48

Ladies and gentlemen, as you witnessed, Anon has taken the lead in the race, and he shows no signs of slowing down. He races toward his objective, displaying no hint of fatigue or weariness," Seraphina spoke with unwavering determination, her voice carrying the weight of anticipation.

"Seraphina, I doubt Luna will accept defeat so easily. She will undoubtedly strive to reclaim her position in the race," Landon chuckled, his eyes gleaming with mischief.

"Well, we shall have to wait and see," Seraphina replied calmly, her gaze focused on the unfolding events.

"Damn it, I must take action," Seti muttered as she strode away from the noble students' section. Her mind raced with thoughts of vengeance and cunning strategies to derail Anon's unstoppable momentum.

"How can he jump so high? And an S-Rank skill? It's clear he's cheating. I thought they would back down after the food incident, but that bastard Anon... It's time to play my second card," Seti fumed with anger, her steps quickening as she navigated the school's corridors. Determined and fueled by her desire for victory, she sought to tip the scales in her favor.

Entering an empty room, Seti retrieved a small glass ball from her pocket, its surface shimmering with mystical energy. She held it tightly, her eyes narrowing with determination.

"Yes, ma'am?" a voice emanated from the ball, a loyal servant awaiting her command.

"Release them and ensure he doesn't make it past the next obstacle alive," Seti commanded, her voice laced with a chilling resolve.

"As you command, but what about the payment?" the voice inquired cautiously.

"You will receive payment once the job is done," Seti responded in a furious tone, her grip on the ball tightening.

"Y-Yes, ma'am."

Crack

Krrrr

The voice abruptly ceased, and the crystal ball shattered into countless fragments, a symbolic representation of Seti's unyielding determination to defeat anon.

"Utterly useless maggots," Seti muttered, her voice dripping with disdain, as she stepped out of the room, leaving behind the shattered remnants of her plan.

"As you can see, both our contestants are progressing toward the next hurdle, with Anon still in the lead, while Luna remains several kilometers behind him," Landon addressed the audience, his voice resonating with excitement.

"Seraphina, could you enlighten our viewers about the next hurdle in the race?" Landon inquired, his eyes fixated on Seraphina, awaiting her explanation.

"Of course! The next challenge is the 'Draven Nightshade Desert,'" Seraphina announced, her words infused with an air of mystery and danger.

[In the heart of this unforgiving kingdom lies the Draven Nightshade Desert, an arid expanse that defies mortal expectations and scoffs at the notion of life's fragility. This merciless wasteland stretches endlessly, its sandy dunes undulating like ancient serpents frozen in time. Here, sunlight suffocates beneath an eternal shroud of darkness, and the whispers of the wind carry tales of dread and despair.

At first glance, the Draven Nightshade Desert may appear desolate, but beware, for its true treachery lurks within the obsidian shadows that enshroud the land at nightfall. As twilight descends, the desert transforms into a realm of nightmares, a twisted theater of horrors orchestrated by the malevolent hand of the nocturnal realm. The once-hopeful stars become mere glimmers of false solace amidst the haunting abyss.

Within the inky blackness, the desert awakens with sinister life. Vicious creatures, born of darkness and solitude, emerge from their subterranean sanctuaries, their eyes gleaming with otherworldly malevolence. Predators lurk, their fangs poised to taste the essence of unsuspecting souls foolish enough to wander into this cursed domain. Beware the sand vipers, their scales shimmering like shards of midnight, waiting to strike with venomous precision. And behold the Draven Nightshade Scorpions, their pincers and stingers adorned with a venom that transforms life into a waking nightmare.

But it is not only the creatures that menace the unwary traveler. The very environment itself seems hell-bent on claiming souls. Shifting sands conceal treacherous sinkholes, ready to swallow the unsuspecting without a trace. Whirlwinds of razor-sharp grit assail all who dare venture forth, their relentless onslaught tearing at flesh and spirit alike. And as the temperature plummets, an icy chill seeps into the bones of those unfortunate enough to linger, freezing their hearts with unforgiving cold.]

