The Most Satisfied Reincarnate

As the crowd processed the shocking turn of events, they became engrossed in placing bets on the outcome of the match between Desmond and Gibson. Desmond confidently stepped into the arena while Elizabeth meticulously inspected their bodies for any signs of mind control spells, ensuring a fair competition.

Once satisfied with their physical condition, Elizabeth officially initiated the match, signaling its commencement.

Without wasting a moment, Gibson immediately began chanting a spell, conjuring a large rock box around himself and directing it towards Desmond. He followed up with another incantation, encasing his body in a stone armor for added protection. Satisfied with his preparations, Gibson turned to face Desmond, only to discover that his opponent had vanished.

A sense of panic overcame Gibson as he frantically searched the surrounding area, but Desmond was nowhere to be found. Suddenly, a shadow materialized before him, and darkness enveloped his vision.

A resounding crash echoed throughout the arena as Gibson's body slammed against the barrier, eliciting gasps of astonishment from the spectators. In the blink of an eye, the match had reached its conclusion. Gibson's stone armor, now shrouded in dust, revealed his hefty frame flung forcefully into the ring.

After a brief moment of silence, the audience's shock transformed into horror. Gibson lay in a pitiable state, unconscious with a head wound and several bruises adorning his face and stomach.

The atmosphere turned chillingly quiet as the spectators trembled, unable to find words to express their astonishment. All eyes now shifted to the center of the arena, where Desmond stood, his gaze fixed on the glass room.

Inside the glass room, Elizabeth's composure had shattered. She lay fallen, her expression mirroring the terror she had just witnessed. Desmond's intense stare only amplified her fear, albeit momentarily, as she still had her responsibilities to fulfill.

Elizabeth managed to rise to her feet, albeit with shaky legs. "The winner is... Master Desmond, who will marry Miss Diana," she announced, struggling to withstand the pressure emitted by Desmond. Acting swiftly, Elizabeth discreetly squeezed the crystal in her hand.

The guards quickly attended to Gibson, assessing his condition with disapproving gazes cast toward Desmond, who had increased their workload. However, a few among them seemed to develop a newfound respect for Desmond after witnessing his strength.

After a few minutes, the room and arena regained their normalcy, prompting the audience to hastily exit. The spectators were solely composed of children of the same age as the competitors, who departed, their minds filled with the remarkable display of skill and power they had just witnessed.

As Desmond, Alice, and Clementine approached the main hall, Desmond couldn't help but feel a sense of confusion lingering within him. He tilted his head and directed his gaze towards Alice and Clementine.

"Did I do something wrong?" he asked, genuinely perplexed.

Alice shook her head in response, while Clementine watched Desmond with a mixture of disbelief and astonishment. "Haven't you noticed?" Clementine questioned, her voice tinged with amazement.

Shaking his head, Desmond gave Clementine a puzzled look. "Perhaps I went too far?" he mumbled to himself, contemplating his recent actions.

"No, it's not just an exaggeration! You're extraordinary! How can someone your age possess such strength..." Clementine exclaimed, marveling at Desmond's abilities.

...

Clementine proceeded to bombard Desmond with a series of outlandish questions for the next ten minutes until he finally shifted the conversation. "Let's put that aside. What about our deal?"

Alice, who overheard their discussion, grew anxious. She tugged at Desmond's shirt and whispered something into his ear. "Do you actually want to marry Diana?"

Desmond, keen on avoiding any misunderstandings, cleared his throat and whispered back to Alice. "No, that's not it. I simply want her to owe me a favor. With that favor, I might be able to obtain things that have been unattainable for our family."

Hearing his response, Alice felt a wave of relief wash over her. She stepped back, no longer interjecting in Desmond's conversation with Clementine.

Observing the interaction between the siblings, Clementine couldn't help but find it amusing. "Of course, I remember our agreement. Let's proceed to the main hall."

Desmond remarked, "It seems the party will be ending soon." He had intended to ask Clementine why she hadn't visited her daughter at the treatment center, but he restrained himself upon noticing Clementine's apathetic expression, indicating her lack of concern for Diana.

Following Clementine's lead, the trio made their way towards the exit, entering the main hall. Desmond's departure caught the attention of Matson, who felt a mixture of jealousy, envy, and anger towards him. "I see. It appears I'm not the only prodigy in this generation," he muttered to himself before discreetly heading towards the medical center.

...

The room they entered was relatively modest in size, filled with circular tables and chairs resembling a meeting room. Several individuals were already seated, each occupying a chair, while two chairs remained unoccupied.

A total of five people, including Edward, were present. One individual, who bore the resemblance of the Prime Minister, stood up to initiate the discussions.

"Today, we will discuss the Tournament of Storms and the recent attack by the Imperial Empire's assassins," the Prime Minister declared, addressing the gathering. He turned his gaze towards Edward, who nodded in acknowledgment and resumed his seat.

Once the Prime Minister had taken his place, a person donning an armored suit, presumably the second Prime Minister, stood up. "Despite our efforts to eliminate the assassins, the Imperial Empire remains undeterred. Over the past six years, they have persistently sent numerous assassins our way."

"In light of this, we have entrusted Master Witch Noel with the task of safeguarding the border between the Imperial Empire and the North Kingdom."

Having presented the information, the second Prime Minister fell silent, awaiting the King's response. Edward, seated in a corner of the central table with his face concealed by a curtain, felt a tinge of annoyance upon hearing about the state of the kingdom. "Do we know the motive behind these attacks from the Imperial Empire?" he inquired.

"Based on our investigation, it appears that the primary target of the attack was Master Witch Leona. We have received intelligence suggesting that she is currently in possession of an item of significant value to a minister or the king of the Imperial Empire," the second Prime Minister replied.

Edward's thoughts wandered as he recognized that Leona was the witch brought by his teacher. "I see. Disregard that matter. We must show respect to my teacher, who brought the Master Witch to strengthen our kingdom. Let us move on to the second topic."

...

After hours of discussion regarding the tournament, the city manager and others finally concluded their deliberations.

In the hall, Edward reemerged, addressing the assembled guests. "I extend my gratitude to all those in attendance today. I hereby announce that the party has concluded, and I kindly request that you await further invitations."

As Edward finished speaking, the attendees bowed in farewell, mirroring the gestures the Bastian family had made upon initially meeting Weston's disciple.

Meanwhile, Desmond and Alice eagerly sought to make their exit from the hall. They had grown weary of engaging in conversation with the guests. Alice found herself constantly approached by numerous boys, while several young ladies frequently cast longing glances in Desmond's direction.