Unbeknownst to Theo, as the people in the stands began discussing amongst themselves, one person slowly disappeared.
The young man carefully glanced around behind the stands, then pulled out his phone.
After tapping a few buttons, he raised it to his ear.
’’It’s done, my lady,’’ the man said, his voice low. ’’The puppets participated cleanly too.’’
The other end of the line remained silent for a mont.
’’Good,’’ a sweet, female voice finally echoed out. ’’How was the difference between Cedric and him?’’
The young man glanced around again, still spotting no one.
’’The difference between him and Cedric was larger than anticipated. Even at the end, it felt like Theo still had more cards available to him.’’
A faint chuckle echoed through the line.
’’Now how about that,’’ Sophia said, chuckling softly. ’’Any ideas on how I can turn him into a puppet?’’
’’I do not, my lady.’’
Sophia shook her head slightly.
’’It’s fine, Derek,’’ she said, her voice cold now. ’’If I can’t do it, I’ll just kill him and get the support from those branch mbers.’’
The young man’s expression shifted slightly.
’’But my lady, those mbers are caught up in their own dia disaster and are known for betrayal.’’
Sophia fell silent for a mont.
Then her voice beca ice-cold.
’’Don’t question ,’’ she said. ’’Keep spreading rumors. Make Theo’s life a living hell.’’
With that, the call ca to an end.
The young man, Derek, slowly put his phone back in his pocket, his expression darker now.
Without another word, he turned and returned to the arena.
anwhile, Theo had arrived in front of the registration desk.
’’Spectacular fight!’’ the clerk said, shaking with excitent. ’’I’m so glad I decided to trust you!’’
Theo smiled slightly as he leaned on the counter.
’’So, how much did you make this ti?’’
The clerk glanced around for a mont, the widest grin on his face.
Seeing no one around, he glanced back at Theo.
’’I put in three million dollars and tripled it!’’
The man was practically unable to contain his excitent at the thought.
’’A few more fights like this and I might actually be able to quit!!’’
Theo could only smile.
He didn’t mind helping soone like that in the slightest.
’’Well,’’ he said. ’’Don’t think the odds are going to remain that high for much longer.’’
The clerk shrugged.
’’I’m sure I’ll get another chance. People seem pretty upset, so they’ll probably bet against you in anger.’’
That comnt left Theo stupefied.
’’Upset?’’ he asked, frowning. ’’What did I do now?’’
The clerk fell silent for a second.
Then he shrugged again.
’’Beats ,’’ he said, smiling. ’’Just keep up what you’re doing and I’ll be fine.’’
Theo stared at him for a mont, his mouth slightly open.
’’Really?’’ he asked. ’’Do we need to talk about my cut of the money too then?’’
The clerk’s smile vanished instantly.
He quickly waved his hands in front of him.
’’Surely soone of your magnitude wouldn’t do that to a poor man like ?’’
Theo rolled his eyes.
’’Just put in the challenges for anyone inside the top ten.’’
The clerk cleared his throat.
As a serious expression appeared on his face, he gave a quick nod.
’’Of course,’’ he said. ’’I’ll also issue the direct challenge to the number four.’’
’’By the way, you do know the top ten have longer to accept challenges, right?’’
Theo raised an eyebrow.
’’How much longer?’’
’’They get three hours to respond.’’
Theo tilted his head slightly.
’’That long?’’
The clerk nodded.
’’As always, the higher you go, the more privileges you get,’’ he explained. ’’Gives them the chance to finish their training sessions too.’’
Theo’s expression imdiately beca strange.
’’That’s annoying.’’
The clerk chuckled.
’’Of course,’’ he said. ’’But you don’t have to worry too much.’’
’’If you keep going at your pace, you’ll be able to challenge the first place with no issue’s today.’’
Nodding slowly, Theo couldn’t help but let out a sigh.
’’True. In the anti, I’ll be heading for the training area then.’’
’’Keep your phone on you at all tis,’’ the clerk said with a smile. ’’I’ll be keeping you up to date about any changes.’’
’’Thanks.’’
Without another word, he turned around and headed back out of the arena.
The mont he walked past the exit, several students imdiately looked away.
Theo frowned slightly.
’I thought that guy was joking. Doesn’t seem to be the case though.’
Letting out a heavy sigh, he shook his head softly.
’What is wrong with everyone today?’
Taking out his phone, Theo quietly sent a ssage to his friends.
If there was anyone who could explain this, it’d be them after all.
