"Winner, Ana Taylor!"
While the crowd cheered on the victor, her golem returned to the earth as did its arrow. The host rushed to catch the now unconscious Cora, and fortunately, a few healers got to her in time.
"Congratulations, young lady." said the host after the girl was carried away. "That was exquisitely brutal."
The golem shot Cora straight through the heart, so it was quite the miracle they managed to resuscitate her.
"Thank you..." Ana answered awkwardly while grabbing the hand extended by the host.
"The name's Edwin Bell. I look forward to your future exploits."
After he flew away to announce the next battle, Ana made way her back to her friends. However, halfway up the stairs, the girl noticed two others were also approaching that area.
"Greetings, Lord Hunt." Charles introduced himself with a polite bow but was practically ignored. Instead, everyone gathered around Ana and began bombarding her with questions.
"What the hell was that golem?" asked Arthur.
"Why didn't you finish her sooner?" complained Oliver while their father nodded.
Caroline and Samuel were both watching with interest, while the normally silent Chloe pushed through the crowd and gave her daughter a hug. It took several minutes for everyone to get back to their seats during which Charles could only watch awkwardly.
"Ahem." After things had calmed down a bit, the boy finally made his move. "Congratulations, classmate, for winning this round. I see you've acquainted yourself with my friend Oliver."
The boy's introduction was completely ignored. Ana was relaxing in her mother's embrace, and the Hunt's youngest son was watching the next match.
"Ahem!" Charles fake coughed again, this time a bit louder. Finally, the girl answered his call though her eyes were elsewhere.
"I'm no longer your classmate, and I don't want to talk to you. Your presence isn't welcomed, so go away."
She said these words as if shoo-ing a fly. Ana's eyes were half closed while saying them, and she went to sleep immediately after. Seeing such blatant disrespect, Charles' blood was boiling.
"Hey, look at me when you're talking." He tried to grab her shoulder, but his hand was stopped midway.
"No touching." Ethan squeezed the arm so hard that a small crack was heard from his bones.
"Argh! How dare you!?" bellowed Charles after retracting his palm. "I'll have you executed, you…"
"Charles!" Oliver's voice interrupted his rant. "Please do not cause a scene around my family." Though his words were polite, the boy's eyes were colder than Kai Spencer's ice. Noticing several other gazes upon him, Charles started to back pedal.
"But, he almost broke my arm."
Ethan shrugged.
"Not my fault it's made of butter."
"Watch your words, peasant." This time, it was not Charles who spoke. Behind him, a tall, broad shouldered man was giving Ethan a warning look.
'Peak rank three.' the youth concluded. "Did you bring your babysitter?"
While the guard snarled furiously, a huge amount of mana began gathering in one of his arms. In response, Ethan pulled out a hunting knife and began twirling it with a smile.
"No one may disrespect Young Master Charles." growled the giant before stepping forward.
"That only applies if he is also respectful." A calm yet chilling voice intervened in the conflict. Just a few feet away, the old man of the Hunt family was twirling his beard. With a look of extreme irritation, Samuel peeled his eyes away from the arena and turned towards the youths.
"Brat, if you and your lackey don't control your manners, I'll send you both back in a bag."
That was all he said before turning back towards the match. However, the former family head was not the type to beat around the bush. He was also not known for repeating his warnings.
"…My apologies, Elder." To avoid disaster, Charles gritted his teeth and bowed in respect. The guard followed his lead.
"Get used to looking at the ground." whispered Ethan. "You'll be seeing a whole lot more of it soon enough."
The two guests' faces turned red with anger, but they restrained themselves. To save whatever face he had left, Charles walked past Ethan towards where Oliver was sitting.
"Brother Oliver, did any fight catch your interest?"
"It's all been a bore." shrugged the teen without turning towards him. "And, drop the 'brother' adjective when you address me. That's only reserved for paying customers."
It wasn't a secret the Wilsons visited the Laurels to get what Charles would need for the tournament. To a merchant like Oliver, there was no higher betrayal.
As such, Charles found himself ignored once more, and this time with little he could do to lighten the mood.
"Young Master Charles!" Fortunately, someone came just in time to save him further embarrassment. As the newest arrival got closer, Ethan's smile faded and wrinkles appeared between his eyes. To anyone watching, he seemed almost scared.
"Young Master, your match will start right after this one." The servant announced before looking around. Upon seeing the other teens, he began scowling in anger. Even after all this time, George still wanted revenge.