NOVPUBThe tournament ended, with even its website being removed.
All the rankings, information on the beasts, plants, the announcements, everything…gone.
Team Eryndor glanced at the final winner of the last loot drop event, it was Team Ricky. They won despite only having two people in their team.
On second thought, it was a perfect event for a team like that.
Only a few among the top ten knew about the shenanigans of Team Ricky, and when every other student out there was a competitor, they had no reasons to spread the information.
Only if there was any other group out there who bought information from the Support Shrine would they know about Team Ricky.
There was also the issue that even if someone had an inkling of a guess that Team Ricky did indeed have a large number of students under them, who were these students?
These students didn't go around wearing clothes which displayed their affiliation to Team Ricky.
Not everyone was Irene who would also buy items to identify students working under Team Ricky.
Now that I think of her, she seems to be really good at collecting intelligence. Is her ability perhaps related to that?
Eryndor thought, but couldn't really confirm at the moment, so he kept that aside and headed towards the entrance.
As the students gathered near the entrance area where the now recovered Guardian Sol stood alone, they gazed at the massive golden tablet situated beside the entrance portal.
It displayed the top ten rankings, the teams who were qualified for the wheel battle.
At first place was Team Eryndor, with around two and a half million points.
In second place was Team Kron.
Team Utyr, the dark horse, and Team Risa were in third and fourth place respectively.
In fifth and sixth place were Team Irene, and Team Yu.
Eryndor was surprised to see Team Irene, not because they were in the top ten, but because they were high enough at fifth rank.
After their cooperation, he knew Irene was extremely capable, but pulling up a not-so-strong team up to rank five was no joke.
The seventh spot was taken by Team Ricky, and eighth by Team Bronit.
The ninth and tenth spot was taken by teams who had replaced Team Lance and Team Jonathan.
They were Team Teri and Team Tori.
Both of these teams were apparently led by twin sisters.
Once all the students were gathered, Guardian Sol coughed to attract their attention and spoke.
"It was a pleasure to watch everyone in this tournament.
"The way you all fought, the way you dealt with your troubles, the way you brainstormed the hidden rules, the way you evaded dangerous situations, I hope every one of these things taught you something.
"Learn from the mistakes of others. Your own life is too short to be doing them all by yourself.
"The wheel battle will take place in three days in the stadium number two of the Academy.
"Everyone here including the seniors can choose to spectate. The professors would be there as well.
"There's a tiny probability that you may be offered a chance to learn under a professor if they happen to fancy your skills, so make sure to show off to your heart's content.
"Yes, I am talking about something like a disciple-master bond from the old times, just a bit less uptight and strict.
"I've also gotten some surprising news. The President of The Human Federation, Dr. Kirchoff, has personally taken the time to congratulate the top ten teams.
"He would also be present during the closing ceremony to reward the winning team. The rest of you from rank two would be rewarded by different people.
"There is no change in rewards, just a change in the person who'll reward all of you.
"Don't belittle the chance, cherish it. People at high rankings can't meet him even if they pay their entire fortune.
"That's all, start boarding the spaceship."
Eryndor's heartbeat sped up as he listened to Guardian Sol's small speech.
Dr. Kirchoff would be visiting? Isn't it extremely rare that he would meet anybody at all in the first place?
Guardian Sol said it himself how he rarely meets anybody. Why would he be randomly visiting a group of first years?
Eryndor couldn't help but think that it might have something to do with him.
Does he want to meet me?
He shook his head. No matter if Dr. Kirchoff wanted to meet him or not, there was nothing he could do at the moment.
There was a high chance that he would be present when the spaceship landed in the Academy grounds.
He couldn't resist going into the spaceship right now right? Guardian Sol could easily manhandle him and stuff him inside if he acted out.
And he couldn't really jump off a spaceship mid flight.
Not to mention that it would be difficult to even break open a gap for him to escape through, he wouldn't even survive the jump with the height at which the spaceship travelled.
