End Of Day 2

The crowd was stunned, far more than they were when Asher beat Mischael. The reason for this was that none of them could understand what had taken place just then. No one knew why Vergil froze at the last moment and became helpless against Emma. Well, it would be a lie to say no one knew.

'Such impressive and subtle control of mana.'

Asher, the dukes, marquises, and some of the powerful individuals present couldn't help but be astonished.

While the others were confused as to how Emma won, these fellows understood exactly what had taken place.

'The mist... She wasn't just randomly attacking but purposely having it spread all over the stage. As the duel continued, it would be inevitable for Vergil to inhale some of it.' Duke Graham stared at the stage as he thought this.

'Once the mist was in the body of her opponent, the fight was already over.' Marquis Von Maeur took in a cold breath of air.

'However, pulling this off is a lot more difficult than it sounds.' The vice-minister of the Department of War sighed internally.

'If the mist had any trace of mana, Vergil would have noticed this and prevented it from getting into his system. He's not stupid after all.' Vergil's father, Duke Forster frowned.

'So, the only way she could pull this off was by limiting the amount of mana within the mist to a level that would be negligible to Vergil's senses. But even then, her mana control is something to behold.' Asher smiled.

'Emma Saunters, I think I'll recruit you.' Asher's eyes sparkled.

Initially, Asher was of the opinion of avoiding having students from big families under his wing as once he left the kingdom, chances were that these students would want to take over his legacy and possibly backstab his family. This was something Asher didn't want to risk. However, the skill and potential Emma revealed made him realize that he had underestimated these geniuses. Even if Asher avoided recruiting them and brought the Arnhaunt family to a high position before he left, unless he destroyed these young geniuses' foundation, they would grow to be powerful in the future. Without him to keep them in check, chances were that they would usurp the Arnhaunts' authority and try to eliminate them.

The best solution which would avoid this, apart from utilizing violence, would be to have these geniuses swear allegiance to him and his family. With them in the palm of his hands, Asher would be at ease regarding the safety of his family.

'I guess it's decided then.'

A few minutes after the end of Emma and Vergil's battle, the first day of the tournament was officially over. In the end, there were only thirty rounds which were three short of the originally announced. The time left out for the three rounds ended up being used for a short entertainment show involving some dancers from the capital and a few fireworks that lit up the evening.

After the show, the citizens returned to their homes, the visitors to their lodges while the students were sent to temporary tents that were erected for the event. Those who could afford to do so were allowed to depart the academy's premises albeit to return before a certain time in the day.

. . .

Asher and Raven departed the academy at separate times but met up at the Arnhaunt family mansion in the capital.

Present in the mansion were Ol' Fang, Luther, Aaron, Isabella, and a close friend of Elijah, Asher's uncle, in the family, as well as a few other guards. However, when Asher returned, he only met up with Ol' Fang and co., before calling out Raven for a conversation.

"So, what's your take on the students?" Asher asked.

"I'm not familiar with the students of the First Dawn Academy so I'll give my notes about them for last. Regarding the Second Dawn Academy students, they surprised me albeit not so much. Compared to how they are in the academy, their performance in this tournament seems to be a bit better. I believe this has to do with the stakes at large. Sadly, the difference is clear as night and day.

"The Second Dawn Academy students may have experience, but it's in dealing with monsters and not humans. When talking about man-to-man combat, they aren't much better than their counterparts. Compared to them, the First Dawn Academy students, who lack the required experience, still have better training methods, knowledge, and a higher level of mana. This gives them an edge over the others." Raven sighed.

After his experience in the tournament, Raven realized that he owed a lot to Asher. If it weren't for his young master, even if Raven had been admitted into the Second Dawn Academy, he would have been nothing more than cannon fodder. Even if he was a bit better, it still wouldn't be enough to ensure that he made it through this first stage of the tournament.

"What about the First Dawn Academy students? Any special character apart from the obvious ones?" Asher asked.

"There are a few. Vergil of the Forster marquis family, Ethan of the Croft marquis family, and Dukes Klein and Mozart's sons, among others. Even Mischael seems to be quite talented. Excluding those of duke and marquis families, there are just a few who reach young master's qualifications." Raven replied.

"Any noteworthy individuals?" Asher asked.

"I compiled a list for you, young master." Raven handed Asher a small pile of paper he had stacked together and kept with him.

As Asher went through the 'book', he was surprised but also pleased. Despite being a participant in the tournament, Raven still found enough time to write down the weaknesses, strengths, and potential of each of the students, particularly his opponents and those from the other groups apart from G and H. This was because Group H was Raven's group while Group G was the group that shared stages with his. As such, when Raven had a match, it would be difficult for him to spectate and analyse the students battling unless he finished within ten seconds. However, doing so was against Asher's original instructions.

Nonetheless, while the information on the members of group G and H weren't as detailed as the others, there was still a bit of write-up on them.

"Well done." Asher nodded.

In truth, he knew all of this but it was simply Asher's way of growing Raven and training his eye of observation.

Just as with Isabella, Asher wanted to have Raven grow to a certain degree where even without his presence, Raven and Isabella would be capable of protecting the family.