"Woah, that sounds incredibly dangerous, Seraphina. It sends shivers down my spine," Landon commented, his eyes wide with awe.

"The cold in that desert at night is enough to claim lives, which is why only a few tribesmen dare to reside there. Will Anon be able to cross the desert? Or, more importantly, will he survive the ordeal?" Seraphina spoke, her voice laced with suspense, holding the audience captive.

"Oh, that's truly terrifying. Will both Anon and Luna overcome this perilous hurdle?" Landon asked, eager for Seraphina's insight.

"Luna possesses the advantage of being a werewolf, her blood running warmer than a human's. I believe she will navigate the desert with relative ease. As for Anon, the commoner, I remain uncertain," Jake chimed in, his voice brimming with curiosity.

"I've utilized a spell to analyze his body, and it appears that the commoner's mana is running low," Samantha interjected, her voice tinged with intrigue.

"I know that, Big Sis," Jake replied with confidence, his gaze fixed upon Anon.

"Whoa, you can do that?" Frank exclaimed in surprise, his eyes widening.

"Yes, witchcraft knows no limitations of distance. Haven't you heard?" Samantha replied, her voice carrying a hint of amusement.

"Well, I'm learning something new today, and it's absolutely fascinating. Can you use your powers to make him stumble right now?" Frank inquired eagerly, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

"No, if a witch's spell fails, she faces twice the damage as a backlash," Jake interjected, his tone cautionary.

"Yes, my big brother is absolutely right. The commoner seems to possess a protective barrier that repels my spells. If I were to force my way through, I fear I would harm myself more than him," Samantha explained, her voice filled with a sense of caution.

"Wait, you call her big sister, and you call him big brother? Who among you is older?" Frank questioned, curiosity piqued.

"Neither of us is older. We were born on the same day, and we show mutual respect by using those titles," Jake clarified, a sense of pride in his voice.

"Yes, my big brother is correct," Samantha affirmed, a warm smile crossing her face.

"Thank you, Big Sis," Jake added gratefully.

'What an intriguing pair of siblings,' Frank mused, his thoughts filled with newfound respect.

"Who will be running next from our side?" Frank inquired, eager to know the next participant.

"I will take the chance." Samantha declared confidently, her eyes shining with determination.

"Another woman?" Frank exclaimed, his surprise evident.

"Pardon me?" Samantha turned around, a quizzical expression on her face.

'Oh, no, I forgot how much they value equality and respect,' Frank quickly realized his mistake.

"Hehe," Jake chuckled softly, finding amusement in the situation as he glanced at Frank.

"Haha, what I meant to say is, it's great to have another strong competitor representing our side. That's truly remarkable," Frank quickly corrected himself, his face reddening slightly.

"yeah, Forget about it then." Frank apoke in a mocking tone.

"What ?" Samantha asked in confusion.

"I was merely wishing you good luck for your turn and hoping you'll defeat him, Madam." Frank casually remarked.

"I require no luck to crush a Weak Commoner like him. I am the daughter of Witch Household." Samantha replied with unwavering confidence.

'Yeah, yeah, give it your best shot, you stupid blabbering girl. Even the king would struggle to take him down now and you, a dishwasher faced girl, believe you can triumph over such a monster. Quite amusing you stupid kid." Frank thought, a faint smile playing on his lips as he turned his attention back to the screen.

'But what will you do now, Anon? Your mana is running low, and I doubt there's a spell in the whole world that can replenish it rapidly." Frank contemplated as he observed anon running towards the desert.

[Critical Alert: Mana Remaining 10%, Mana Fatigue will initiate.]

A screen popped up in front of anon. The screen was shining crimson red, altering anon of his mana loss.

[Stamina Boost skill time over. Available again in 4:59 seconds.]

Another screen popped up in front of anon.