His physique wasn't strong enough to handle that.
There were rumours that at higher levels, one would be able to stay alive even if they fell from space.
Naturally, such rumours weren't completely baseless, as humanity had managed to 'borrow' a few practice techniques which showed the path till sixth, or even seventh realm.
There was a chance that those absurd claims might be true.
Still, compared to them Eryndor was only at level two, so he didn't have any confidence of staying alive after jumping out from the spaceship.
Not to mention that Dr. Kirchoff has an enormous amount of influence.
What if he decides to do something to my parents once he realizes I've run away?
As he was falling deeper and deeper into his thoughts, he suddenly snapped out of it.
Wait, why do I not want to meet Dr. Kirchoff in the first place?
He readily gave away important information which saved my life. I should be thankful for that.
Eryndor furrowed his brow when he realized that he had been inadvertently scared of people in power after encountering two such examples who had schemes on top of schemes which ran deep.
If not for coincidences, luck and his sharp observations then he would've fallen prey to Co Founder Morris' schemes this time, and last time it would be his friends who could've been trapped in the city of Polinek due to Caulin.
He heaved a sigh, and focused his attention on the topic of discussion going on in his group.
"Sorry, I've got a mission planned, so I can't attend the get-together."
Edward waved both his hands in front of him.
Drakarion polished his knuckle dusters while trying to convince Edward.
"C'mon, there's going to be a three day break. We can even meet today after taking a short rest if you're so short on time."
Edward had a helpless smile on his face as he replied.
"I really do want to come, but please understand that the mission is important, and I have to leave tonight itself.
"It's morning right now, and even if we decide to meet in the afternoon I wouldn't be able to attend because I simply have way too many things to prepare.
"I also have to attempt a breakthrough before the mission starts, so that's going to be another thing which will occupy a lot of time.
"I'm really sorry, let's meet sometime else."
There was a period of silence in the group before Valentina's attention switched over to Eryndor.
With a taunting tone and expression, she asked.
"Done spacing out Mr. Brain-of-the-group? What were you thinking about now? A way to win the wheel battles?"
Without realizing, a small chuckle escaped Eryndor's mouth as he hurriedly denied it.
Tournament was the last thing he had in mind right now.
Paulina explained to him since he had just joined their talks.
"After spending so long in the secret realm, we decided to plan an outing of sorts. Movies, shopping, food and all kinds of stuff.
"Except Edward, everyone has agreed, you'll be coming too right?"
Eryndor smiled slightly.
"Do I have a choice?"
"No."
"Alright, I'll be there."
Edward was a senior who happened to join their group, but he was their roommate, who knew what would happen if he denied.
He still wanted to keep his villa a safe place for himself.
As plans were being made, he gave his own input a few times, but it was apparent that the 'brain-of-the-group' was conveniently being ignored.
Syndra, Valentina and Paulina were making the plans without any intention of letting him or Drakarion give their opinions.
According to them, both of them should just shut up and listen to them when it's about these things. Their only job was to follow them and enjoy themselves.
Eryndor was happy to let the ladies take the reins as he engaged in idle chatter with Edward and Drakarion.
He glanced at Edward and asked.
"I suppose you won't talk about your mission will you?"
Edward tilted his head and spoke in a low voice.
"I can only tell you it's related to an anomaly."
Eryndor raised his eyebrows and asked.
"Aren't you specialising in dealing with beasts?"
Edward nodded, then helplessly spread his hands.
"My group who I run missions with accepted this, not me. They told me to be a part of it as well, since they said it'll be difficult without me.
"I can't really reject them, they are good friends of mine you know."
Eryndor and Drakarion nodded at him.
They would also unhesitantly join the mission if their team needed them.
When their spaceship reached the Academy and was hovering above it, Eryndor looked down from the window, and happened to spot Dr. Kirchoff waiting beside the landing spot.
The President of The Human Federation was looking back at him.
