MTLNOVEL CHAPTER 91: Rules
Lian quickly read the form. The language was formal, but the gist was clear.
The Astralis Academy took no responsibility for injuries, deaths, or property losses during the challenge. Participants had to accept the risk to compete.
Furthermore, the battle would not be exactly two weeks from now, but within two weeks. Absurdly, it could even happen as early as tomorrow.
Lian furrowed his brows, reading all the rules carefully, taking his time to reflect.
The event would be team-based, with a maximum of three participants per team and a minimum of one. Of course, the more people in the team, the more points they would earn, but there was also the issue of the reward. Who would deserve the reward among the team members?
But then, Lian read that in addition to team points, individual points would also be calculated.
Well, this avoids a lot of bad blood… he thought.
The goal of the event was to kill as many monsters as possible, sent by the academy in a controlled manner in the form of waves. The students would be sent to an area on the kingdom's borders, surrounded by all kinds of monsters.
Damn, this stuff is crazy! They are telling us we should watch each other's backs to survive, yet they put solo prizes in front of us. They are sadists!
Lian could not help but think as he continued reading.
The challenge would last 10 hours, during which there would be breaks every two hours.
Among the prizes, besides the first-place prize of a custom artifact made by Master Corvan, there were also other prizes for second and third place, including gold coins and various magical pills.
Interesting. Their value is only slightly less than that of a custom artifact…
And finally, Lian read the restrictions. A group of Elders would be watching, so violating the rules would result in immediate disqualification.
No artifacts with power above Bronze 5, no possibility of using single-use artifacts, and the use of potions was limited to three per person.
Lian signed the form before passing it to Rick, who skimmed it with an increasingly grim expression. "Ten hours against increasingly stronger monsters? And only three potions? This is a massacre! Plus, my skills are more effective on single targets than groups—"
"Relax, do not get worked up already," said Lian, pointing to the part about teams. "We need to find someone who can support us. And do not worry, I am pretty strong!" His bicep flexed as a confident smile filled his face.
"Move it, you two!" the official shouted with irritation.
"Sorry—" Rick signed the form with a hint of hesitation.
"Next!" the official yelled, collecting the form. The two stepped aside, making room for the other students. As they left the building, the sky was turning orange, a sign that evening was falling over Grimreach.
"So, what is the plan?" asked Rick, slipping his hands into his pockets. He had returned to his usual demeanor, fortunately. "We have at most two weeks to get stronger, enough to beat Marcus and his lackeys. And while we are at it, let us try not to die."
A light breeze ruffled Lian's hair. "I will try to reach Bronze 5 as quickly as possible. Plus, I need to focus on my Rune Master training. This morning's failure still burns in my mind. As for you—"
Lian stopped, his gaze puzzled. Rick was no longer beside him.
Turning, he saw him standing still, motionless, with his mouth slightly open, his hands trembling, muttering something about the absurdity of the situation.
"What is wrong?" Lian asked, concerned.
After a few seconds, Rick snapped out of it. "Bronze 5? How is that possible?! I have been training for years, and I am only a Bronze 3! It is unfair! At this rate, you will leave me in the dust!"
Lian blinked several times before sighing. "I told you, did I not? It is part of my talent—"
"It is unfair! I want a talent too!"
"But you already have your affinity for the shadow element! Do you know how many people envy you? And do not worry, I will make an artifact just for you, so you will not be inferior to anyone, okay?"
Rick stared at Lian with doe-like eyes as he mumbled. "Are you serious? You are a true friend!"
He took a step forward, trying to hug him, but Lian sidestepped, coughing. "No problem, really… now I have to go meditate, see you!"
Lian ran off, leaving behind a Rick whose face was plastered on the tiles. "Where are you going, Lian! Wait for me!!" he shouted, but it was too late. Lian had already escaped toward his dormitory.
"Sigh," a heavy sigh left Lian's mouth. He had reached the dorms in record time. "Damn Rick! Why can he not act normal for once… we were in public—"
Does this mean I would have hugged him if we were alone?! The thought crept into Lian's mind.
"Damn, what the hell am I thinking! Of course not!" He shook his head vigorously as he entered his room.
Everything was as he had left it. The papers with countless circles and ovals on them, the geometric shapes hardest to master, the bed dirtied by Rick…
"Damn Rick, again! You will pay for this…" he muttered as he undressed, ready for a shower.
Since being in the Gate, unable to wash, Lian had developed this habit of always cleaning himself. At every possible moment.
With a new set of comfortable clothes, less formal than the Mage robe, Lian sat in a lotus position and began his meditation cycle.
"Let us start with normal meditation—" he said as he closed his eyes, preparing to draw lines within the glowing orbs to gather mana in his dantian.
At this point, the orbs Lian could absorb had become countless. It would take him a long time to collect them all before reaching the daily maximum.
However, just as the number of orbs to absorb had increased, so had the speed of mana absorption.
And slowly, the night passed, accompanied only by Lian's slow and steady breathing. The mana was absorbed quickly as the boy grew slightly stronger minute by minute.