Compared to the previous exhibition match, which only featured mages of the middle tier Magnus level, the second match, a spectacular battle between Arcanist mages, was clearly more impactful.

Whether it was the high-frequency casting of spells or the large-scale elemental resonance, the two individuals at the center of the sparring stage perfectly captured the attention of every spectator who came to watch the opening ceremony.

Feeling the light pouring down from the dome, Charlotte let out a soft breath, nodded to Kelet not far away, and said gently.

"I concede."

To ensure the exhibition match had more excitement, Charlotte only used the strength of an early tier Arcanist mage. However, judging by the outcome of the match, she seemed to have exerted a little too much force.

Kelet shook his head upon hearing this, and the glass-like flame shield in front of him disintegrated inch by inch.

"Several years ago, I was defeated by Professor Charlotte. I didn't expect that after so much time, the gap between us would widen even further."

Compared to Charlotte, a progressive mage who constantly came into contact with cutting-edge magical knowledge and continuously explored new possibilities, Kelet's strength had not seen much improvement in recent years, so it was only natural that he was no match for her.

"Professor Kelet is too kind. The fire magic you just unleashed left a deep impression on me."

Having not sparred with an equally powerful Arcanist mage for a long time, Charlotte's combat experience was not very rich. This exhibition match also provided her with an opportunity to practice her magic.

After exchanging pleasantries, Charlotte and Kelet retreated from the stage, leaving it to the host, Evelyn, who was dressed like a social butterfly today.

"Thank you, Professor Charlotte and Professor Kelet, for the wonderful duel. Please wait a moment while the venue is repaired."

As the female voice on stage finished, the pre-arranged restoration barrier began to operate. Lyra watched as the previously shattered bricks were reassembled into a perfectly seamless whole under the effect of invisible forces, and she asked in a low voice.

"Astrid, how much mental power would it take to restore such extensive damage..."

The so-called restoration barrier actually records the current state of an object by arranging elemental particles. When this state is broken, it can be reshaped by inputting mental power along the original path.

This also means that the greater the damage, the more mental power is required. For minor damage to floor tiles like the one in Lyra's duel with Reneth, a peak Sorcerer could completely restore it.

Astrid pondered for a moment before replying.

"At least a middle tier Magnus."

As everyone knows, restoring something is often more troublesome than destroying it directly. Restoration barriers require pre-arrangement, and restoring objects requires a massive amount of mental power, which most mages cannot afford. Furthermore, they have a time limit and require frequent updates, which is why this magic has low general applicability.

After responding to Lyra, Astrid's gaze fell behind the sparring stage. A surge of mental power had come from that direction earlier, instantly stabilizing the precarious defense barrier.

Someone with this level of skill... is probably the academy head who rarely appears in front of outsiders...

With this thought, Astrid lowered her right leg from her left knee, crossed her legs in a different posture, and the sharp heel of her high-heeled shoe lightly tapped the floor tiles, making a crisp and faint sound.

'I heard he's going to give a speech too. He should be coming out soon.'

A few minutes later, the venue was repaired. Evelyn continued to recite her pre-written hosting script. After a moment, seeing that the time was right, she improvised a few sentences and yielded the stage to the most important guest of this opening ceremony.

"I believe that even many students of Elizabeth Academy of Magic are quite curious about our academy head."

Evelyn took a few steps back with her long, slender legs and continued.

"Today, we are very honoured to have invited our busy academy head to participate in this opening ceremony."

As soon as she finished speaking, a middle-aged man of medium build, wearing a deep blue mage robe, walked onto the stage.

"Academy Head Anthony Austrin, a peak Arcanist mage, and currently the strongest mage openly acknowledged in the Valeria Empire."

Astrid explained softly to Lyra, her crimson eyes intently focused on the person on stage.

The man appears to be in his late forties or fifties, with smooth facial lines and ordinary features. His neatly trimmed stubble was slightly grayish, and a few white hairs were modified mixed in his jet-black hair.

