Chapter 279: A Conflict Already?

I arrive quickly with Wendy at the courtyard. I don't have to hide myself even when everyone sees me descending. They just thought that I'm a wind mage.

I look at the commotion and see Jewel is arguing with a man while Kayla is watching from behind her. As for Sophie, she's on the way here after seeing the result in her campus. She must have made an appointment with Kayla and Jewel to meet here. But never expected that there's a commotion.

The man Jewel is arguing with is… the one who said that he will call his papa. The fake air mage who wanted to take the air magic practical exam. And why is there an old man behind him? Don't tell me that's his papa?

Is his papa a noble? Or a rich man? It's annoying that I faced too many similar templates like this. Why does having money make you an asshole? Why can't you just be an asshole even without money? I respect those people. Though I might kill them if they are too much of an asshole.

Wait! I think I remember his name! Let's try to remember.

First, he's a boy. That makes him his parents' son.

Second, his parents probably spoiled him rotten. That's how he instantly depends on his papa.

That should be enough for a clue. His name is Hisson! It was because he is his papa's son!

Wait! It was the papa who named him. So, it should be Myson! No, it was Mason! I remember it!

"Huhu." I leaked out a laugh for remembering his name.

"What is it?" Victoria asked.

"Nothing. Just some detective game."

If I told Victoria, she will make fun of me. Let's just stop the commotion.

I was about to go there, but I see that Dean is also coming. I'll just go with him then.

"What's going on here?" Dean asked.

He looks around carefully and see that there are two sides making a ruckus. And one side has Kayla behind her.

Seeing Kayla, I'm sure Dean has decided which side he will support. But I think it's a good chance to let this be for now.

I approached Dean but I didn't do anything yet since I don't know the whole story.

"It's her! She's the one in the wrong! How could she be accepted just because she's a Beastform mage? That's a discrimination toward other mages who took multiple exams!" Mason said.

"HE IS WRONG! I ALSO PARTICIPATED IN THE LIGHTNING ELEMENT PRACTICAL EXAM AND PASSED IT! IT'S ALL STARTED WHEN HE'S TRYING TO FLIRT WITH KAYLA!" Jewel shouted.

She must be really angry since her shouting has returned. Well, I'll allow it this time. She's trying to protect Kayla from this asshole after all.

Then, Mason's papa approached Dean. Since he's Mason's papa, does that makes him Mapapa?

"Dean, I'm a Duke in charge of another city. My power might not be much here, but… you know, right?"

Oh! Mapapa is trying to bribe Dean! I think I heard that Dean is not someone who received bribes. Even more, Dean is already connected with the king himself. Why would he let a Duke disrespect him?

I'll better suggest an idea to Dean.

"Dean, it's a good chance to inform everyone about the tournament. The sooner everyone knows, the more motivated they will be to get stronger faster before the tournament." I whispered.

"You're right. Let's do that."

Dean ignored Mapapa who is angry because someone who is not a noble is disrespecting him. Oh? That fire mage examiner who examined Wendy is also here with Mapapa. Well, bad guys will always stick together with similar people.

"Jewel passed the lightning element exam with an excellent result. The best one we had since I first assigned as the dean of this university. But if that's what you want, I can arrange it so that only one of you will be accepted, while the other will leave. The two of you have to fight in the arena. The winner will be accepted. How about it?"

A tournament? I suppose that's a good idea. Dean can gather everyone in the arena, and tell them about the tournament after the fight. I should tell the agents here to spread the news to everyone. The staffs, the students, and probably some people with influence in the city that can spread rumors fast. Like inn owner or bar owner.

Jewel accepted the duel right away, while Mason asked for the rules of the duel.

"Anything other than killing is permitted. If you kill your opponent, it will be counted as your loss." Dean said.

That's the rule that we're going to use for the tournament as well. Using magical tools are permitted as well. and seeing how Mason asked that question, he must have a lot of magical tools to use.

Hmm… I keep saying to everyone that we need to get stronger. But I haven't told them that it's fine to get magical tools. The one that I often see being used ais Kayla's wand that allow her to gather soil and shape it into anything she wants. As for the fishnet stocking, Sophie never talked about it. But I often see it being worn by someone who is going for a quest. I'll ask Sam to get some magic tools later.

Well, now everyone is going to the arena. They are interested to see a battle. And the agents I asked to inform other people also doing well. There are many people entering the arena and the arena is filled to the brim. Some people even can't get a seat so they are standing. They need some kind of entertainment to talk about.

Mason is preparing himself and I can see he is wearing a protective magic tool. He's wearing a robe that can reduce the damage taken to the owner from magic attack. I remember that robe is quite a common sight during the war. Maybe I should get one as well?

As for Jewel, she's ready as she is. I just gave them a single advice before she enters the stage.

"Jewel, don't finish the fight too fast. Let him cast a few magic."

"Master, didn't you always say to take care of everything as quickly as possible?" Jewel asked.

"Yeah. But this is just a show. And we have more benefits this way since we're about to tell everyone about the tournament today. It's better to entertain everyone" I said.

"You're going to tell it today?" Sophie asked.

Sophie and Kayla are here as well as Jewel's seconds.

"Yeah. We're using you and that guy to make a show about what to expect in the tournament. Jewel, I know you can win easily, but still, be very careful."

"Understand, Master!"

Jewel confidently enters the arena.

As for me, I have a seat prepared near Dean. We will be sitting close to Mapapa since I want to threat him as well later.

The one who will be the referee is Wendy. The other professors are too lazy to do it, but they still want to see the match.

I ignore how Mapapa keeps complaining about something. He even dared to threat Dean. Well, he won't dare to do anything ever again soon.

"Both duelists, you can enter the stage. The fight will begin after I give the signal. The rule is no killing. Everything is permitted. Any questions?"

Oh! That's much better than when Grandpa Werewolf just say begin.

"No." Jewel said.

"I have a suggestion. How about other than leaving, the loser must follow the winner's order?" Mason asked Wendy. He's being stupid right now.

"…you can ask Jewel for her agreement. Not me. I'm just here to be the referee." Wendy said.

"Fine. I agree. Of course, it works if you lose as well, right?"

"Haha! I won't lose! Let's just begin the battle!" Mason said confidently.

How could he win? He's someone who couldn't even pass any one of the exams. He even faked being an air element mage just so he can at least get one exam passed. He thought he can outsmart me. But he doesn't know that he needs to be smart first to do that.

As for Jewel, she has improved a lot. Her physical weakness improved thanks to her Beastform magic. And her lightning element, although it's still weaker than Sophie's element and still in intermediate level, she can even fight an Orc General evenly.

She doesn't have any magical tools unlike Mason, but she is more experienced in fighting. Unless Mason has some kind of powerful attacking magic tools, it's impossible for him to win.

As for Mapapa, he keeps complaining about the treatment his son received. Should I keep his mouth shut then?

…I guess I shouldn't. I want to see his expression once I told him that we have even more powerful backing than Mapapa and his status.

"Alright! If there is no more question, we will begin the fight soon. Mason! Are you ready?!" Wendy asked Mason.

"I am ready." Mason said.

"Jewel! Are you ready?!" This time, she asked Jewel.

"READY!" Jewel shouted.

"Then… the duel begins!"

…damn! That's one way to start a duel! Kron will be the referee for the tournament, right? I'll ask Wendy to teach him how to start a fight then. Maybe I should ask her to be the referee as well?

Anyway, the duel has begun. Everyone is excited because it's rare for them to have some kind of entertainment.

…I think it's good that I don't see Mason's mother here. If she's here, I have to call her Mamama.