After so many ranking matches, the wizards throughout the Fairy Ancient City gathering grounds had steadily drawn toward the center, forming a tight "ring" around the thirty-two stone pillars.
This "ring" was noisy, restless, and fervent.
After Michael and the others manifested their soul traits one after another, this "ring" had become like a red-hot branding iron, radiating "heat" at every moment.
That "heat" generally reached a minor peak at the start of each fight and again at its end.
The latter came from judgments about victory and defeat, analyses of the battle, and admiration for both combatants.
The former, meanwhile, came from the white light shrouding each stone pillar-before a prodigy took the stage, the wizards gathered around the ranking arena had no idea who they were. This gave many of them the anticipation of waiting for a mystery to be revealed.
Just like now.
As Dago walked toward the central platform, his exceptional perception picked up the faint, ceaseless buzz of conversation from the distant spectators.
And almost all of that animated discussion concerned his current opponent.
He was a slender young wizard with handsome features.
Countless arcs of electricity intertwined all over his body, and his dark blue robes rippled with the current. The lightning flickering in his eyes complemented the lightning patterns traced across his robes.
He descended abruptly into the arena like a blazing thunderbolt. He possessed both the domineering force of a lightning wizard and the imposing aura of a mortal monarch, surveying everyone with indifference and pride.
"Gellman! It's Gellman!"
"Across the entire south, Thunder Tower is one of the very best organizations for lightning magic. Gellman is said to be its youngest deputy tower master ever. In strength and talent, probably only Gale and the other heirs of the three major