CHAPTER 151
THE GAME BEGINS
"Calm down, farmboy," Walter approached Hans, who instantly retorted, "I didn't do anything." He then adopted an indifferent attitude. "Didn't you hear their team leader or whatever, saying it was their member suffering from mana reflux?" Hans followed the script, but those scrutinizing his actions were left baffled. It wasn't because of Hans's shamelessness but because they hadn't detected any mana emanating from him. "How in the world did he take out a fourth-circle mage?" they discussed among themselves. "There were no spell circles manifesting. He is a mage, right?" These were the questions circulating in their minds.
However, Arat, seated to the right of Norwin, broke the silence, silently chuckling and muttering, "The second coming is on the way. Parvian sun shall rise again." He seemed to be lost in his own thoughts, but those who overheard him understood the deeper meaning behind his words.
Meanwhile, Aredhel offered her apologies to Sierra for Delimria dragging Hans into this blunder, but to her surprise, the iron lady was proud of what Delimira had done. "She is one clever girl," she commented, while Rudolf sighed in disappointment at his grandson’s behaviour, chiding him silently, "Idiot, at least look at the bright side. You might not be the target of unwanted affection.”
While Hans was struggling to understand why his team was reacting this way, Walter shot him a glare. "You just made some very talented enemies. Everyone on their team is a potential powerhouse in the making."
"They named their school Devildom," Hans quipped. "Aren't they just asking for exorcism?"
“I’m serious, they will grow up to be your trouble farm boy.”
Hans turned to them with a smirk, commenting, "Then I'll just have to add some names to my murder list—"
"Be careful, you moron," Walter interrupted his bravado.
"What moron? They even admitted it was just mana reflux. They won't go back on their word after pleading on their knees in front of possibly everyone in Genas."
"I'm not calling you a moron for that, MORON." Walter glanced at Delimira and shook his head, sighing. "Focus on the preliminaries. You know what you'll be losing if you mess this up, right?”
"Yeah, that fake Solar Mage book from you. But I'll really lose the original one if I don't straighten up my act. The thing about Vanessa, that madman eventually would tell me. Since he can’t wait, but what would I do with that info?.. No, no more dwelling." Hans slapped both his cheeks to snap out of it and answered, "Concordia will win the Junior league, sir.”
Walter nodded and instructed the kids to focus on the announcement of the itinerary. The host was reading it aloud, and a large projection was already displayed behind him.
Higher League
Senior League
Junior league
Preliminaries
Day 1
(Hunting 1 Class 5 beasts)
Concordia,
Mage tower,
Knight Association
Day 1- 5
(Hunting 20 Class 3 Beasts)
Concordia,
Mage Tower,
Knight Association, Devildom
Day 1- 7
(Hunting 100 Class 2 beasts)
Concordia,
Mage tower,
Knight association,
Parv
Main Event
Day 2- 3
Day 6-7
Day 8-9
Awarding Ceremony
Day 10
Day 10
Day 10
Celebration
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Day 10 - 15
Day 10 - 15
Day 10 - 15
Hans learned all about it from the projection, and it was no different from what Walter had told him, with the addition that they had to reach the Colosseum. As long as one person from the team reached and submitted the hearts, the entire team would pass the preliminaries. Hans thought that they needed to fulfil the quota and let someone quickly reach and submit their loot while they distracted other teams. It was a good plan, but for that, they had to reach the number hundred and he also knew it wouldn’t be possible without head-butting with other teams.
The event's host announced that each team should advance to the SpaceDoors, connected to their designated locations. "Let me remind you once again, especially the juniors participating for the first time. The use of any kind of artefact is forbidden. Even if you managed to avoid the screening until now, the proctors there will be vigilant, and just a slight hint of misconduct will get you disqualified from the Glory Wars. Your only focus should be on reaching your quota, coming to the nearest safe points to submit, and returning to the Colosseum. Now, step forward."
Hans and his team of ten stepped through the shimmering SpaceDoor and found themselves in the heart of a hot, tropical volcanic forest. The air was thick with humidity, and the temperature was scorching, making sweat bead on their foreheads almost instantly. Towering, ancient trees with thick, vibrant green foliage surrounded them, their leaves providing only partial relief from the blazing sun above.
The forest floor was covered in lush, exotic vegetation, and the ground was uneven, with treacherous volcanic rocks jutting out in places. The distant rumble of the volcano echoed through the forest, serving as a constant reminder of the danger lurking nearby.
“So what now captain,” Lux inquired with newfound confidence, his typically timid nature momentarily set aside. He had faith in Hans, knowing that no matter what, Hans would lead them to victory. And after the stunt, he pulled in front of everyone, even those who had previously doubted him now shared a consensus – Hans might be a bit of a psycho, but he was their psycho.
