"The first-year students have made a good start," Nores commented on the match from the audience.
The girl with chestnut-brown wavy hair standing next to her nodded with a smile.
"This puts a lot of pressure on us old folks."
After the exhibition match between Sylutia and Spencer, the top students from the second and third years took to the stage one after another, each showcasing their skills and creativity.
As the students progressed through the grades, the techniques and spells used in the performance competitions became increasingly powerful and impressive, creating a truly awe-inspiring spectacle even without much embellishment.
When Nores, the fifth-year champion, took the stage, his methods shattered the stone slabs of the entire square. Countless stones floated up weightlessly, piecing together in the air to form a new, enormous clock tower. The clock face on top rotated, time accelerated beside him, and finally, a series of dazzling magical rainbows engulfed his opponent.
"With such strength, many Fifth Order Mage would probably be no match for him," the elites from other schools of thought remarked.
" Nores is just one step away from reaching the Fifth Order. I guess he could have advanced long ago. The reason he hasn't taken that step yet is probably because he wants to lead the other students and the chief student through this year's Silver Bell Festival before advancing, since reaching the Fifth Order automatically means graduation and no longer being a student of the Academy."
"From this perspective, he is very responsible, willing to delay for an extra year."
"A year is fine. He's the kind of very steady person who's not in a hurry for a year to make a difference."
After the freshman performance competition concluded, other performances followed, showcasing many new technologies and achievements from various schools of thought. Some performances also featured contributions from other schools, highlighting the friendship and exchange among the schools within the Mage Alliance.
Time passed quickly, and by the time the last program ended, there were only twenty minutes left until midnight. At this point, it was time for the traditional moment of waiting for the bell to ring. The audience in the venue relaxed a bit after the various wonderful performances, chatting with their companions and discussing the grand occasion of this year's Silver Bell Festival.
"That's great, I hope I can come again next year." One guest stretched, feeling that the trip was worthwhile.
"Haha, that depends on luck. Although the ' Mithril Clock ' school sends out many invitations, not everyone can get one."
"After the bell rings, there will be a simple trade fair where representatives from other factions will bring some items to exchange. Let's go take a look."
"No problem."
On the other side, Sylutia sat in a chair under the starlight, looking up at the slowly turning giant clock face, recalling the various programs and performances she had seen that day.
The Mage Alliance is indeed powerful. Some of their technological innovations are fresh and surprising to her. Compared to the traditional and peaceful Woodland Alliance, this alliance is developing rapidly. No wonder the Woodland Alliance's higher-ups feel immense pressure.
At that moment, a familiar figure walked through the audience seats and came to stand in front of Sylutia, revealing her face in the soft starlight.
Spencer looked at the black-haired girl sitting with a somewhat relaxed posture, and recalled the scene of the exhibition match not long ago, suppressing the rather complicated emotions in his heart.
"Thank you for today." His words surprised Sylutia turned her head around.
Does this guy even know how to say thank you? She thought he would respond with some kind of disgusted and humiliated expression.
"It's nothing, we're all classmates, helping each other is what I should do," she replied briefly.
Is that so? Spencer's mind raced with thoughts. He said nothing more, simply nodded slightly to the girl, and then turned and left.
Watching the other person's retreating figure, Sylutia hesitated, her slender fingers lightly pressing her brow.
This girl, she probably doesn't take this matter that seriously. Actually, she just acted on a whim. She felt that since they were all classmates, it would be bad for everyone's image if the other person embarrassed themselves. After all, she didn't want to leave an image of being aggressive and overly domineering.
Oh well, let's leave it at that. It doesn't seem like a bad thing.
After waiting a few more minutes, as the hands on the clock face aligned, a tremendous bell rang out, like silver ripples on the sea, sweeping in all directions.
It turns out that the sound she heard last year at the Silver Bell Festival at the Rorick Academy came from here.
The bell tolled melodiously, each note perfectly clear and distinct, each sound possessing its own unique beauty to the ears of the assembled Mage.
After the bells rang twelve times, the first half of the Silver Bell Festival came to an end, followed by relatively free social activities.
The students rose from their seats and headed towards the exit below. Inside each of the branch towers were different activity halls, used for exchanges between the various Mage schools in the second half of the event, and also for visitors from other factions.
"Where is Chief Hedra headed?" Many people instinctively followed the girl, curious about her interests.
This situation left Sylutia amused and exasperated. In fact, she hadn't planned anything at all, as it was her first time participating in such a grand celebration.
Wandering aimlessly through the exhibition hall, unlike the recruitment scene in the Asura District, this exhibition hall is more for communication. There are many unique products from various schools of thought for sale, and orders and business are also accepted.
When Sylutia passed by the " Phantom Puppet School " exhibition hall, she saw many exquisite Doll on the shelves. Many of them were made to life size, and the clothes on the Doll were also very exquisite, attracting many customers to stop and admire them.
"It's so beautiful."
"I would be so happy to buy one and bring it home."
"The price is too high." The cheapest Doll here costs nearly 3,000 gold coins, which is unaffordable or unattainable even for many professional Mage.
Sylutia walked among them, she suddenly spotted a familiar figure. Aurora was standing among a Doll, wearing an exquisite little blue hat. Her indifferent eyes and demeanor were just like those of a real Doll. Occasionally, she would wiggle her wrist, startling many onlookers.
Seeing the large crowd surrounding the booth, Sylutia had to shake her head and step back for the time being. Although she really wanted to go over and say hello, it was just too noisy and crowded here.
She waved briefly to Aurora in the distance, and the silver-haired girl nodded slightly in response to Sylutia. A small Doll flew from her arms, carrying a small gift box, and landed in front of Sylutia, handing the box to Sylutia.
"What's this?" Sylutia took the box and opened it curiously.
Inside was an exquisitely crafted ring, its band made of Chrome Silver with an indigo gemstone in the center, surrounded by a small ribbon bow. After putting it on her finger, Sylutia established a strange connection with the silver-haired girl opposite her, following the enchantment engraved on the ring. The two seemed to be able to communicate with each other through their minds.
"Happy celebration, Hedra." Aurora stood on the booth, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear with her finger, and turned around to continue interacting with the visitors, but in her mind she was simultaneously chatting with Sylutia, telling her about the latest developments.
It seems Aurora has learned quite a few new things in the past six months. Sylutia looked at the ring on her hand with curiosity and continued to walk along the exhibition hall corridor, occasionally chatting with Aurora based on the ring's connection.
Passing through the corridor, Sylutia arrived at the next exhibition hall, the venue of the " Appraisal School." On the shelves were rows of transparent glass lenses, all of which were used to Identification Mirror the quality of various things.
There are relatively few customers here. Those who come up to talk and buy are mostly " Appraiser." They discuss the workmanship and quality of these lenses, exchange standard details, and occasionally use professional terms that are difficult for laymen to understand.
After a brief tour of the exhibition hall, Sylutia moved on to the next one.
The exhibition hall was brightly lit, and rows of test tubes of different colors were arranged on the shelves like gradient gems, with the crisp sound of glass clinking in the air from time to time.
We've arrived at the exhibition hall for the Four Salts School.