He was covered in a deep blue mage robe, with golden magical patterns near the cuffs. Other than that, there were no additional decorations. Anthony simply stood quietly on the stage, his calm and wise deep blue eyes looking forward, giving people the impression of an endless ocean.

As one of the top combat forces of the Valeria Empire, Anthony had once destroyed an entire military fortress with a devastating blow during the war with the Kingdom of Velys in the original work, forcing the kingdom to dispatch high-end forces to keep a constant watch on him.

In the novel, the author provides narrative information about Anthony's devastating magic.

Peak Arcanist mage level mixed magic, [Ashfall].

The extreme collision of lightning and fire elements creates a dead zone that annihilated living beings in a certain location. A batch of the Kingdom of Velys's most elite vanguard was wiped out in this attack, and Anthony's single move signaled the complete escalation of the war between the two countries into a white-hot stage.

"I, and most people present, should be meeting for the first time..."

Anthony's speech brought Astrid's wandering thoughts back. The woman slowly raised her eyes upon hearing this, her attention refocused.

"I am Anthony Austrin, the head of Elizabeth Academy of Magic."

The man's voice was not loud, but his enunciation was clear enough. All eyes were focused on him, and the venue fell silent.

Monica looked at Anthony, feeling the powerful aura that the man neither secretly leaked nor intentionally concealed. Her beautiful eyes narrowed slightly.

The aura emanating from the person on stage was consistent with that of the exceptionally powerful Pope of Light, even showing signs of surpassing him.

'This is the foundation a vast empire should have. I truly wonder how many lives will be taken when combat forces like Anthony enter the fray once the war begins.'

Monica sighed and continued to look around the venue. Whether intentionally or not, she could feel Anthony's gaze falling on her.

Or rather, it was falling on the delegation from the Kingdom of Velys.

"..."

Turning her head, Monica met Iris's gaze. After a moment of silence, she did not speak to her.

It seems this young princess has also sensed it.

.........

At noon, in the student cafeteria of Elizabeth Academy of Magic, Lyra returned to where Astrid and the others were sitting, holding her meal tray.

"Astrid, everyone seems so enthusiastic about the competition..."

Even while queuing to order food, the conversations she overheard were all related to the magic competition. Many fourth-year students who were about to graduate were secretly regretting not enrolling a year later, so they could participate in this competition and perhaps shine.

"After all, it's a international magic competition, and even the spectators are famous nobles from various regions. Who wouldn't want to participate in a match, even if it's just to make a brief appearance?"

As Astrid spoke, she returned the sword that the heroine destined had entrusted to her care. Lyra put down her meal tray, took the Sword of Light handed over by Astrid, leaned it against her leg, and gently rested it against the leg of the table.

"Seeing the atmosphere today... I feel a bit nervous..."

"Fortunately, I'm quite lucky. My first match is the day after tomorrow..."

Earlier at the venue, after Anthony's speech, Evelyn also announced the rules and the first round matchups for the magic competition on the refraction screen.

A total of thirty-two students participated in this Magic Exchange Competition. Ten were from the Pan-Human Alliance, and ten were from the Kingdom of Velys. The Valeria Empire, being the host, had twelve slots.

According to the rules, the thirty-two contestants were divided into four groups, with eight people in each group. They will accumulate victory points through mutual duels to determine the spots for the quarterfinals.

Lyra was drawn into Group C. In her group was an ice-specialist mage who was said to have just been promoted to a middle tier Magnus. The rest were all peak tier sorcerers.

"Lyra's luck is indeed good," Astrid said softly.

Not only was her first match scheduled for the next day, but the time intervals between subsequent matches were also neither too long nor too short, ensuring that Lyra's mental power could fully recover while maintaining a relatively hot combat state.

Of course, the most crucial point was that there were no particularly strong contestants in their group. Only one middle tier Magnus could contend with Lyra, allowing her to basically secure a spot in the next round.

In other words, the truly suspenseful matches would only begin from the quarterfinals.

"However, no matter how good luck is, whether one can accept the gift of the Goddess of Fortune still depends on the individual."

