"What kind of speed is that!?"
"How long has it even been? Damn—it's only 8 PM!"
"An average of one match every three minutes… couldn't his opponents at least drag things out a bit…?"
"I just played a match against him… honestly, the moment I saw it was him, I almost gave up… didn't even feel like playing…"
After the first Silver-ranked player was born in the Magic Battle Arena, discussions immediately erupted. People looked at Andy like he was some kind of monster as they watched him walk step by step out of the Promotion Zone toward the counter.
Whether opponents dragged things out or not didn't even matter.
Even if they played at full speed—as arena matches with only five seconds per move—no one present could confidently say they could win 30 consecutive matches and promote directly.
But for Andy, who fought high-intensity arena matches every day, this kind of ranked grind was nothing more than routine.
On the second floor, some nobles also caught wind of what had happened downstairs. The news that someone had reached Silver in just an hour and a half quickly spread through the booth area.
Rowell had just finished a match, securing his 19th consecutive win. He frowned.
To be fair, he thought his speed was already fast—yet someone was significantly faster?
Even Wardson beside him was only keeping pace, the two of them trading leads within one or two wins.
Who was faster often depended entirely on whether their opponents played quickly.
Thinking this through, Rowell relaxed.
Whoever that person downstairs was, they were certainly strong—but reaching Silver wasn't exclusive to one person.
For top-tier players, it was basically guaranteed.
Speed wasn't about skill anymore—it was about matchmaking.
With that in mind, he stopped dwelling on it and continued playing.
Wardson, however, thought more deeply.
Battle Magic had a certain learning curve.
Especially the Magic Codex—along with new Element Cards being released, the combinations became increasingly complex.
In this regard, nobles had an advantage due to better education.
As for someone like him, a Battle Aura user, his strong physique meant high energy levels—his mind stayed sharp, memory strong, and thinking quick.
Ordinary people, after enough practice, could also memorize the Magic Codex and apply it effectively.
In short matches—one or two games—the difference wasn't obvious.
But in high-intensity streaks like this, the mental strain was significant.
Especially when aiming for a 30-win streak.
This was completely different from casual matches.
While not as tense as official competitions, it was far more demanding than normal play.
Wardson himself was fine.
But some lesser nobles nearby, without cultivation, were already fatigued after a dozen matches and had gone to rest.
They could keep going—but they lacked the obsession with winning streaks.
They didn't feel the same pressure as the person downstairs.
In Wardson's view—
That first Silver player was at least as strong as him and Rowell.
But the real answer would only come after facing him.
At the first-floor counter, Andy held his metal box like a soldier holding his rifle as he walked step by step toward Nora and Ron.
Ron held a specially crafted Silver badge.
It was hexagonal, silver-white, with each corner engraved with a symbol of one of the six elements.
Around the center was an elemental ring representing the God of Elements, Elementia.
Inside it was the Eye of Insight, symbolizing the God of Magic, Magico.
Ron personally pinned the badge onto Andy's chest and patted his shoulder.
"Congratulations."
Andy quickly bowed, overwhelmed with gratitude.
He hadn't expected His Highness Ron to personally award and place the badge.
Normally, nobles only did this for subordinates who made great contributions.
But Andy felt he hadn't contributed much—instead, he had received so much from the arena.
Ron didn't think much of it.
It was simply motivating people.
And whether Andy realized it or not, Ron did—
The nightly arena matches had brought in massive traffic.
That was what mattered most.
Taking a certificate from Nora, Ron handed it to Andy.
"This is a certificate awarded only to the first Silver-ranked player. It represents both your achievement and the birth of the first Silver."
He added:
"In the future, higher-ranked floors will open. I hope you'll always be the one leading the way."
Under the heated gazes around him, Andy felt deeply inspired.
"Thank you, Your Highness, Ron! I'll keep working hard!"
Ron smiled and patted him again.
"Come with me. The rest of your rewards will be prepared later. For now, let's head upstairs."
"Yes!"
As the two walked upstairs, others watched with envy.
Once they disappeared, the atmosphere on the first floor grew even more intense.
Even those who had given up tried again.
After all, while first place was gone, rewards still existed for second, third—even up to promotions within seven days.
And after witnessing the award ceremony, everyone's enthusiasm reignited.
"Your Highness Ron," Andy asked nervously on the stairs, "will there be official competitions? Like the 'Magic Cup' mentioned in the achievements?"
"You noticed?" Ron smiled. "If nothing changes, it'll start in early April."
Andy had expected that.
After all, one requirement alone took three weeks.
Still, hearing the timeline reassured him.
He would start school in May, so finishing in April would be perfect.
They reached the third floor.
Compared to the crowded first floor, it felt spacious.
The battle tables were designed like proper duel stations, with partitions blocking visibility.
Cards could be laid out freely.
Each station was well-spaced, with comfortable layouts.
At the back were three large arena platforms.
A counter offered drinks, desserts, and items.
After a brief look around, Andy checked the posted notice:
Silver Rank Demotion Rules (Initial Version):
"Congratulations on reaching Silver!"
"However, this does not guarantee stability."
"Each week, you must participate in at least 10 best-of-five matches."
"Your performance will be scored based on wins, win rate, round victories, and even card usage."
"Scores reset weekly."
"If you rank in the bottom 10% of Silver players, your Silver badge will be revoked."
"You must then re-earn it from the first floor."
Andy nodded.
Without demotion, Silver players would only increase.
That would break the balance.
This system ensured circulation—
Weaker Silver players would be pushed down, while stronger Bronze players rose.
Only this cycle could maintain competitiveness.
Then he looked at another notice:
Match System Details (Initial Version):
"Matches will occur between players from the third-floor Silver Zone and the fourth-floor Silver Zone."
Andy froze.
The fourth floor… was for nobles.
Commoners versus nobles?
That felt… dangerous.
But he kept reading.
"Players enter through the left corridor and are matched randomly."
"Both sides are fully soundproofed and cannot see each other."
"Even the dealer does not know identities."
"Format: Best of five."
"Ten matches per week required."
Only then did Andy relax slightly.
Still unsure, he asked Ron to see it.
Ron brought him to the match area.
The layout resembled an "H" shape:
Two players in separate rooms.
A dealer in the middle.
No one could see or identify each other.
It was essentially… anonymous matches.
Like online gaming.
Ron had clearly put immense thought into this.
He was doing something unprecedented—
Letting nobles and commoners compete.
Even if indirectly.
This would prepare for future ranked tiers and tournaments.
After the tour, Ron asked, "Any more questions?"
Andy shook his head. "None. Thank you, Your Highness."
Ron left.
Andy stayed behind—
Ready to explore Silver rank, study new cards, and refine his strategies.
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T/N: I won't be posting chapters for the next 2–3 weeks due to some real-life circumstances 🙏 Thanks for your understanding! 💙