Reader Mage-Stubbing August 10! Chapter 186: 186-Perk Variation

Read chapter 186 of Reader Mage-Stubbing August 10! by A_Random_Turtle on NovelPedia.

A feeling Merlin couldn’t quite explain clutched at him from all sides as he walked out of the tunnel leading to the waiting room and onto the grounds of the open field. The brightness of the sun overwhelmed him and he stretched an arm over his eyes, pausing for a second to adapt to his change in scenery. When that was done, he took a moment to look around. The arena seats were more overbearing than he had thought they would be from back in the waiting room. The TV had obviously made them look smaller than they really were, and out here, the sheer number of the crowd and their murmurs were loud enough to cause his heart to thump harder than it already was. The seats were divided into two sections; one for guests and one for students. The latter was also divided into two sections, separating the first and second years. Merlin’s eyes shifted towards the seating areas of the first years, and found his classmates, those who had not been chosen for the competition staring right back at him. He gulped, lowered his arm, and took in a deep breath. “Enough dawdling about,” said a familiar voice from behind him at that moment. Merlin glanced over his shoulder as a figure appeared from the tunnel. He frowned. “Let’s get this all done with, shall we?” Marcus walked past without sparing a glance at Merlin, his expression both calm and intense at the same time. Merlin had never seen the boy wear something so serious in the few times they’d come across each other. Instinctively, his body tensed up. Only a single point kept Prestige Academy in the lead. A draw would practically give Crown Academy the win as they would still be number one. Marcus certainly knew that, and he most definitely wouldn’t be taking it for granted. As Merlin watched the boy walk onto the arena with his shoulders raised high, he assumed that their deal to exchange information on one another wouldn’t pull through. Their fight bore too much weight for it to be stifled by the prospect of exchanging words, and even though Merlin so desperately wanted to know more about who he was, he decided that saving that for later would be the best course of action. Talking could wait. He had to win. Instructor Park wasted no time turning to the crowd as soon as Merlin walked onto the elevated arena; she looked quite exhausted and gave off a vibe that just wanted the whole tournament to come to a close already. Regardless, she still put on a bright smile as she addressed the crowd. “We have arrived at the final duel of the first inter-academy tournament between the top three academies in the world,” she said with feigned excitement. “It has been a long ride and week, and I understand that things might not have turned out perfect, but I hope you all had a good time regardless.” The crowd echoed a positive response and she nodded. Then she gestured at Merlin and Marcus. “We have seen the elite first years of Crown Academy and Prestige Academy shown what they can do, and now we are down to these final two: Marcus Reed and Merlin Tyrrell. I have no doubt that they will put on quite a show.” Her brows pulled in. “However, this tournament was brought about to test the fostering of interaction between the academies spread out over the world, the change in rankings are just a bonus and a means to an end for you all to put your back behind it. In no way are you to let it get to your heads and create enmity between one another. What I am saying is, no matter what the results turn out to be, peace must reign.” Merlin realized that those words were for him and Marcus. He hesitated to nod in response, but he did regardless. After all, it was not like he was keen on becoming enemies with anyone—most especially not a talented mage like Marcus or the rest of the mages from Crown Academy. He would try his very best to win, but not at the cost of future dealings. Marcus, however, didn’t acknowledge Instructor Park’s words. Merlin felt a tingle on his nape, and when he turned around, Marcus was burning a