"Cease all current skills, i am using right now." Anon commanded.

In an instant, every skill he had been utilizing came to a halt, and the crimson red flames that enveloped his body extinguished in an instant.

Anon halted just a few steps shy of the desert's entrance and settled himself on the ground.

"Huh? What is this? Am I seeing this correctly?" Landon exclaimed in surprise.

"No, Landon, your eyesight is perfectly fine. This lad named Anon has stopped running. He's sitting on the ground near the desert's entrance. I'm not sure what's going through his mind, but something seems amiss," Seraphina explained.

"Why did he stop?"

"What's wrong with him? Why did he suddenly halt?"

"Has he run out of mana?"

"Perhaps he's out of stamina?"

Various conversations erupted within the crowd as everyone observed Anon, motionless on the ground, casting his gaze back at the path he had traversed.

'That Commoner leapt across the valley in a single bound. Just how strong is he? Am I truly so feeble? Can I accomplish the same feat? What are his limits? Can i defeat him in a 1v1 match ?' Luna pondered, her thoughts consumed by the enigma that was Anon.

"Huh? Is that...?" As Luna sprinted at full speed, hoping to catch up with Anon, she caught sight of a figure seated on the side of the road, looking at her coming towards him.

Closing the distance between them, her suspicions were confirmed as she passed by Anon without sparing him a second glance because her speed was too high to observe anything in the way.

"Why is he sitting there? Is something amiss? Has he depleted his mana? Or perhaps his stamina?" Luna's mind was filled with questions previously but now it overflowed with questions upon witnessing this sight.

"Oh, damn. Don't tell me he's mocking me? Is he trying to show the world that he can catch up to me, even when I'm hundreds of kilometers ahead oh him, whereas I failed to do the same when he left me behind? That must be the only reason he stopped. He wants to prove that I'm nothing more than a helpless puppy. I won't allow it. I must run faster if I want to win. How arrogant can a man be?" Luna mused, a whirlwind of thoughts swirling through her mind while Anon patiently waited for his skill cooldown to reset at the desert's starting point.

[Skill Cooldown: 10]

A screen showed the cooldown for his skill.

"Excellent," Anon remarked as he opened his inventory, retrieving an item from his inventory and revealing it to the audience.

A purple potion, stored within a golden bordered glass bottle.

"Is my eyesight deceiving me? Or Is that an actual Special Grade Mana Potion?" Landon exclaimed, astounded.

"What the...? A special grade potion?"

"Unbelievable! It must be a fake, I swear. It's a counterfeit, no doubt."

"Haha...he thinks he can fool us with these cheap tricks."

The crowd buzzed with discussions about the potion, if it was real or fake.

"No, Landon, have you lost your mind? A special grade mana potion is a rare find, even for the wealthiest traders in the kingdom. Do you honestly think a Commoner could possess one? I'm certain it's nothing more than a regular mana potion, dyed purple and stored inside a counterfeit, golden adorned bottle," Seraphina quickly retorted.

The audience returned to their normal state upon hearing Seraphina's words.

"Ha, she's right. How could a poor kid like him have something my own father doesn't? He's just putting on a show at this point.". A rich trader's son spoke.

"He thought he could deceive us, but little did he know that after consuming any potion, the same color emits from your body that the potion is originally made of. If it were a normal mana potion, his body would radiate a brilliant blue light," a teacher explained.

"Teacher, what if he tampered with that as well?" a noble child inquired.

"Son, that's the one thing that cannot be altered with, even for the greatest magic user in the world, it's a really hard task." the teacher replied.

"Sigh, you costed me a fortune, my friend. You'd better deliver what the shop manager promised me." Anon muttered as he scrutinized the purple potion before him.

Gulp

He removed the cork from the glass bottle's top and began consuming the potion.

Instantly, a purple aura enveloped Anon's body, and a message materialized before him.

[100% of your mana has been restored, mana fatigue debuff has been lifted successfully.]

