Fantasy Libary 41

Title: The Greatest Dignity

“You... you bastard...” Veins bulged on Kouichirou’s forehead. Clearly, he was furious with Ark.

However, when he met Ark’s cold, emotionless gaze, a flicker of fear appeared on Kouichirou’s face.

After all, he was just an ordinary person, not a Genestella. No matter what he wanted to do to Ark, he would most likely fail completely and end up humiliating himself.

“HAHAHA... HAHAHA...” Suddenly, as if something funny crossed his mind, Kouichirou began to laugh.

“Do you think you and your partner can really win the Phoenix Festa?” Kouichirou straightened his body, using his height to look down on Ark with a sneer.

“Don’t think that being ranked first means you can defeat the other academies. Let me tell you, compared to the top talents from other schools, you’re nothing. Competing with them? You don’t stand a chance!”

Facing this statement, Kirin was at a loss for words.

Even Ark didn’t retort because he understood the truth behind the statement.

Although he and Kirin were the former and current top-ranked students at Seidoukan Academy, respectively, and their strength was unmatched within their school, they were still far from the strongest when compared to the elites of other academies.

Take, for example, the top-ranked student from Jie Long Seventh Institute. Ark was familiar with the original story and knew that this person was a true monster. They not only dominated the Six Academies but were also one of the strongest in the world. No one could match them, let alone ordinary students like Ark and Kirin.

The best student from Rewolf Black Academy was another monster who had won the Gryps Festa twice in a row. Many believed that a third consecutive victory was inevitable, a feat that would cement their legacy in history.

Additionally, the top student from Saint Galahadworth Academy was an unmatched swordsman, hailed as the strongest swordsman of this generation in Asterisk. The top student from Queenveil Girls’ Academy had been the runner-up in the last Gryps Festa and was widely regarded as the second strongest among the current generation of students.

Compared to these individuals, Kirin was clearly outmatched, and even Ark lacked confidence.

Even if Ark unleashed Ser-Veresta’s full potential without considering the cost, he only felt confident facing the top students from Saint Galahadworth and Queenveil. Against the monsters from Jie Long and Rewolf Black, he stood no chance.

In conclusion, compared to the top-ranked students from other academies, both Ark and Kirin still needed time to grow.

This was evident from their recent performances in the Festa. In terms of overall strength, Seidoukan was undoubtedly weaker than the other academies and had consistently ranked last in combined results.

Competing with the elites of these academies was dangerous for Ark and Kirin at their current level.

But...

“Do you think I haven’t studied this year’s Phoenix Festa?”

Ark’s calm voice cut through Kouichirou’s taunts.

“As far as I know, the top student from Rewolf Black Academy will only participate in the Gryps Festa, not the Phoenix Festa. Saint Galahadworth is heavily focused on the Gryps Festa, so their top-ranked students rarely participate in the Phoenix Festa. The top-ranked student from Jie Long isn’t old enough. Their academy had the runner-up in the last Phoenix Festa, but this time, that participant has switched to the Gryps Festa.”

“The top student from Queenveil is also targeting the Gryps Festa and won’t be participating in this Phoenix Festa. Even the champion pair from Alicante Research Institute, the winners of the last Phoenix Festa, have graduated this year.”

“In other words, this year’s Phoenix Festa won’t see any extraordinary participants. The only competitors worth noting are those at the Page One level from each academy.”

Although winning a Festa allows students to make requests to the Integrated Enterprise Foundation, the top talents from the Six Academies don’t blindly participate in competitions.

According to Asterisk’s rules, a student can only participate in a total of three Festa events, regardless of their achievements. Once they reach this limit, they are no longer eligible to compete further.

Given this limitation, talented students carefully choose which Festa to participate in to maximize their benefits.

For example, those skilled in solo combat prioritize the Lindwurm Festa, while team-focused individuals tend to choose the Gryps Festa.

Some take nine years to participate in the Festa, while others complete their participation in three years.

The two-time Gryps Festa champion from Rewolf Black has already competed twice, leaving only one opportunity to secure their third crown.

Similarly, Saint Galahadworth, with its emphasis on teamwork, consistently excels in the Gryps Festa, even securing first place in the overall rankings last season. They naturally prioritize the Gryps Festa.

Queenveil’s record in the Festa isn’t stellar, but their current top student has shone, securing second place in the last Gryps Festa. This time, they are targeting the Gryps Festa again, leaving only a few weaker participants.

As for Jie Long and Alicante, their situations are unique. These academies don’t have a specific Festa focus, but their top talents have either graduated or shifted their focus, leaving them absent from this year’s Phoenix Festa.

In short...

“This year’s Phoenix Festa might see us as the only top-ranked pair.” Ark stated flatly.

“The former and current top students of Seidoukan working together, with no other academy sending their best participants. If we back out now, we might as well forget about the Lindwurm Festa and Gryps Festa. This Phoenix Festa is our best chance to win, our greatest opportunity to win. Your claim that we don’t stand a chance is baseless!”

Otherwise, why were the spectators so excited when Kirin accepted Ark’s invitation?

Wasn’t it because they also believed Ark and Kirin had the best chance?

If Seidoukan could produce a champion in the opening year of the Phoenix Festa, it would significantly boost their overall performance this season.

And this was something Claudia herself had said.

“This...” Kouichirou took a step back.

“Leave.” Ark said coldly, not even pretending to be polite. “When Toudou lost to me and was no longer ranked first, your plan fell apart. Staying here to vent your anger only makes you look pathetic.”

“Leaving now is the greatest dignity you can maintain.”

Kouichirou’s face froze as his body trembled.

After a long pause, he seemed to accept his defeat. With a slight bow, he turned and staggered away without a word.

“Uncle...”

Seeing this, Kirin’s eyes reddened with unshed tears, her expression tinged with sadness.

He was her uncle, her father’s brother, her blood relative.

Witnessing his state, the kind-hearted girl couldn’t help but feel heartache.

But she had made her decision: to move forward.

Ark’s words only strengthened Kirin’s resolve.

“The Phoenix Festa...”

This was the closest she had ever been to realizing her wish.

Kirin would win and save her father.

No matter what.