Vans' dead body lay on the ground, Niko's shot had blown his stomach apart, and the death was instant. Victor laughed loudly, Sandra was in a panic, she was crying.
"Niko, bring him back already."
Niko first used healing magic, it completely restored his body, she managed to reconstruct it quickly, then she used magic to resurrect Vans. He woke up gasping, he looked desperate, magic caused that in people, the experience was far from pleasant, but still necessary.
"The magic needs to be improved and softened, you have to stop using too much mana at once, we're going to end up drawing too much attention," Victor said to Niko. "And you, try not to be inconvenient, be more cautious next time," he said to Vans, who was embarrassed, but used to death in combat.
"Don't worry about it," Eris said, as she hugged Sandra and gently stroked her head. "She's always been like this, her recklessness is frightening, but don't worry about it," she finished with a soft kiss, and Sandra pulled herself together.
"Now I want you to lose," Victor said.
"I can't, that would bring shame to the Duke and could harm his image, it's better that I win, or at least don't lose tomorrow, maybe in the final."
Victor thought for a moment, he hated to admit it, but Vans was absolutely right, it was better to avoid putting the Duke in a shameful position.
Duke Carmine was kneeling, in front of him stood a blond man with voluminous hair, the cloak he wore was made from the thick hide of some animal or monster.
"Raise your head," the King said.
The Duke lifted his head.
"Who is that man?"
The Duke explained that Vans and the others had helped him twice, as a reward he allowed the group to stay in his mansion, nothing more than that had been said.
"So you do not have that man as your alchemist?"
"Exactly, he is Victor's alchemist, who is a merchant and is opening a shop in the Capital."
"I see, I will accept him as my court mage. I will make an agreement with Victor so that he agrees to give up an alchemist."
"I believe that will not be possible."
The King made a different expression, the Second Prince was in the room and considered that an insult.
"Explain what you meant by that."
"It would be imprudent, they carry themselves like nobles, they could be landless nobles from another nation, they seem somewhat lost here. Even Victor could be an exiled noble, and Vans someone he trusts who is helping him. But they are rich, very rich."
"You think he is richer than the Crown?"
"No, but they are rich enough to spend a few thousand gold coins as if it were nothing. Perhaps you have heard about the mage who bought the most expensive shop in the Capital, then bought another shop and hired the merchants' guild to renovate."
"Even men like that have a price. But I understand that it may be risky to have a noble from another country as a court mage without the consent of their rulers."
The King fell silent for a few seconds.
"I want you to bring this Vans here, I will ask the prime minister to find a better moment for it."
The King was still uneasy, he was not angry, only curious about how Vans had managed to discover that the sword was fake, the King knew that, but he did not intend to say it, the plan had been to place a fake sword and let someone be chosen, without revealing that they themselves had placed it there. Not even the Prince or Duke Ambrose knew about it, it was all part of the King's plan, but no one truly knew what he intended with it. The plan changed, and the real sword would be placed for the public.
Elsewhere in the castle, the King was speaking casually with Duke Carmine.
"Is he really that strong?"
"Yes, but I do not know much more about him. I only know that he has subordinates who are very strong and loyal to him, so do not be too hasty," the Duke knew the reason the King wanted a replacement for the court mage position, he no longer trusted the current one, and the best course was to replace him.
At the mansion, Victor was angry with Vans for having achieved a higher rank in the guild, he did not hold back and went with the others to the guild to take on some mission and increase his rank.
Vans remained in the room making potions, since he used the Duke's room, he always left some flasks for Carmine. He left the mansion and went to the arena, he wanted to lose, but he could not. Winning was like a curse.
He did not pay attention to his opponent's name, he only saw a fat man in front of him, who was quickly defeated with a single shot, so the marquis's son really was stronger. Vans approached the fallen man and used a healing potion on him.
"This opponent was very weak, Vans took too long to cast the shot, that time would have been more than enough to raise a barrier or even dodge. The man is truly very weak," Niko said.
"He did not seem restrained, he simply did not know what to do," Eris said.
The Duke only listened, he did not understand much about magic and, because of that, avoided giving any opinion, he just let the specialists speak. But his daughter showed interest and asked if one of them could teach her how to use magic, Eris accepted, Niko also agreed to help with some concepts.
Agata was a beautiful young woman, very clever, but at the same time weak. But nothing that a few lessons with Eris would not turn her into a monster capable of destroying a nation. Eris did not know how to fight, but she knew many defensive and support spells, in addition to being able to teach all the basics so Agata could learn more easily in the future.
Vans returned to the room, he would have to wait for the second match to decide who would go with him to the final.
"You keep neglecting the basics," Niko said.
"What do you mean?"
"Your barrier was weak, any attack could break it, besides that, you waste too much mana, that is why your magic is inefficient."
Niko was right, but considering the level of magic among the competitors, it would be excessive to use more mana control on a barrier or even increase attack power. Niko realized something, the level of magic had declined, but it was not caused by weaker people, it was caused by peace. In war, everyone gave their best, but at that moment it was clear that people were too confident in peace and, because of that, were neglecting certain things.
There were very strong individuals, demons had always been stronger than humans, but now at least five humans would be needed for each demon, before it had only been three.
Victor realized that when he observed the second match more closely. The movements were slow, even though mages often remained still, it was still necessary for them to move on the battlefield.
Vans stood up and went to the arena, he was bored, that feeling was somewhat better than the fear he had felt before, now at least he was certain he would not be harmed.
He was wrong, the mage began attacking before Vans could raise a barrier, his right arm was injured, Vans knew how to use healing magic, but avoided using it, instead he simply raised a barrier and cast light magic, he fired two quick shots, the man fell, but continued attacking from the ground, but all the attacks were useless, Vans managed to defend against all of them. The man gave up.
As always, Vans used one of his potions to heal the man, what he did not realize was that this drew a lot of attention from the people in the arena, Victor saw this as free publicity. Perhaps even better than what the Duke could provide.