Inside the thundering arena of the Larkvood Central Academy, which was shaped like a colossal coliseum, the enthusiastic cheers of thousands echoed, vibrating through every corner of the venue.
The atmosphere in the arena was at a fever pitch. People from all over the Azvel Continent were eagerly awaiting this prestigious annual magic tournament, a proving ground for the strength of the younger generation from various kingdoms.
The spectator stands encircling the battlefield were packed, filled to capacity without a single empty seat. Academy students in various colored uniforms, residents of the capital, wealthy merchants, and high-ranking nobles, both from the Larkvood Kingdom itself and from foreign lands, gathered together in a single sea of humanity.
Meanwhile, in stark contrast to the roar outside, the atmosphere inside the participants' waiting room beneath the main stands felt quite tense.
In the vast hall filled with representatives from various prestigious academies, Alvin's presence immediately became a magnet and the absolute center of attention. Gazes of admiration, curiosity, and judgment from other participants were constantly directed at the golden-haired youth with pointed ears.
Several male participants, driven by curiosity, began to whisper, and a few even started to take steps forward, intending to get closer and see the legendary race from up close.
However, before they could close the distance any further, Alvin, who was sitting relaxed on a long sofa with Kazien, Allen, and Arken, suddenly turned his head. He stared sharply at the crowd of participants trying to approach him with cold eyes.
"Could you all return to your respective places and stop acting foolishly toward participants from other kingdoms in this room?" Alvin said casually, yet beneath his flat tone lay a heavy magical aura that made several people stop dead in their tracks. "Don't make me make you all regret it if you dare approach me just to satisfy your curiosity!"
"What did you say?" exclaimed one sturdy participant from another academy who felt his pride wounded by the arrogant warning. He glared angrily. "Who do you think you are, trying to order us around? Just because you're from a different race, you think you can—"
"Prove your words in the arena later if you find this unacceptable!" Alvin cut him off quickly, his eyes still staring sharply, piercing through the participant's mental defenses. "We are here as academy representatives, not a circus act. Please use your common sense and refrain from doing anything provocative that could get us or you disqualified by the committee before the match even begins. If that happens and we are disqualified because of your antics, I swear I will never forgive you!"
The firmness and the intimidating aura radiating from the High Elf successfully caused several participants' courage to shrink. Those who had intended to approach slowly retreated, not wanting to look for trouble before the tournament started.
But amidst the newly settled tension, the sound of clicking high heels approached. A female tournament participant stepped confidently through the crowd. She wore the elegant uniform of the Lasc'ar Kingdom academy, which accentuated her figure.
The woman with wavy blue hair walked toward the area where Alvin and the others were sitting. She stood directly in front of their sofa, but her eyes did not glance at Kazien, Allen, or Arken even once. Her gaze was locked with full interest solely on Alvin.
"Hello, good morning. My name is Zania, a participant representing the Lasc'ar Kingdom." the woman greeted with a smile made to look as friendly and charming as possible, yet her greeting was aimed exclusively at Alvin. "What is your name, handsome Master Elf?"
Instead of returning the friendly greeting with a smile, Alvin's expression grew even colder. He did not like the woman's behavior at all.
"Is it only because of my form as a non-human race that you greeted me alone?" Alvin asked back with a sarcastic tone. He stared sharply into the woman's eyes. "You have functioning eyes, don't you? There are four of us here on this sofa. Am I the only one you see? If your intention from the start was to ignore the others just to seek my attention, please leave my presence immediately!"
Zania was slightly taken aback. The sweet smile on her lips vanished instantly. She never expected that with her charming looks and her status as a high-ranking noble, she would receive such a harsh and blunt rejection from a man.
"I have lowered my pride and introduced myself properly to you!" Zania exclaimed, beginning to feel annoyed as her pride as a beautiful woman was trampled upon. "Why do you respond to my greeting so rudely and arrogantly?"
"Because I really don't like dealing with people who lack basic etiquette like you!" Alvin stated without a second thought, his words as sharp as a sword.
"W-What did you say?" The woman's voice rose higher, her face turning red with anger. Several other participants in the waiting room began to turn toward them, intrigued by the commotion. "I greeted you very politely and you say I have no etiquette?! What kind of ridiculous reason is that, Elf?"
"Just look at your own behavior!" Alvin answered firmly, not wavering in the slightest. He glanced briefly toward Kazien, Allen, and Arken, who had remained silent, observing in a lethal stillness. "There are four of us here, we came together, and we are from the same academy. Do you think it is polite to come to our group but only greet me as if the others do not exist? If you only want to offer cheap small talk with a hidden agenda to get close to me, you had better give up on that intention. Because just so you know, I already have a fiancé!"
Hearing the decisive answer that exposed her true intentions in public, Zania's face turned bright red all the way to her ears. She felt deeply embarrassed, belittled, and rejected outright, especially since the argument was heard by all the participants in the waiting room.
The feeling of annoyance mixed with overwhelming shame caused the anger in her head to explode.
"You... you will deeply regret making me feel this way and embarrassing me like this!" Zania threatened with a voice trembling with rage, pointing at Alvin. "You have played with the wrong person, Elf!"
Receiving such a cheap threat, Alvin only snorted cynically. He leaned back against the sofa casually.
"I am warning you of the same thing, Miss Zania." Alvin threatened back, his voice low yet radiating a murderous aura that made Zania reflexively take a step back. "If we weren't currently in the participants' waiting room with its strict rules, I would have already given you a lesson you would never forget until you cried and begged for your life!"
The woman swallowed hard, sensing a bad omen from Alvin's gaze. Not daring to say another word, Zania glared at Alvin for the last time before turning around and walking quickly back to her group's seats with a feeling of intense resentment and shame.