“Huff… all done.” For Mo Li, preparing for a competition is just like preparing for a mission; everything needs to be in place, especially the inspection of equipment before the match.
Once everything is ready, he can give it his all in the best possible state.
After working at his desk for two hours, Mo Li finally completed all the necessary preparations and laid out all the weapons and potions he could use from his cloak.
“Hey, are you ready for tomorrow’s match?” Limdis, leaning against the door of the alchemy room, asked with her arms crossed.
“Almost,” Mo Li replied while inspecting his equipment.
“I’ll familiarize myself with the use of these items, just in case.”
He had to be thoroughly familiar with the effects of regular poisons and their antidotes, as well as auxiliary potions and those used against enemies.
“More importantly, Miss Limdis, aren’t you planning to go home?”
“Hmph, I don’t mind losing to you.
It’s a separate matter.
You’ve helped me a lot, so at least let me offer my final blessings to my friend here,” Limdis turned her head away.
“Oh, then watch me win the championship tomorrow.
I won’t let you down.” Having spent a lot of time with Limdis, Mo Li had almost developed a ‘Limdis language’ translation system.
“My friend, it’s better to save the big talk for after the victory,” Limdis said with a serious expression.
“Even I can sense the ill intentions of that family named Minster.
They’ll definitely try every trick to deal with you.
You must be aware of this, right?”
“Well, I’ll deal with whatever comes my way,” Mo Li said as he tossed the prepared alchemical potions and weapons into his cloak, suddenly noticing an interesting item.
“Eh, what’s this potion?” Looking at the colorless potion in his hand, Mo Li racked his brain but couldn’t recall where he got it from.
He hadn’t made this potion, had he? Putting on the [Mira Belle’s Black Frame Glasses], the name of the potion clearly appeared before him.
[Ragnarok]
“Oh,” Mo Li suddenly realized.
He remembered that this potion was a trophy he had casually taken when he encountered the princess of the Papal State last time.
However, since it was a product of a cultist, its effects probably wouldn’t be useful.
He put it into his cloak as well, stretched with a big yawn, and seemed to remember something.
“By the way, don’t rush off after the match ends.”
“Hmm? Why? Could it be that you can’t bear to part with me?” Limdis asked, puzzled.
“You idiot, don’t flatter yourself.
Even if there’s a one percent chance, would you be willing to try being in the same academy as your family’s saintess?”
“Of course, I would.
Do you have a way?” Limdis perked up at the mention of this.
“We’ll see.
I’m not entirely sure,” Mo Li gave an ambiguous answer, finished packing his things, and left the alchemy lab while yawning.
The next day, the sky over Fran City was adorned with a few splendid fireworks.
The official final match of the Lan Yin Academy, naturally, attracted many people, including but not limited to students from the noble district, citizens of Fran City, students from the commoner district, and many merchants.
Of course, ordinary citizens and poor students didn’t have the means to watch the match, and the students from the noble district were limited in number, unable to fill the audience seats.
At this time, the financial manager of the Minster Viscount’s territory came up with an idea to sell the extra seats at a high price to these curious merchants.
Making a profit without any cost, who wouldn’t be happy?
Even if these merchants knew they were being ripped off, it was a willing transaction.
So, early this morning, the noble district square of Fran Academy was filled with people who were curious, idle, and had money to spare.
These merchants had heard that the Minster Viscount’s match was of high quality, with even bloodline users appearing, so they traveled from afar to witness it.
Some were curious about the mysterious power known as [Bloodline], said to be a blessing from Sera, and wanted to see it for themselves.
But more hoped to meet a few bloodline users, build relationships, and invest in them for profit.
Merchants, after all, don’t get up early without profit.
But these weren’t the focus of the match.
The heavyweight audience was undoubtedly the two men sitting in the special seats for the match, one already middle-aged, the other looking much younger.
“Hehe, Lord Norma, you got up so early today.
Surely, it’s not just to watch this little match, right?”
“Isn’t it the same for you, Lord Minster?”
“Me? Hehe, it’s different.
After all, I’m the kind of retired idle person, with everything managed by others.
With nothing else to do, I might as well come and watch the young people’s contest… though this match is without suspense,” Viscount Minster said with a smile.
“Without suspense? It seems you’re quite confident, Viscount… I wonder where this confidence comes from,” Norma replied with an equally inscrutable smile.
“Naturally, it’s confidence in my son, Barlow.
Where else could it come from? Ah, the younger generation has their own fortunes.
Competitions and promotions are their own business.
It wouldn’t be right for this old man to interfere.”
“Oh, I see.” Norma smiled without commenting on Viscount Minster’s words.
“Alright, alright, I’ll be honest.
I do favor my son Barlow, but you can’t blame me, Lord Norma.
It’s human nature, isn’t it? No one is a saint, including you, Lord Norma.
Aren’t you also favoring that Mo Li as if he were your own son?” Viscount Minster’s words were loaded with meaning.
The implication was his own speculation: Mo Li was Norma’s illegitimate child.
Yes, ever since he suffered a setback due to Norma’s intervention, Viscount Minster had thought long and hard at home and finally figured something out.
If Mo Li were considered Norma’s illegitimate child, then everything would make sense.
So, this old guy had started speculating this way and even subtly hinted at it in front of Norma.
“Indeed, it’s human nature.
But I personally lean towards a fair competition… Victory, if not achieved by oneself, holds no meaning.”
“Hehe, indeed.”
Between Norma and Minster, two noble family heads, their conversation seemed harmonious, but the subtleties in their words were filled with hidden meanings, with a hint of tension.
Meanwhile, the competitors from both sides arrived as scheduled.
Mo Li and the son of Viscount Minster, Barlow, who had always been at odds with him, stood on opposite sides.
