THE YOUNG MAGES COMPETITION OF ANTENNE
THE YOUNG MAGES COMPETITION OF ANTENNE
"The times have changed for Antenne Town, it's time the Noten family regained their prestige in the world of Conjuration", Hugo said to us.
"That will depend on you young conjurers if you can win this competition", Amelia asked me.
"Don't worry, we will win", I replied to her confidently while my friends looked at me unconvinced.
"Don't worry, I'll make sure we all win something in the competition or at least a place in the magic school", I told my friends who were still not convinced.
We were after all some poor students from a poor village in Nymera and were not supposed to be the match of the talented and rich students of the aristocrat in this kingdom. But my friends were confident in me, and I believe in them.
"Alright, if you are confident, I'll bet my position as the manager of Noten House on you four", Amelia said to us suddenly.
"That is the spirit that Noten House should have which we lack for a very long time", Hugo praised Amelia who merely smiled at him.
Amelia used all the favors she had among her friends in town to bargain for four competition tickets for us. She might actually have spent more on gift exchanges and favors to get us the tickets than giving the heart lanterns in her shop, but she did it for us anyway, as a sort of favor.
Worse still for her if we eventually failed in the competition because her reputation in the town and in her family would be ruined for making a bad judgment. In business, leaders who made bad judgments would usually be demoted for better people.
Amelia made a big bet on us because she believes in investing in the future, and she saw a bright future for us, children from a little-known village.
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The heart of Antenne Town played host to the prestigious Young Mages Competition, a grand spectacle unfolding at the central court—the very epicenter of significant gatherings.
The usually accessible courtyard had been cordoned off for the event, transformed into an enclosed arena where a substantial stage took center stage. This meticulously constructed platform served as the battleground for the competition, creating an atmosphere charged with anticipation.
Encircling the arena, elevated platforms provided seating for the distinguished figures of Antenne Town. Nestled upon these perches were not only the town's elite and influential aristocratic families but also government officials and even esteemed members of the Church of All-Seeing—a religious institution deeply woven into the fabric of the Ten Kingdoms.
The convergence of these disparate yet powerful factions heightened the significance of the event, casting a captivating aura over the entire proceedings.
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"Amelia, I heard your Noten family has fielded several participants for this year's competition", someone asked Amelia.
"Yes, we have, Gordon", Amelia replied to the guy.
"It seems the Kleppon family now have competition this year against the Noten family that if I'm not mistaken never fielded candidates before in this event. They must give us enormous surprise", another aristocrat said to Gordon of the Kleppon family.
"This is my first year of return from Gaesov town, I thought to bring some fresh ideas to the family although we are not expecting to be the competition of the established crown", Amelia said to Gordon.
"This is a competition. There is no need to be humble Amelia, everybody has a chance", the other guy replied to her.
"Of course, Kedrix I am waiting to witness the talents from the Stout family shining in this year's competition. Perhaps there may be surprises this year from the Strout family that will amaze us", she replied to Kedrix Strout, another patriarch from the Strout family of Antenne Town.
"Who will know the result until it's finally declared? Although the winners are usually among either the Kleppon or Strout families," Gordon said to them when the bell of the competition rang.
The Young Mages Competition of Antenne Town began.
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Before the Young Mages Competition, all competitors were required to test their Templar magic.
"Bommurs Awakening Level 7" "Raven Awakening Level 7" "Minna Awakening Level 7" "Orion Awakening Level 4"
"Huh, how did a Level 4 get to qualify for the competition?"
"The standard of the Competition is getting way too low nowadays."
"I heard the Noten family spent quite a bit to get the weak kid in, he must be a scion of the family."
"Corrupt competition judges, I'll skin them if that kid at Level 4 wins."
"Oh, you really didn't plan to join this competition to win it seems", Gordon Kleppon asked Amelia after the referee revealed the participants' magic prowess.
"It's just a competition and magic levels don't guarantee a win", Amelia replied to him.
"Yes, you are right Amelia but with participants like these, you are almost guaranteeing a poor performance, I'm definitely not going to bet on that horse of yours, hahaha", Kedrix Strout said to her and laughed.
"We will never know the final result unless we are the Oracle, hahaha", Gordon replied to Kedrix and laughed as Amelia returned to her seat, calmly sipping on her favorite beverage.
"They are laughing at us", Hugo whispered to Amelia.
"We'll see who will laugh last", Amelia replied to him.
"What makes you so sure the children will win this competition?" Hugo asked his Missus.
"That is because you have not seen this boy, Orion's aura", she replied to him.
"When did you use the aura revealing glass on the boy?" Hugo asked his Missus.
"When he came to my shop in White Horse, this Orion is not ordinary", Amelia replied to his old assistant.
"No wonder he asked me to bet so much money on him winning", Hugo said to the Missus.
"What, he already learned to gamble?" she asked him.
"He is definitely more mature than his age makes him appear", Hugo told his Missus.
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The spectators at the Young Mages Competition seemed to have made up their minds on my qualification and they even predicted my result beforehand.
"Hahaha, it seems like many people weren't approving of your joining the competition. They would be in for a big surprise", Hugo laughed as he spoke to me.