Grade Tournament

Arnold continued attending earth-element magic classes, while Linley naturally did not. He generally only attended one class at the start of each month.

As usual, Instructor Wendy explained some magical knowledge to the students.

"All right, today's lesson ends here. But before class is dismissed, I have something to tell everyone," Wendy said to the students with a smile.

The students below immediately began murmuring among themselves.

"The older students should already know this. Ernst Academy has a rule: during the last one or two months of every year, we hold the Grade Tournament. The annual Grade Tournament is also the liveliest time in the entire academy. Achieving victory in it will make it easier for you to be rated as an outstanding student upon graduation. By then, I expect the four great empires will all eagerly invite you to join them," Instructor Trey said with a smile.

The students below immediately became excited.

Ernst Academy accepted students of exceptionally high quality, so talents gathered within the academy. And talented people all had one bad habit: they were not easily convinced by others!

The Grade Tournament was an opportunity for all those talents to make a name for themselves!

Arnold was a new student that year. Although his magical power might not compare to that of the older students, there was no harm in joining the Grade Tournament to get a taste of real combat!

"Our earth-element students will naturally be competing as well. Those who wish to sign up, come tell me," Wendy said slowly.

The students below immediately swarmed over, keeping Wendy busy for quite a while!

Since Arnold got along well with the people in Linley's dormitory, he occasionally went out to eat with the four of them.

Yale, Renault, and George were all young nobles, so they naturally had no shortage of gold. Since they ate at affordable restaurants, Arnold could afford his share as well. After Arnold had tested with average elemental affinity and average spiritual essence, a noble had immediately shown him favor and offered to cover his daily expenses.

After ordering several dishes at the restaurant, they began chatting again, and the topic soon shifted to the Grade Tournament.

"Hey, in just over a month, our first year will be over. During the final one or two months of every year, the entire academy holds Grade Tournaments. The top three students from each grade can live in those two-story apartments for a year," Yale said as soon as he opened his mouth.

"Grade Tournament?" Linley smiled as well, because he had just heard the news in the wind-element classroom.

"Haha, I'm definitely entering," Renault said confidently.

Yale curled his lip. "You became a First-level Mage during the journey from the O'Brien Empire to Ernst Academy. By now, you're probably not far from becoming a Second-level Mage, are you? That's seriously unfair."

"Indeed. Renault, as an almost Second-level Mage, you have quite a big advantage when fighting First-level Mages like us," Arnold said with a smile.

"You're just like Linley. The moment you reached the level of a First-level Mage, you immediately went to the back mountain to train hard, never coming out to play with us," Renault complained.

"That's unfair of you to say. I'm just a commoner. I don't have the money to go out and have fun with you. Other than practicing magic, I have nothing else to do," Arnold hurriedly explained.

"You're still fussing over that little bit of money with us?" Renault said with a smile.

"Once I become a Fourth-Level Mage, I'll go out and earn some money. Then I won't have to turn you down anymore," Arnold said with a soft laugh. "Unlike Linley, whose Baruch Clan is so famous. Naturally, he trains hard because he sees revitalizing his clan as his responsibility."

"Speaking of Linley, you're already a Second-level Mage, aren't you? Tell us honestly!" George stared at Linley.

"How could it be that fast? With our talent, going from beginner to First-level Mage might take only half a year or so, but from First-level Mage to Second-level Mage should take at least two years," Renault said, wrinkling his nose.

"Not necessarily. I also think Linley has been acting rather mysterious." Yale looked at Linley. "Linley, have you reached Second-level Mage?"

Linley nodded casually.

"You really did?" Yale, Renault, George, and Arnold all widened their eyes. They had not expected it to be true.

"Enter the Grade Tournament, Linley. You have to enter! Go crush them properly and win some glory for Dormitory 1987!" Yale immediately said.

At that moment, the waiter brought over the dishes.

"Eat, eat. I'm not interested in the Grade Tournament." Linley could not be bothered to compete with people weaker than himself.

"If you're not entering, then forget it. I've never fought anyone before! This time, I want to crush some people myself," Arnold said with a smile.

"Really? Arnold, what level are you at now?" Renault asked with concern.

"Probably around the upper-middle stage of First-level Mage. But I've practiced magic seriously. Participating in the Grade Tournament this time is just to fulfill a childhood wish!" Arnold directly stated his strength.

"That's a bit risky. There are quite a few people in the first-year Grade Tournament who have trained for one or two years. There will definitely be many whose magical power exceeds yours," George said with a frown.

"I don't mind that. I'll treat the Grade Tournament as a test of my own strength. Enough of this, let's eat!" Arnold said with a smile.

In the blink of an eye, the Grade Tournament began. After roughly ten arena matches, Arnold was blasted off the stage.

Afterward, Renault and the others went with Arnold to eat at the most luxurious restaurant within Ernst Academy, with Yale treating them.

"This Grade Tournament was so frustrating. I was just a little short of reaching the semifinals. I might even have gotten one of the top three spots," Renault said resentfully.

"It really was a pity. I never expected Rand to take first place in the end. But Arnold, I didn't expect you to be so good either. Earth-element magic is supposedly not very strong offensively, yet you managed to hold on until the top ten," Yale said.

"It was nothing. I trained hard in magic too," Arnold said somewhat gloomily.

Seeing that Arnold was in low spirits, Renault asked with concern, "What's wrong? Are you still unwilling to accept that you didn't make the top three?"

"It's not about the ranking. I took part in around ten arena matches in this Grade Tournament. I felt like using earth-element magic against others was very difficult. Wind-element Wind Blades, fire-element fireballs, water-element water balls—they all have a certain degree of killing power. When fighting, I felt like I was at quite a disadvantage compared to everyone else," Arnold voiced his frustration.

Seeing Arnold complain, Linley hurriedly comforted him. "Arnold, earth-element mages really are not as strong offensively as the other elements in the early stages. But earth-element magic has its advantages too. Among the seven elemental systems, earth-element magic has the strongest defense. Everyone recognizes that."

"Exactly, exactly," the others all agreed.

"We came here to eat and have fun. Let's not talk about me anymore. Let's talk about the champion!" Arnold said with a smile.

Later, they spoke of Rand. When Rand overheard them praising Linley, he could not accept it. In the end, he wagered ten thousand gold coins against Linley and challenged him to a match. Naturally, Linley won. Winning ten thousand gold coins from a single bet greatly stirred Arnold as well, and from then on, he resolved to train magic diligently.