Chapter 384: The Phenomenal Geniuses

"Should we really include children under ten years old in the competition? Your Highness Muria, perhaps this category could be omitted? They are just kids who haven't fully grown yet," the Finance Minister said with some concern, wondering if Muria, the golden dragon regent, might have some misunderstandings about human capabilities.

Although humans reach maturity much faster compared to dragons, it's rare for children under ten to be combat-ready.

"Your Excellency, splitting it into five age categories seems excessive, doesn't it? The category for those under ten years old can be eliminated, and even the eleven to fifteen-year-olds, do they really need their own category? How strong can children of that age group be?"

Several ministers spoke up, hoping to reduce the logistical demands of Muria's decision. They couldn't dissuade him from holding the competition, but they hoped to lessen the workload.

After all, no matter what decision Muria made, it was these ministers who had to carry it out—a typical case of the king merely speaking, while his subjects ran ragged. If they could make their tasks a bit lighter, they would. Besides, it seemed unnecessary to make such young children compete.

"Hmph, do you think our kingdom is still the same as it was thirty years ago?" Muria scoffed. "You all know we are in an era where geniuses abound, but just how many there are and how powerful they've become, you probably don't have the time or interest to find out."

"Mia, show these 'dignitaries' the data we've collected on these geniuses. Let them see to what extent the talents of our nation have become monstrous."

"Ladies and gentlemen, please look." Mia, standing beside Muria with a composed and modest smile, waved her hand, and servants entered from a side door, delivering startling documents to the powerful officials.

"Isef, eight years old, a Silver Tier One mage. On a trip outside, she encountered a band of marauders. Isef slaughtered 134 of them by herself, including their leader who was a Silver Tier Two... "

"Nord, origins unknown, estimated age thirteen, strength Silver Tier Four. Possesses an unknown explosive combat technique that significantly boosts his strength to Gold level for a short period, estimated duration fifteen minutes. Known for severely wounding a Gold Tier Two vampire using this technique."

"..."

The officials in the council hall, looking through the documents of various geniuses collected by Muria's order, grew more astonished by the minute. Many couldn't keep their composure, murmuring words like "impossible" under their breath.

"Your Highness Muria, this information about the geniuses..."

"I have verified these details repeatedly; you needn't worry about their authenticity."

"Of course, you wouldn't deceive us with false information."

"Does anyone still think we need to cancel the lowest two age categories?" Muria asked emotionlessly.

"Your wisdom surpasses us, Your Excellency; we were ignorant."

"Not knowing is not a fault." Muria waved dismissively, unconcerned. These officials didn't have the same access to secret intelligence as he did, so their ignorance was understandable. "Let's continue discussing the details of the competition."

"Your Majesty, if the competition is divided into five age categories, will we not end up with five top talents in the kingdom?"

"Correct." Muria smiled. "We can't possibly have a thirty-year-old compete against a ten-year-old for the top spot. That wouldn't be fair. Even splitting it into five categories is only relatively fair."

...As time passed in discussion with the dignitaries, the scope of the competition was vast, and given Muria's decision to impose almost no restrictions other than age, the number of participants was expected to be enormous.

In the early stages of the competition, the kingdom as the organizer would face significant pressure, which would only decrease as the real talents were filtered through to later stages.

When all details regarding the competition—its format, timing, venues, and rewards—were finalized, the sun had risen and set twice.

"You have all worked hard." Muria, looking refreshed and smiling, observed the tired faces of the dignitaries. It was fortunate they all possessed extraordinary powers; otherwise, ordinary people subjected to such demands might have collapsed.

"For the prosperity and stability of the kingdom, this is necessary." When Muria encouraged them, one of the nobles, already muddled from excessive thinking, replied automatically, his response conditioned by habit.

"Then bear with me a little longer. Go and start arranging the promotional work for the competition. Ensure that many people are aware of this grand event. Registration begins in half a month."

Hearing Muria's command, the fatigued ministers and nobles, some of whom were ready to collapse from exhaustion, resentfully looked at the noble who had just spoken.

 But ultimately, they had no choice but to comply and begin the arrangements.

...

In a certain city within a province of the Lockman Kingdom, a young man with an axe slung over his shoulder excitedly approached a villa near the city center. He kicked open the finely crafted steel gate of the villa owner with casual disregard.

"Anz, stop messing with your potions and come out, I've got great news."

Ignoring the new footprint on the gate, the axe-bearing youth, sniffing the odd smell of the herb-filled yard, entered the luxuriously decorated villa, holding his breath as he pushed open the front door.

Expecting a corrosive green fog that didn't appear, the youth hesitated briefly before entering with joy, his burly figure carrying a battle axe as tall as himself, surprisingly agile as he deftly avoided objects like specimens and test tubes in the living room.

"Anz, have you succeeded with your new potion?" He made his way directly to the master of the house, a figure in a grimy mage's robe, wearing thick crystal glasses and sporting a full beard, looking much like a middle-aged man.

"Bang!" Just as the youth finished speaking, the crucible containing the fragrant herbal potion exploded, releasing a puff of dense smoke before turning into a black, stinking sludge.

"Yaheng, you're paying for the failure of this potion," Anz said nonchalantly, shrugging off any responsibility for the mishap. "Now, what brings you here? Have you run out of the potions I gave you?"

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