"What?!!" The plaza exploded with noise.

"Wait a minute, did Lord Vulcan just say that only a hundred students will be allowed to enroll in the academy?" A male demon asked and a female succubus replied.

"Yes, he did."

"But that's insane!!"

Listening to this, a few young demons clutched their hands to their chest.

Some turned pale, knowing that it would be impossible for them to be among the top hundred, while others were practically vibrating with adrenaline.

Noticing this, Vulcan lifted his hand again and the plaza slowly quieted down.

"I know what I said might sound insane, but I am not blind to talent."

"If more of you were to impress me, impress the elders, and impress the demon lords present at the tournament… then the number may increase from one hundred to one thousand."

Every young demon in the plaza gasped with surprise.

"What? A thousand?" A young female Satyr uttered in surprise.

"So there's hope if we all do well…?!" Her friend said, equally expressing a look of surprise.

"Yeah, I think so."

"That's it. I'm definitely joining!!"

"Yeah, me too. I have to do my best in the tournament. Who knows, maybe I'll get enrolled with His Highness."

"Just imagine entering the academy the same year as Prince Astaroth!"

"Oh my devi!! It would be a dream come true."

"I know, right? That means we'll get to see him every day in class."

"Oh, my heart is racing just thinking about it right now. I can't wait to participate in the tournament."

"Me too!!"

"Eiiii!!!!" Both ladies squealed excitedly but their third friend rolled her eyes with a smile on her face.

"You two are delusional. Shouldn't you be more worried about the fact that you'll be competing against His Highness in the tournament?" The third satyr asked her two best friends.

"Yeah, but I don't mind."

"Me neither. In fact, as long as I can stand beside him, I don't care if I lose to him. No wait, on second thought, I want to lose to him so that he'll carry me out of the arena in his arms like his little princess.

"Oh my devi!! That would be so exciting. I love it!!!!"

"Well, unlike you two, I'm definitely going to win this tournament, and then His Highness is going to notice me and he might even ask for my hand in marriage or maybe he'll want me as one of his concubines. And then he won't even notice the two of you." The third satyr poked her tongue out in a teasing gesture.

"Hey!!! That's not fair!!" Both ladies yelled at the same time but the third female Satyr simply giggled excitedly.

That was how the plaza continued to buzz with excitement from all angles.

Many young demons clenched their fists in anticipation of the tournament while others felt nervous about the tournament, but they were equally interested in participating as well.

Of course, Vulcan noticed this, so he raised a hand, forcing everyone to fall silent.

"For everyone participating in the tournament, I do not care where you are from, what family you belong to, or whether your house is rich or poor. In that arena, all of you will be equal."

"Only your effort will matter and your results will do the talking." Vulcan declared as he glanced at his fellow demon lords.

"And I would be honored, if the gathered Demon Lords would attend the tournament as witnesses and judges, so that every demon in every kingdom can be assured that the results will be fair."

Hearing this, the Capra Demon Lord smirked and slowly leaned back in his seat while folding his arms. "That sly bastard… He's pulling all of us into this…"

Isabella chuckled softly before adding. "It's clever isn't it? But I like it because if we attend the tournament as judges, no one would dare to complain about favoritism."

Naturally, they wouldn't be competing in the tournament but since they would get to see so many young demons eagerly trying to showcase their talents, Isabella and the other demon lords were equally as excited as the young demons about the tournament.

With a smirk on his face, Vulcan brought his gaze back to the sea of demons in the plaza.

"To be clear, this tournament is not about politics."

"It is not about titles."

"It is not even about impressing us Demon Lords."

"It is about proving to yourselves that demon kind is not soft."

"That we are still hungry."

"That when the academy opens its doors next trimester and looks at our children…?"

"They will no longer see slackers and underachievers."

"They will see ambitious young demons!!!"

"So think about it, do you want to remain mediocre in the eyes of those around you or do you want to be recognized and respected as TRUE DEMONS!!" Vulcan clenched his fist and pumped in the air.

For a brief period, silence reigned across the plaza as Vulcan's last words ignited a spark in their heart.

Many demons smiled at the idea of being recognized and acknowledged by the other races.

Suddenly, a loud clap reverberated throughout the plaza.

*Clap!!*

The Capra Demon Lord brought his hands together again and his claps grew louder.

*Clap* *Clap* *Clap!!*

Isabella smiled before joining in, and then the Shadow Demon Lord and Vivian joined in as well.

The elders followed and within seconds, the entire plaza was now clapping in acknowledgment of Vulcan's wonderful plan.

Even the young demons around Aster's age were clapping loudly while others lifted their fists above their heads with excitement shining on their faces.

Among them, a couple of male centaurs couldn't hold back their excitement any longer.

"Lord Vulcan has got me hyped up for the upcoming tournament. Now, I can't wait to get accepted into the academy."

"Me too. For months now, I've been worried about enrolling in the academy, but now I really want to do my best in the academy."

"Well, I'm going to start training from now on."

"Yeah, count me in. I'm definitely going to shock that academy so hard they'll never look down on demons again!!"

"Let's make it into the top one hundred!"

"Top one hundred? Dude, I'm already aiming for the top ten!!"

"That's the spirit!!"

Both male centaurs cackled while bumping their fists.

Meanwhile, a group of three female succubi were equally as excited as the male centaurs, but unlike the guys, these ladies were already having a few naughty thoughts in their minds.

"Girls, I'm definitely making sure I get accepted into the academy."

"Indeed, I can't wait to attend the academy the same year as Prince Astaroth."

"Don't you mean 'bumping' into him in the corridors, and maybe.... 'studying together'?" The third succubus winked.

"Ooh, stop it or you'll make a tear slide down my thighs."

"Oh my, you naughty little demon. Remember, we can't get too ahead of ourselves. We have to work hard if we ever want to get close to Prince Astaroth or any other Prince in the academy."

"Oh, that reminds me. Do you think other princes will be attending this year as well?"

"Yeah, I heard Lord Vulcan's son might be enrolling this year, so that means he'll definitely be participating in the tournament as well."

"Oh my devi!! I can already imagine Prince Astaroth brawling against Lord Vulcan's son."

"Indeed, their battle is going to be epic!!" All three ladies squealed excitedly as they anticipated the commencement of the tournament in two months.

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