"Wait…where am I?" Ahri slowly groaned as she came to her senses.
Suddenly, she recalled those pitch black eyes and jumped onto her feet.
"Varian!"
Her yell calmed down the chattering ground and turned their attention to her.
It was only then that Ahri realized she was in the banquet hall, sitting in a rather cozy chair.
"What happened, Ahri?"
"Why did you yell that boy's name?"
"You aren't injured, but how eliminated you?"
"…."
Ahri's mind went blank at the world eliminated. "Eliminated? I was eliminated?"
She muttered like she lost her soul and collapsed back onto the chair.
The proud genius, the sister of Ashtarh…was eliminated just like that?
Suddenly, she recalled the last face she saw.
She balled her fists and her nails dug into her palms, and blood slowly dripped on the chair.
"Ahri, calm down!" A young woman grabbed her shoulders and shook her lightly.
Ahri looked at Princess Hua and sighed deeply.
"Thanks for your concern." She said.
"No worries." Princess Hua waved her hand and sat in front of her. "It's okay. Things happen sometimes. Don't be depressed."
'Being defeated by the same person twice? And the second time, I couldn't even fight back…' Ahri fell silent.
'Is this his true strength? If he's so strong, then what right do I have to be proud?'
"Ahri, can you explain what happened?" Princess Hua asked, snapping her out of her thoughts.
"Ah, yes." Ahri also noticed that the high awakeners were also looking in her direction.
Particularly, the high awakeners of Neptune. She felt ashamed for a moment before sighing inwardly and explaining the incident.
"Strange…" Princess Hua muttered.
"Indeed. He's very strong." Ahri nodded.
"Not his strength, but what is Varian doing there?" Princess Hua knit her brows and muttered.
The moment Varian's name came out of her mouth, the high awakeners of Earth perked up their ears.
"Isn't he a messenger of Sarah's team?" Ahri asked. That much was obvious, but then, why was Princess Hua asked that question?
"We have a list of all messengers. He's not anyone's messenger." Princess Hua said, causing Ahri to widen her eyes.
"Then what the…"
"Besides," Princes Hua cut her off. "I've seen his interactions with Sarah, William and other level 6s from earth.
When talking to them, he didn't act like he was weaker or inferior. He talked to them on an equal standing.
Forget Sarah, he might be friends with her. But what about Dhruv and Mia? He didn't show any nervousness when talking to them.
Such a person, would he act as a messenger to anyone?"
Ahri fell silent.
Only one question remained.
"What the hell is he trying to do?"
In the banquet hall, Ahri's elimination was a shock but was soon forgotten.
The Princes and Princesses trained and advised the peak level 6s on advancing to level 7.
Each person had a different experience, but knowing how others treaded their path was extremely beneficial.
Some senior level 7s were also pointing out their experience to their junior level 7s.
At high awakeners, each sub-level was a significant step.
High awakeners also gathered and discussed their insights on the Divine Paths.
Some of them were, however discussing the Solar Trial.
That included the Sovereigns and level 9s.
"Charles has a big chance of winning." Sovereign Vianne said, waving her fan.
"He acts alone. That's not what I approve of." Sovereign Julius shook his head.
"But he's strong enough to take down any team."
"Not strong enough to take down all teams." Julius said and glanced at the Sovereigns.
"I am strong enough to take down on some of you together…but not all of you."
The atmosphere fell silent.
Evander cursed his father inside. 'Every thirty seconds, someone will say suddenly say something serious and everyone falls silent.
I'm really afraid that this Solar Trial, instead of promoting friendship will create conflict among Sovereigns.'
If Albert was here, he'd be able to cool down the issues and maintain a cordial atmosphere.
Since he was the host this time, other Sovereigns would also not object much.
But he was only a level 9. No matter how strong level 9 he was, Evander didn't have the qualifications to ask Sovereigns to shut up.
"I need to go. An Archduke is making some noise." Julius suddenly said and his hologram disappeared.
"Well, well. He's a busy man." Vianne chuckled and bowed her head. Her shoulders shook and presumably, she was also typing something about her project.
Evander sighed and looked at the virtual projections in the banquet hall.
It displayed the names of six regions.
Thunder, Ice, Twisted, and Psychedelic Regions were stirred off.
"Four flags, huh." He muttered. "It'd be nice if we could watch monitor everything."
But sadly, it's not possible.
Ruins, being a private space of devas had a different set or rules or perhaps restrictions?
No one knew for certain.
But modern technology didn't work in Ruins. Not even comms can be used, forget about space shuttles.
Secret Realms were essentially decayed Ruins.
So, most of them lost that feature and allowed the use of technology.
But Tiama secret realm was one of the few that still maintained those restrictions.
Thankfully, they could at least use comms. And a very simple sensor attached to the maps.
Of course, as the realm master, you could manufacture some native technology allowed the realm.
For instance, the 'key' to the secret realm. It was added the escape function and was considered a native technology of the realm.
Only because of the protection mechanism did everyone send their geniuses inside.
He didn't know about others, but Evander would definitely not allow Sarah without safety.
'She is still a second year, and she goes to fight with third years. How is she now?'
He didn't know what was happening inside.
But as the host of the banquet, he maintained a calm disposition.
Only he knew he was nervous inside.
'Sarah is't the strongest. Her chances of winning aren't high. I hope she doesn't hurt herself too much.
She has a high chance of winning next year.…I should've told her to take it easy.'
He thought, but somehow, he couldn't speak to Sarah like he used to. There was a gap between them. And he was the one who created it.
Shaking his head, Evander pushed back the painful thoughts and knit his brows.
'And Varian…what the hell are you doing in the Twisted Islands?'
Evander recalled Varian's confident smile and a thought passed by.
The thought was ridiculous yet scary enough that even he, a very composed man almost jumped out of his seat.
'…Are you trying to win the competition?' Despite knowing Varian's speed of progress, even he felt it was absurd.
'Nah. Impossible. Whatever you do, just don't bring me a headache by suddenly? revealing your strength to be level 6.'
'Nothing absurd will happen...right?'
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