National Tournament

"Your master, he's so amazing." Ian was still in trance about the guidance he had just received. He had never thought that Logan would point out so many things that were uncertain to him. He was very contented with the knowledge he had gained today. And the sole reason for such outcome is all because of Xue Yiran. Who would have thought that there was a hidden master in the virtual net.

"He's quite skilled. However, don't praise him too much or he might start to get pompous." Xue Yiran said as they arrived at the bus stop. Before long, a hover bus arrives at the stop which they immediately boarded. The two sat on the empty seats available in the bus.

Ian hesitated a bit before deciding to bring up topic about the past. "That time at the academy, I'm really sorry for putting you in such a situation. There was no way I could accept your confession, so my first instinct was to reject you. If I knew it would lead to such outcome, I wouldn't have reacted that way." He'd been feeling guilty about it all along.

Being the crown prince of a planet and also a prince charming in the hearts of many girls, Ian had received countless of gifts and confessions from different girls. Despite their affection for him, he had rejected all of their confession just like he did with Xue Yiran. But who would have thought that the outcome of Xue Yiran rejection would turn otherwise. Ian assumed that if he had been more considerate, perhaps it wouldn't have led to such consequence.

"It's okay. That is all in past." It was the previous owner who had a crush on Ian, not her. As for bearing a grudge against him, that would be unlike her. In fact, Xue Yiran was quite satisfied with Ian straight forward actions.

Perhaps due to that, his status in the heart of many girls remains as a crush, apart from those who think they still had a chance with him.

"That's a relief. I've been feeling guilty about it now. I thought I had done something unforgivable." Ian guilty feeling lessen a lot. "Ah… and Colton. Don't bother about that guy. Sometimes, he likes to spurt out nonsense. So, don't be disturb about what he said at the competition." 

Colton image flashed in Xue Yiran mind. With the encounter they had, she could tell that the other party was quite strong. "Sure."

The two went silent for a while, before Ian suddenly recalls something. "That... have the Roland academy people been bothering you as of lately? Mentor Amos spoke about you. He was quite astonished when he discovered that you were the dark horse that took the whole competition by surprise." Ian could still recall Amos shocking expression when he saw Xue Yiran picture. "I think they might approach you. Mentor Amos said that the president is quite interested in you. So, I guess they might use whatever it is in their capacity to bring you back to the academy."

"They did approach me." Xue Yiran answered. "However, I'm not interested in going back. I'm quite satisfied with where I am." Although the behavior of the Hermes academy principal is somewhat crooked, the academy still pays a great attention to her. And besides, she is very familiar with the layout of her current academy than the unknown Roland academy.

Ian chuckled in response, already expecting her to respond this way. He could tell from her behavior that she wasn't someone who would change her mind after making a decision. "The president had better be scratching his head bald now from worries. With the National tournament coming around the corner, he must have wished to pull an ace like you to his side. Are you also participating in the national tournament?"

Xue Yiran indeed had heard about the National tournament. The principal had mentioned it in passing to her. "I'm not sure. What's the tournament about? Will we be rewarded just like the interschool competition?"

"It is more than just a reward." Ian could tell that Xue Yiran had no idea about what the national tournament entails about and began to explain.

The national tournament is a universal competition that holds every five years. According to the current date, it is still two years away before the competition commence. The tournament holds in 'Aqua', a first-rate planet known for its beautiful scenery. There, all geniuses from all planets across the universe gathered around to compete against each other.

Unlike the interschool competition, the competitiveness in the national tournament is quite fierce. The lowest contract beast a participant there could have, is an A rank beast king. Above it, are the S rank, SS rank and SSS rank beasts. There are even some genius ones who had already formed a contract with a star rank beast.

The tournament comprises of three stages, each of them holding for a month. The first stage is the arena battle competition. Second is the simulation battle stage. The simulation realm in this stage is so high that people could actually forfeit their lives in it. And the last stage holds outside of the wilds. At this stage, the death rate of most participants is as high as mountain. Even those who called themselves genius lose their lives under the claws of the ferocious beasts.

Despite this, there are still millions of people attending the competition every five years.

Why is that so? Well, some certain people do it for fame since the competition would be broadcasted live all over the universe. As for those who did it for fame, most of them do opt out after the first stage since they do not want to lose their lives. Still, their skills are enough for them to be approached by powerful investors. As for the second group, these are individuals who are all aiming for an admission to the international school that is situated in the capital.

As for what the international school is all about, Ian could only give a few details on it. Information about the school is just as strict as a classified information inside the Federation. Yet everyone knows that the international school is filled with geniuses. Most of those who hold important positions in the Federation came from this school. Some of them even went as far as becoming the leaders of a first-rate planet.

With such thing, how could one not aim to attend the school even at the expense of their lives.

Xue Yiran listened to Ian as he talked about this strange school.

"If the death rate is as high as you have said, then why are you still participating?" He was the only child of the emperor. If he were to die out there, then Starry Sky planet would be without a successor. Xue Yiran didn't know why Ian was making such rash decision.

"Are you worried about me?" A smile appeared on Ian's lips. "Don't worry about me. I've a special trick to keep my life." Ian assured and turned to Xue Yiran. "So, are you going to participate?"

"Of course not."

Ian eyes went wide, not expecting such answer. "Why?"

Why wouldn't that be. First to have a stand in the tournament, one's contract beast must be above A rank. Even an A rank beast king stand no chance against those giants' genius over there. If she were to attend with her punny B rank beast king, wouldn't she be just like a cow sending itself to the slaughter house.

"I'm just not fit for it." She answered.

Ian didn't know why Xue Yiran would refuse such once in a blue moon encounter. He knew how strong she was. Even stronger than him. Nonetheless, it had never crossed Ian's mind that the reason why Xue Yiran might have refused to attend the competition was because of her lower contract beast.

Soon, the bus arrived at the bustling district in the C zone. It was already 2 am in the morning. Xue Yiran hurriedly bade Ian farewell before heading to the creamery creamer store in the virtual net and logged out.

After climbing out of the cabin pod, she walked back to her room to take a short rest before dawn arrived.

However, Xue Yiran was quick to notice that something was off about Susu. Apart from the time she was at Creamery creamer, the said system had never spoken to her. But before she could inquire why, her tired body went into recess and she fell into a deep sleep.