82 – So-Called

The eliminated freshmen gradually exited the rest area and gathered in Coleman Plaza. Clearly, even though they’d lost the match, their interest in the tournament’s outcome hadn’t waned.

Now that the top ten teams had been determined, the entire Grand Plaza displayed a live broadcast of the ongoing matches. This served as an observation class organized by the Academy. After all, it wasn’t every day one got to witness high-level combat among the top ten. Senior students were also welcome to attend if they were interested.

“Come on! You lot, watch carefully today. We must settle once and for all who’s to blame for that last match!” The bald Divine Child sat on the ground, placing several stones down and pointing at them as he explained to his teammates.

“In yesterday’s fight, I was here. You guys were here. That blonde chick was here!”

“Borton in front, Endy behind, and you, the mage—formed a flanking triangle around her. Three-on-one, and we still got chased around like stray dogs. And you dare say it was my fault? Are you saying I should’ve joined the fight?”

“Who asked you to join? What else could you do besides drag us down?” Endy grumbled. “Where was your Divine Appraisal? Aren’t you always bragging about how powerful your Divine Appraisal is? You know why we lost? We had zero intel on the enemy!”

“I told you, I couldn’t use it! When I tried scanning that blonde girl with Divine Appraisal, my eyes nearly got blinded!”

“That’s your problem. As a Divine Child, if you can’t even provide intel, then what good are you?” sneered Borton, the rat-like boy, backing Endy up.

“You all—!”

“Alright, alright. Stop arguing.” The mage stepped in, trying to play the peacemaker. “Anyway, we’ve definitely racked up enough points. Once the Crown Cup ends, we’ll receive our official student ID cards. No one’s getting expelled. So we lost—just admit we weren’t as good. Why fight over it?”

“I think, even though there were some hiccups, our teamwork wasn’t bad. How about... we don’t split up after enrollment?”

“Hmph!” ×3

The mage could only helplessly watch his three rather "tsundere" teammates.

“Just the four of us—we actually get along fairly well, don’t we? You guys don’t want to end up with some snobbish noble Divine Princess or some arrogant noble Divine Child, right? I think we’re a good fit. Why not stick together as a team?”

As the mage tried to gently persuade them, the massive aquamarine crystal at the center of Coleman Plaza began to emit an ocean-like glow.

“Oh? The top ten showdown is finally starting?”

“Hey hey! Place your bets, folks! Crown Cup winner betting starts now!” someone called out, walking around and opening wagers. “Currently, odds are 4-to-6 on Astrid and Felicia. Cast your votes for your favorite now!”

Of course, where there were matches, there was betting. Anyone allowed in the plaza had already secured their entry scores and formal enrollment, so most were there for the fun of it. Opportunities to watch high-level fights while throwing in some pocket change for excitement didn’t come by often.

“Hey student, fancy placing a bet?” the bookie approached the bald Divine Child’s group.

“Hmm? Betting?” The mage glanced at the projection showing the top ten names, thought for a moment, and nodded.

“Great! So, Astrid or Felicia—who are you backing?”

“Neither.” The mage smiled.

“Huh? Neither? Then who?”

“I’m betting on Teresa.”

“Teresa?” The bookie blinked, the name vaguely familiar. He glanced at the list projected by the aquamarine crystal. “Oh, she’s the one who made a ruckus before the tournament started, right? Didn’t expect her to make the top ten.”

“Count me in too. I’m also betting on that blonde girl,” said the bald Divine Child with a wave.

“You’re betting too?”

“Why not?” He grinned. “She wiped our team solo. No matter how you look at it, that girl isn’t normal. I’m convinced she’ll be the next Crown Champion.”

“Me too! I’m in!”

“Same here! If she beat me that easily, there’s no way she’ll lose!”

Borton and Endy both pulled out their wallets and placed their bets on Teresa.

The four exchanged glances and burst into laughter.

With that laugh, the earlier tension among them melted away.

“Alright then, four bets on Teresa.” Although the bookie didn’t fancy Teresa’s odds, he still took their money.

They weren’t expecting big returns anyway—it was all in good fun. The more who joined, the better the atmosphere.

Around the plaza, most placed their bets on Felicia or Astrid. The next most popular was a student named Wenfu, placing third in vote count. After that...

“Uh, excuse me, I’d like to bet on Teresa too.”

“No way?! Divine Child sir?!” The mage beside him turned to stare, stunned, at the towering male Divine Child next to him.

“What are you doing? Why would you bet on the one who eliminated us?”

“Yeah! Didn’t you say she humiliated and tortured you for a good while after knocking us out?”

“I—I...” The tall Divine Child blushed, averting his gaze and pretending to act indifferent. “Why do you care? I can bet on whoever I want. What’s it to you?”

Yes, this Divine Child was none other than the one Teresa had bound and used to test her Divine Authority earlier.

Logically, even if he didn’t harbor a burning hatred for Teresa, he should at least hold a grudge. That would be the normal response. But...

Ever since elimination, he couldn’t stop thinking about that scene—Teresa crouched before him, her scent like mint and vanilla, the gleam of her golden-silk hair like sunlight itself, her pure, polite, and flawless demeanor...

He kind of wanted her to bind him with Divine Authority again. To lie on the ground and look up at her. To see her standing beneath the sunlight, the rays cascading down her platinum hair as she lifted her foot, full of contempt and disdain, and pressed it to his face...

Aaaaahhh! What the hell was he thinking?!

He, a proud man standing seven feet tall, the team’s backbone—how could he have such twisted thoughts?!

No, no—this was clearly wrong. He should take this as a lesson and swear to defeat Teresa in their next encounter. Why on earth was he thinking like some deviant?!

What would his teammates think if they found out? And Teresa—what would she think if she knew?!

Wait! What does this have to do with Teresa anyway?!

Clutching his head in agony, the tall Divine Child was tormented by the golden figure that refused to leave his mind.

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