CHAPTER 49: ANNOUNCEMENT(2)

"Are you sure about this?" the Vice-headmaster asked after hearing his senior’s decision.

The older man looked tired as he replied, "You think nothing will happen if we leave him out?" Shaking his head, the headmaster—Edward—continued, "You know how things would spiral if we don’t add him to the team. One of the seven members of the Round Hall has already chosen him."

The man beside him, David, let out a sigh. "Sir... if he joins the team, there’s a high chance he’ll outshine the others—just like Lancelot said."

Edward scoffed. "Do you really think it’ll be that easy?"

David frowned slightly as Edward went on, "This year, a certain boy from Gladiator’s Den is joining—you know him. And with him there, I doubt anyone else will win."

David’s eyes widened. "You mean... Lextor? Isn’t he Arthur’s brother?"

Edward nodded. "That’s right. With Arthur’s brother competing, I’m sure Arthur will pull strings to make sure his family doesn’t lose face."

David sighed again. "I already feel bad for Kevin... and the other students."

Edward shook his head. "Don’t worry. We just need our students—especially Kevin—to show their best. If he performs well, he’ll earn himself a seat in the Round Hall."

David nodded. "You’re right... So tomorrow, the five names you’ll announce are..."

...

"Kevin, Emma, William Delimore, Gizel Valebridge, and Natalie Dawntres. Step forward."

Some students were surprised, but most weren’t.

Four of the five were already among the top-ranked, so it was expected. And recently, William had shown impressive growth—he’d even saved members of Team One—so his selection made sense.

Gizel, however, was caught off guard. She had thought William would replace her and Joseph would take the last spot. Still, being chosen as a contestant was an honor.

The five stepped forward.

Lizel and Laila couldn’t hide their smiles—three of their friends had made it.

Applause filled the hall as the chosen ones walked onto the stage.

William stood on the far left, with Gizel beside him.

"Ah, is that your earring?" Emma asked, pointing at the small moon-shaped earring fallen on the floor.

Gizel touched her ear, then nodded. "Ah, yes."

As she stepped forward to pick it up, Emma quietly moved to her left, standing next to William.

When Gizel turned back and saw her spot taken, she gave a small, helpless smile and stood where Emma had been.

William glanced at Emma with narrowed eyes, but she refused to meet his gaze.

William really wanted to get inside that little head of hers and see what she was thinking.

One moment she ignored him; the next, she looked jealous because another girl stood beside him.

’Really... it’s easier to fight devils than to understand a girl.’ he thought.

David then stepped forward and pinned a small golden star to each of the chosen students’ chests, officially naming them contestants.

The hall broke into applause again.

Edward cleared his throat. "I’m glad you appreciate the contestants. But—" the single word made several people hold their breath.

His gaze turned cold as he asked, "Are you all just going to accept your fate without a fight?"

The students fell silent.

Kevin and the others on stage looked surprised too. Edward continued, "The contest begins in two weeks. Until then, any third-year can try to replace someone here." He pointed to the five on stage. "Gang up on them, ambush them, use whatever you think is right to make them give up that star."

Raising a finger, he finished, "Whoever still has that star on the final day will step forward as the chosen one."

A wave of excitement and determination swept through the students after the announcement.

Until now, everyone had believed that the participants for the Goblet of Honor were chosen solely based on past performance. But now, that belief had been shattered—and in the best way possible.

Natalie and Kevin wore serious expressions, while Gizel and Emma’s faces remained unchanged, borderline indifferent.

Amid all the reactions, only one person in the entire hall was grinning.

’Old man... finally, you did something that isn’t shitty.’

....

After the morning assembly ended, William headed toward his classroom like everyone else.

But unlike the others, he could already feel several eyes on him—hungry gazes fixed on the golden badge pinned proudly to his chest.

Most of the chosen, including Emma and Kevin, had already removed their badges, knowing it was too risky to show them openly.

William, however, didn’t care. In fact, he wanted people to come after him.

His way of growing was simple—through battle. He rarely trained the usual way; real combat was his form of practice.

And, just as he expected—

"Give me that!"

A student with a body of stone charged at him.

They were still in the corridor, so the others quickly backed away as the stone-skinned boy lunged forward.

William grinned, caught the boy’s wrist just before it hit his chest, and twisted sharply. His other hand came down in a clean, slicing motion—

The boy’s lower half split apart.

"Guh!" the attacker groaned, collapsing to the ground. "It still hurts, you know..."

William only shrugged and walked away.

When William entered the classroom, he saw Emma already in her seat, a book in hand.

As he walked past her desk, she didn’t even glance at him.

William frowned—so, she was still mad.

Rolling his eyes, he made his way to his seat, where the familiar pink-haired boy sat waiting.

"Congrats," Loid said casually.

William smiled and nodded, about to sit down—when he suddenly had to leap back to avoid being stabbed.

"What the—? Even you?" William exclaimed, eyeing the knife in Loid’s hand and the venomous grin on his face.

"I’m no exception, classmate," Loid said proudly before lunging at him.

William sighed, snatched the knife out of his hand, and kicked him back into his seat.

"I’m sitting alone for a while," he muttered, ignoring Loid’s groans.

He looked around and saw Natalie pinned down by a boy twice her size. But she quickly pushed him off, kicked him in the gut, and chopped the back of his neck.

"Phew." The short-haired girl brushed off her hands as the boy collapsed.

Just then, their teacher walked in—and immediately realized what was happening.

Sighing, she said, "I hope you can at least keep quiet enough not to disturb the class—"

*BOOOOM*

Before she could finish, a flaming orb exploded against Kevin’s face.

The one who cast it stood proudly—Lizel.

"Whoa, Lizel... didn’t know you had it in you," Kevin said with a smirk, holding her wrist, completely unharmed.

Lizel tried to fire again, but Kevin easily overpowered her, pinned her down, and knocked her out.

The woman on the aisle couldn’t help but shake her head in weariness, "The head nurse is so going to be mad..."

°°°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading.