Without wasting any time, I strode purposefully toward the platform where one of King Gaspar’s soldiers was handling tournament registrations. When I reached him, I cleared my throat politely to get his attention.

“Excuse me, I’d like to sign up for your tournament,” I announced, keeping my tone confident.

The guard looked up, scanning me with a wary expression. “Oh, really? And who might you be, to just waltz in like that?”

I straightened my shoulders and met his gaze with steady resolve. “My name is Griffith. I’m a mage from the Academy of golden river, and I want to participate in your tournament.”

A flicker of surprise crossed the soldier’s face. For a moment, he looked caught off guard. Then, just as quickly, his expression hardened.

“A mage, huh? Interesting…” he muttered, narrowing his eyes. “Fine, I’ll register you. But don’t forget what I told you earlier—one wrong move, and…”

He traced a finger across his throat in a sharp, cutting motion, his glare dripping with menace.

I gave him a calm nod, doing my best to hide my irritation. Intimidation tactics weren’t going to work on me.

Once my registration was confirmed, I stepped away from the platform and started scanning my surroundings. That’s when I spotted King Gaspar himself, standing a bit away from the crowd, deep in conversation with one of his mercenaries.

Making sure to stay out of their sight, I edged closer, straining to catch what they were saying.

“What?! You couldn’t recover my sword?” Gaspar’s voice rang out, sharp with fury.

The mercenary gave a helpless shrug. “We’re sorry, Your Majesty. But the artifact was stolen from our reserves. We don’t know who’s behind it.”

Gaspar’s hands clenched into fists, his face contorting in a mix of rage and frustration. “Useless fools! That sword is a family heirloom, passed down for generations! I won’t allow it to be tainted by unworthy hands!”

He growled, his glare drilling into the mercenary. “Find that sword immediately! Whoever dares keep it will pay with their life!”

The mercenary nodded quickly, then scurried off, clearly rattled by the king’s wrath.

As for me, I stood frozen, my throat tightening. So, Gaspar knew his sword was missing. And he seemed more than ready to kill for its return.

This left me with no choice: I had to act fast and stay under the radar. If they discovered I had the artifact, I’d be as good as dead.

Reluctantly, I tore my gaze away, taking advantage of the fact that the king was now surrounded by his entourage. It was time to slip away and figure out my next move.

I wandered aimlessly through the streets of Valoria, my mind racing. I needed a quiet place to think.

Eventually, my eyes landed on a small, bustling square. Several men were gathered around tables, engrossed in what appeared to be a game of chess.

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A faint smile crept onto my lips. Maybe this could help me unwind. I’d always had a soft spot for strategy games, and chess was a particular favorite of mine.

Cautiously, I took a seat at an empty table, watching the players closely as they battled it out. After a few moments, I raised my hand to catch the attention of one of them.

“Excuse me, mind if I join?” I asked.

The man, a broad-shouldered fellow, looked up and studied me with curiosity. “Well, well, a new face? Sure, you’re welcome to join. Just so you know, we play for money. That a problem?”

I shook my head calmly, settling into the seat across from him. “Not at all. How much are we betting?”

“Usually, it’s 100 gold pieces per game,” he replied, smirking. “But if you’re feeling particularly confident, we can raise the stakes.”

I paused for a moment, weighing my options. 100 gold wasn’t exactly a small amount, but I trusted my skills. Besides, after this morning’s events, I could use a distraction.

I locked eyes with my opponent, a confident smile forming. “Let’s make it 14,000 gold.”

A wave of murmurs rippled through the onlookers. My opponent raised an eyebrow, clearly taken aback. “14,000 gold, huh? You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that. Fine, I accept.”

He moved one of his pawns, signaling the start of the game. I leaned in, carefully analyzing the board and plotting my moves.

The minutes ticked by, each turn punctuated by the sharp clack of a piece hitting the board. Around us, the tension among the spectators was palpable, their eyes glued to the high-stakes match.

Then, in just ten moves, I made my final play, toppling his king. I leaned back with a satisfied smile. “Checkmate. I win.”

A stunned silence settled over the crowd. My opponent stared at the board, his mouth agape. “What?! That’s impossible! Nobody beats me that fast!”

I shrugged, beginning to gather my winnings. “Looks like you’ve met your match. Chess isn’t just about luck, you know.”

The man’s hands balled into fists, his face red with anger. “You cheat! There’s no way you didn’t cheat!”

I sighed, rolling my eyes. “Oh, come on. Don’t be a sore loser. I simply outplayed you.”

But he wasn’t having it. He shot to his feet, towering over me with a threatening glare. “You’re going to give me back that money, or I’ll make you choke on it!”

His friends stood too, closing in around me. I let out a slow breath, shaking my head.

“Alright then, if that’s how you want to play…” I murmured, raising one hand.

Interface: [Skill Activated—Wind Blade, Level 2.]

A fierce gust of wind exploded outward, sending the men flying back. They crashed to the ground, groaning in pain.

While they scrambled to recover, I stood up, adjusting my cloak with deliberate calm. Then, with an amused smirk, I stepped forward, addressing the crowd.

“Gentlemen, no need to take this loss so personally,” I said, my tone dripping with mockery. “Next time, maybe think twice before challenging someone like me.”

The men struggled to their feet, their eyes burning with fury. But none of them dared to come closer, clearly shaken by my magical display.

Satisfied, I walked away with a relaxed stride, threading my way through the crowd. I needed to clear my head, and I definitely didn’t want to stick around with these goons.

As I counted my winnings, my thoughts drifted back to what lay ahead. King Gaspar’s tournament was fast approaching, and I had to be ready. but to face a king possessed by a demon.

A chill ran down my spine at the thought. Battling a demonic entity was no small task. But I had no choice. It was my duty as a mage to cleanse these lands, no matter the cost.

Clutching my sack of gold tightly, I quickened my pace. I needed a quiet place to think, and fast.