A Changing Gaze

The grounds of the Knight Academy were crowded with more people than ever before. Among them, the proportion of outsiders was not significant since only invited individuals were allowed entry, and the majority were students.

Today was the final day of the tournament, and it was a special day with only the championship match remaining. The winner of the tournament would receive a one-year scholarship from the Academy as well as special rewards.

However, what the students aimed for in the tournament was not the financial benefits, but the fame. Especially since renowned figures from across the continent were present to watch the tournament, it was an unparalleled opportunity to make a name for themselves.

The VIP seats, which were scarce in the beginning, were now packed. Recognizable celebrities from their faces alone gathered in one place.

"We barely managed to get seats. How about you?"

"We did too!"

Louis and his group also arrived early to witness the highly anticipated final match.

Almost all the students of the Academy came to watch, and it was not an exaggeration to say that the crowd was massive. Despite that, the main arena was spacious enough to accommodate everyone and then some.

Thanks to that, the students of Monas Academy were also gathered in one area to watch.

Louis, who had been a Monas student until recently, looked in that direction, feeling nostalgic, and unexpectedly spotted someone he knew.

"Adrias Cromwell!"

Adrias Cromwell, the man who caused a commotion not long ago with his blue aura, was sitting there pretending to know one of the Monas students.

The matches he showed in the round of 32 had created an incredible reputation and fame. His swordsmanship was unbelievable for a mage, and in addition, he seemed to be using knight's mana as a secondary mana storage, something that was only found in a very small number of people.

Even that alone was astonishing, but he had almost defeated Dianne Alben.

'Could I defeat Senior Dianne with my current abilities?'

Louis felt doubt in response to that question.

The aura that Dianne showed that day was truly the pinnacle of a battle that could be seen as a mage.

Of course, there were undoubtedly mages stronger than her, but Louis was confident that there was no one her age, not just among the Academy students but also among those who had already graduated, who showed such power.

'However...'

Adrias almost defeated Dianne.

Of course, those who did not witness the match questioned the significance of "almost," but those who were there in person couldn't make a definitive judgment.

Adrias, with wounds all over his body, made a grand entrance. If he had not been injured, he could have easily turned the tide and claimed victory.

In any case, thanks to that match, chaos erupted both inside and outside the arena to the point where the other matches went unnoticed.

'There was no other way. The difference in skill was overwhelming; the other matches seemed like child's play.'

The only exception was the match of the other participant who created another twist, apart from Adrias.

Louise noticed a woman waiting inside the arena from a distance.

A Knight Academy student who single-handedly took down prominent contenders for the championship, Toldron, Dazam, and Aaron.

'Vivianne Velocan.'

While there were rumors of her being quite strong, it was said that she couldn't compete for the championship. However, she emerged as a senior who achieved exceptional victories in this tournament, ultimately reaching the finals.

But Louis' attention ultimately reached Adrias, who was conversing with a Monas student.

No matter how remarkable Vivianne's matches were, they couldn't compare to Adrias.

'I want to fight him.'

Louis burned with intense determination.

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"So, that's Adrias Cromwell?"

A somewhat sluggish-looking man spoke while stroking his chin.

The man with golden-white hair and a golden beard was none other than Duke Menus Mohaim, one of the pillars of the Empire and known as the Golden Menus.

The Mohaim family had a reputation as a prestigious magical lineage through generations, but the current head, Menus, had the unusual skill of hand-to-hand combat.

Wearing a white suit with numerous golden rings on his fingers, he looked more like a young boss of an organization than the head of a noble family.

"Yeah, that's him. By the way, I didn't expect you to attend an event like this, especially since you didn't even show up at the honorary event last time," Bart, who was sitting next to him, said.

Menus shrugged his shoulders in response, as if he couldn't bear the boredom.

"Well, it's the final match where the young master is participating. Of course, I should come to offer my congratulations. Why? Should I just go?"

Bart replied with a teasing tone, sticking out his tongue.

Menus' appearance and behavior were still the same as a year ago when Bart last saw him, not showing any signs of improvement.

"Still as cheeky as ever, huh? Haven't you learned your lesson yet?"

"Yes, yes. I apologize. It seems the match is about to begin. Shall we watch?"

As Menus mentioned, the match was about to start.

When Bart finally turned his head, Sinclaire Cloche, who had been observing them with a smile, laughed cheerfully.

"Hahaha! It's amusing how your reactions are always the same. Are you a married couple from a previous life? Hahaha!"

"Please, spare me. I don't want to hear such creepy remarks."

"Quiet! The match is about to begin."

Bart's outburst finally put an end to the banter between Sinclaire and Menus.

Soon, the announcer began the proceedings and introduced the participants.

Just as they were introducing Dianne, Menus asked, "By the way, Sir Bart, is it true that this seemingly gloomy guy almost defeated your daughter?"

"I'm curious too. I heard he flipped the arena floor with his sword. Is that true?"

