Chapter 30: A Shocking Start
Three days later, the ambassador and students from Lagark arrived at the capital and stayed in the capital's courier hostel, waiting for the "Grand Student Exchange" two days later.
On this sunny day, Claire leaned against the window sill, looking at the at birds outside in thought.
"Claire, what are you thinking about?" Walter's voice suddenly sounded out of thin air beside her. His transparent body hovered around in the room. After Walter told Claire what she wanted to know, as compensation, Emery found some dark attributed crystals that allowed Walter to regain his strength a little. He also used some strange magic, and now Walter could leave the Spiritual Stone a bit farther. He could also hide his aura so that unless he met someone as powerful as the Holy Divine Prince, it would be hard for anyone to discover him. Right now, Walter was much more useful to Claire than a magic puppet because he could find information more easily and accurately.
Claire turned around and saw Walter beside her. Right now, Walter's image was transparent, but clearly visible. Walter's appearance became more defined now that Emery had replenished some of his strength. His appearance and his obscene behavior were complete opposites. Walter... was pretty and delicate, yes, that's right. He was very pretty, with his soft, black hair, amber eyes, giving everyone the appearance of a scholarly, frail, beautiful boy. But that all changed once he opened his mouth. He constantly pried, wanting to know Claire's thoughts. The biggest reason that he was so keen on wanting to know what Claire was thinking was because he couldn't see through this little devil. The dark magician Walter had always prided himself on reading people's inner thoughts, and then used their weaknesses to achieve his goals. However, these tricks were completely useless on Claire. He couldn't see through Claire at all, let alone find her weaknesses.
Walter saw Claire silently watch him and felt a bit scared. This little devil was the most terrifying when she was silent, because you couldn't tell what she was thinking at all. He felt like he was being stared at by a viper.
"This time's Grand Student Exchange between the Institutes doesn't seem to be so simple. I haven't seen Master Emery for a whole day and Grandfather also seems really worried." Claire said in a low tone, frowning slightly. She kept feeling that something was brewing, a bad feeling.
Walter grew silent. He couldn't help but acknowledge Claire's intuition was scarily accurate. It was always spot on.
"Yes, for this time's competition, your grandfather said they definitely cannot lose." After being quiet for a while, Walter finally told Claire what he had heard from concealing his aura and eavesdropping that day.
Definitely cannot lose?
"Also, your grandfather said that he won't let you participate in this competition because he's afraid you might get hurt." Walter added.
Claire froze for a second and then her eyes softened a bit, but so faintly that Walter didn't even notice.
The area designated for the competition was the outdoor sports field of the Sunrise Institute. On the uppermost of the audience stands, there were a few special seats, prepared for a few special people. With a red rug on the floor and a valuable wheatgrass cushion on the chair, it was obviously the most cool and comfortable seat during the summer. Soft velvet cushions were not appropriate at this time of the year. On the little table at the side, there was a silver platter full of different kinds of expensive fruits. A smooth, black silk covered the top of this stand, blocking and absorbing the sun's rays. Behind the seat, two maids stood with fans in their hands, ready to serve the person who would be sitting in this chair.
And although there were also seats that had coverings on the stands beside this one, there weren't any servants waiting to serve them or cushions made out of wheatgrass. These were the seats for the ministers and nobility. The rest of the stands were for the students from both countries.
The flag of Redbuds flew high in the sky, and a disciplined and well-dressed band stood behind the stands. The expression on their faces were serious, and even though the golden tassels on their shoulders fluttered in the wind, they stood perfectly still. The golden long horn was waiting for the emperor to make his appearance to announce the start of the competition. A solemn and serene atmosphere covered the whole field.
Because of Claire's background, she sat at the seat closest to the special stand. Jean and the other servants of the nobility stood at the very back of the stands. The two stands on the side were filled rapidly by nobility; some Claire knew, others she didn't. This was the first time that Claire discovered there were so many nobility in the capital. There were even more here than at the princess' banquet! Not all nobility could attend a banquet in the palace, but this competition was different; all nobility could come and watch.
Claire watched the disciplined Griffin Squad that was in mid-air with great interest. The leader in the front looked somewhat similar to Claire. He was the second eldest brother of Claire, Eric Hill. The powerful Eric, like others, also favored and spoiled the talented and clever Lashia and hated the man-chaser Claire.
The Griffin Squad disappeared amidst the shouts of the people. There was no reason to keep showing off this mysterious and strong power when the emperor already obtained the effect he wanted.
"Claire~~~" Suddenly, a quiet, tiny voice pulled Claire back into reality.
Claire turned her head and saw Princess Maurice, who had a big smile on her face.
"Your Highness." Claire smiled and lightly nodded.
"I haven't had time to talk to you, but I really like your gift, I love it. Thank you." Princess Maurice was obviously very happy and thanked Claire multiple times in a low voice.
Claire smiled. "As long as your Highness likes it."
Just when the two were quietly exchanging greetings, the emperor announced the prizes for the winner of this competition. The whole field boiled again.
A grade nine beast core, a magic wand, and a sword. There was no need to explain the first prize. The magic wand was the precious heritage of a wizard sage, able to do three high level spells instantly and of different elements! The sword was called the Unrivaled Sword. Of course its quality was amazing, cutting through hair and fur alike, slicing through iron as if it was mud. But most importantly, this was a magic sword! With the added ability of Delay! If a person was wounded by this sword, it would make his actions slower. These prizes were really generous!
But Claire sensed something unusual.
"Claire, that magic wand isn't bad, haha, and that grade nine beast core is nice too." Walter chuckled obscenely in Claire's head.
The competition had officially started, needing two out of three rounds to win.
Lashia was still the last contestant, going against the magician of the other side. The ironic thing was, the opponent of Lashia was the same youth that had lost to Lashia last time. The youth was lying lazily, without giving so much as a glance at Lashia. He had a head of dazzling red hair, impatience written all over his handsome features. He was rolling his eyes while listening to his mentor talking. Claire focused on the lips of the mentor and immediately felt awkward.
"Yixuan Feng, are you listening?! We lost last time because you ate too much junk food and got diarrhea! You didn't eat strange things this time, right? Right? Right? Right?" The mentor was looking at his unconcerned disciple, almost worried to death. He desperately wanted a confirmation from the youth.
Yixuan Feng?! Claire frowned, this was another last name that didn't seem to come from this continent. Why?
"Walter!" Claire called silently.
"What?" Walter answered immediately.
"Do you remember the last name of the Holy Divine Prince? Lingyun Leng and now one of the students from the other side, Yixuan Feng, why are their last names so strange?" Claire asked.