Let Go of That Handsome Guy! Let Me Do It

In the audience, Erza heard Lucy's mutterings and a knowing smile appeared on her face.

"No! Have you forgotten? Jiang Bai is also proficient in Mental Magic."

"That's right!" Lucy clapped her hands, suddenly realizing.

"So, does that mean Jiang Bai knew everyone's true location from the beginning? Looks like this match will be easy."

"It wasn't an easy match," Gray said, shirtless with his arms crossed, his tone utterly matter-of-fact.

"But for that guy, everything seems very easy."

Just as everyone was discussing, the host Chapati, spoke again, explaining the new rules to everyone.

"Attention, everyone! All these figures appearing in the arena are clones created by magic!"

"If players accidentally attack these clones, the attacking side will have one point deducted!"

"Furthermore, whether a player is penalized for attacking a clone or successfully attacked and scored by another player, they will be randomly teleported to another area of the town after ten seconds to restart the match!"

"During the allotted match time, there is no limit to the number of times a player can restart the match! The total time for this 'Hidden' competition is thirty minutes!"

"The player with the highest score at the end of the competition will be the winner of this event!"

"So, contestants! Like cats lurking in the night, go hunt your prey!"

"The first competition of the Grand Magic Games — 'Hidden' —has officially begun!"

"Clang--!"

The melodious chimes rang out, announcing the official opening of the competition, and the entire arena was instantly engulfed by a deafening roar of cheers.

The eight contestants on the field were transformed into eight beams of light the instant the bell rang, and were randomly teleported to different corners of the town.

Jiang Bai appeared in a quiet alley, not even bothering to open his eyes.

The immense mental power, like an invisible sonar, instantly scanned the entire town, taking control of everyone's location and movement.

"Let's start with that noisy crow."

He locked onto the guy named Nullpudding, who Raven Tail.

The next second, Jiang Bai's figure disappeared from the spot and silently appeared behind Nullpudding.

At this moment, Nullpudding was cautiously observing his surroundings while muttering curses under his breath.

"That bastard! How dare he look down on me like that! I hope I never run into him, or he'll be sorry!"

"Oh?" A lazy voice suddenly sounded behind him.

"If we run into them, what's there to see?"

Nullpudding froze, and without thinking, he leaped forward, rolled over, and threw a black magic bullet backward.

The entire set of movements was fluid and graceful, clearly demonstrating the wearer's extensive experience.

In his view, his counterattack had accurately hit Jiang Bai behind him.

At that distance and speed, there's simply no way to dodge it!

He even felt a slight disdain for Jiang Bai in his heart.

If he can't even dodge an attack of this magnitude, what kind of "strongest" is he? It seems he's just a guy with an empty reputation.

However, one second passed, then two seconds passed.

The expected scenario of Jiang Bai being teleported away did not occur, and his score was not displayed on the leaderboard.

Nullpudding was stunned.

"What's going on?! Referee! I clearly hit him, why didn't I score? Are you guys rigging this?!"

His questioning voice was clearly transmitted to the audience through the magic broadcast, and a murmur of discussion arose from the stands.

The Pumpkin Man cleared his throat and replied, "You missed, Pumpkin."

"How is that possible?!" Nullpudding was completely incredulous.

It's true.

That familiar voice rang out again, but this time, it came from right in front of him.

Nullpudding's pupils suddenly contracted.

Jiang Bai had appeared before him in an instant, without him even noticing.

He didn't even see the other person's movements!

Jiang Bai extended his left hand, a playful smile on his face.

Come on, shake my hand.

"What... what do you want to do?" Nullpudding took a step back warily.

"It's nothing, I just wanted to prove something."

In the commentary booth, Chapati, upon seeing this, immediately shouted excitedly, "What did I just see?! Jiang Bai actually extended his hand for another contestant to shake!"

"If that happens, according to the rules, Nullpudding will score a point! What is Jiang Bai doing?!"

Jiang Bai listened to the explanation and chuckled softly.

"Ha! He can't do it."

The women in the audience presented a completely different picture.

"Damn it! That handsome guy asked him to shake his hand, and that Ushi no Koku Mairi is still hesitating!"

"Let go of that handsome guy! Let me take the place of that ugly one!"

Nullpudding listened to the surrounding discussions and glanced at Jiang Bai's hand, which was so close to his own. Greed overcame his vigilance.

"Since you're willing to give me a point for free, then I won't be polite!"

As he spoke, he suddenly reached out and grabbed it!

However, the expected score notification tone did not sound.

The standings remain unchanged.

"What... what... what is going on?!" Chapati's voice trembled with shock.

Jiang Bai didn't retract his hand; instead, he raised it and explained slowly and deliberately, in a tone as if instructing a student.

"Although those who know me well already know, I'll still explain it here."

"You didn't hit me just now. And now, you haven't even held my hand."

He looked at the Nullpudding and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

What you've touched is merely the 'Infinity' that exists between you and me.

"My spell is quite interesting. As long as I don't actively dispel it, or if the other party carries even the slightest bit of hostility, then no one can touch me."

"The moment I sense even the slightest hostility, the spell will automatically activate, blocking anything threatening from reaching the 'Infinity'."

These words, amplified by magic, resounded throughout the arena and reached the ears of all the contestants.

The Sabertooth's rest area.

Sting stared at the man on the magic screen, who was explaining his own "rules" like a god. His expression went from shock to blankness, and finally to ashen as death.

His newly regained confidence was utterly Crush in that instant.

"There's... there's such magic?"

Sting's voice trembled slightly, almost imperceptibly.

"Isn't that too much of a cheat?"