Chapter 362 – Chapter 156: Before the Duel
Young Master Ig arrived at the arena, accompanied by Miss Ophi, Miss Flarn, and Dofiraia, who were there to cheer him on. Shiel, looking dejected, sat to the side, ignoring Young Master Ig.
However, as Young Master Ig turned back, he noticed the girl’s presence.
“This girl, honestly…”
As he was about to enter, Young Master Ig rested his forehead on his hand, a bitter smile on his face. He clearly found his sister troublesome. Young Master Ig couldn’t help but recall the conversation he’d had with Miss Verafia about Shiel in the carriage.
“After all, Shiel depends on you a lot, Young Master Ig. I’ve heard her mention you several times at the academy.”
Dofiraia chuckled as she handed the End back to the young man after temporarily enhancing his weapon with compatibility attributes, and then teased him.
However, she clearly saw the awkward expression on the young man’s face and winked: “By the way, Young Master Ig, about Princess Misella earlier… what were you thinking?”
“…Miss Dofi, why are you suddenly asking this?”
Young Master Ig asked, confused, but seeing the curious look in her eyes, he couldn’t help but touch his nose: “What else could it be? Since Miss Aixi’s letter to Shiel mentioned Princess Misella… I think the reasonable intersection would be the Aris Academy in the Royal Capital.”
Aris Academy was the best university in the entire Peka Kingdom, with incredibly strong teaching staff and resources. Not only did it boast scholars and professors with deep resumes, but many Saint Rank individuals and Court Mages from the King’s royal court also held teaching positions and personally imparted their knowledge.
Therefore, with the strong support of the King of Peka, for decades, Aris Academy’s domains, including magic, alchemy, astrology, and even Dou Qi-based swordsmanship, were undoubtedly top-tier on the entire continent, not inferior to Hong En University, known as the Royal Academy in the Empire.
Shiel, Elishia, Dofiraia, and this Princess Misella were naturally studying at this academy.
“Aris Academy… Hmm, Princess Misella hasn’t graduated yet, but then what?”
Dofiraia suddenly vaguely realized she might have misunderstood the young man’s thoughts, but after a moment’s thought, her eyes rippled, and she soon smiled sweetly: “Could it be, Young Master Ig, that you think Miss Aixi wants you to go to Aris Academy?”
Yes, this logic made perfect sense. For Young Master Ig, he had to go to Lichen first to meet this little princess.
“The only possibility I can think of is probably this.”
Dofiraia blinked. She didn’t expect Young Master Ig to admit it so readily.
“It’s just as I thought. But, Young Master Ig, do you know how you should treat Miss Vera…”
At the same time, Young Master Ig’s voice continued:
“However, Miss Dofi should know that with my talent, there isn’t much chance of me getting into Aris Academy. If Miss Aixi wants to give me ‘another’ opportunity through the little princess… I guess she wrote to Shiel because she wants me to be Princess Misella’s attendant?”
As a renowned top institution on the continent, the selection criteria for Aris Academy were naturally extremely strict. Not only were there strict limits on age and strength, but even setting aside comments on talent, a letter of recommendation from just one Saint Rank could stump most people… Of course, becoming an attendant to Princess Misella would make entering the academy much easier.
Furthermore, being an attendant to a princess would not damage one’s self-esteem or insult Lord Marquis Mays’s status, and the resources Young Master Ig would enjoy at the academy would not be significantly different.
This was what Young Master Ig thought. Elishia writing to Shiel was also to persuade him and his father through her. This was a perfectly reasonable logic and outcome.
However, Young Master Ig looked up and saw Dofiraia’s wide eyes on her exquisite cheeks, looking incredulous. He couldn’t help but ask: “Miss Dofi, why are you making that face? Did I say something wrong?”
“Cough, cough, at least, theoretically, there’s no problem…”
“This is just my guess.”
Young Master Ig said, but then he seemed to think of something: “But why did Miss Dofi mention Veer just now?”
“Cough, cough, I was thinking… if Young Master Ig agreed, would Miss Verafia be unhappy…”
The girl, having finally regained her composure, stiffened again upon hearing Young Master Ig’s words, a sheepish smile appearing on her cheek as she mumbled.
“Unhappy?”
Young Master Ig thought about it and realized it was indeed the case.
Although he and this Miss Phoenix seemed to have confirmed their relationship, the girl was still quite insistent on her status as a “Young Lady.” If he were to turn around and become Princess Misella’s attendant, this little phoenix would surely be furious.
He immediately smiled and replied: “Miss Dofi is right. But of course, I have no reason to leave Miss Vera… While I am grateful for Miss Aixi’s kind intentions, I don’t feel the need to go to Aris Academy.”
Yes, let alone anything else, Young Master Ig had benefited greatly from being by this little phoenix’s side during these days. Even receiving guidance from a Saint Rank personally would not necessarily be better… As for Princess Misella, who was as famous as Elishia, although Young Master Ig was indeed very interested, how could she compare to Verafia?
“Haha. Yes, yes…”
Dofiraia responded perfunctorily, her frost-colored pupils looking at the young man. Young Master Ig, with his way of thinking – should she praise him, or should she praise him?
—
The rather strange conversation with Dofiraia didn’t take much time. After bidding farewell to the girls, Young Master Ig took his sword and headed towards the arena allocated to him.
On the arena paved with forged steel and white stone, his opponent for this round had already arrived. Young Master Ig looked up to observe them. Although the people on the field were not familiar faces, it was clear they were not from Lorinc.
However, Young Master Ig was lucky. His opponents in the first round were not at the Gold stage; most of them were Silver, with the remaining one, a young female mage, being Bronze.
Of course, as soon as Young Master Ig entered the arena, he felt all eyes on him.
Young Master Ig held his sword and raised his face, smiling at everyone: “It’s a pleasure to meet you all here. Everyone, please go easy on me later.”
“Young Master Ig, you don’t need to be modest. Everyone here knows that the clan is holding this temporary assessment just for you. In this first stage, I don’t believe you’ll need anyone to go easy on you.”
A swordsman with peak Silver Dou Qi cultivation stepped forward, his gaze filled with fighting spirit as he looked at him:
“However, it’s thanks to this system that we can meet a big shot like you… If I can witness the true teachings of Lord Marquis from you, it will be a worthwhile trip for me. As for the promotion spots, let the victory decide!”
