During the intermission.
Seito and Itsuki are discussing about strategy for the next test, Ai and Yuki are enjoying their lunches and desserts, Junior and Bob are checking the equipment given by the organizer for the next test, while the remaining three...
"Seriously, I never expect those audiences would react in that way, aren't it's a bit overexert?" said Sky.
"Well, Bobby's performance was indeed a bit too exaggerated, as if he was actually cheating, although we all know he didn't." said Maria.
"I guess we should take some precautions to prevent any unexpected outcomes." said Ben.
"But I choose to believe that since we never really cheated, they can't actually do anything about it." said Sky, Maria nodded.
Yes, unbelievable but they are having some proper discussion regarding the tests.
Then, Sky stared at Itsuki, rather concerned.
"And I do think we need to pay attention to this round's test, particularly about Itsuki's safety." said Sky.
"Yes, defense test indeed doesn't sound like a friendly test." said Ben.
"Oh my! Why didn't we thought about that earlier? What should we do? Itsuki-kun's name had been registered for the next test." said Maria.
"Hmm... Hey! Is that a one-time damage absorbing equipment?" Sky asked while pointed at the equipment Junior and Bob are checking at this moment.
"Yes, it's required for the defense test." said Ben.
"I remember you still have some with the highest quality in your mini dimension, right?" Sky asked.
"Yes, Chris had prepared some for emergency use." said Ben. "Hmm... I see."
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A while later, Seito is helping Itsuki to put on the equipment provided by the organizer and getting ready for the test. Then, Sky walked towards them a brand new and more refined equipment.
"Use this instead, it's true that we are not planning to pass this round, but we do care about Itsuki's safety. I had consulted the organizers and they said we are allowed to use our own equipment as long as it matched the rules. The equipment provided by the organizer can't really absorb much damage and you might get injured in the test if you used that, and this equipment is made by Chris, it can absorb almost any of the attacks perfectly, thus minimize the potential chance of injury." said Sky as he handed the equipment to Itsuki.
"Thanks. I will try my best to pass this test even if you said it's okay to fail it." said Itsuki.
"Well, good luck then." said Sky in an encouraging tone.
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The defense test had finally started, this time, no special field for the test, all the participants are waiting on the same field as the first test. The parrot flew and landed in the middle of the field, then it starts explaining the rules as usual.
"The test today will be a bit different from the previous tests, the magic limiters will be partially lifted for this test, the participants can use any type of defense and magic barrier for this test as long as it is in the limited magic range. The equipment provided acts as a protection in case if the participants failed to block the attacks that applied to them, as soon as they absorbed any damage, it will break down on its own and the participant will be eliminated. The thirty-two participants that 'survived' will pass this test." said the parrot, in a clearly different tone than usual...
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Viewer's platform.
"What? But that's very unfair for those with low magic levels!" Maria exclaimed.
"Mmm... I wonder is this even the original rule. I guess it is a really wise decision to not let Itsuki uses the equipment provided by the organizer." said Sky as he carefully observed all the contestants on the test field.
He saw five other contestants aside from Itsuki used their own one-time damage absorber instead of the equipment provided by the organizer. One of those five people is from Blair's group. Then, Sky switched his vision to Blair, he seems like very concerned about the unfair rules as well.
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"If everything is cleared, let's start the test. Three, two, one... Ring the bell." said the parrot who suddenly switched back to its usual tone with that exact same phrase from the previous three tests.
"Dong! Dong! Dong!" the bell rang.
And without any warning, a huge magic circle appeared on the ground underneath all the contestants. Without a moment of delay, a powerful magic beam blasted off from the magic circle to a height of twenty meters, the impact of the beam is so strong that even the audiences from the viewer's platform can feel a mild heat from the blast.
That blast of magic had wiped up about thirty participant's damage-absorbing equipment, thus eliminating those participants from this test, twenty of those participants suffered superficial injuries. After witnessing such a scary blast, more than twenty participants choose to give up on the test and left the field.
Itsuki stared blankly at those participants that left the field, he is a bit astonished by the impact of that blast he barely blocked with his incomplete defense magic...
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Viewer's platform.
"Oh gosh! That was brutal! If that was the lightest impact, what will it be for the later rounds?" said Maria rather concerned about Itsuki's safety.
"Yes, I don't really expect it to turn out this way as well. But don't worry, Itsuki is using the equipment made by Chris after all. But that's not the only thing that is out of my expectation." said Sky.
"What is it?" Maria asked.
"You felt that unusual magic as well huh?" Ben asked.
"Mhmm... I guess that unfair rule wasn't a mere coincidence after all..." said Sky.
Ben nodded.
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*Something out of the story
Sky: "Dear readers."
Chris: "Hmm?"
Sky: "This chapter is meant to be released for webnovel.com."
Chris: "Oh! This matter. Yes, if you're reading this chapter on another platform than webnovel.com, know that it's an illegal copy diffused without the Writer's authorization."
Sky: "As what Chris said. Right now, this story is free on the authorized platform, so please read it from authorized platforms as mental support for the writer."
Chris: "Mhm... There are two authorized platforms. One is webnovel.com. And another one is that messy and half-dead Weebly site that she uses for draft and backup... But not recommended."
Sky: "Ah... Haha. Yes, as Chris said."
Chris: "But look out, those scums might change this note to their own website link. So, be cautious.
Sky : "By the way, if the cover page is the old cover page that shows two stickmen, stop reading it, it's cursed and might caused the writer to stop writing."
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