By the fourth day of the Champion Mage Challenge, everyone on Number Three Floating City who followed the tournament knew Fran's name.
Many believed that "Philly" had been targeted by the newspapers. What normal person would say anything so outrageous?
But as the story spread secondhand, some people still came to dislike "Philly." Wasn't she far too arrogant?
Several Battle Mages immediately spoke out against "Philly" as well. They said she had no sense of her limits, yet dared to meddle in the affairs of Battle Mages and Magic Duelists. They demanded a duel to the death with her.
Before long, everyone watching the Champion Mage Challenge was paying close attention to "Philly" and whether she would win or lose her next match.
After all, "Philly" had claimed that no one in the Main Tournament could beat her, and plenty of people wanted to prove her wrong.
Whether they rationally believed no Main Tournament contestant could win every match or fanatically supported another contestant, her words stuck in their hearts like a thorn.
They eagerly awaited the moment "Philly's" arrogant claim would be disproved, and plenty of analytical newspaper articles backed them up.
If "Philly" lost even one match, they would descend on her in droves and vent their feelings.
By then, Fran would probably face a crowd of spectators hurling insults—or eggs—whenever she took the field...
But as long as Fran kept winning, none of that would happen. All the attention from people hoping to see her lose would instead work in her favor.
In an upscale tavern on Number Three Floating City...
Though called a tavern, it was really a place where mages could relax and enjoy themselves. With the Champion Mage Challenge being such a major attraction, upscale taverns offered services to match.
For instance, they let