With that, he continued walking towards the training areas whilst ignoring all the gazes.
By the ti he got there, several ssages had popped up.
’’Both Iris and Lyra are with their instructors,’’ he muttered, scrolling through them. ’’No response from Owen...’’
That left just one ssage.
Luckily, it was a positive one though.
’’Nice,’’ he muttered, nodding slowly. ’’Jim’s on his way already.’’
It wouldn’t be a lie to say that he was the best suited person for this.
With his background, status, intelligence, and the ti he’d spent in actual groups with the rich people, there was no doubt he could explain the situation perfectly.
Theo glanced at the café near the training areas and sat down.
It didn’t take long at all before the blond-haired young man appeared in front of him.
’’Good morning,’’ Jim greeted politely. ’’Also congratulations on the win.’’
’’Thanks,’’ Theo smiled, gesturing to the seat in front of him.
After sitting down, the two ordered so simple als and drinks as it was almost twelve already.
’’You fought brilliantly earlier,’’ Jim started as he glanced back at Theo.
He chuckled faintly to himself.
’’Never seen anyone beat up Cedric that easily,’’ he continued. ’’The Falk family must be fuming right now!’’
Jim let out a full-on laugh this ti, clearly envisioning the final scene.
’’I an, their heir was trembling like a leaf in front of countless influential people! What kind of joke is that? Who’d ever do business with a person like that in the future?’’
Theo raised an eyebrow.
He hadn’t even thought about that in the slightest.
’’Is that why everyone was so upset with ?’’
Jim’s laughter slowly ca to a halt.
Wiping away a tear from his eye, he quickly shook his head.
’’No, that’s not it. Or at least it shouldn’t be.’’
Slowly, a puzzled expression appeared on his face.
’’Now that I think about it... the atmosphere in the stands was very strange.’’
He paused, clearly contemplating.
After a mont, he just shook his head.
’’I actually can’t think of a reason why it’d be like that for such a spectacular fight.’’
Theo nodded slowly.
’’That’s what I thought too.’’
Jim rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
’’Sure, you pissed off the rich families,’’ he said. ’’But it shouldn’t have affected the regular students this much.’’
Raising an eyebrow, Theo waved his hand.
’’Go back to that,’’ he said. ’’What do you an I pissed off rich families? Do you an other than that Falk family?’’
Jim snapped out of his thoughts.
He just looked at Theo flatly.
’’Of course,’’ he said. ’’You pissed off God knows how many.’’
Theo’s brows furrowed.
’’But how?’’
Just then, the server set their plates with food and drinks on the table.
Only after she was gone did Jim continue again.
"See, rich and influential people care greatly about reputation and respect," he said. "For example, it’s an unspoken rule to leave the other party with so dignity in a duel."
Theo’s expression beca strange.
’’That sounds stupid.’’
’’It is.’’
Jim shrugged.
’’But that’s how they think.’’
Theo remained silent for a mont.
He could definitely see how so of the more stuck-up rich kids would get offended by that.
’’...Fair enough,’’ he muttered, letting out a sigh.
’Why are all these invisible rules a thing,’ he thought, shaking his head. ’It’s so annoying to deal with all this political nonsense.’
Jim took a sip of his drink before cutting a piece off his steak.
Then he leaned back again.
’’Still doesn’t explain why those regular students are mad, which puzzles in general.’’
Theo nodded slowly as he also got started on his food.
’’Anyway, thanks for the help,’’ he said between bites. ’’I guess I’ll have to get used to these rules now.’’
Jim nodded, raising his fork slightly as he swallowed his bite.
’’You really should,’’ he finally said. ’’It’s important as it’ll only get worse later.’’
Theo let out a soft groan.
The two continued talking for a while longer, moving on to so casual topics like their training.
Finally, after having finished their als, Jim suddenly looked up.
’’Right,’’ he said. ’’How confident are you in beating the top three?’’
Theo raised an eyebrow.
’’How confident I am?’’
Jim nodded imdiately.
’’Those people are monsters,’’ he said. ’’Not just in power alone, but also with their backing.’’
He shivered slightly.
’’Especially the girl in first place...’’
Tilting his head faintly, Theo’s curiosity was imdiately piqued.
’’Continue.’’
Jim glanced around for a mont, then leaned forward.
’’She’s from the Church of Seven Virtues,’’ he said quietly, ’’and a daughter of one of the actual Virtues.’’
User Comments
0 comments from readers