Seeing the group of people who stood in front and separated from them, Ery believed that those five-hundred people were second year acolytes just like them. The reason was that he could see so familiar faces among them.
One of the people he noticed was Silva, the girl who fought with him the night of the Elder Respite incident.
When he saw the deanor and attitude those people had, combined with the presence of Silva there, Ery was sure these 500 acolytes were from the elite class.
When the acolytes, that were standing in the inner circle of the arena, saw those elite acolytes, the new self-found confidence they just gained after successfully passing the first stage of the Magus Ga dispersed like a puff of smoke in the air. Despite the fact they were the top 50 from 10 class group, they still felt insignificant when they saw those people.
They then realized that, from the very beginning, they were only competing with the lowest level of acolytes. And from this mont on, the real competition has begun, which would take place during the second ga with those elite acolytes.
After all of the elite acolytes entered the arena, Magus Selina started talking again. Monts later, her voice resud throughout the arena.
"Acolytes of the Magus Academy! Are. You. Excited??!!" she said loudly, making everyone hear the enthusiasm behind her voice. She then continued, "For the next stage of Magus Ga, the the of the stage will be… a battleground!!! How exciting! Am I right?"
Hearing the unfamiliar term, many acolytes began creating ruckus again. Magus Selena ignored them and continued her explanation. Pointing her finger towards the thousands of acolytes, she said, "It will be the fight between the best acolytes from the normal classes versus the elite class acolytes. Which ans the battle will be involving more than 3000 acolytes!!!"
"The battle will continue to rage until only 500 acolytes remain on the stage. Those people will continue to the next stage."
The already rowdy acolytes grew even more clamorous when they heard the explanation of the next stage's the.
"However, this ti, the stage will not be a team ga. In order to be selected to the third stage, all of you need to pay attention to your personal points. Of course, you can still form a team if you want, but the points will still count on an individual basis."
"The details about the the will be soon released. You'll be able to read them on your own."
The sight of thousands of acolytes focused on those 'elites', as if they were about to eat them alive, and the target of those glares, on the other hand, didn't remain still and also threw their own glares back. When the higher-ups noticed the tension between the groups, Altus Dreyden opened his mouth again.
"I'm very glad to announce the second stage has always been my favorite since its introduction to the Magus Ga. Therefore, I'm looking forward to seeing your growth in the next 10 days. May the most talented acolytes win!"
After his speech, the headmaster imdiately instructed everyone to leave, starting from the group of instructors. As the rows of spectators began to leave the arena, Ery and the others who passed the first stage cheered loudly for their accomplishnt.
A few minutes later, the cheers ended and the acolytes began to walk out of the arena, leaving so acolytes who were still ecstatic.
Looking at the acolytes who were getting fewer and fewer, Ery regrouped with his friends to discuss the second stage.
"Looking at the situation, it seems the next stage will be much harder. This ti, we need to prepare early and more thoroughly!" Julian said while clenching his fists.
However, another voice imdiately rejected the idea. "No, no, no! You Romans are not fun. We will celebrate our win with ale and won today!" Thrax said loudly.
"You Thracians are already drunk when you aren't drinking yet!" rebuked Klea. "But this ti I agree with Thrax. Let's stop being too serious for a mont and relax ourselves."
Ery and Chumo nodded in agreent, making so Julian could only helplessly agree. Before heading back to the residence, Ery turned back to check for Silva, but it appeared she had left the arena with the rest of the elite acolytes.
'I guess there is no point for to look for her." Ery thought. He was then startled by Julian's shout. "Ery! What are you doing standing there? Let's go!"
"I'm coming!" replied Ery as he ran towards his friends.
Ery and the others walked out of the arena and went through the portal. They then returned back to the mountain area where all the class 77 acolytes resided.
When they reached the residence's courtyard, Magus Minerva was already waiting for them with a big smile on her face.
Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!
"Congratulations, everyone! I'm sooo happy that so many of you managed to pass to the next round. Aiya, I didn't realize I am such a good ntor."
"…" Everyone just stared dumbfounded at this teacher, who was shalessly praising herself.
Many of the acolytes, especially the ones who failed, just gave her a long face. Many of them thought their class teacher pretty much didn't do anything for them. However, Ery personally thought of Magus Minerva quite positively. She was just the free-spirited type who didn't like to pretend and be shackled.
"Out of the 13 teams from our class, 4 of them made it to the next stage! Winners! Let's gather up!"
Upon hearing that, the teams in question imdiately ca to the front. When he looked at the other teams, Ery noticed all of them had Kaleos acolytes among them. And one of the teams was filled by Zaiueo acolytes.
Seeing Ery's group, who managed to reach the top 10, the Zaiueo acolytes imdiately approached them and took turns talking.
"Congratulations, guys."
"I congratulate you for reaching the top 10."
"Congratulations from us."
When his friends warmly welcod the Zaiueo acolytes, Ery could see the Kaleos acolytes looked both surprised and dissatisfied with the fact his group was standing among them, especially Rowe who personally glared at them in discontent.
Their expression turned even more ugly when they heard Ery's team managed to reach the top 10. But when Magus Minerva specifically ntioned how great their team was to manage to get rank 9 and kill the ogre, their expression beca priceless. Ery wished there was a way to capture the image, so they could have a laugh every ti they needed it.
On the other hand, it appeared Rowe and the other acolytes didn't even manage to enter the top 30. The stark contrast between them made the Kaleos acolytes' lose face, as they rembered how 'superior' they proclaid to be.
When Ery thought about their reaction, Klea's gentle hand touched his shoulder. She then said, "Let's not worry about them, Ery." Beside him, Julian added, "Damn right! The harder they stare at us, the happier I feel."
After receiving all the acknowledgent and praise they could get in front the other acolytes, Magus Minerva walked closer to Ery and the others. Still in her jumpy happy mood, she whispered.
"Boys… girls.. Thank you so much for your efforts. I really should reward you with sothing. Therefore, I will send the best ale and at for all of you to eat when celebrating."
"However, those things were only for you guys, alright? Don't tell the others about it. They might get the wrong idea."
Ery and the others beca speechless when they heard that. Ery wondered if she was still the sa person as before.
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Written and Directed by Avans, Published by W.e.b.n.o.v.e.l,
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