"L-Listen here…you don't know what you are saying. The person you are going against is not an ordinary man. I am just trying to help you out by making you step back now. Otherwise, you might die. Do you understand?"

The announcer could not believe his ears.

He had never seen a scene where participants refused to back off even when their lives were in danger.

He was torn, feeling a creeping sense of guilt as if he was complicit in this dangerous game.

But the announcer had seen so many cases of the nobles getting what they wanted one way or another that he was sure it would all be futile.

No matter how much these kids wanted to resist their fates, they would soon be engulfed in the conflict that was nobility and then disappear.

"I heard you clearly, but I have a reason to be here. No prissy noble could make me back away from my goal."

Liam assured him with a proud look, and the announcer sighed.

He knew Liam well and knew why Liam was so invested in this case. But no matter what Liam does, he won't be able to find his father.

According to sources, the man who was his father was already dead. He had died a few nights ago, and his remains had been found near the wild animal territory.

Without the protection of his father and the income that man brought the slave traders, Liam was not safe. The only reason he was not being touched right now or being sold was because there was no time to go after him.

The slave traders had bigger fish to fry for now.

However, once it was done, Liam also became a target for them.

After all, there was no compassion or humanity inside people who were in this profession.

"Fine! Do what you want to. And you, miss? Are you also not going to back off? We just need one person to step out to proceed."

The announcer asked Layla with a concerned look on his face.

He had given up on Liam, and Layla was his only choice. She also looked much more sensible than Liam, so the announcer had a little hope regarding her.

If she would be willing to listen to him, perhaps he could still save face-

"No way! Why should I give up the seat that I earned? Besides, those noble kids are not the only ones who have the backing of strong people. 'You' all might be the ones who regret this decision to take me lightly in the future."

Layla complained and warned the people she was sitting in front of casually.

Her tone was serious and mysterious enough to make the announcer back away.

The more he heard Layla speak and sit like that, the more it felt like he was looking at a regal person from a noble or royal household. She had the grace and the perfection to look like one.

'I have a feeling that I should not interfere with these kids. Fuck, I have never felt like this before. What should I do now?'

The announcer took a deep breath before he relaxed his nerves. No matter how much he thought about it, these kids were kids. There was no way they could do anything, even if he were to exile them from this competition.

These chills he was feeling must be because the season was changing, and the cold wind was making him feel the shivers (it was the height of the summer season right now)

"Fine! You both leave me no choice. I expected you to take the easy route, but I will announce the results since you don't want to back down. You both better sleep with one eye open tonight.

Even I don't know what might happen otherwise."

The announcer warned, but this was a clear warning that they would be targeted tonight.

"Hey, wait! This is not right. That girl made it all the way here on her merit. We cannot just disqualify her for this-"

Daidus Lukewater tried to explain, but the announcer quickly turned toward him with an explanation.

"Little duke, there are so many ways to cheat in this competition, so we must watch for all the ways. Otherwise, do you believe that a commoner like her is equal to power with someone like you?"

This question seemed even more potent because it was being asked to a half-elf.

Half-elfs were rare, but they had abundant magic. The elf blood in their body attracted magic from the surroundings, giving these people a much better magic sense than regular humans.

Daidus even had formal training that made him much better than his peers, and he bit his lip in agitation as he thought about what he should do next.

He could not be himself to deny all these claims, but he also knew that they were not true. This dilemma caused Daidus to remain quiet, proving the announcer's point.

"The atmosphere soured after that, and no one said anything. Their results were announced as they were, and even the people looked confused by this sudden development.

Layla kept her eyes on the noble families whose kids she had defeated to get thus far.

The two who wanted her spot here glared at her with everything they had. Perhaps they thought they could intimidate her if they tried hard enough.

But Layla was not going to have it. She met their eyes head-on, and then she waited for Mary to come and fetch her.

The maid looked amused to see Layla and all that had happened.

"Young miss, you sure know how to make enemies for yourselves. Maybe that's why it is so fun for me to tease you like this. It feels like you are having a good time as well. I can see how satisfied you feel right now."

Layla commented as she looked at her young miss. Layla remained quiet, but the amusement in her aura remained.