Chapter 103: Regret (2/2)

Emma has passed the first region, making her heart dance with joy. Even if her family expected no less from her, she still proved herself by this. To put it into perspective, every nation sent around a thousand contestants. These were weeded out by preliminary rounds that only allowed the best to participate.

Her workshop, among several others, earned several spots for their research in runes, not having to deal with the preliminary rounds. This was the case for every nation, as different institutes existed around the world.

Among thousands of apprentices, she emerged among the top thousand. Days of hard work have paid off, and she would be able to lift her head high when she meets her parents and grandfather.

When the world reappeared in front of her, she was standing in a great hall. A noisy one, to boot. It was filled with furniture, refreshments, and huddled crowds of people watching giant screens.

They cheered, booed, and cursed. As she stood there dazed, she realized it was the place she had to wait until the first region's test would end. She ambled toward one of the screens, grabbing some refreshments as she listened to the crowd and looked for Arthur and the rest. However, there were no signs of them.

”He's insane!” Someone shouted as he looked at one of the screens, making her turn her attention to its content.

”But he's a genius! How can he move like that with so many runes?” Another rebuked as Emma saw a golden hood running through a forest. He moved like a fish in water, running leisurely while hopping from one place to the other. It was as if the infinite traps she struggled to navigate around didn't even exist for him.

Her mouth, like those of the rest of the crowd, turned into a circle as she watched, stunned speechless. It was then that another figure appeared on the screen.

The next series of events turned the hall chaotic. The person, who everyone referred to as Ghost, attacked another golden hood before someone intervened and saved him. He then allowed that person to teleport away, and they appeared in the hall.

”Miss Emma,”

The person who teleported just now turned out to be the fourth princess of the Yalen Kingdom, and she sought refuge in the only person she recognized.

”Your highness,”

”You can call me by my name,”

”… Miss Nera, I'm glad you're safe.” Emma corrected as she bowed slightly. Nera nodded as she held her left arm with the other.

”Yeah, same to you.” She was disquieted, probably by the earlier incident if Emma had to guess. Her childish voice and stature made Emma want to hug her and tell her it's alright, but she dared not to.

”He allowed the Halinian to use the box! This doesn't make sense!” Another round of chaos erupted and Nera and Emma inched toward the screens.

Emma knew that despite being royalty, Nera was a shut-in who only studies and never got into actual fights. That's why she seemed shaken by the earlier events. Now, she stood next to Emma as they watched the person referred to as Ghost allow a Halinian use the box Nera just used.

”Was it a personal feud?” Nera mumbled but Emma pretended not to hear her say anything because she lacked an answer herself. This man was persistent in taking a group down, as told by the crowd, but now he allowed people to teleport easily.

Ghost, now referred to as such by everyone, wandered until he sat beside a meadow, no longer moving. His actions brought more puzzlement as he just sat there for a while. After that, he took out the box he had stolen and disappeared from the screen, making it switch to another contestant.

The screens showed an aerial view, so Emma didn't see the person's clothing. However, when she turned around and stared at the middle as everyone did, she found his attire to be familiar.

Not just familiar, it was the same as the one she wore. His height and the way he looked around made it hard not to recognize him.

”Miss Emma,” The princess's voice trailed. ”Can you explain your team member's actions?” Nera seemed to have also recognized him earlier.