The Author's POV

Hatred.

Pure hatred.

If there was one feeling to describe how the current Melissa felt, it would be pure hatred.

At the moment, about a quarter of the arena grounds' attention was drawn towards her. Clenching her fists and staring at Ren who was still standing on the arena grounds with a smirk on his face, Melissa's eyes turned into crescent moons.

For a brief moment of time, Melissa looked back at the time when Ren was presumingly dead. The good old days as one might call them.

Not even a week after he reappeared and he was already causing her problems.

Fortunately, with the preliminaries in full swing and the others couldn't approach her yet. She was still safe. At least for now.

"Ugh, my head hurts."

Just imagining what was going to happen once the first day ended, Melissa felt her head throb uncontrollably.

Without a doubt, she was going to be hounded from all sides, all trying to gain information regarding the magic cards.

"Haaa..."

She deeply sighed at the thought. Still, it wasn't the end of the world.

She naturally understood what Ren was trying to pull. By displaying the power of the cards in front of everyone, he was essentially advertising to all four races the effects of the cards.

Having spent over a year mass producing the cards, she had plenty to give away.

If she could secure a deal with the other races, she wouldn't need to worry about money for the rest of her life. She had to admit, Ren's plan was quite smart, 'ugh', Melissa's stomach suddenly churned at that thought.

The words 'smart' and 'Ren' being put together left a bitter taste in her mouth.

"Number 456, Amanda Stern vs Number 096 Kodiak"

As Melissa's stomach churned in disgust at the thought of having complemented Ren, Amanda's name was suddenly called up.

Seated next to her, with her bow in hand, Amanda stood up.

As she stood up, instantly, half of the stares directed at Melissa lingered on Amanda who indifferently walked down the stands.

Melissa sighed in relief as she saw this. With half of the stares gone, she felt much more comfortable.

***

[At the upper echelon section.]

"…interesting."

Gervis muttered as he stared at the human in the distance. The cards in his hand had truly left him surprised. Never had he seen such artifact technology. Update faster, please come to Novel His inner dwarven mind instantly became excited at the prospect of analyzing the cards.

'I'll ask him to give me a sample.' Gervis thought as his eyes focused on the human standing in the middle of the square. He already knew who it was, but he just pretended to not know him.

This was obviously at his request.

Turning his head, he glanced at Octavious and complimented him.

"That's some peculiar technology. I didn't know you humans were able to create such artifacts."

"…It is indeed an interesting piece of technology." Octavious calmly answered from the side. His eyes never left Melissa who was currently everyone's center of attention.

Despite the attention she was drawing from everyone present, he remained completely indifferent to it. As though he didn't care about her current predicament.

'What a strange human…' Gervis thought as he studied Octavious from the side.

He had interacted with many humans before, but none were as weird as Octavious. To Gervis, his composure was something admirable. It made it harder for people to understand what he was thinking.

Even he had difficulty reading his expression.

"Number 456, Amanda Stern vs Number 096 Kodiak"

It was at that moment that the referee announced the next contestant and a young human female stood up.

The moment Amanda stood up, the elven queen's brows jumped up. Throughout the whole tournament, she had always remained seated with a stoic and indifferent look on her face.

had occurred her expression not once changed, yet, the moment Amanda appeared, her facade

of surprise on their faces. Then, turning their attention towards Amanda in the square, they all wondered, 'Why would the queen react like that at her appearance?'

the elven queen leaned her body forward. A rare trace of solemnity emerged on her

"…it can't be."

***

being called up, Amanda

"Good luck."

"Mhm."

his face, Amanda nodded back. But just as he passed her, Ren didn't forget to whisper something

same move like yesterday. Trust me, you will never lose

a pause and her head snapped backward only to see Ren's figure quickly

Amanda gently bit

yesterday in the training grounds, a slight blush appeared on her cheeks. Lowering her head, and letting the hair cover

concede, you win. Forgive me. I will never do it again,

of him begging for forgiveness replayed in her

'…Was yesterday not enough?'

grip of her

try her moves again, she was all in for it. With

legs, Amanda jumped up. Her foot soon softly landed on

body and brushing her hair

her was an orc. Just like any other orc, he had a well-built body and a ferocious look on his face. Staring at her with his ferocious

bow, Amanda

Swooosh—!

Amanda's clothes fluttered. Following this, the

"Begin!"

to move following the

Bang—!

the ground beneath the orc cracked apart. His clothes flapped about, while a dark green hue swirled on the surface of his body creating a rather imposing

orc opposite of her, Amanda remained motionless with her bow

Amanda's nonchalance, the former's foot pushed off the ground and he shot in

enormous fist which was coated in a dark green hue quickly smashed in her direction. The orc's attack was extremely swift and ferocious, reaching Amanda's

face, Amanda raised her hand, the one which held onto the bow, and took

the

"Ukek!"

a pained cry as his arm twisted upwards. A faint green line appeared on the part where his skin touched with the

her core, Amanda agilely moved around the orc's massive body

"Khhhh..."

face turned a deeper shade of green. Raising his hand, he gripped Amanda's leg

teeth, Amanda raised her elbow and smashed it towards the orc's

Thump—!

rang out as the orc's eyes went wide with pain. Not missing this opportunity, Amanda increased the

"Khh..."

more and more sluggish as

Thud—!

ground with his eyes completely white. He had

456, Amanda

referee announced her victory did Amanda finally release her leg hook and the orc fell

"Haaa...haaa..."

impressive was the fact that throughout the whole

"Huuuuu."

staring into the sky Amanda took a deep breath

***

me to never piss her

ran down my spine as I

Amanda could be fierce at times, now that I

match only lasted a total

has improved a lot over the years that I haven't seen her.' I thought as I stared at her figure basking in the cheers of the crow. She looked especially dazzling standing underneath the

was a good

of precaution, I scooched over to

brow. 'You saw what I did there, didn't you?' That was what her face implied as I

lips pursed

have

and my

I looked

"Beautiful day isn't it?"

"...It is."