"Good luck, Lyra, I have high hopes for you~"

Lyra was stunned when she heard Astrid say this just as she picked up her fork and knife. Her pretty face blushed slightly, and then she nodded gently.

"Yes, I will."

Although based on the information from Astrid, there were at least six middle tier Magnuss participating in this competition, meaning that with her current strength, she could at most reach the quarterfinals.

Even so, Lyra will still give her all, like a knight, to strive for the best possible result within her abilities.

Astrid took a sip of juice as she watched the pink-haired girl meticulously cutting her steak with her head down. She gracefully crossed her legs, resting her elbow on the dining table, seemingly without much appetite.

Iris was assigned to Group D. According to Charlotte's intelligence, this princess with royal blood was already an early tier Magnus and had shown excellent talent in duels against mages of the same level.

If nothing unexpected happened, after completing the group stage matches to advance to the quarterfinals, she would become the biggest favorite to win this Magic Exchange Competition, this was not only Charlotte's opinion, but also the opinion of the head maid, who had even prepared some draft articles in advance, waiting to publish them in the next week's Imperial Weekly after the competition ended.

"Your Highness Astrid, is there anyone else sitting here?"

As she was thinking, Astrid heard a familiar female voice from behind her.

Slightly turning her head, Astrid saw a beautiful figure dressed in a pure white dress. She paused for a few seconds and replied softly.

"I didn't expect Miss Monica to be dining here as well..."

"At least in my impression, no one is sitting in this seat."

The dining tables in the school cafeteria were for six people. There were a total of four people at Astrid's table, so there were actually two empty seats.

Monica nodded upon hearing this, her pink lips parting slightly.

"There don't seem to be any extra seats around. I wonder if I can share a table with Your Highness Astrid?"

As the woman spoke, her gaze shifted to Lyra, who was opposite Astrid, a hint of scrutiny flashing in her eyes.

Astrid naturally noticed Monica's expression, but this was within her expectations, so she didn't react much.

"Of course. The Empire welcomes every guest who harbors goodwill," Astrid said.

Hearing this, Monica put down her meal tray and slowly sat down next to Astrid.

With the mature and sexy succubus nun on her left and the petite girl who always liked to cling to her on her right, Astrid was now sandwiched between the two. Even getting up to leave required her to greet them in advance.

Noticing how naturally Monica interacted with Astrid, Amalia, who had never seen this woman around her sister before, narrowed her eyes in suspicion, a sense of unease stirring within her. Almost instinctively, she leaned in closer to Astrid, a silent gesture of possessiveness. Beneath the table, her leg subtly pressed against her sister's.

Similarly, Lyra found herself experiencing the same uneasiness. She had always considered herself close to Astrid and, having served as her maid, had met nearly all the nobles Astrid associated with. Yet this woman was a complete stranger to her.

'When did we meet? Why does this feel so familiar...?"'

Then it struck her, Astrid had addressed the woman as Miss Monica... the Saintess of Light?

Lifting her gaze to meet Monica across the table, Lyra found herself speaking before she'd even consciously decided to.

"Nice to meet you, Monica Angelis."

Monica's orange-gold eyes reflected Lyra's image, and in that instant, the faint sense of familiarity she had been feeling surged to the surface.

Earlier, when they had only seen each other from a distance in the audience seats, it had been too faint to register fully. But now, seated face-to-face in the warm ambiance of the restaurant, Monica could nearly confirm it, the aura emanating from the girl before her was strikingly similar to that of the sacred relic.

"Hello, Miss Monica..."

Noticing Monica's gaze lingering on her cheek, Lyra spoke gently, her voice carrying a hint of reserved warmth.

"Lyra Beckett. You can just call me Lyra."

So she really is the Saintess of Light from the Kingdom of Velys. That explains how she knows Astrid...

Lyra let out a quiet sigh of relief, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. But just then, her leg brushed against something beneath the table, the Sword of Light.

Click.

The translucent blade slipped and fell to the floor with a soft clatter, the sudden sound cutting through the quiet atmosphere and immediately drawing Monica's attention.