"Damn, this tastes like gutter water. But it did its job. Now it's time for me to complete my job," Anon declared, rising from the ground as another message appeared in front of him.

[Skill reset complete!!! Skill <Stamina Boost> now available.]

"Alright, let's start this." Anon declared as he rose from the roadside.

"Seraphina, did you witness that? His body just emanated a purple glow. It indicates that a Commoner has used a special grade mana potion, isn't it ?" Landon inquired.

"I-I can't fathom this. How can a Commoner like him acquire such an extraordinary potion?" Seraphina questioned, her voice tinged with confusion.

"That's a forgery, he's cheating. He tampered with the potion," a teacher accused, pointing at the screen.

"But sir, you explicitly stated that the potion couldn't be tampered with, didn't you?" a student challenged.

"That—" he fell silent, his shame evident as he lowered his gaze.

Anon activated his skill, <Boundless Velocity>.

[Boundless Velocity] [Spearman Class Exclusive Skill] [C-Rank]

[In the realm of the extraordinary, where limits crumble beneath unwavering determination, resides a skill of unparalleled might: <Boundless Velocity>. With this skill coursing through your veins, you become an unstoppable force, defying resistance as you traverse any terrain with unmatched speed. No longer confined by the laws that bind ordinary beings, <Boundless Velocity> unleashes a torrent of limitless momentum, propelling you beyond the boundaries of what was once deemed possible. Whether navigating treacherous mountains or desolate wastelands, the terrain becomes your ally, surrendering to your indomitable will.

With <Boundless Velocity> activated, obstacles crumble in your wake. Rocks and boulders shrink to mere pebbles beneath your feet, and thorny thickets yield, bowing to your unstoppable advance. Each step resounds with the thunderous echoes of determination a symphony of power and velocity reverberating through the air.]

[Mana: 300/hour]

'If I want to run continuously on this terrain without any stops, I must use this skill; otherwise, the friction of the sand will significantly decrease my speed,' Anon pondered as a faint red glow enveloped his body.

"Ladies and gentlemen, as you can see, Anon has risen once more and employed an unknown spell. Will he resume running, or is there another purpose to his actions?" Landon announced.

In an empty room within the academy...

"Do not release them, i repeat do not release them, you incompetent fools," Seti shouted at a crystal ball resembling the one she shattered before.

"But ma'am, we have already released them. We can't retrieve them now."

"Worthless imbeciles." She spoke as disappointment appeared clearly in her eyes.

Crack

Pfzzzt

Seti shattered yet another crystal ball, her eyes ablaze with anger.

"Anon Agreil, you will pay for this," Seti vowed as she exited the room.

<Stamina Boost>

<Phoenix Ignition>

Crimson flames immediately engulfed Anon's body as he resumed his sprint, leaving behind a scorching trail.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the Commoner named Anon has resumed his run and his flames have returned." Seraphina announced.

"Seraphina, what do you think? Will he be able to catch up with Luna now that she is running several kilometres ahead of him ?" Landon inquired.

"I can't say for certain, Landon, but what I can say is that he won't feel any cold in the desert because he is enveloped in those scorching flames," Seraphina replied.

"That's true. Wait, look over there," Landon pointed at the screen, where Luna was running through the desert.

"What is it?" Seraphina asked.

"I believe there's something beneath Luna's tracks. Look, the sand is shifting," Landon observed.

"Oh, yes, you're right. Could it be a desert viper or a scorpion? Is this the first monster of the tournament?" Seraphina's voice filled with suspense.

'What are these? I can't use any skills while using [Lightning Sprint]; I must avoid any fights for now,' Luna thought as she tried to predict the direction of the first attack from the unknown creature lurking beneath the sand.

'It's keeping pace with me? What kind of creature is this? I've never heard of a creature that can move this swiftly beneath the sand,' Luna contemplated as numerous monster scans flashed through her mind.

Suddenly, the movements beneath the sand multiplied, spreading from one location to several places surrounding Luna.

