Chapter 26: Chapter 26: I Accept This Wager!
"The match is over! Mason Cheney wins!"
The referee’s voice was a bit hurried, and before the words fully landed, he quickly signaled for the medical team to enter the arena.
Bianca Shelby, pale-faced, still had dried blood at the corner of her mouth, as the medical personnel swiftly carried her off the bloodstained stage.
"The finals will be held in one hour. Contestants, please make necessary adjustments."
The referee briskly announced the schedule and then quickly left the site.
His departing figure seemed somewhat flustered.
The incident of Bianca Shelby’s beast being openly killed had already stirred strong dissatisfaction among the students.
At this moment, he must report this matter immediately.
Meanwhile, in the stands.
Ian Cheney was complimenting Shane Cheney.
"Brother Cheney, Mason is improving rapidly! At this rate, reaching the Transcendent level is just around the corner."
Shane Cheney modestly waved his hand:
"Still a long way to go, he’s only at the Awakening Tier Eight."
Though he said this, the pride on his face was unmistakable.
Sean Sherman watched the "Cheney Brothers" performance with cold eyes, finally unable to hold back his words:
"Vice Principal Cheney, intentionally killing an opponent’s beast during the assessment should result in disqualification, right?"
Ian Cheney’s face immediately showed a troubled look upon hearing Sean Sherman’s remark.
Apparently, he didn’t want to follow the rules.
On the other side, Shane Cheney quickly chimed in:
"My son accidentally made a grave mistake, leading to this heartbreaking result. But rest assured, City Lord Sherman..."
"We will fully compensate that classmate’s loss!"
"City Lord Sherman, it’s not uncommon for young people to have unforeseen accidents during sparring..."
Sean Sherman’s eyes grew colder.
What a so-called "accident"!
To publicly kill a beast that had already lost its ability to resist, such blatant violence was downplayed as an "accident"?
Were they treating him, the City Lord, as a fool?
Or were they taking the entire populace of Lythos as fools?
However, it was at this moment that the referee returned in a hurry.
He respectfully greeted the three:
"City Lord, President Cheney, Vice Principal."
Ian Cheney lazily raised his eyelids:
"What’s up?!"
The referee glanced around, his Adam’s apple rolling several times before speaking softly:
"Well... many students have raised objections to the last match..."
Ian Cheney and Shane Cheney exchanged a meaningful glance.
After pondering for a moment, Ian Cheney feigned realization and slapped his knee:
"Indeed, there were loopholes in the previous assessment rules, which led to such... accidents."
"Let’s do this," he smoothed out nonexistent wrinkles on his clothes.
"Two new rules will be added for the next match:"
"First, beasts are prohibited from attacking Beast Tamers."
"Second, if a situation arises that might lead to a beast’s death, the referee has the right to intervene."
The referee opened his mouth, the words stuck in his throat.
He wanted to say that the students were not protesting the rules, but rather Mason Cheney’s blatant brutality.
But seeing Ian Cheney’s sinister gaze, he finally just bowed deeply:
"I’ll go announce it right away!"
As this evasive new rule was broadcasted, boos erupted from the audience.
"Is there a cover-up? Are they just going to brush off this incident?"
"What about the injuries Bianca Shelby sustained? What about her lost beast?"
"We can’t just let this slide regarding our class leader. Let’s demand an explanation from the Vice Principal!"
"Right, we won’t let this slide. Let’s demand an explanation!"
Bianca Shelby’s team members stood up, eyes red, fists clenched tightly.
But just as they took a few steps...
"Stop!"
A voice, calm to the point of being terrifying, froze everyone in their tracks.
"God Grant?"
The team members turned back incredulously, only to find that at some point, Aster Grant had appeared behind them.
The young man’s dark eyes brewed a storm, yet his voice was unusually gentle:
"No need to go, it’s clear the school is covering for Mason Cheney. Going there won’t accomplish anything."
"Are we just going to let it go?!"
Aster Grant slowly raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the bloodstains left on the stage.
"We won’t let it slide! Rest assured, Mason Cheney will pay the price."
"I guarantee it!"
His voice carried an unprecedented seriousness!
...
As the last grain of sand fell from the hourglass, the referee returned to the stage.
"Now begins the finals of this assessment! Aster Grant versus Mason Cheney!"
Two figures leapt onto the stage almost simultaneously.
Aster Grant scrutinized the succubus in Mason Cheney’s arms.
Everything began with this succubus.
The succubus twisted uneasily, its scarlet eyes avoiding his gaze.
"What’s the matter?" Mason Cheney deliberately held the succubus tighter.
"Staring at someone else’s beast isn’t very polite."
He flirtatiously lifted the succubus’s chin:
"Although this succubus was summoned from your hands, don’t forget, this succubus now bears the Cheney name!"
Aster Grant slowly shifted his gaze, locking eyes on this rich heir.
"This type of beast and a Beast Tamer like you are indeed a perfect match!"
Mason Cheney’s face changed instantly, but he forcefully suppressed his anger with a cold smile:
"Aster Grant, on the stage it’s all about strength, mere words are useless!"
Aster Grant said no more.
Arguing with someone like that was a waste of breath.
Just that.
The new rule that had come out...
Aster Grant’s gaze slowly turned to Ian Cheney, sitting on the high platform.
This rule rather helped Mason Cheney out.
Not allowing beasts to attack Beast Tamers? Ha...
No problem!
"Are both sides ready?"
The referee stood in the center of the stage, asking the two of them.
Aster Grant nodded slightly, but then saw Mason Cheney suddenly raise his hand to signal.
The referee, helpless, allowed Mason Cheney to speak.
Mason Cheney slowly stepped forward, eyes full of calculation.
"Aster Grant, don’t you want to reclaim the succubus that was taken from you?"
Aster Grant was momentarily stunned, his peripheral vision sweeping over Lazuli.
He understood...
It seemed the Cheney Family had again set their sights on Lazuli!
"Why don’t we add a wager to this match: the loser voids their contract with their beast, how about it?"
"What do you say? You’re not scared, are you?"
Mason Cheney pressed on relentlessly.
This was specifically instructed by Shane Cheney before taking the stage.
This angel’s talent is at least Epic Level.
His level is about to reach Extraordinary Level, and he just needed one more beast!
In the face of Mason Cheney’s act, Aster Grant chuckled silently.
How laughable.
A partner beast has become a betting stake.
He was just about to refuse.
Unexpectedly...
"Alright, we agree to it!"
A clear voice resounded across the stage.
Aster Grant turned his head in surprise.
He saw that the usually gentle and adorable little angel now had a serious face, amber eyes dancing with an unprecedented fighting spirit.
"Master, please believe in me. I will not disappoint you!"
"Moreover... that traitor should be judged by you."
Feeling the little girl’s steadfast resolve.
Aster Grant smiled.
Since his own little angel had spoken, as a Beast Tamer, he naturally couldn’t back down.
He met Mason Cheney’s provocative gaze and said each word clearly:
"I’ll take on this wager!"
....
...