“My friend, are you really okay?” In the audience, Limdis, who had arrived as promised, watched the opening of the match intently, her brows furrowed.
Barlow’s confident smile gave her a bad feeling.
“This is bound to be a fierce battle,” the merchants in the stands, seeing this, were all on high alert.
The two young men standing on the competition field, one with noble blood and the other with divine weapons, both had the strength to reach the finals.
They had already imagined what kind of earth-shattering, heaven-shaking battle it would be between these two, and some merchants, just in case, fearing the two might fight until the next morning, had even prepared tents.
“Yo, Young Master Minster, haven’t seen you in a while.
How have you been?” Mo Li casually greeted Barlow, as if they were old friends.
“Heh, you too.
It’s a miracle you’re standing in front of me without missing an arm or a leg after a few days,” Barlow replied with a forced smile, as if he wanted to tear Mo Li into pieces, his words filled with barbs.
“Young Master Minster, what have I done to deserve such hatred from you?” Mo Li shrugged.
“In the end, I haven’t done anything, but your family keeps causing me trouble, yet acts like the victim.
It’s really amusing.”
“…Mo Li, today you’ll know the consequences of being a thorn in my side,” Barlow said through gritted teeth.
“You can stand there and talk now, but it might not be the case later.”
“Ah, Young Master Barlow, may I ask what you’ll use to fight me?” Mo Li unleashed his sharp tongue.
“Will it be your bedroom skills with women, or your ability to drink and party with your friends?”
“Hah! Just wait, you’ll regret those words later,” Barlow said, his face turning livid, squeezing out each word through clenched teeth.
“Alright, the match is about to begin.
Both sides, please retreat to the edges of the square,” the hook-nosed elder glanced at Mo Li indifferently.
“Oh, by the way, this match prohibits the use of any personal weapons.
Only the weapons provided by the official competition can be used.”
What? Mo Li frowned slightly, quietly looking at Barlow, who was not far away with a smug expression.
“Minister, what does this mean?” On the stands, Norma also furrowed his brows.
“Huh? What do you mean? What is Lord Norma talking about? I’m just sitting here quietly, not doing anything,” Viscount Minster put on a very innocent expression.
“If I remember correctly, this competition did not prohibit contestants from using their own weapons, right?” Norma said coldly, word by word.
“Huh? Is that so, Lord Norma? Please think carefully.
If personal weapons were allowed, wouldn’t it mean that whoever has more money or a bigger backing would have a greater chance of winning?” Viscount Minster, at this moment, was actually talking about fairness with Norma.
“I don’t know how things are done in other noble territories, but at least in my Minster Viscount territory, such unfair phenomena must be eradicated.
I am a very fair person, and everyone can see that,” Viscount Minster said righteously.
“Viscount Minster, don’t you think you’re being a bit too bullying?” Norma clenched the teacup in his hand.
This temporary rule was so targeted, it was almost like writing “I’m targeting that wild kid Mo Li to let my son win” on his face.
“I think everyone except the goldfish remembers the rules of the competition from a few days ago.
Changing the rules on the spot in front of everyone, aren’t you being too arbitrary?”
“Oh, oh, it seems like that’s the case,” Viscount Minster leaned on his cane, pondered for a moment, and then showed a look of sudden realization.
“I remember now, it was indeed like that a few days ago.
But, well, plans can’t keep up with changes.
Due to some contestants acquiring overly threatening weapons from who knows where, after discussing with the referees, we unanimously decided that such things that disrupt the competition rules cannot be tolerated, so…”
“Moreover, Lord Norma, the rules set by Lanyin Academy do not include a clause that ‘lords cannot add rules,’ so what I’m doing now is completely reasonable,” Viscount Minster’s mustache curled up, with a look of ‘this is my territory, I make the rules, what can you do about it?’
Norma took a deep breath.
Mo Li had told him how vile these rural nobles could be, but he hadn’t taken it to heart.
Now it seemed, it wasn’t just vile; these shameless guys were completely using their noble status as a cover, doing things without any bottom line.
Unfortunately, he was an outsider lord, and even though his title was Earl, outside his own territory, his words carried less weight, unable to stop the Minster family’s shameless public cheating.
“Please choose your weapon,” a guard approached Mo Li and laid out several weapons in front of him.
“What does this mean?” Mo Li tilted his head, pointing at the weapons given to Barlow and then at his own.
The weapons given to Barlow were abundant, with well-crafted spears, swords, halberds, shields, rapiers, and bows, all available.
In contrast, Mo Li’s selection included a dagger, a short knife, brass knuckles, and a black, stick-like iron piece, and that was it.
They were all poorly made, obviously cheap street goods.
A perfect illustration of ‘discriminatory treatment.’
“Please choose your weapon,” the guard ignored Mo Li’s complaint and repeated the words.
“Heh.” Knowing he couldn’t argue with this guy, Mo Li casually picked up a dagger, while on the other side, Barlow had already chosen his weapon, a long rapier, its blade glowing a faint green, seemingly an enchanted weapon.
In contrast to the well-crafted, possibly enchanted sword in Barlow’s hand, the disparity was clear.
It was like comparing a beginner village weapon to a rare +20 dungeon drop weapon.
“Yo, so arrogant, Mo Li, why don’t you keep being arrogant for me to see?” Barlow’s arrogant demeanor, his mouth almost reaching the height of his nose.
“Mr. Barlow, who do you think is embarrassed by this situation?” Mo Li said with amusement, playing with the broken dagger in his hand.
“Don’t forget, this isn’t just a match between you and me; everyone is watching.”
“After today, won’t the rumors of the Minster family openly cheating in the arena spread throughout the entire Papal State?”
