The rare sight occurring in the center of the arena successfully made thousands of eyes in the stands widen in shock. Their jaws practically hit the ground.
"A high-ranking noble... bowing and apologizing to a commoner who is just a host?!" a spectator from the nobility exclaimed with a trembling voice, as if witnessing a newly created wonder of the world. "In all my life, this is the first time I have seen such a sight!"
"What is happening here? Why are the four descendants of high nobility, there's even a High Elf among them, willing to bow their heads in unison?" another spectator whispered in disbelief.
"Crazy... and here I thought they would be arrogant and oppressive, realizing they are the strongest high nobility on this continent. Their etiquette is truly extraordinary." said another spectacor.
Amidst the murmurs of awe creeping through the spectator stands, the crisp laughter of a woman broke out from the VIP section.
"Hahaha!" Virena laughed heartily, her laughter sounding very proud and free, unconcerned by the stares of the kings around her. "My brother is indeed great! His humble nature remains unchanged from the past until now. Father, Mother, your upbringing of us is truly the best and has never failed!"
Selena, Davin, and Ritalia all smiled broadly and nodded in agreement, fully validating Virena's words.
Meanwhile, in the arena, the host, who was the target of the apology, became panicked and flustered.
"I-It's quite alright, Young Masters! Truly, you all do not need to do this!" the host said with a trembling voice, still feeling heavily shocked to see four extraordinary existences bowing sincerely to him. "I-I understand the situation now, please... I beg of you, raise your heads immediately."
Hearing the host's request, Kazien and his three fiancés finally stood upright again.
"Thank you very much for your understanding and greatness of heart." Kazien said politely, giving a charming, thin smile before finally turning his body.
The four of them then walked calmly back to the Garveon Kingdom team's initial formation.
However, the effect of that brief incident was massive. For the participants from other kingdoms in the center of the arena and the thousands of spectators in the stands, they were all still frozen, unable to believe what they had just witnessed.
The humility shown by Kazien seemed to have its own magic, capable of hypnotizing everyone. For a moment, everyone even seemed to forget the shocking fact regarding the existence of the High Elf among them.
For a considerable length of time, the entire coliseum was filled with waves of conversation and praise regarding 'a group of the strongest high nobility willing to bow to acknowledge a mistake and apologize in public.'
Realizing that the tournament schedule was starting to run late, the host tapped his cheeks gently to wake himself up, then took control of the event once more.
"Alright, ladies and gentlemen, let us pause our amazement for a moment and immediately proceed with the main event of this tournament!" the host shouted in a professional tone to reheat and clear the atmosphere. He pointed to several spots at the edge of the arena. "For all the team leaders representing their respective kingdom academies, please step forward immediately and take the small flag fluttering at the edge of the arena, along with its wooden pole!"
Hearing the clear instructions from the host, Kazien and the team leaders from the other five kingdoms jogged forward. They each plucked a small, bright red flag attached to a short wooden pole at every corner of the arena.
Once all the team leaders had returned to their lines with the flags, the host explained the rules again.
"Hold your respective flag poles very tightly!" the host explained loudly. "This first phase is a team battle for the flags! You will attack each other in groups to seize the red flag belonging to the opposing team!"
The atmosphere in the arena suddenly turned tense, filled with a competitive aura.
"The main rule is: you are free to use any physical strategy or tactical cooperation to seize it! However, you are strictly forbidden from using any type of attack magic! You are only permitted to manipulate mana using defensive magic or support magic to block the movements of the opposing team trying to seize your flag. Any violation involving attack magic will result in the team's disqualification!"
The brief and concise explanation was immediately understood by all the participants in the arena. They began to take their stances, readying themselves.
As if on command, the five teams representing the other kingdoms in the arena immediately shifted their gaze. All of them, without exception, wore expressions of high alert and stared sharply at the Garveon Kingdom team.
They were well aware that within that team were three descendants of the Altavis family, the strongest noble family on the Azvel Continent, and a High Elf whose strength was still unknown.
Seeing the absolute threat standing calmly before them, Mazect Trovis, the leader of the Altoria Kingdom team, immediately raised his hand.
"Mr. Host, I have one question!" Mazect suddenly called out. "In this phase... is our team and the teams from other kingdoms allowed to form alliances and work together?"
That clever question made the other participants hold their breath.
"Of course you can!" the host answered without a pause. "As I said, this is a free combat simulation without attack magic. There isn't a single written rule prohibiting you from forming alliances and working together to topple or seize the flag of your opposing team!"
Upon hearing the host's affirmative answer, a silent agreement was instantly forged. The five teams representing the Holy Kingdom of Niverta, the Ignias Kingdom, the Lasc'ar Kingdom, the Larkvood Kingdom, and the Altoria Kingdom immediately looked at one another and nodded slowly. In seconds, they shifted their formations and formed a single, massive combined alliance.
They all agreed to set aside their respective egos. In their eyes, the representatives of the Garveon Kingdom were not merely ordinary participants, but a terrifying threat that had to be ganged up on and eliminated first before they could fight one another fairly.