"Damn it, it has allies," Luna realized as she observed the creatures circling her with matching speed.

"Oh, shit!" Seraphina exclaimed, comprehension dawning upon her.

"What happened, Seraphina?" Landon asked as he understood that seraphina knows something about the creatures that are following luna.

"They are the poisonous golden frogs of Draven desert," Seraphina uttered.

"What? But they went extinct centuries ago. How can they be here?" Landon questioned.

"What poisonous golden frogs?"

"Damn it, Luna's in danger."

"I believe they're about to attack her."

The noble students started discussing the situation fervently.

[Poisonous Golden Frog] [AA Rank Desert Monster]

[Deep within the treacherous Draven Nightshade desert, a fearsome creature lurks—the Poisonous Golden Frog. Adorned in a vibrant golden hue, this monstrous entity evokes both awe and dread in the hearts of those who dare cross its path.

Under the veil of darkness, when the moon's glow casts an eerie light upon the desert, the Poisonous Golden Frog emerges from its hidden lair. With lightning speed, it navigates the treacherous terrain, propelled by muscular legs that allow it to surpass all other land creatures. Graceful yet deadly, it traverses the desert floor, leaving naught but ripples in its wake.

They went extinct 100 years ago due to being hunted for their skins, which were used to make cloth for noble women.]

"Come on, girl, at least dodge their attacks," Seti muttered in a low tone as she focused on the screen before her.

Letti, on the other side, regarded Seti with suspicion in her eyes.

Ribbit

A sudden sound emanated from behind Luna.

As she swiftly turned around, she encountered a colossal creature—frog-like in appearance, golden and adorned with black dots—twice her size, its gaping maw aiming to consume her from behind.

"Fuckkk..." she exclaimed, narrowly evading the attack by shifting her body to the right.

Ribbit.

The golden frog swiftly submerged into the sand as its failed attack and resumed pursuit of Luna with unyielding speed.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Luna is struggling against the golden frogs. These creatures went extinct a century ago, yet they have reappeared somehow. What will Luna do now? Will she fight or flee?" Landon inquired.

"Fuck, right? No, left," Luna declared, gracefully evading yet another attack from the golden frog on her left side.

"Luna Warwood showcases her exceptional dodging skills once again, but how long can she continue to elude the Golden Frog's relentless assault?" Landon commented.

Abruptly, the sand beneath Luna fell dead silent.

"Huh...? What's going on?" Luna wondered aloud, sensing an eerie stillness and the absence of movement around her.

"The golden frogs have vanished from Luna's path. Have they abandoned her?" Samantha questioned.

"No..." Jake responded.

Frank and Samantha glanced at Jake, noting his closed eyes and his hands clasped together in a cupped formation.

"Brother! Don't tell me. Are you using that spell?" Samantha asked, surprise evident in her expression.

"What spell?" Frank inquired.

"A forbidden tracking spell called 'Soul Tracer'," Samantha revealed.

"Why is it forbidden?" Frank pressed for an explanation.

"When you wish to closely track someone, you cast this spell. It divides your soul into two parts, allowing you to control the other part and monitor your target regardless of the distance. However, if the user's soul fragment is discovered or destroyed, the spellcaster will perish instantly," Samantha explained, fear appearing in her eyes.

"Whoa, that's one dangerous spell," Frank remarked, eyeing Jake intently.

"Yes, that's precisely why it's forbidden," Samantha affirmed.

"They are approaching her from the front," Jake announced.

"Brother, recall your soul before it becomes useless to you. I doubt your body can function properly with only half a soul," Samantha urged in tension that her brother will die at this rate.

Ribbit

Suddenly, a sound reached Luna's ears from the front.

"Fuck!" she exclaimed.

"Shit! They're going to attack me head-on. I can't afford to stop now. I must use my claws or it will be game over for me." Luna thought, extending her sharp claws from her fingertips, preparing for the impending assault.

