"This is the right thing to do. To protect the common and weak is the privilege of the nobility. I am just keeping my oath and ensuring no harm to those I love."

This answer sounded as if it had been revised from a test book and spoken in a way that had been taught to this kid.

Even as Daidus Lukewater spoke, Layla could see the inner turmoil in his eyes, growing with each passing moment.

"I see! So that is what you think, huh? I don't believe indulging someone like you is a way to protect them. But we have different core values.

The bottom point is, I don't want to waste my time here, so I would have to ask you to leave me alone politely."

Layla spoke softly as she declined the invitation.

She felt she would have more trouble if she teamed up with someone.

The more people their group had, the more enticing it would look as a target. It would also incentivize the other, stronger people to team up.

But in the end, only ten people could qualify for this round."

"I see. It is a shame that things came down to this. I would have liked to have you on my team. However, I must eliminate you now if you are not an ally.

People who think like you can be too dangerous for others. I now know that you won't hesitate to end someone's life if it benefits you."

The half-elf spoke in a muffled voice, but Layla heard it. And she was ready to deflect the attack that headed her way.

Daidus had incredible control over his magic at such a young age.

He was an elf, and his growth rate was different from that of humans. This child had the potential to become a danger in the future.

But for now, he was just a kid in body and mind. He could not match Layla's quick thinking and how she used her magic to put him at a disadvantage.

In about ten minutes, it became clear that Daidus would not win.

"You-! You are not a commoner, are you? No commoner moves or fights like you. It almost feels as if you have professional training! Who are you? Is an assassin pretending to be a kid?

I should report you to the authorities for such actions."

The future Duke yelled as he tried to get out of his binds. But Layla kept them around him secured tight.

"Don't bother since you won't find anything. Even if I am not a commoner, I have not officially started combat training. I just like to work hard, and this is the result."

That was…mostly true. However, Layla also omitted to say that most of her achievements were due to being an adult on the inside.

"Tsk, fine! You win this time, and I vow not to cause any more trouble for you during this round. Now, can you let me go? I need to go and protect the kids I took under my wing-"

Just as the elf spoke this, the buzzer went off.

Layla looked up, only to see that the number in the sky had turned 10.

The elf duke looked devastated, almost as if he sensed his charges had been eliminated. But Layla had seen it coming.

"Don't let it bother you too much. Winning and losing are all part of the competition. Since we are both in the top 10, we should hope to have a nice finale."

Layla extended her hand toward the Duke before her, and he slapped it off before standing up and straightening his clothes.

His rudeness made Layla shake her head before the sinking feeling was back.

Layla and nine other constants stood on the stage when she opened her eyes.

"Everyone, welcome our constants for the finals. Our brave warriors-!"

The speaker looked shocked when he noticed the top 10.

Layla took a quick look around as well, and she instantly noticed what had the announcer's throat in a grasp.

She was not the only one from the commoner class who reached the top ten. The kid she had appointed as suspicious turned out to be here as well.

"Everyone, can you give me a minute? It seems we made some technical errors and need to reconfirm the results. Please wait while we check up on things."

The announcer quickly spoke and snapped his fingers. The curtain immediately fell around them, and Layla felt the silence spell snap in place.

"Before we confirm that you all made it, let me ask you this: No one helped you in this last round, right? Did you all make it to this point with your power?"

The announcer asked in a scared but greedy voice.

All the kids looked pissed off at being questioned about this, and the announcer quickly held his hands up to show that he did not mean anything by this.

"Please, don't take it out of context. I am not asking you this because I doubt your capabilities. But something else-"

"You did not expect two people from the commoner class to make it to the final round. Did you receive commissions to ensure only the selected kids made it to the finals? I see! So, we did make you lose money and favor with the higher-ups."

Layla had a sharp tongue and saw no point in holding back.

Since people had already seen her as a finalist, questions would arise if anything happened to her.

Her question also made the other eight constants gasp out loud, and they bit their lips while looking at the announcer.

The older man looked flustered but knew he needed to salvage his reputation.

"It is nothing like that. But you have to admit that it is suspicious that you managed to win over these well-trained young lords without any formal training. As the people tasked with looking after this competition, we must ensure it is a legit win."

The announcer spoke, trying to say big words so that the kids did not understand.