Seeing the overjoyed team felt unfamiliar to Hans for a bit but it was a good thing that they were showing confidence. Hans acknowledged Lux's question with a raised hand, signalling for a brief pause. He gazed up at the sun, orienting himself to their location on the eastern side of the outer ring of Heat Riddance. Following the same logic, he deduced that other teams must have been dispersed in different directions. Turning to his team, he addressed them with an inclusive tone, "We have two options: South or North. Let's put it to a vote”
The newfound confidence his team had in him made Hans more receptive to their input. Instead of dictating their course of action, he was now seeking their opinions, fostering a sense of collaboration among them. But when none responded, he assured, “Don’t panic, unless we face a class three and don’t kill the class ones, we’ll be good, got it?”
"Yes," they all responded in perfect unison, which left Hans slightly taken aback. He couldn't help but wonder, "Why are they looking at me like that? As if my image has undergone a significant improvement in their minds." He found it genuinely surprising that they were all hanging onto his every word, following his lead without question. After the unanimous vote, it was clear that the North had won by a landslide.
As they began their journey to the North, Hans couldn't help but contemplate, "The stories I've read so far all indicate that things go south in the North. Let's see if it's true." Their path led them to their first encounter with a second-class mana beast: a Stone Hog.
A pig-like beast, whose skin resembled a mosaic of jagged, weathered stones, forming an impenetrable natural armour that protected it from harm. Its hoofy legs, small but strong, each step it took sent tremors through the earth as its massive, boulder-like body lumbered forward.
While its inherent nature wasn't one of cowardice, being suddenly surrounded by ten people was enough to spook the life out of it. The Stone Hog initially attempted to flee, but Hans had ensured that their first target could fight to the death but not escape. They all were inside a makeshift cage of tough vines and when the Stone Hog charged at them, these vibrant vines, absorbed the creature's charges with ease, stopping it completely.
The Stone Hog, realizing it had no other choice, braced itself for battle. Upon Hans's command, Garen, the sturdy dwarven boy, positioned himself in the path of the charging beast. The collision rang out with a resounding "clank," and both were forced backwards.
“Attackers, target the legs,” Hans instructed. Delimira employed her Rupture spell to upheave a slab beneath the creature, further disorienting it and exposing its vulnerable belly. Seizing the opportune moment, Chris swung his blade infused with aura and cleaved into the Stone Hog's exposed underbelly.
The Stone Hog emitted a pained groan as the deep wound still left it with a fighting spirit. Hans swiftly issued orders, “Chris back off! Garen hammer it hard!” As the command fell, the members moved according. The war hammer met the charging the Stone Hog while Delimira and Chris repeated their previous coordinated attacks.
Hans turned to Lux and inquired, "How long?”
“I'm ready," Lux responded.
Upon receiving Lux's confirmation, Hans signalled the vanguard to fall back. "Smite him!" he exclaimed. Lux's long-charged spell, BrightWrath, descended upon the Hog, breaking its stoney hide while dealing a significant amount of damage. Meanwhile, Garen's aura-infused strike landed squarely on the creature's tough skull, putting an end to its life
“One down… 99 left.” Hans was looking out, for their uninvited guests but none was found except the presence of proctors scattered around. They were just observing and if he couldn’t focus at maximum, he wouldn’t be able to detect them. “No surprises, take out the heart.” He ordered and pushed the space pouch for their trophies to Cassady, “Keep it safe.” He urged and she nodded, happy, because it was the most important role in the group.
While Hans continued to keep watch, he couldn't help but eavesdrop on his team's conversations. Lux and the others expressed their delight at achieving their first kill in such a short amount of time. "At this rate, we might reach 100 kills in no time," one of them exclaimed with excitement.
However, Hans knew that their initial success might not last, and the number of potential encounters would likely decrease. The early collectors would have a higher chance of emerging victorious. There was also a chance that they might not encounter another group to rob.
Suddenly Hans's attention shifted to Delimira and Chris, who were engaged in a conversation. He inquired about what she was doing, to which she replied, "Preserving food, what else?" as she carefully extracted tender meat from the Stone Hog's body.
Chris chimed in, saying, “Did you forget, there will be enough food drops —”
“We should prepare for worse.” She wrapped the meat around the Terrua leaves, and tightened a rope around. Making Hans think, “She really was not peeling the nuts.” He nodded approvingly, feeling proud of her for applying the things he taught her in Frozen Tooth.
With his mind focused, Hans conjured the seed of a mutated plant from Concordia's agricultural facility. The seed swiftly transformed into a full-grown tree. "Pluck the fruits," he instructed, and the team promptly followed his orders. As they consumed the fruit, their stamina recovered rapidly, almost miraculously. While recovering mana through consumption was known, stamina recovery typically required rest. However, Hans had provided them with something akin to a miracle. Cassady couldn't help but remark, “You have a cheat?”
"No, I'm the cheat. Hurry up," Hans responded, urging them to pick up the pace as they continued their march northward.
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