Chapter 255: Competition Final Phase Chapter 255: Competition Final Phase After breakfast was over, Leo and his group prepared to leave for the Arena. While they were waiting down the plateau, a familiar splash of blue caught their eyes as the three blue-haired girls hurried toward them, waving their hands through the trees and bushes. "Please wait! We would also like to go with you!" "We will pay for our own ride!" Aina added quickly. Leo raised a brow. "But we pay extra fare charges for our special ride," he said calmly. "H-huh? Why?" Mira asked, her shoulders stiffening as she glanced at Lily, clearly afraid the girl might lash out for them even daring to talk to Leo. "He doesn’t reveal our whereabouts to anyone," Lily explained flatly. "An exclusive contract with him." "Oh..." "W-we can pay..." the three responded after a brief pause. However, when they finally reached the territory and realized that instead of paying 960 AC for an 80 Km pickup ride, they were charged 1600 AC per person, regret immediately set in. Who increases the price by 8 AC per kilometre pickup ride?! They grimaced, the feeling of being ripped off etched clearly on their faces. As decided, everyone headed toward the Grand Arena. But when it was finally time to enter, the girls noticed something strange. Leo, Leon, and Lily had stopped, speaking quietly with Miho off to the side. They seemed to be giving her instructions—telling her to take care, to message them the moment anything happened while they were absent. Leo even brought out a piece of armour and gave it to her, as if preparing her for the worst. The armour was the same High-Blue-tier spirit armour Brant had once given to Leo. Though it was heavily damaged now, it could still block a few hits from a High 3-star individual. Soon after, the three parted ways. Miho was left alone as she made her way toward the arena entrance. "Huh? Where are those two going? Shouldn’t Miss Lily be going in alone?" Sylva asked, squinting after them. "Yeah, she’s ranked 4th now... but why are they going with Miss Lily?" Aina responded, equally puzzled. "D-do you think Miss Lily got two suitors?" Mira whispered nervously, knowing that women taking more than one partner wasn’t uncommon. "W-wow... bet that flimsy man will soon be ousted by that purple-haired man," Sylva scoffed. "Yeah... didn’t you see how he tried taking control of the situation yesterday, when Miss Lily be—disciplined us?" Aina said, hesitating slightly before continuing. "But he failed utterly when Miss Lily lashed out." "He is scared of her. He just wants his presence to be known." "Heh, he could only work as an errand boy. Wasn’t he the one who hurriedly brought the mana contracts yesterday?" As they spoke, Miho disappeared into the flowing crowd, and the three girls swiftly followed after her. "Be careful not to ask anything yourself, or else the mana contracts will break," Aina reminded them in a low voice. The others nodded in agreement. Miho had already taken a front-row seat, a small box of snacks resting in her hands. Moments later, the nearby seats were filled as the three girls sat beside her, exchanging polite greetings. Miho had been reassured beforehand—if the girls tried to play games with her, the mana contracts would break and others would come running immediately. Because of that, she remained calm, assuming they were simply here for company. "Miho, should we keep space for both misters?" Aina asked. Miho shook her head gently. "No need. They won’t be coming back till the day shift gets over. You can sit easy," she replied, her voice soft and pleasant to the ears. "Huh, why— No, nothing..." Aina suddenly flinched. Something stirred inside her chest. Her mana contract reacted. Miho glanced at her in confusion before turning her attention back to the stadium. Just then, the Host finally appeared at the center stage. "GOOOODDDD MORRNNNNiiiINGGGGG, Ladies and Gentlemen!" he bellowed, his amplified voice crashing through the arena. "The day has finally arrived! The day we have all been waiting for! The day we witness the fighting prowess of the most promising future of humanity!" The crowd roared in response. "And the day some people will strike it rich—while others will empty their pockets and cry!" he added with a grin, clearly referring to the betting pool. The betting pool was open not only within the academy but throughout the empire. Anyone watching the livestream could place their bets on their favourite contestant. As cheers continued to rise and fall in waves, Miho focused on her phone. Her balance displayed clearly on the screen— Balance: 387,890 AC Lily, Leo, and Leon had all transferred their credits to her so she could freely bet on the candidates she desired. Miho had initially warned them that she might not pick the right individual and could end up losing everything. However, they reassured her that even if that happened, it wouldn’t be an issue. They would simply replenish the credits through competition rewards. To motivate her further, they even promised that 50% of whatever remained after betting would belong to her. Reluctantly, she had agreed. "Miho, whom will you bet on?" Mira asked. "Huh?!" Miho was jolted out of her thoughts. "M-me? I will bet on big sister!" she declared, fire flashing in her eyes. "Yes! We will too!" Mira said excitedly. "What about both the misters? I am sure they will bet on her too," Sylva added. Miho froze, taken aback. "Master Leo and Brother Leon? Why will they bet?" she asked, genuinely confused. Mira and the other two frowned. "Why won’t they bet? Don’t tell me they aren’t confident in Miss Lily. With that powerful treant spirit, I bet she can easily reach top 3 once again!" Sylva said confidently. "No, you are wrong," Miho replied sharply. "Master Leo and Brother Leon aren’t allowed to bet." "Huh? Why? Did Miss Lily prohibit them?" "NO! You don’t understand." Miho’s brows furrowed, getting irritated. "Top 6 individuals cannot bet on others or themselves." A brief silence followed. "Top 6?" the three muttered as realization finally dawned on them. "Wait! Both misters aren’t Miss Lily’s suitor?!" Miho’s eyes widened. "W-why would you think Brother Leon is big sister’s suitor?! He is min— He is not!" She huffed, clearly upset. "Brother Leon is 3rd after the newcomer, and Master Leo is 2nd! They are not allowed to bet. Don’t ask me stupid questions! Hmph!" She turned her head away, cheeks slightly puffed in anger. She didn’t understand why the thought bothered her so much. Wait... why am I angry? Miho shook her head, pushing the thought aside as the matchmaking was shuffled on the massive board displayed at the front of the arena.