All eyes were gathered on Kiko when he stood and walked towards the center while carrying his deity on his shoulder. He spreads his hands open on both sides like a professor who would be giving a lecture to his students as he announced that he has a suggestion.
Yman, Almina, and Goki were looking at him with knitted brows. Especially Yman. He was wary of Kiko since he came back. He knew this guy won't just stay silent after what happened on that cliff.
The other trainees were busy conversing with the person beside them upon hearing Kiko's sudden announcement, but most of them were staring at Kiko in silence while waiting for his next words.
"What kind of suggestion do you mean, Kiko Sun?" Goki was the one who asked him.
"I heard that it was in the academy's rules that only magicians with mana are applicable to admit in the Magic Academy," Kiko said as he glanced at the officials.
The officials on the table were looking at him in silence, waiting for Kiko's main point for stroking this topic. It was just a few seconds that they touched this topic and yet Kiko tried to relive it.
The instructors on the judge's table were also having the same faces as the officials. They were curious about Kiko's said suggestion.
After noticing that the officials stayed silent, Goki opened his mouth again, "What do you want to point out, Kiko?" Goki again urged Kiko to say his main point.
Kiko did not answer yet but he walked and stopped beside Almina. Almina seemed to be puzzled by him as she retreated a bit and moved near Yman and Goki. She was on Yman's left while Goki was on Yman's right side. They were looking at Kiko who had a puzzled face and contorted into a frown when Almina walked away from him. And not just that, she also stood beside his most hated person!
Yman didn't give any thought of Almina's reaction, he was more concerned about Kiko's plan.
He just thought of it as her being shy or anxious to the guy she had a crush with, which was — what Kiko thought also. Actually, Kiko thought the same but with a little doubt. He even questions himself if Almina truly likes him? In spite of that, Kiko still believed that maybe Almina was just shy at him or maybe anxious.
After sending a warm smile to Almina; Although Almina frowned and thought that this guy was weird, Kiko continued saying, "Since I am a man of virtue, and Yman was a close friend of mine, I wanted to suggest to the mayor, chief, and to the principal to let Yman prove himself that he was qualified to this academy."
Almina twitches her face after hearing the words 'A man of virtue'. For her, someone who claimed that they are good openly is mostly the opposite.
Yman narrowed his eyes, now he understood exactly what this guy was trying to make of. And, |What the hell is a man of virtue? And close friend my ass!| Yman revolted inwardly but he didn't voice out his thoughts.
Frankly speaking, he has this attitude of swearing inwardly, but would never voice it out. After all, everyone was free to swear in their thoughts.
Then he thought again, |Regardless, when did this guy start to become an actor?| Yman chuckled a bit. He didn't know about the rules of the academy. But he was already accepted here and it was too late now to kick him out.
So the only conclusion he came up with, probably, Kiko would try to use these rules to prompt a duel on him. However, he doubted if Kiko would succeed in his plan.
As expected, his guess was spot on. Kiko suggested a duel to him while saying it was to help Yman to prove himself to the officials that he has the strength to be capable of staying in this academy. Saying to help him but his real goal was the opposite. Yman knew about it, like knowing the back of his hand.
Before Yman could reply at Kiko, everyone was stunned when Almina screamed saying, "How shameless!"
Yman was surprised too at Almina's sudden outrage.
Kiko smirked at Yman while thinking that even Almina was angry at him.
Yman on the other hand had puzzled expressions. He didn't know if to whom those 'being shameless' words coming from Almina were aiming.
Yman slightly widened his eyes in puzzlement while thinking, |Did Almina also think of me like that? — After all, she has a crush on Kiko. So aside from Kiko, there's only me who will be the target of that word.| He thought, disheartened.
Then deliberately glanced at his left side and saw Almina was facing the ground. He could not fully see her face because of her beautiful silky black hair that looses slightly and covered her face from the side.
Almina was a little bit embarrassed by her outburst. But she was mad at this guy who shamelessly proposed a duel to Yman.
She bit her lips in annoyance but before she could open her mouth again,
The principal butt-in saying, "Sorry Kiko Sun, but, what you suggested is not possible. That kid passed the evaluation exam in a legal process, and even though he has no mana, as long as he could use a spell, he was qualified to train here in the academy. You're right though, that there's a rule that stated that — a normal person could not be admitted to this Magic Academy, but there's also no rules stating that a 'False Magician' could not be admitted to this academy. As long as anyone could use a spell, they are more than qualified to train here." This is the principal's honest feelings. It was not only to point it out to Kiko but also to the mayor.