Ribbit

A golden frog leaped out of the sand directly in front of her with his mouth wide open, he was fully prepared to devour her in one attack.

"Fuck you, ugly frog!" Luna shouted, driving both sets of claws into the frog's abdomen, tearing it apart.

Ribbit.

The torn halves of the frog fell onto the sand, swiftly regenerating and giving rise to another frog from the other half.

Both frogs burrowed into the sand, resuming their pursuit of Luna.

"What? How did this happen, Seraphina? Anything you know about this ?" Landon queried, astonishment coloring his voice.

"These golden frogs are mutated," Seraphina responded gravely, her attention fixed on the screen.

"Can you provide further explanation, Seraphina?" Landon prodded.

"When a golden frog consumes the flesh of a sandworm, it undergoes mutation. These mutated golden frogs possess extraordinary regenerative abilities as their primary skill. They can regenerate from even a single body part. If you divide them into four parts, four golden frogs will emerge from the fragments," Seraphina elaborated.

Kia's class...

"Wow, that's frightening. But how can a frog of that size devour a sandworm? Aren't they much larger and residing deep within the sand? I heard they only emerge in the seventh month of the year," a student inquired.

"Not if someone feeds them intentionally." Kia responded.

"Why would someone... Oh, now I understand," the student realized, comprehending that it was a ploy by the nobles.

'Why would they release them against their own student ? Is it to deceive the audience? No, I don't believe it necessitates such an elaborate cover-up. So why?' Kia pondered, various thoughts racing through her mind.

"Fuck, my hands are burning," Luna exclaimed, inspecting her nails.

To her dismay, she noticed that a green liquid had dissolved her nails.

Swiftly, she vigorously shook off as much acid as possible, swinging her hands forcefully.

"Fuck! Double mutation! This was all planned..." Luna remarked, realizing that the golden frogs were strategizing another frontal attack.

When golden desert frogs mate with the acidic frogs found in the northern forests of Trantamom, they undergo a mutation wherein their internal skin becomes filled with a highly dangerous acid. This acid burns and liquifies bones, making it easier for the frogs to digest, akin to meat.

However, this mutation was a one-time experiment for research purposes and was never replicated due to the extinction of the golden frogs. Moreover, this mutation cannot occur naturally since the Draven Desert and the Trantamom Forest are at least 2000 kilometers apart.

Luna quickly comprehended that everything had been premeditated.

"That's why that bastard stopped at the beginning of the desert. Fuck," Luna muttered, continuing to evade the frogs' attacks. Yet, she noticed their numbers multiplying over time.

"Oh my god, Luna is surrounded by golden frogs from all sides. Dodging the next attack won't be easy. What are your thoughts, Seraphina?" Landon inquired.

"I believe this was a cunning trick, regardless of which side orchestrated it, i can't say if, they were nobles or the Commoners but good trick." Seraphina responded, contemplating from which direction the deception had originated, be it the nobles or the commoners.

Everyone became aware that the double-mutated golden frogs were not a natural occurrence but a premeditated scheme.

Yet, the question remained, 'Who was responsible?'

The nobles suspected the commoners, while the commoners pointed fingers at the nobles. However, one person entertained a different theory.

Clap-Clap

Seti suddenly began clapping.

"Wow, wow, wow. Ms. Letti, you've played a nasty trick this time, haven't you?" Seti remarked, a smile adorning her face.

"What do you mean?" Letti inquired, suspicion etched on her features.

"What do I mean? You unleashed those double-mutated golden frogs on my student because you believed you couldn't win this competition without cheating. You instructed your student to wait at the desert's starting point, allowing Luna to pass him so you could execute your deceitful plan and halt her progress, am I correct?

You even employed a fake mana potion to create the illusion that he had depleted his mana, diverting our attention from the race. You possess a cunning mind, Ms. Luna." Seti accused Letti, laying the blame squarely on her shoulders.

"What?"