As I heard MidnightFire’s introduction, I felt my heartbeat skip outside the VR world.
Although the avatar didn’t resemble her in real life, I could sense the distinct similarities.
A wave of disbelief washed through my body.
The top genius of the Magical Swordsman Department!
I hadn’t expected her to encounter her so close, and most of all, here of all places.
I pondered how deep Chioma’s connection was to pull her here.
Even miniman at this moment was silent.
"This is Rosybloom0006. Her true identity is Ivory. She’s currently the top-ranked Magical Swordsman of the Class Three Magical Swordsman Department rankings."
The rush of emotions within me vanished.
I suspected that this must be one of the bot avatars that Ivory used, because it was vastly different from the last avatar I had seen her use.
I wondered why she was here.
Was she a mole sent by the descendants of the Zahara Clan to monitor what was happening within the Star Auction Auditorium? Most likely.
It wouldn’t be far off for them to send someone to observe the situation to ensure that their plans worked as they intended.
Did MidnightFire know about this?
I doubted that she did. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have invited Ivory.
I only felt revulsion as I stared at her.
However, my avatar couldn’t register my emotions unless I wanted it.
"You both, this is miniman. His true identity is Ranveer Khanna, a direct descendant of the famed Khanna Family, which has produced a long line of reputable Assassins of the Assassin Path."
MidnightFire gestured at miniman.
"No way! Esther Palgram! Ivory! The two goddesses of the Magical Swordsman Department! I can’t believe that I’m meeting both of you at the same time!" Miniman exclaimed, his expression shifted to happiness, and his tone filled with joy.
His behaviour was a little embarrassing.
However, I had thick enough skin to handle it.
"It’s a pleasure to meet you, miniman," Fairmoon01 chuckled. "I’m flattered. I didn’t know that people still addressed me with that title. I thought that they would drop it by now."
"I’m here because this concerns the Magical Swordsman Department, so I have no other choice but to be present."
I had only observed Esther from far away, whether it was in the arena where she had a sword drawn, ready to strike down her opponent, or giving a speech during the school’s ceremony as the top-ranked student of the Magical Swordsman Department.
Her demeanour was always intimidating, and her cold, unwelcoming voice made others think twice before approaching her.
I had never heard her speak this close.
I had expected that was the way she also behaved when addressing others.
Her voice was calm. Natural and carried a hint of playfulness.
But I could sense the indifference in her voice.
It was no different from another noble descendant adept at socialising and building long-term connections.
Unless someone had spent more than a decade in the same circumstances that I had endured in the Zahara, it would be challenging for them to sense it.
Even if they did, they would have likely ignored it given her status and her background.
"You shouldn’t mind my friend. She’s been having a bad week recently and isn’t in the mood to socialise. She prefers to get to know others by trading swords with them."
Fairmoon01 gestured at Rosyblueo0006.
I responded with a subtle nod.
"Ah! This has to do with the Worst One. I’ve heard about everything, including how he had cheated to defeat you when you were holding back." miniman vigorously nodded as he looked at Rosybloom0006.
"Despite already having a despicable reputation, the fact that he had gone so low is something that even I can’t tolerate. As long as you want it, I’m willing to offer up my help in dealing with him."
He stretched out his hand and bent his fingers as though he was grasping something in the air.
I didn’t know how to feel seeing this scene.
Still, it was good that I had witnessed this.
Otherwise, I wouldn’t know who was subscribing to become my enemies despite knowing that I don’t do refunds.
Fairmoon01 chuckled playfully once more.
"Are you certain that your help would be of any help to handle the Worst One?" She asked.
"What does that mean?" miniman asked. His voice, colder than before. His expression was also the same.
"I’m the sixth-ranked Assassin of the Class Two Assassin Department Rankings. The Worst One might have beaten Ivory, but we all knew of the underhanded means he had used to emerge victorious. It’s an insult to my skill and that of my family for me to doubt my words against such a loser."
He tightened his fists.
"Even if I were to face two of the Worst Ones, I still wouldn’t back down. I will be more willing to dispose of such trash outside the Grand Avalon Academy."
As a descendant of a noble family, miniman took pride in his abilities and his family, who had nurtured him to reach this level.
To doubt his words was akin to insulting his abilities and the noble family that had nurtured him up to this point.
Such an action was unwarranted unless she wanted to create chaos or friction within both parties.
However, all that was based on the strength and reputation of the former Ezekiel.
The me now could crush him instantly.
"It seems that you haven’t seen it yet," Fairmoon01 chuckled again.
"See what?" miniman asked, his voice filled with confusion.
"You haven’t heard about it, yet you’re making such a bold boast," Fairmoon01 said with a sigh.
She stretched out her hand and waved it forward.
A small, transparent screen appeared before us.
On the screen was a familiar scene - the battle between me and Jaran that had occurred earlier today.
I hadn’t expected that someone would record the battle on their phone.
I also hadn’t expected that Esther had not only watched the video but also chose to share them with someone else.
"Earlier today, there was a big news making waves across the Magical Swordsman Department. Initially, we had doubted it, but after seeing the video, we had no choice but to believe it."
Miniman froze. His gaze was fixed on the ongoing battle on the screen.
There was no need to.
He had brought this upon himself by boasting that he could easily handle a student several paths higher than his own.
"Is this... truly genuine?" Miniman asked, his voice sceptical.
Fairmoon01 nodded. "It is. Jaran is currently in the hospital and is undergoing treatment for the grievous wounds he had sustained on his front and back and front during the duel."
"So what about it? Do you still think that you can defeat the Worst One?"
Miniman was silent. His avatar was devoid of any emotions.
I had no way of knowing how he felt, but since he had brought me here as a companion, I couldn’t stay silent any longer.
"If the video that you’ve just showed us is genuine, then I’m certain that even I couldn’t defeat the Worst One," I said.
All eyes turned to me.
"However, doesn’t that also mean that Miss Rosybloom0006’s position as the top-ranked Class Three Magical Swordsman is at stake?"
"That’s true. And it’s the reason why she hasn’t been having a bad week lately. Since that’s the case, then I should also be asking her this question: despite the Worst One’s previous underhanded victory, is she willing to face him again?" Fairmoon01 said, turning to Rosybloom0006.
Despite this being just a VR environment, I could sense the tension in the atmosphere intensifying by the moment.
And the one responsible for it was none other than Esther.
She was cunning. Far more shrewd than any noble I had encountered apart from the descendants of the Zahara Clan.
Rosybloom0006 glanced at Fairmoon01, but didn’t respond.
As though sensing the tension steadily rising, MidnightFire said, "Alright, that’s enough. We didn’t come here to discuss the Worst One’s sudden rise in reputation or strength, or who could defeat him in a duel."
"You were all invited here to ensure that the auction that would take place soon is successful, so I would be able to make enough to pay off the fine, and maintain my role as the Leader of the Star Auction Auditorium."
"I’ll ensure that you all are generously rewarded for your help in the future. And if you need any help that requires my expertise, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’ll do my best to offer the very best help that I can."
Miniman returned from his daze and nodded.
"You’re right," he said. "We are only here for the Auction."
He didn’t respond in his usual jovial manner, showing that he was still bothered by the video Esther showed him.
I nodded in response as well.
Thank you for the Golden Tickets Brance_Edwards!