Unable to contain himself any longer, Bart shouted, "I don't know, you guys! If you're so curious, go find out for yourselves and watch the match quietly! How dare you show interest in someone when our Dianne is competing!"

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Dianne had approached the match without any tension, but this time she couldn't hide her trembling heart.

'No need to be nervous.'

If she approached this match as calmly as the previous ones, she could still win.

Although Vivianne Velocan, her current opponent, was formidable enough that she couldn't let her guard down...

'Compared to back then...'

Having experienced a battle against Adrias, Dianne believed there wouldn't be a tougher opponent than him.

While she was briefly organizing her thoughts, Dianne suddenly looked up and noticed Vivianne Velocan, who was facing the audience instead of the arena, watching someone.

Unable to concentrate on the match due to her curiosity, Dianne saw Adrias Cromwell, who had never revealed his presence before, sitting in the audience with bandages all over his body.

Seeing him looking seemingly unharmed, Dianne felt an unexpected sense of relief.

But then, she shivered and shook her head.

'Why am I worried about Adrias!'

However, once she saw him, her desire to win the championship grew stronger.

Even though her father had said that Adrias not taking care of his body was also a form of skill, it was difficult for her to fully accept that.

Since she had come up in his place, it was hard for her to let go of the thought of repaying him with a victory.

As for Vivianne, she made a determination while looking at Adrias, who had made eye contact with her.

She vowed to defeat Dianne, to win in his place.

'I don't want to disappoint him.'

She wanted to show him a splendid performance through winning the championship.

In her original self, she would have participated in the matches with no passion, only to withdraw midway without giving her all.

But this year was different.

Adrias had awakened her true talent, and she wanted to widely spread the news of her true abilities and bring him joy.

If it weren't for him, she wouldn't have made it this far.

'Adrias, expect it. I will definitely hand you the championship trophy.'

Lost in her own imagination, Vivianne clenched her lips tightly.

While she was immersed in her thoughts, the familiar voice of the announcer, which she had become accustomed to, reached her ears.

"Thank you for waiting! The final match of the 58th Rodren Academy Spring Tournament is finally beginning!"

The eyes of the two women, Dianne and Vivianne, shone brightly.

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After the match with Dianne, Adrias had only regained consciousness a few hours ago.

Thankfully, it hadn't been several days of unconsciousness like before, and he had received treatment.

Despite not having any serious injuries compared to the number of wounds, Adrias spent a few days resting in the hospital.

He needed time to think, and he also needed rest after rushing things so much.

'Creating the Healing Potion and the Recovery Potion first was a smart move.'

After waking up from his unconsciousness immediately after the battle with Hosan, he quickly returned to the academy without knowing how long he had been unconscious.

Of course, he didn't forget to retrieve Hosan's corpse and his swords.

While returning to the academy, he showered his body with potions, almost to the point of worrying about potion addiction. Thanks to that, by the time he arrived at the academy, the bleeding had stopped, and the wounds had slightly healed.

'If only the performance was better.'

Lately, he felt it even more, but this place wasn't a game. Once you died, it was truly the end.

He felt the need to accelerate his research on potions and create better potions. Even if he had to put everything else aside, he initially thought of using the materials he obtained from the gathering to create potions.

The blue Kananjula flower and the Yovin root he had brought from the gathering were ingredients that supposedly cured all injuries and diseases in an elixir. Although the descriptions were exaggerated, it was certain that the potion was remarkable.

Upon checking, he found that the recipe for the elixir hadn't been discovered in this world yet.

'It's unlikely to exist. The blue Kananjula flower and the Yovin root are not common ingredients, and it's hard to even think of making something with these two ingredients.'

Unfortunately, he was eliminated from the tournament, but just witnessing Dianne's growth during the match made him proud.

Her growth was at an exceptional speed that he had never experienced in a game, which made him feel a sense of accomplishment.

After finishing the match, he took several days of rest and treatment in the hospital before finally being discharged on the day of the final.

No matter how much rest he needed, he couldn't resist the urge to attend the final.

'The future has changed.'

When he thought of the two participants in the final, the changed future became somewhat confusing.

Dianne was originally supposed to reach the final, but her opponent being Vivianne... It seemed there was an influence from him.

As he arrived at the grand arena and took his seat, he felt the attention of many people focused on him.

However, perhaps because he was covered in bandages, no one approached him or spoke to him.

"Brother!"

There were a few students sitting beside him who seemed to have come from Monas to watch the match, and among them was Benjamin.

He approached me with a worried expression.

"I heard the news. Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"Thank goodness. Really."

While listening to Benjamin's murmurs, I suddenly remembered the gifts I needed to give him.

It wouldn't be appropriate to give them here, so I decided to make plans for another time.

At that moment, I felt Vivianne's gaze on me from the arena.

When she saw me, her eyes ignited with determination as she clenched her fists.

'Vivianne has become strong too, unexpectedly, just like Dianne."

I didn't know how this event would affect the future, but even if the future had changed, I was determined to do my best to survive.

The game was just beginning.