Chapter 184.

PART 1.

Since there is a gap of two days between their match yesterday and their next match, the Subcontinental team is working on their skills. They are not training intensely as they did in the Academy. but they are still doing light sparring, and refining their spells.

Hatori brings out some boulders from the ground, and he then strikes them by lightning, turning them into rubble. He tested his spells with positive lightning because he did not want to lose control in the middle of a match. after that, he channels positive lightning in his body to get used to this intense version of the normal lightning element.

While meditating with sparks around his body, Hatori thinks about his project of turning his body into lightning. He has not made much progress with it, but he is certain that one day, he will succeed. He just needs to gain more experience in magic.

PART 2.

Porus is reading a newspaper in the morning, showing the pictures from the match yesterday. It is quite an unflattering picture, with an uncaring Hatori standing in the ring, while a girl is down outside. the words are even more caustic, ignoring the entire verbal exchange that took place in the ring.

‘What is a reason for such an article?’ he wonders. ‘Could it be linked? The strange behavior of Albus, and now this? But I could be jumping on shadows.’

The other monarchs have sniffed from the very first day that Albus is not what he used to be. His behavior is too reserved and cagy. They know beyond a doubt that there is something wrong with him. but what, they have no clue.

The door is knocked softly. “You’re majesty, may I enter?” asked a female voice.

“Please do come in,” said Porus, folding the paper and steepling his fingers over the table. He then observes the girl who has entered the room. True, she is in her early twenties, but given his age, she might as well be a teenager to him. ‘Maybe I should ask Corvus about it? people in their twenties are not supposed to look like that.’ he thought.

“Greetings from my father Your Majesty.” She said, and hands Porus a wrapped object.

“Thank you very much. give your father my regards, Amunet.” Said Porus, putting effort into pronouncing the names correctly.

The girl smiled. “Also,” she turns serious and the smile disappears from her face, “The Succubi are planning something. That is all I have managed to dig up.”

Porus leans back in his chair. “Well…” he waits for a moment. “That is not good.”

PART 3.

After their training is done, the team is relaxed. But Dimitri has shown them what the papers have printed about them. though he assured them that there was nothing wrong with going outside, they were unwilling to go and face the irrational public.

“Tell me, who wants to go out? raise your hands.” none of them did. “That is final. We will stay here.” he declared.

The door of their suite is knocked, and Praduman opens it. “You—oh. Come in.”

“Were you expecting someone else?” asked Lewis, entering the suite, and seeing the entire team sitting unconcerned.

“Given what we saw on the papers, yes,” said Avinash. “What brings you two here?” he asked.

“Not much,” said Lewis. “I wanted to congratulate this ice-cold bastard. He does not give any mercy, even if the opponent is a bird.” He praised Hatori and clapped him on the shoulder.

“Thanks.” Said Hatori, accepting these praises. “I will, of course, similarly face you, unless you decide to surrender.”

“You magic damned bastard! Lewis never surrenders, you hear me?” the rant goes on, as Wolfgang starts to drag Lewis out of the suite.

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“We will see you in our match,” he said and took his angry friend away from them.

They all go out to see them away. “I swear, you will be the one who will surrender to me—captain!” Lewis salutes reflexively.

“What brings you here?” asked Avinash, coming in front, and taking a stance before his team.

“I am here to retrieve these two,” he said, pointing to Lewis and Wolfgang. “I am Peter Volkov. I hope they did not give you much trouble.”

“Avinash Varma.” Avinash introduced himself, “And no, they were perfectly fine.”

“Very well. By your leave?” he nods at Avinash, and they all leave.

Once Peter left, Hatori spoke. “He is strong. I can sense it. we might need to be careful of this guy.”

“But will he fight?” asked Avinash.

“Given his power, if they are struggling for a win, he is likely to fight,” said Hatori.

PART 4.

Though they were not willing to go out in the day, they did walk out of their hotel at night to see the city a little bit. However, the team did not go far from their hotel, in the case of an emergency exit.

As they are returning to their hotel, after a peaceful night out, they run into the Vinland team. A stare-down ensues, where they glared at each other. But Hatori got bored of this quickly, so he just sidestepped and continued to walk. After a while, his team followed behind him.

“That was strange.” Said the captain of the Vinland team.

PART 6.

Porus walks to another meeting of the monarchs. But they are not behaving like they are rulers of their respective countries. Instead, they are behaving like a bunch of retirees trying to relive their college days.

Hiruma and Batya are wrestling on the ground, while Zuo Chi is watching and clapping. Henry is missing, probably out to charm some woman. “There you go, there you go! Now twist his arms a little.” Said Zuo Chi, as Hiruma dominates a much larger Batya.

Porus clears his throat, and all the activity in the room stops. Ignoring everything, he reveals what Amunet told him. “The Succubi are on the move.” He spoke.

the happy mood in the room drops. “I thought we were rid of these parasites?” said Zuo Chi, with an undercurrent of fury in his voice.

“Apparently, we were mistaken.” Said Batya, not even doubting Porus for a moment.

Because none of them will joke about it. these mages have caused trouble before their split from the other dimension, and they still cause trouble whenever they decide to interfere in the politics of their world.

PART 6.

The next day, the team is watching the match of the East Asian team. Hatori is amazed at the variety of foci they are using. He has seen swords before, but mirrors, jewels, and feathers are new to him. Of course, in his opinion, the fociless magic is still superior to all foci-based magic.

During the match, they saw the Vinland team in the crowd. the captain waved, and Avinash waved back. No need to cause hostilities before the match, they will meet in the ring soon enough.

PART 7.

Peter Volkov is speaking with Lewis and Wolfgang. “So what are your thoughts on the Subcontinental team?” he asked.

“Well, judging by their first match, they appear to be quite strong.” Said Lewis. “But even if we disregard their competitors, I am unwilling to underestimate them.”

“Do you agree with him?” asked Peter to Wolfgang.

“Yes,” he answered simply. “Though I do think they are not serious enough.”

“Yeah, yeah. no one is serious like you Deutsch people.” Said Lewis.

“And no one surrenders like Gallia.” Retorted Wolfgang hotly.

Before an argument can start, Peter clears his throat. “Boys, remember the topic. Tell me, how strong they are, honestly?”

“I suggest we watch their match tomorrow.” Suggests Lewis. “We’ll know everything then.”

“Very well,” said Peter. “Did any team watch our match?” he asked next.

“I don’t know.” Said Lewis. “Even if they were, they were hidden quite well in the crowd.”