The other trainees suddenly have been whispering upon hearing the words 'False Magician'.
"False Magician?"
"Wasn't that what they called to someone who uses channeling ability in order to use a magic spell?"
"Yeah, just like that guy with no mana."
"So, he is a false magician!"
"Probably!"
There muttering enveloped the training grounds.
In actuality, Principal Mar could size up Kiko's true intention.
The principal was too fed up with these people from the top families. Most of their children grow up spoiled. The only exception was that person Almond Amulet, who was a silent type of person.
One of the reasons why the academy could not produce good results was because of those brats from the top families. They usually schemed with each other. Inside fighting or urging the other trainees to fight with their rivals.
Principal Mar was not against rivalries. Honestly, the rivalry could also be one of the elements needed to encourage a person to improve himself. But those kids from the top families usually used this rivalry in a different way. In a negative way.
With this kind of thinking, they were too focused on their own devices that they neglected what they were coming here for.
That was also the reason why the principal chose to recruit those two foreign magicians, Keremi and Maena Hex. Because before, whenever he especially recruited those people from the top families, their heads became bigger sooner. Most of them were saying that they were special and the other should see them in a different light than the others.
The principal was too fed up with this kind of person.
So seeing Almina Amulet, the younger sister of Almond Amulet enrolled in this Academy on her own devices, the principal was very happy. Not only is she a kind young girl, but also a great talent to behold.
The principal believed that together with those two recruits, there was a high chance that this year, the academy has a higher chance to place on the top rank.
However, the road was uncertain. There were 300+ total academy participants in last year's competition. And each academy breeds their own talents. That's why with the addition of Kiko who is said to be the strongest male fledgling trainee of this year, the principal's joy could not be contented.
But, if this Kiko is also the same as those spoiled brats from the top families, then he needed to straighten up his attitude firstly.
Chief Henderson nodded his head in agreement with Principal Mar Mari's statements.
On the other hand, because of the principal's sudden butt-in, Almina finds herself at a loss for words. And chose to remain quiet while stealing a glance to her side and saw him wearing a serious face.
Almina abruptly felt her face was burning hot. Deep inside, her thought had been spiraling like she was about to collapse with too much shame of what she did a while ago. Yet she never regretted saying it. She actually dislikes this person in front of them.
For Almina, what Kiko had suggested was upright bullying! Just because he has a stronger ability than Y-Yman, he cannot just propose a challenge to the person who was clearly w-we-wea—, in any case, Almina could not say the word. Her mouth could not say it. She could not say that Yman was 'weak'.
He came here to train and to make himself stronger. That's why it was too early to assess the person. And it was only a couple of days that they started the training. They even were still in the basic part of it.
One blonde girl was annoyed at this development. This whole thing was a waste of time for her. She needed to train herself. And she also wanted to see Almina and that weakling fought, although she already knew what would be the outcome.
In spite of that, she wanted to peek on Almina's strength for future references.
Kiko on the other hand had knitted his brows from the principal's reply. But he didn't back down. And was able to find a hole, "I didn't mean to test his strength now. After all, I'm not a bully. As I said before I am a man of virtue. For it to be fair, the duel is not needed to be now. It can be on a later date." Kiko said with a smile.
Principal Mar sighed and shook his head slightly. Disappointed with Kiko. He wondered why Kiko insisted on dueling that False Magician. It wasn't important right now. If that False Magician could not develop himself to become stronger, then he had the choice to leave the academy to find new professions to feed himself. Until the higher-ups on the Outerworld took him out of this world and brought him back to the Outerworld.
But before the principal could voice out his reply,
"Excellent!" The mayor exclaimed.
"I like that idea! I approved it!" He added. Not all officials had the same thought as the principal. The mayor really likes this Kiko kid of the Sun family. Not only was he strong, but he also was a man of virtue and a kind person who wanted to help his friend to prove himself to others, that he was capable.
Not only the mayor but some of the instructors also agreed to it. The chief remained quiet. He also was curious about that False Magician's growth. After all, he was able to control the mana flow in just a day. So he had high expectations of him somehow.
Goki tried to disagree but the mayor and the others already decided.
Yman was not even allowed to say 'no'.
The worst thing was, if he lost, he would be suspended in this academy.
|This Kiko was so desperate,| Yman thought.
However, everyone was dumbfounded at Yman's next words. He could not let Kiko's idea win. Now that he was not even allowed to disapprove of this duel, Yman grinned and thought with a glint in his eyes, |Then let's escalate this to all of them.|
Yman walked a step then stopped on his feet. Everyone turned silent when they noticed him.
