A rather embarrassing silence ensued as the youngsters of the Imperial Wizard Guild suddenly hesitated.

Based on the information provided by the guild, Hal Fennec was, at most, studying wizardry for a year and a half.

How was the brat so confident?

They, on the other hand, were already in their third and fourth year.

It was just that they didn't have to attend the academy because their parents were high-ranked wizards and could provide everything they needed.

Furthermore, they've always been praised by the guild's higher-ups for their immense talent and potential.

They didn't believe they were any less talented than the rising Magna Prospect.

Yet, Finn and the four other A-ranked youngsters suddenly found themselves unable to respond immediately, though mostly because it would be up to Raiz to accept such terms.

Hal's disdainful sneer broke the silence:

"Heh, you mouth off and provoke me at every turn, but when I finally humor you, you cowards don't even dare wager this much? What happened to all that tough talk from earlier?"

Finn and the other youngsters naturally blew up:

"You think we're scared of the likes of you?!" Finn finally retorted. "It's just that we don't have the authority to make such promises! If you truly dare, then just fight me!"

"Hahaha!" Hal laughed mockingly, "Pathetic. I guess the wizards of the guild are all talk, huh? Fine, just carry on with your jobs, then. We can forget what happened today, but please…stop yapping in front of me if you aren't gonna fight."

Hearing the Magna Prospect conclude the matter by labeling them as pathetic, all-talk cowards, even the S-ranked wizards were pissed, and one of them immediately suggested in a whisper:

"Raiz, we can't let this prick belittle the guild."

The female S-ranked wizard appeared calm, but inwardly, she, too, seethed.

She certainly didn't expect the Magna Prospect to be so bold as to insult the Imperial Wizard Guild.

Naturally, like her comrade said, they can't let this slide.

The tricky part, however, was that it was inappropriate for them to step forward and face a youngster more than a decade younger than them.

It would have to be their juniors who would fight for the guild's reputation and their loot.

Raiz turned her head, this time boldly locking eyes with Isolde.

"Headmistress, your disciple sure is courageous, talking about such massive bets, but I wonder what's in store for us if we obtain the victory?" she asked with narrowed eyes.

A youngster such as Hal can't possibly have anything they want.

The master, on the other hand…

The Imperial Wizard Guild had revealed their stance, supporting their juniors. Isolde would naturally do the same.

"Hmph, tell me what you want, then."

With her authority as a former magna, the headmistress of the Grand Magic Academy, and a Magna Prospect's master, there were very few things she couldn't promise.

Isolde was also confident that Hal would emerge victorious.

Her student couldn't be farther from the word stupid, and Hal had already witnessed the prowess of all the youngsters of the Imperial Wizard Guild.

If he dared bet such a huge amount, then he must be certain he would win.

The rage inside Raiz's heart subsided a little.

A greedy smile flashed in her face for a moment before reverting to a stern, slightly disappointed expression:

"Hmph." She snorted, hiding her delight. "This loot would be divided among everyone, so if we're going to wager it, then it's only appropriate that everyone would get a satisfactory amount, wouldn't you say so, Headmistress Isolde?"

Isolde only snorted in disdain, "Just tell me what you want and drop the pretenses. I know what kind of people you lot truly are, so stop pretending."

Raiz was naturally angered once more.

However, she was more focused on what they could obtain.

The rewards for the escort mission are quite generous. If the loot remained in their hands and they obtained something of equal value or greater from Isolde…

Dangerous as this trip was, it would be extremely worth their time!

The fake professional relationship between the two parties has already crumbled. There was no benefit in feigning modesty.

So, Raiz began to list her demands without hesitation, unblinkingly mentioning S-ranked items one after the other.

Even Hal couldn't help but scoff in disbelief.

What they were demanding far exceeded the value of their loot.

The S-ranked wizards of the Imperial Wizard Guild were ready to back their leader up, knowing their demands wouldn't be accepted.

They were fully prepared to haggle down to just a little over what was truly acceptable.

By demanding an exorbitant amount in the beginning, it would be easier for the other party to accept their true conditions, even if the wager favored them a little.

To their surprise…

"Fine. Choose your representative among the younger generation, then. I'll sacrifice two high-grade sparring talismans so the youngsters can go all out. I shall not accept excuses."

Hal was also a bit dumbfounded that his master accepted just like that.

However, he knew what was on her mind, and his heart warmed at the massive amount of trust Isolde had for him.

Indeed.

If he will win anyway, why waste time haggling?

It was a simple gesture of dismissing nonsense from his master, but the psychological effects were immense.

Hal was pumped.

It was as though he was given full permission to vindicate himself and thoroughly humiliate the bastards who had been trying to pick a fight with him since day one.

And of course, why would Hal waste this chance to vent the suppressed grievances in his heart?

The wizards of the Imperial Wizard Guild, meanwhile, were starting to doubt their chances.

How could Isolde be as confident as her student?

She, of all people, should know that a gap of two years might not be huge in the later years, but when a wizard is just starting, even a single year is massive.

Not to mention, they believed that any of the five could've become a Magna Prospect themselves had they not focused on increasing their adventurer ranks.

They shouldn't be too inferior in talent, at the very least, which meant that there was no way the guild's chosen representative, Clive, the son of two S-ranked Wizards and a proud wielder of the thunder element, would lose.

Then why? Why do they feel uneasy about all this?

What else could they do, though? The competitors' safety and a satisfactory wager had already been finalized.

If they backed out now, they would be cowards like the arrogant Magna Prospect said.

Raiz and the S-ranked wizards could only hope and put their trust in Clive.

Logic-wise, it should be impossible for them to lose.