, ten points for mid-grade pill or potion, and twenty points for high-grade pill or potion.

"If a participant concocted a legend-grade pill or potion, they would receive fifty points and an additional ten points in their team's total score. If it is above a legend grade, they will receive one hundred points and an additional thirty points for their team's total score.

"After all participants are graded, each team's total score will be tallied, and the team who scores the highest will win."

The female announcer looked at the Alchemy participants before asking, "Is there any question?"

Most of the participants shook their heads or remained silent.

Seeing that no one had questions, the female announcer continued.

"Now, for the Solo Competition rules, please listen carefully participants." She looked at the Solo participants before turning her attention back to the audience.

"So far, the rules of previous Solo Competitions had varied according to the request of each team," she started.

As soon as she said this, most of the audience could not help but look at Kyran.

While it was true that the head committee had changed the rules of most competitions, Kyran was the first to request additional changes, which was then followed by the Lumley Family.

Those guests watching the competitions for the first time looked confused. Murmurs started among the audience as they asked around.

The female announcer cleared her throat and said, "Which is why in today's Solo Competition we will strictly follow the rules set by the head committee and the leader representatives of both factions participating today."

She looked at the exclusive booths where the Conclave council members, the Royal Army's Marshal, and Deputy Marshals were staying.

Then she turned her attention back to the audience.

"The Solo Competition will adopt a round-robin bracket. Each team member will have a chance to fight the opposite team's members.

"For example, a member of the Conclave team will get a chance to fight all members of the Royal Army, and each match will only last for five minutes. This means each member will fight for no more than twenty-five minutes. After which, the top four participants will take part in the quarter-finals.

"Please take note, that with this set up, a team may have three members participating in the quarter-finals. It may even mean that all four finalists are from the same team. Nevertheless, the quarter-finals will still commence, until only one participant will be declared the champion of the Solo Competition."

As soon as the female announcer finished her statement, the audience murmured in excitement.

Among the Solo Competition participants, Styx also smiled. A smile that could send anyone trembling. His fighting spirit exploded as he turned to his right, where Kyran was standing with black lines on his head. Even Rake, Deo, and Tilda, who only realized Styx's intent today, felt cold sweats trickle down their backs.

All of them sent a silent prayer for Kyran.

Kyran already sensed Styx's intent from their last competition and thought he did not have to worry about it too much. Who knew the head committee would come up with this kind of rule for the Solo Competition?

More importantly, Kyran was surprised the Royal Army agreed to it. Then again, the Royal Army likely thought they would end up having four of their members participating in the quarter-finals. As for the Conclave, he also wondered why Malia did not protest. After all, if they fought five matches today, even if it would only last for five minutes, they would all end up exhausted.

Just as Kyran was thinking this, the female announcer spoke again.

"To ensure that each participant of the Solo Competition will be able to fight in top form on each of their matches, they will be given five high-grade healing potions and energy replenishing potions, which they can take after each match. These potions has been generously provided by Alchemy Assosciation's  Emperor Alchemist, Lady Malia."

Kyran chuckled. No wonder the Conclave agreed.

"Is there any questions so far?" The female announcer asked while looking over the Solo participants.

When no one answered, she turned her attention back to the audience.

"Now that the rules have been provided, we will now commence with the Alchemy and Solo Competition!"

The crowd cheered, and all participants went to their respective waiting corners.

Below the timer for the Solo Competition, a projection appeared showing the round-robin bracket. Each member had been assigned a number and was already matched against the opposing team.

Kyran's number was, and his matches were as follows: 5,4,3,2,1.

With a bitter smile, he looked at the Royal Army participants.

They had information about their members beforehand. However, same with what happened in the Beast Hunt, the ones they had about them probably were not updated. If that was the case and all five of them were supposed to be High Masters, then most likely, there were already Grand Masters among them.

Right now, Kyran could not sense their level. They probably had a magic item that concealed their level and for it to even block Kyran's probing meant it was a high-level item. It might have been provided by Ruin or Deception.

Kyran looked at Rake, Deo, and Tilda. To be honest, he did not have much hope for them. As much as possible, he also wanted them to forfeit their match instead of having them try too hard. He did not want them to have an accident.

"Tyr," Styx called, snapping Kyran out of his reverie.

Kyran looked at Styx and almost jumped back after seeing a palpable aura rising from him.

"Let's have a good match."

Black lines appeared on Kyran's head.

"Our opponents are those guys, Leader Styx," he said while pointing at the Royal Army's corner.

Styx grinned, "Doesn't matter. In the quarter-finals, we'll definitely face each other."

Rake, Deo, and Tilda laughed bitterly at them. They already knew there was no way they could become one of the four finalists. Still, that did not mean they would not do their best. At the very least, they would do what they could for Styx and Kyran to advance. They could do this by lasting as much as possible and have Kyran and Styx see all the Royal Army's moves.

"Right..." Kyran replied with a bitter smile.

"Participants for the first match, Tilda of the Conclave against Royal Army's Major General Ganza!"

Tilda looked at her team and grinned, "How about I set a good momentum for our side?"

Styx looked at the Royal Army's corner and watched as a huge man wearing a red army uniform approached the arena.

"No need. Just try to stay alive," Styx told her.

Tilda glared at him, "Is that something a leader should tell his team member!"

"Humph. That guy is a Major General, but there is no telling if he is still a High Master."

"Hm. Styx is right, Tilda. Be careful there," Deo agreed.

"Humph! No trust at all. Fine, fine!" Tilda grumbled and made her way to the arena.

The timer above immediately turned 5:00 when Tilda and Ganza entered the arena.

"First match, start!"

"I will show you that—! Hey!"

As soon as the female announcer said the word 'start,' Ganza summoned a red magic array and molded a spear made of flames.

"RA!" He grabbed the spear with his right and spun three times before throwing it straight at Tilda.

Tilda hastily unsheathed her weapon, however.

BANG!

"GAH!" Tilda spat out a mouthful of blood as the flaming spear pierced through her magic defenses, directly through her chest.