Almina was watching his narrow-back and wondered why Yman made a step forward. She also noticed his back made a sudden heave as he permitted an air left from his mouth.
Then everyone heard him saying, "If that is the case, since I can't even say no to this predetermined duel, perhaps I can also suggest something?"
"Fufufu looks like it is going to be interesting."
Keremi from the audience podium was delighted at the event that was going to happen. He knew Yman would never let himself be at the disadvantage without making a fair comeback.
But he had no idea how Yman would upset this disadvantageous situation for him. That's why he was curious about this suggestion that Yman spoke of.
Bob on the other hand had no idea what was going to happen. He wanted to see the duel of Yman and the beautiful Almina Amulet. But it looks like things swayed away from it after that rich-looking person named Kiko went to the center and suggested something outrageous.
The blonde Maena Hex sighed in annoyance for what currently was happening.
Hearing Yman's words, "Pufft!" Kiko held a laugh. Well, Kiko was certain that whatever this frog tried to suggest was just unnecessary.
Almina knitted her brows at Kiko's rude behavior.
Ahem! The principal cleared his throat and said, "Well, well, just to be fair, let's hear it."
"I agree with Principal Mar." The chief seconded.
"Speak, False Magician," Principal Mar Mari beckoned him.
Yman didn't know whether he laughed or cried. He was called with another name yet again.
However, it wasn't important at the moment. He opened his mouth and, "Heh," he sent a smug at Kiko.
Kiko knitted his brows and felt something bad was going to happen. He tried to open his mouth to ruin Yman's pace but Yman has already opened his mouth while saying, "Thank you, Mr. Principal and Sir Chief for this favor. My suggestion is... since it was a duel where my future in this academy is betted. In this regard, it would be much better and fairer if the principal made it an official contest instead. In which all the other trainees can join."
Since he had a little chance of winning in the first place. Then he wanted to make Kiko troubled by it also. After all, there were more strong trainees out there who chose to hide their real strength and stayed low key.
If Kiko is still able to win the championship after that, then it also means that he was no doubt the strongest trainee in this academy. After that, he could only accept his defeat in silence and leave the city.
Yman also suggested that if both of them lost the competition, then both of them must leave the academy.
Kiko felt like he just ate a mouth full of bitter foods at this proposal of Yman. He tried to disagree but the chief and principal already made their approval with glistened eyes. Kiko was enraged and thought — did the principal did not think highly of his ability?
Yet he had to calm himself. He could not let any uncool behavior happen in front of Almina.
Actually, Principal Mar did not decide on a whim. He also thought of Kiko's importance in the academy for the coming competition. But if Kiko could not win in this competition against the other trainees inside this academy, then how could he be able to win those super-geniuses from the other academies. And like what that False Magician said, to be fair. Since it was Kiko who decided it first. For the sake of fairness, it was only natural to give both of them a suggestion.
The chief suddenly straight up on his seat after hearing this False Magician's suggestion. A feeling of admiration towards that young man slowly wailed from inside him. He chuckled and muttered, "What a crafty one."
"Ufufu, this kid, wasn't really that bad," Instructor Beth muttered in fascination also. Although he was weak, his craftiness and wittiness started to fascinate her.
She knows that this kid suggested it to avoid a head-on confrontation with Kiko. With such a number of participants, only a little chance that the two of them would be facing each other in a match.
"Kukuku." She giggled at the thought.
With this proposal, the other trainees become livelier. Especially those who lost recently in the duel. They wanted a rematch and won next time!!!
Principal Mar was very grateful for this proposal. Not only it encourages the trainees to become stronger. They could also use it to earn money and entertain the people in this city.
Unlike those old years, where the trainees only thought of their personal issues. Not even productive for the city. And sometimes the city resources were spent on useless things.
Goki's admiration for Yman leaped higher. However, Yman was still in high danger of leaving this academy. Beside them, Almina was having red eyes. She didn't know why. But the thought of Yman leaving the academy, hit her hard.
"Oh yeah! Good Job for that, Yman bro!" Bob exclaimed in excitement. He also was excited to duel again.
"Fufufu, as expected of My Prince. He really was one of a kind." Keremi cackled.
Maena felt this was her chance to settle the score between her and Almina. And she thought, 'Not bad for that weakling. I will be good to him in our next life but not in this lifetime.' She said with a glint in her eyes.
Yman and Almina lose their desire to continue the duel after Kiko interferes.
The date and rules of the coming competition will be announced at a later date.
Yman directly went to the smithing shop for the item he ordered. Together with Sistela who was sitting on his shoulder. He had to become stronger somehow.