Prince Alfried looked up at the magical mirrors floating over the viewing gallery. "Has the match begun?"

"Your Highness, it has only just started," Professor Chester of Snake Academy said meekly. "Do you have any instructions?"

Alfried smiled. "Tell me how you've arranged this round."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

Chester bent a little lower and reported, "This round is the Defense Round. After each academy's squad selects a territory, we'll place scarecrows inside it and simulate monster assaults."

"Simulate?"

"Yes. Monsters carry a dark taint. Children with low mana get corrupted easily, so using simulations is safer," Chester explained.

Alfried let out a sorrowing sigh. "Since the Behemoth appeared, evil and darkness have kept swelling. The Western Continent grows ever more turbulent—yet our juniors haven't even seen real monsters. How are they supposed to guard the mortal city‑states one day?"

Chester's heart thudded. Cautiously he asked, "Then in Your Highness's view…?"

"In my view, we replace the simulated monsters with real ones," Alfried said, earnest and weighty. "We will all grow old. The children cannot hide under our arms forever—they have to grow."

"Real monsters will also show them how cruel this world is—and how far they still have to go."

"But…" Chester wavered. "Wouldn't releasing real monsters into the arena be too dangerous for the children?"

Every professor present shared that thought.

Real monsters are powerful, vicious, cunning—sometimes even mages struggle against them. Throwing magic apprentices at them isn't a joke.

Divine College's students would cope; their Light magic restrains such creatures.

The rest would suffer—they lack Light affinity.

Trading lives for a single round? Not worth it.

These competitors are each academy's pride. Losing even one would be a heavy blow.

If Prince Alfried insisted on releasing real monsters, some would rather forfeit than take that risk.

Alfried plainly read the quiet calculations below—but he was unbothered.

Seeking benefit and avoiding harm is human nature. If you want people to walk your road, you give them something first.

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"I understand your concerns. Rest assured—I will not cast your treasured students into peril."

He raised a hand. The two knights beside him immediately hauled out two large chests, opened them, and revealed rows of crystal‑clear vials.

"Here are three hundred bottles of Holy Water personally blessed by the Pope, and three hundred bottles of high‑grade healing potions. If anyone is injured, you may come here and take what you need."

"If no one is injured, the children may each receive one bottle afterward as reserve."

Three hundred bottles of Holy Water!

And three hundred bottles of high‑grade healing potions!

Eyes widened. None had expected Prince Alfried to begin with such largesse.

Never mind the priceless Holy Water—those healing potions run a thousand gold coins each. Three hundred comes to three hundred thousand gold coins!

"Th-this…" Chester stammered, staring at Alfried. "Your Highness, these Holy Water and potions are truly all for the children?"

"Of course." Alfried's smile was gentle. "If you're uneasy, take them now and guard them yourselves."

"No, no—we trust you," Chester waved quickly. "Such valuables are safest in Your Highness's care."

"These are mere objects. In my eyes, only human life deserves the word 'precious.'" Alfried beckoned. "Bruce, Antoine, carry them down. Set them in the center of the hall."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

The two knights strained under the weight, carrying the chests to the middle. Dozens of gazes followed as Holy Water and potions were set down.

No one voiced objection. Acceptance of the gifts was silent, unanimous.

In exchange, Alfried's proposal naturally passed.

However, Siria and the other academies had not prepared live monsters; there was no time now to catch any. Chester hesitantly explained the difficulty.

"No problem," Alfried said—already prepared. From his sleeve he drew a roll of parchment. "For a thousand years the Church has labored to purge dark creatures—but monsters, born of darkness, cannot be wholly erased."

"So, as a last resort, we sealed certain Dark Domains to keep what dwells within from spilling out and plaguing the mortal world."

"This parchment bears a summoning Magic Rune that links to one such Dark Domain. Take it to the arena and test it."

He handed the parchment to Bruce. Bruce bowed, descended the steps, and passed it to Chester.

With the match arrangements settled, Alfried turned toward the Siria professors. "Headmaster Morrison did not come?"

Lady Jacqueline Tobias— the Church's planted observer at Siria—stepped forward. "Your Highness, Headmaster Morrison overworked himself days ago. He's unwell and resting at home."

"I see." Concern softened Alfried's features. "Please convey my regards. May he recover soon. With the Sun and Moon Gods above, his health will be blessed."

"Of course, Your Highness," Lady Tobias nodded.

"What a pity," Alfried said regretfully. "I heard Siria's students have taken first place again. I wished to consult Headmaster Morrison on how to foster such outstanding children."

Lady Tobias answered respectfully, "The Divine College's students are even more exceptional. I'm sure Headmaster Morrison would gladly discuss teaching methods with you."

Alfried's smile thinned as his gaze slid to a mirror showing Siria's junior squad. "Divine College's students are rigid and dull. Siria's children, by contrast, are quick."

"That child—her name is Luo Wei, isn't it?"

He pointed at Luo Wei's mirror; his ink‑dark blue eyes rested, unreadable, on the girl within.

Lady Tobias followed his finger, puzzlement stirring. "Yes, she's Luo Wei. Your Highness, you know her?"

"I do." A gentle smile surfaced, time's fine lines deepening at his eyes. "I'm very fond of that child. She reminds me of myself when I was young."

"I wonder whether Siria Magic Academy would part with her. I want to make her my goddaughter."

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