Hinnal walked steadily to the center of the arena, stopping between the two sculptures. His gaze shifted from Kane's bird carving to Leah's lotus flower. The indifference on his face gradually gave way to a subtle smile, one filled not with approval but with the air of someone uncovering a hidden truth.
"This piece…" Hinnal murmured softly, his tone laced with a peculiar emotion. He didn't elaborate further, instead continuing to scrutinize the works, as though engraving every detail into his memory.
At that moment, Damothis's casual voice sounded from behind. "Hey, Hinnal, what's caught your eye? Don't keep it all to yourself." With a blade of grass between his lips, he strolled over leisurely, letting his lazy gaze sweep over Leah's lotus sculpture.
What Damothis initially thought to be a routine contest of skill took an unexpected turn. As his eyes passed over the sculpture's surface, they suddenly froze, a flash of surprise crossing his face. Squatting down, he began inspecting every petal and groove of the lotus with great care, his usual carefree demeanor replaced by focused seriousness.
"Well, well, this is interesting." Standing up, Damothis rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "So that's it. No wonder you're smiling like that, Hinnal."
"What did you find?" Lionel's voice came from the other side, deep and tinged with curiosity. He had been quietly observing from the sidelines but now stepped forward, his gaze moving to Leah's sculpture. His brow furrowed slightly as he tried to discern the "key detail" Damothis had alluded to. Yet, with his limited understanding of both culinary art and sculpting, he was left utterly perplexed.
Damothis, hearing Lionel's question, didn't immediately answer. Instead, he turned and walked toward Kane's bird carving with growing interest. Extending a finger, he tapped lightly on the surface of the sculpture as though testing its unique texture. He stood in silence for a few moments before a faint smile curved his lips. Speaking almost to himself, he said, "Hmm… While both pieces are equally matched overall, there's a critical detail here that shifts the balance."
His teasing tone only heightened Lionel's confusion. Unable to hold back, Lionel pressed, "What is this critical detail?"
Damothis didn't respond directly. Instead, he turned his head toward Hinnal with a slightly playful smile. "It really comes down to a razor-thin margin, doesn't it?"
Hinnal remained silent but nodded faintly. With his hands clasped behind his back, he surveyed both works with a calm, confident gaze. His voice, steady and certain, broke the silence: "Indeed, a subtle detail has determined the winner of this competition."
Lionel's expression sharpened as his focus intensified. Slowly, he approached Kane's bird sculpture and studied the area Damothis had tapped earlier. After several seconds of examination, realization dawned on his face. A look of understanding spread across his features, and he murmured to himself, "So that's it… The two cutting techniques have produced entirely different results."
Damothis chuckled softly, snapping his fingers. "Exactly. That's the beauty of Crystalroot, it's highly sensitive to elemental properties, and how those properties are used determines the final outcome."
Lionel turned to Leah's lotus sculpture and gently touched its edge. "Leah's use of wind-element cutting is light and fluid. The gentle properties of wind minimize impact on the Crystalroot's surface, resulting in clean, delicate cuts without any damage. You can see that every petal's edge is nearly flawless."
He then shifted his attention to Kane's bird sculpture, his brow knitting slightly. "On the other hand, Kane employed fire-element cutting. While it increased carving speed and intensity, the high temperature of the fire created extremely fine scorch marks on the Crystalroot's surface. These marks are nearly invisible to the naked eye, but they're there. Over time, these marks will slightly dull the Crystalroot's transparency, detracting from the bird's sleek, flowing beauty."
Hinnal nodded gently, adding, "While the impact of the scorch marks is minimal, in a competition involving high-grade materials like this, the tiniest detail often determines the winner."
Leah's expression shifted subtly, a flicker of surprise crossing her face. She hadn't anticipated that her wind-element cutting would grant her such a significant advantage. Quickly regaining her composure, a trace of satisfaction gleamed in her eyes. Meanwhile, Kane frowned slightly, his gaze lingering on his sculpture as he searched for the near-invisible imperfections. After a moment, his expression grew more serious, but he betrayed little sign of disappointment.
Damothis clapped his hands, his tone laced with playful teasing. "It's that simple. In a competition like this, technique is crucial, but understanding the material's properties is just as important. This time, Leah's wind-element cutting gave her the edge."
Lionel straightened his posture, his gaze sweeping across the two contestants as he spoke in a serious tone: "Both pieces are outstanding, but every competition must have a winner. Considering the details, Leah's work has the edge in this case."
"Ah, such subtlety," Damothis murmured, shaking his head with an exaggerated air of helplessness. His tone, however, carried a teasing undertone. "Kane's bird carving is undeniably full of tension and a fantastic piece. But when it comes to such a precise material, wind elemental cutting does hold an advantage. This one detail tipped the balance, allowing Leah to clinch victory at the last moment."
He emphasized his point by raising a finger and tapping it lightly against the ground, as though underscoring the importance of this "detail."
Lionel stood silently for a moment, deep in thought. His gaze alternated between the two pieces, his expression reflecting both admiration and a touch of melancholy. He muttered, almost to himself: "In a typical contest, the choice of fire element might not have mattered so much. But this time, the use of Crystalroot as the medium turned the competition into not just a test of skill, but a trial of one's understanding and control of the elements."
Standing in the center of the stage, Leah visibly relaxed upon hearing these words. The tension in her face eased, replaced by a faint, confident smile. Her eyes gleamed with a sense of accomplishment, as if she had anticipated this outcome all along. On the other side of the stage, Kane stood silently, his gaze fixed on his bird sculpture. His complexion had turned slightly pale, a clear sign that he, too, had realized the critical issue, but it was too late to change the outcome.
Finally, Lionel cleared his throat and raised a hand, signaling for silence among the audience. His gaze shifted from Kane's bird sculpture to Leah's lotus carving, and his voice was calm and authoritative: "After a unanimous decision by the judges, the winner of this competition is——Leah."
The declaration was met with an eruption of applause and cheers from the crowd. Some shouted Leah's name in celebration, while others expressed sympathy for Kane. Regardless, the verdict had been made.
Leah gracefully bent slightly at the waist, offering a polite nod to the judges, a restrained yet triumphant smile on her face. Her demeanor was composed, as though the competition had already concluded, and she had long been prepared for victory. Her gaze briefly swept over Kane, standing to the side. Her tone was calm and courteous, yet carried a hint of subtle provocation: "You lost, Kane."
Kane lowered his head, his eyes fixated on the carved bird he had made, seemingly lost in thought. A complex emotion flickered in his eyes, a mixture of unwillingness and deep self-reproach. He gritted his teeth, raised his head, and met her gaze. His eyes were as cold and firm as frost, and his voice was steady but full of determination: "You won this time, but next time, I won't lose."
Although his tone was even, there was an undeniable flame hidden beneath his words, as if a long-suppressed anger was brewing. The atmosphere between them instantly grew tense and heavy, as though the very air had thickened in that moment, pressing down on them, making it hard to breathe.
Hearing his words, Leah's lips curled slightly, but she did not show an overtly triumphant expression. She knew Kane's temper well, and her own reason reminded her that this victory didn't mean everything. She withdrew her gaze, her mind already calculating her next move.
At that moment, Damothis suddenly broke the silence.
He lazily strolled forward, hands in his pockets, looking like a laid-back aristocrat, his expression tinged with a mix of disdain and casualness, as though their argument was nothing more than a passing breeze. He waved his hand dismissively, his tone light and playful: "Alright, alright, it just a competition. There are winners and losers, and there's really nothing to argue about. But you two shouldn't get too smug just yet. You see, even this little showdown revealed quite a few problems."
He deliberately stretched out the last word, his gaze flitting between Leah and Kane with a cryptic smile. Leah paused, her brows knitting slightly in confusion as she tried to discern his meaning. Kane, however, appeared more irritated and asked in a cold tone: "What problems?"
A blade of grass rested in his mouth as he walked away, his demeanor casual yet his gaze sharp, like a seasoned craftsman scrutinizing the flaws in his apprentices' work. His eyes landed first on Kane, and his words came without mercy:"Kane, your bird sculpture is undeniably impressive. The proportions, the lines—everything is exceptional. But it's evident that you lack a deeper understanding of the material."
Pointing to the surface of the bird sculpture, he continued in his unhurried manner, "Crystalroot may seem durable, but when exposed to heat, it undergoes subtle surface reactions. Your fire-element sculpting added strength and grandeur, but it also left faint scorch marks on the surface. These marks diminish the work's overall finesse, making what should have been smooth and fluid appear slightly rigid. Your technique is superb, but this time, it feels a bit too rigid."
Kane frowned slightly, clearly dissatisfied with the critique. His eyes shifted from his work to the judges, but in the end, he nodded silently, accepting the judgment, though his gaze betrayed a hint of stubbornness and determination.
Damothis then turned his attention to Leah, his tone still carrying a touch of nonchalance, but his eyes held a sharp, critical edge. Smiling faintly, he said, "And you, Leah. I must admit, the wind element worked wonderfully in your favor. Your lotus sculpture is smooth, delicate, and nearly flawless in every detail. But that very perfection is where your issue lies."
He paused briefly, his gaze lingering on the lotus sculpture before shaking his head slightly.
