Anon finally ceased the Deafening Roar after five minutes, collapsing to his knees. His aura weakened, and he felt as though someone had thrust a long, scorching spear through his throat.
“M-MOTHER…. Save mmeeeeeee….” Eldric cried out, wetting his pants, as he sprinted toward the Colosseum’s exit.
Link returned to his tattoo form, and Anon slowly rose from the ground.
“Who won?” Anon inquired, looking at Sam with a perplexed expression.
“Y-Yes… Ladies and gentlemen, after a fierce and captivating battle, we have the victor of today’s final match. A resounding round of applause for Mr. Jule, the Royal Candidate,” Sam announced.
Clap-Clap-Clap
The audience erupted into applause as they retook their seats. Even Fiona joined in the applause.
‘I’ve depleted every ounce of stamina in my body. It feels as if I’ve run around the world three times without rest. Damn, my throat hurts,’ Anon thought, walking back to his seat and sitting next to Fiona.
“What were you trying to say earlier, Mr. Jule? I didn’t understand. Can you explain it again?” Maison inquired.
“Really? You want to pursue this after witnessing that?” Anon responded.
“Well, I’ll let it slide this time, but just this once,” Maison said, returning to his seat.
“So, you obtained a potent skill from blowing that Trumpet, huh?” Fiona asked with a smile.
“I did,” Anon affirmed, donning his sunglasses and reclining in his chair.
“Mr. Jule, you’re unique. Truly special. Now that I’ve found you, I won’t let you go,” Fiona replied with a smile.
“Good… I’d love to squeeze some things,” Anon replied with a grin.
“Huh…? Did you just say that to me?” Fiona asked with a confused expression.
“I want to squeeze… Boobies,” Anon quipped as he smiled.
“What the hell are you—” Fiona began, her tone angry, but she suddenly realized that Anon was sleep-talking.
“Ah… Sleep-talking. He must be really exhausted from the match,” Fiona dismissed it and resumed observing the arena.
‘Phew, Dodged a bullet there. For a moment, I forgot she’s the Elven Queen,’ Anon thought, a smile on his face.
Sam approached the stage.
“Well, ladies and gentlemen, many different and unbelievable things happened today. Even the history of our kingdom was altered by a very powerful young man. But in the end, it’s all good. Today, we’ve learned that no foreign force can conquer our kingdom as long as we have promising youngsters like Mr. Gryphon, Mr. Jule, and Miss Elowen.”
“This doesn’t end here. Today was just the first day of the academic exchange event, and I guarantee we’ll bring you more talented candidates over the next fifteen days. After those fifteen days, the elimination of candidates will begin, and that’s when the real competition starts. So, make sure to return, everyone. I’ll take my leave now and ask our Queen to offer some words of motivation before her departure,” Sam declared as he stepped down from the stage.
Fiona stood up and walked a few steps forward…
“Hello, my children. Since you all witnessed what Mr. Jule did today and you all know why I chose him to fight for me in this year’s Academic Exchange Event. He is very strong, as you all saw just now. I don’t want to discriminate among my children, so I’m giving you all an equal chance to earn the reward you work hard for.”
“Mr. Jule, the candidate fighting for Royalty, my official candidate. Anyone who faces him from tomorrow onward and wins even a single match against him will be declared the immediate winner of this entire Exchange Event,” Fiona announced.
A moment of utter silence enveloped the entire Colosseum, and then everyone burst into different expressions—shock, jealousy, anger.
“M-My Queen, what are you saying? It’s not ethical to—” Mrs. Glen tried to speak but was immediately cut off by Fiona’s smile.
“What’s wrong, Mrs. Glen? Don’t you have faith in Maison?” Fiona asked.
“I-It’s not that. What if someone else defeats Mr. Jule and becomes the tournament’s winner, while Maison doesn’t even get a chance to face him?” Mrs. Glen inquired.
“You’re right, Mrs. Glen,” Fiona replied, thinking for a moment.
“Thank you—”
“Mr. Jule, do you intend to lose to someone in this competition?” Fiona asked, smiling.
“I don’t,” Anon replied with a smile.
“Will you lose in this competition, Mr. Jule?” Fiona inquired again, looking at Mrs. Glen this time.
“I won’t,” Anon replied, his expression calm and carefree.
“You see, I know what I’m saying, and if he loses, he’ll pay with his life,” Fiona added, addressing Mrs. Glen.
“I-I see, My Queen,” Mrs. Glen said, immediately ending the discussion.
“I’ll take my leave now, my children. I’ll see you tomorrow morning,” Fiona concluded as she exited the Colosseum with Anon and the other ministers.
Once the Queen left the Colosseum, it erupted in noise.
“What the hell?”
“The Queen just declared that, didn’t she?” .𝘤𝑜𝑚
“Let’s go to the match-setting committee and see if I have a match with him.”
“I think she really has so much confidence in him.”
“Who the hell is that guy? Did you see that technique he used? It was at the very least an S-rank ability.”
The audience buzzed with conversation and exited the Colosseum.
“My Queen, are you sure about this?” one of the mages asked.
“Yes, my Queen. If it was a mistake in your speech, we can correct it for you,” another mage added.
“I’m sure about this, and it’s not a mistake in my speech. Just let it happen. I believe in that kid. Look at him; he’s here to win. He won’t go down that easily; there’s something special about him. I felt it when he picked up that Trumpet, and he’s definitely going to win this tournament,” Fiona said.
“I pray that the great gods grant your wishes, my Queen.”
They all boarded their carriages and returned to their homes.
“Wait, my home is here—” Anon began, but the carriage sped past his home without slowing down.
“You’re not going to live there anymore, Mr. Jule. Your mother and sister have been moved to the Royal Palace. Until your house is ready for use again and while you’re participating in the Academic Exchange Event, you’ll stay with me in the Royal Palace,” Fiona explained.
‘Hehehe…. This is what you call ‘The key to the treasury fell into my lap on its own. Let’s start the main body corruption,’ Anon thought with a silent smile.