The Frugal Mage

Albert was aware that Rayven didn't need the staff, but he believed that it should be Rayven's secret or trump card.

He might be able to take advantage of it through some other means.

"This… Thank you, Uncle Albert!"

Rayven's eyes widened slightly. He reached out and felt the robe's fabric. It was smooth, and even without using Appraisal or Mana Detection, he knew that it was reinforced with a subtle enchantment, the kind used to resist cuts and burns.

Rayven even guessed that it was enchanted by Thyruz himself.

On the other hand, the Mage Staff, though plain, had a balanced weight that could easily be used as a close-range weapon.

"You… bought these for me?" Rayven asked as he held the items.

Albert smiled. "They're cheap since they're only for Initiate Mage. But I asked Thyruz to enchant it a bit to make it more useful."

He placed a hand on Rayven's shoulder and assured him… "Remember, even if you don't need the staff, Cedric doesn't know that. Sometimes deception is as important as raw strength. If he underestimates you because of appearances, use it."

Rayven couldn't help but feel a bit emotional seeing his uncles' support.

'It would be best if you could promise me more reward money if I win this duel.' Rayven thought to himself.

In any case, he hadn't expected this. He hadn't asked, hadn't even hinted at wanting something like this. And yet Albert had thought it through for him.

"…Thank you, again… Uncle." Rayven said as he gripped the staff firmly.

Albert smiled faintly. "Good. Then get ready. Beat that arrogant Mage… Show him where he belongs. Ahem… Before that, eat a proper breakfast, clear your head, and don't let Cedric provoke you. Remember… Your advantage if your wits… He may be older than you, but you're smart, not just strong."

Rayven nodded as he would certainly do his best to win this.

Today, he wasn't just an Initiate Mage trying to survive.

Today would be his debut in the world of Magicians!

Soon after breakfast, Rayven followed Uncle Albert with a few escorts in tow…

After walking for a few minutes, Rayven realized that they had entered a private courtyard of the Martial Governance Bureau, a place rarely used except for sanctioned duels of honor.

The courtyard itself was wide, nearly half the size of a tournament ground, but entirely enclosed by tall stone walls... Rayven even guessed that there were some enchantments on them…

The battleground wasn't made of dirt or ground but paved with sturdy tiles. Still, their surfaces blackened in some places from past battles.

'So there's a place like this here…' Rayven mused.

No commoner would be able to peek inside. Rayven understood that this was a place where power decided disputes, away from the noise of the masses.

Nonetheless, even if the public was barred, the audience that did gather here carried far more weight.

Sitting in the front row of elevated seats was Secretary Hyo Jin, the stern official of the City Martial Governance Bureau, who had awarded the top youths yesterday.

Beside him was a foreign man wearing silver robes. He was the dignitary of the Continental Martial Union, a representative who oversaw inter-provincial affairs. He was the same person yesterday who was with Secretary Hyo Jin.

Rayven then looked at the others and realized their identities…

"You really invited them all, uncle…" Rayven muttered.

"That's arranged by the Velthams. Don't think too much of it, just surprise them in this battle. Whatever information is fed to them, just prove yourself with your skills." Albert said.

To their left sat a representative of the Mage Guild, a middle-aged woman with a few white hairs and a crystal pendant on her chest.

On the right side was a bigger man representing the Adventurer's Guild. He was clad in worn leather armor and carrying no visible weapons.

Aside from them, there were also the top seven youths from yesterday's Young Dragon and Phoenix Competition. They were all present.

Seoryun even nodded at him after their eyes met…

Beyond these people, several other powers of the city had sent witnesses.

There was the elegant matron of the White Blossom Pavilion, one of the city's most influential mercantile clans.

Then, there was an armored captain from the Ironfang Guard, a paramilitary household known for selling protection services, and lastly, there were two robed elders of the Blue Moon Consortium, whose trading fleets rivaled even Golden Coast in wealth.

This was no longer a simple quarrel.

It was the kind of duel where reputations would rise or fall depending on the outcome.

As Rayven stepped into the center of the courtyard, he could feel several sharp gazes falling on him.

Across the way, Cedric entered with three attendants carrying banners of the Veltham Family…

They were really going all out with such preparations.

Soon, a herald stepped forward. This was Rayven's first time seeing this method so he immediately checked the man.

Just like that, the herald unrolled a scroll to declare the terms of the duel…

"By the agreement of both parties, the stakes of this match are thus: The losing side shall withdraw all business interests from Hesa City and its territories. Furthermore, the loser shall pay one thousand gold coins in restitution to the victor. This is witnessed today by the Bureau, the Union, the Mage Guild, and the Adventurer's Guild. This duel shall be decisive and final."

Such heavy stakes had surely caught the attention of the dignitaries.

For a trading family like Golden Coast, or an aristocratic house like Veltham, such terms were no less than gambling their foothold in the city itself.

Rayven exhaled slowly…

His fingers touched the enchanted sleeping darts at his waist before shifting his grip on the plain but sturdy staff Albert had given him.

"Let's see what you've got." Rayven muttered.

In a few more moments, the battle between the two mages was about to start! They were called to stand at the center first...

"So you didn't run away, Initiate Mage." Cedric chuckled as he really thought that Rayven had already given up by now. "If you give up now, I will spare you from having body pain or maybe even bed rest for months. Think it over..."