"Your work is too focused on precision, to the point that it lacks a spark that truly captivates. It's beautiful, but it feels flat, missing that tension, that soul. Art isn't just about technical perfection; it's about evoking emotion in the viewer. Remember that next time. Don't just chase perfection, let your work have personality."
Leah's smile faltered for a moment, as though caught off guard by his critique. However, she quickly regained her composure, her expression calm once more. She responded quietly, "Thank you for the guidance. I'll keep it in mind."
Damothis seemed satisfied with her reaction, a pleased smile tugging at his lips. He raised his eyebrows, looking as though he relished the process of exposing flaws. After casting a final glance around the arena as if searching for more to comment on, he ultimately chose silence, shifting his focus to Hinnal.
Throughout it all, Hinnal remained unperturbed, his disinterest in the competition evident. Standing still, he swept his eyes over the two sculptures with an impassive gaze and offered a simple observation:"Both of you demonstrated remarkable talent, but also revealed areas for improvement. Reaching this level is commendable."
After a brief pause, he added, "However, you're still far from a true breakthrough. Keep striving."
Before anyone could respond, Hinnal turned and left without hesitation, his movements swift and decisive. He didn't spare the contestants another glance, leaving behind only a parting remark:"I hope next time, I'll see something truly astonishing."
Lionel watched Hinnal's retreating figure, letting out a soft sigh, his eyes reflecting a complex mix of emotions. Turning back to the two contestants on the stage, his expression softened, though his tone carried a hint of sternness:
"You both performed admirably, but as mentioned earlier, you're responsible for cleaning up the arena afterward."
Leah and Kane exchanged a glance but said nothing. Silently, they began packing up their respective sculptures. The tension of the competition gradually faded, and the chatter in the arena started to subside. The crowd began to disperse, but hidden among them, Perry avoided Lionel's gaze, slipping behind a nearby stall to stay out of sight.
The atmosphere around them became more subtle as the audience began to disperse, but Damothis, standing at the side, seemed unusually relaxed. He crossed his arms over his chest, scanning the room as if evaluating something. He caught up with Hinnal and lightly patted his shoulder, his usual nonchalance tinged with a hint of provocation in his voice: "Don't just leave without saying anything, Hinnal. How have you been? I heard your ranking has moved up a few spots again——congratulations."
Hinnal's expression remained cold, and he didn't respond. He merely gave Damothis a dismissive glance, as though too lazy to waste time on him. However, this indifference did not deter Damothis. If anything, it seemed to amuse him. He continued to press on, "What did you think of the competition just now? Care to share your thoughts?"
Damothis, still holding the piece of grass between his lips, spoke casually, though there was a trace of probing in his eyes. Hinnal lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then coldly replied, "Both works were decent, but your comments earlier… were a bit too deliberate."
"Ah, you saw through me, huh?" Damothis exaggeratedly spread his arms, a smug grin on his face, "But I don't just say things randomly. Those comments were meant to 'inspire' them to reach greater potential."
"Inspire?" Hinnal raised an eyebrow, his tone betraying his impatience. "You always like to achieve your goals through these roundabout methods. But in the end, what is it that you really want?"
Damothis smiled faintly, still holding the grass with a seemingly carefree manner, but his eyes were sharp, like a blade. With a meaningful tone, he answered, "What do I want? Of course, I'm looking for something 'more interesting.' Kane and Leah have potential, but they're still lacking something. I just wanted to put some pressure on them and see if they'll break through their limits."
Hinnal looked at Damothis with cold eyes. After a brief pause, he spoke in a chilling voice, "If you're just playing these petty games, don't waste my time. Cuisine is a serious matter, not your toy."
Damothis, however, didn't seem offended. Instead, his grin widened, and he shrugged casually, his hands in his pockets. "Don't be so cold, Hinnal. You're here, aren't you, to find 'her'?"
The moment those words left his mouth, the air seemed to freeze. Perry, standing outside the window, immediately held his breath. His sharp senses caught the underlying meaning in that statement, and a faint sense of unease stirred within him.
Hinnal's gaze turned even colder, his eyes sharpening like ice. He suddenly lifted his head, his voice low and dangerous. "That's enough. I've told you, my matters are none of your concern. Keep talking, and you won't like the consequences."
Damothis saw the change in Hinnal's demeanor, and quickly raised his hands in mock surrender, still wearing his carefree smile. "Alright, alright, I'll shut up. But really, you're as dull as ever, Hinnal."
With that, he turned and casually walked toward the exit, as though the confrontation had never happened. As he passed the window, his gaze casually swept over Perry's hidden spot, and a knowing smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth, as if he had already sensed Perry's presence.