"After all, this is the first time it has been held, so there are naturally some areas that still need improvement.
But fortunately, they are all minor issues that do not affect the overall event. It is also clear that the people responsible for the competition and all the staff made a lot of preparations beforehand, and their attitude was extremely serious.
I appreciate all their efforts. Personally, I am very satisfied with the preliminary round."
"Oh, oh! That was an amazing answer!"
Jason's hands moved excitedly as he wrote down Kabe's words into his notebook at lightning speed.
"Finally, my last question. Do you feel that the preliminary round was a little too easy for you?
I did not notice it before, but only after standing in front of you did I realize that you barely even broke a sweat.
Was it really that simple?"
This question was not something Jason had prepared beforehand. It was something he suddenly thought of.
Just as he said, Kabe's current appearance made it extremely difficult for anyone to believe that he had just completed a marathon spanning hundreds of kilometers.
The crowd watching nearby also focused their attention on Kabe after hearing Jason's question and began carefully examining his current condition.
Compared to the two girls who had just been drenched in sweat and needed their companions to support them even while walking...
Kabe's clothes were only slightly damp around the collar, and there was merely a thin layer of sweat on his forehead.
This discovery shocked everyone.
They could not help but feel a chill run through them, and goosebumps appeared all over their bodies.
The way they looked at Kabe was almost as if they were staring at a monster in human form.
However, Kabe simply raised his hand indifferently and wiped away the tiny bit of sweat on his forehead before smiling.
"Mr. Jason really is the ace reporter of Sorcerer Weekly. Your observation skills are excellent.
However, as a reporter, you should have heard about some of my habits.
Actually, a marathon like this is precisely the easiest kind of competition for me."
"Cool!!! Such a bold statement! As expected of the man I admire!"
Jason let out another excited shout.
Then he turned around and faced the confused residents, beginning to explain.
"Everyone might not know this, but ever since Mr. Kabe became a mage, he has always insisted that unless absolutely necessary, he will not use any form of transportation when going to mission locations or meeting clients.
However, despite that, throughout Mr. Kabe's entire career as a mage, there has never been a single case where he delayed a request or arrived late.
Every time, he is able to efficiently and quickly solve the problems of those who hire him."
"Not using transportation? What does that mean?"
A resident in the crowd asked with a confused expression.
His companion beside him immediately elbowed him and scolded him.
"Idiot, it means exactly what it says. Mr. Kabe relies on his own legs to run to every single mission location and complete his work."
"Gulp... really? Is that actually true? Is he even human? Can his legs really be faster than a train?"
"Of course. Otherwise, why do you think he became one of the Holy Kings?
The Ten Wizard Saints are the mages among mages. Their strength is so terrifying that even other mages find it unbelievable."
"To be able to demand such strict standards from himself... With Kabe-sama's strength, reputation, and status, I don't feel jealous at all."
"Now this is the kind of person we should learn from. If I had even one ten-thousandth of Kabe-sama's determination when I was young, I would not have ended up as a useless mage who still has not achieved anything even after all these years."
With Jason's explanation, everyone began discussing among themselves.
Once again, they were shocked by Kabe's almost inhuman perseverance, and without realizing it, they raised their hands and gave him applause filled with respect.
To be honest, hearing all the praise from the people around him made Kabe feel slightly embarrassed.
But it was true that he had worked hard and trained diligently since childhood.
That was something he had never changed, and something he would continue doing in the future.
Amid the applause, Jason turned around and bowed deeply toward Kabe.
"Thank you very much for giving me this opportunity. I apologize for taking up so much of your time. I won't disturb you any further."
Kabe had always felt that this reporter was very good at creating a stir.
And now, he had once again helped spread Kabe's reputation throughout the capital.
So Kabe also thanked him sincerely.
"Thank you for the interview. You are always welcome to visit our guild again."
"Cool!!! I definitely will come again!!"
Jason instantly became even more excited as if he had taken some kind of stimulant.
After repeatedly thanking Kabe happily, he excitedly disappeared into the crowd.
Tonight, he planned to stay up all night and carefully write the entire interview with Kabe, then publish it on the front page of the next issue of the magazine.
Kabe also waved at the enthusiastic crowd around him before boarding the magic four-wheeled carriage prepared by the organizers.
He was then taken to the luxurious hot spring inn specially prepared for the teams that had passed the preliminary round.
The scene of Kabe's performance at the city gate just now, as well as the contents of his interview, were broadcast exactly as they happened to the major cities throughout the kingdom.
This caused all the ordinary citizens and mages watching the live broadcast to once again gain a new understanding of Kabe.
A young, handsome, hardworking, and powerful mage.
That image instantly became deeply rooted in everyone's hearts.
He became an idol to many people, and even a role model that some parents used to educate their own children.