Elsewhere.
As Azrael began announcing the specific rules, Wizard Morin raised his wineglass from a higher spot in the garden.
His gaze swept over Clark, Azrael, and the young wizards, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.
"Since neither side has any objections... then... let the first match begin."
The moment his words fell.
The space at the center of the garden suddenly rippled, and a massive Duel Arena slowly emerged from the void.
Rune after rune lit up, and a powerful spatial seal instantly enveloped the entire Duel Arena.
The wizards who had been whispering among themselves all fell silent at that moment.
Everyone's eyes turned toward the Duel Arena.
Noren Workshop had only brought five people this time, and two of them were even Level 8 Wizards.
Level 8 Wizards valued their status. Naturally, they could not possibly step onto the field personally for a duel between juniors.
Thus, only Clark, Benjamin, and Viola remained able to fight, making up the lineup for exactly three matches.
Azrael's side had clearly prepared for this long ago. "Gis, you'll take the first match."
As his words fell, two wizards stepped out from the crowd behind him.
The man at the front was tall and thin, with an indifferent face. He wore a dark gray robe nearly black in color, and an aura of decay visible to the naked eye surrounded him. Wherever he passed, the grass beneath his feet rapidly lost its vitality, the blades curling into patches of withered grayish white.
Gis respectfully bowed to Azrael. "Yes, Mentor."
Castillo narrowed her eyes at the sight and casually introduced him to Benjamin and Viola beside her. "This little fellow is Gis, a Level 6 Wizard and Azrael's chief disciple."
Viola tilted her head, her silver-gray long hair