Chapter 159 Mutual Selection of Opponents

Reina was the first to sit down at the round table opposite, directly facing Yixin. She leaned back in her chair, lifting her leather boots onto the table, crossing them with a sharp clack—her posture arrogant and disrespectful. Reno, the water and earth mages, and two light elves also took their seats.

Yixin returned her gaze with equal defiance, unfazed.

“Who will win tomorrow is still uncertain. What’s the point of putting on a show…” Lingmeng commented.

With all the guests seated, the host had already taken the stage at the front. His striking, eye-catching attire drew attention, and his tone was both passionate and respectful:

“Welcome, esteemed guests and competitors, to tonight’s banquet. As hosts of this grand tournament, the Holy City Magic Academy Arena has prepared a sumptuous feast and fine wines for you all.”

After a round of applause, he continued:

“Amidst the thrilling progress of the competition, please enjoy this evening’s merriment! May this contest become a platform for magicians across the continent to understand one another and deepen their friendships!”

Servers entered from side doors, their left hands behind their backs, right hands carrying dish after dish, weaving skillfully through the aisles to place delicacies on every table.

Soon, the tables were laden with food—appetizers, soups, vegetarian dishes, meats, and pastries, all vibrant in color, aroma, and taste, tempting to the senses.

Lingxiao Lei could hardly contain himself; his eyes seemed to almost fall into the plates as he greedily stuffed food into his mouth with both hands.

Once everyone was satiated, Yixin began quietly discussing strategies with the group, gauging their preferences for opponents. Meanwhile, the rival team was clearly doing the same, their gazes meeting theirs several times.

“The strongest on the other side is likely their captain, Reina. I hope to face her,” Yixin declared confidently, shouldering the heaviest burden without hesitation. “If I can eliminate her in the first half, it will create an advantage for your matches in the second half.”

“No, I have a different idea,” Bai Shengye interjected. “Yixin is our main force. Sending him rashly to compete against the higher-ranked Reina means the odds are beyond our control. Better to have our weakest member face Reina.”

Everyone began considering his suggestion. Shen Zai Guo said:

“Let me go. I’m the weakest and youngest among you. If I face Reina, even if I lose, it will ensure you all reach the next round.”

“I don’t want to eliminate you… after all, you have the strongest defense on the team,” Yixin said, torn between his own and Bai Shengye’s viewpoints.

“Let’s see how they choose first and adapt accordingly,” Hei Yu advised.

At that moment, the host returned to the stage and announced:

“After four days of intense competition, the finale is nearly upon us. Tomorrow will be the final match! The champion will be decided between the Holy City Magic Academy and the Royal Magic Academy teams. Tonight, here, we will determine the order in which the competitors will appear.”

Upon hearing this, the people at the two round tables turned their bodies toward the stage. The crucial moment had finally arrived.

The host held up a spherical object, half red and half white, and continued:

“The first half will consist of one-on-one matches, with each side taking turns selecting their opponents. Which team chooses first will be decided by this red-and-white ball.”

He placed the ball atop a cylindrical stone pedestal, where it hovered in a column of light and began spinning rapidly.

“When the ball stops, whichever color faces a team grants them the first choice.”

Everyone held their breath, watching the sphere spin faster and faster before gradually slowing until it came to rest.

The red side slowly tilted away from their side, turning toward the opposing team.

“Ah! So close,” Yixin muttered.

“The Royal Magic Academy has the first pick,” the host declared, gesturing for them to proceed.

Reina stood up immediately, evidently having made her decision. Pointing at someone across the table, she said:

“I choose…”

Everyone from the Holy City team assumed she would choose Yixin, but her finger slid aside with a playful smirk, settling on Bai Shengye.

“I choose the alchemist!”

Her choice caught them off guard.

“Hmph, daring to pick me. Bold move,” Bai Shengye sneered, tugging the corner of his mouth.

But soon, the Holy City team understood her reasoning.

The rules stipulated that once the alchemist is eliminated, all restorative and enhancement potions cease to be supplied.

Reina’s urgent desire to remove the alchemist made sense—and she seemed confident in her choice.

The host then gestured politely to the Holy City side:

“Please, Holy City Magic Academy, select your opponent.”

The group whispered among themselves.

“They’re targeting our support. Let’s take out theirs in return!” the girls chattered excitedly.

Yixin nodded but remained seated.

“I choose the support-type light elf,” he declared.

The opposing team paled at this—the first round of picks meant both sides lost their rear support.

Next was Reno. He stood, a sly grin on his face, as if he had long planned this, and pointed at Hei Yu.

“I choose the non-elemental mage!”

“Tough luck,” Hei Yu whispered. He had wanted to rough up Reno the first time they met outside Holy City but never got the chance—and now Reno was practically handing it to him.

Reina glared at Reno after hearing his choice.

“Nonsense! Didn’t we agree you’d pick—”

Clearly, Reno’s impulsiveness had disrupted their plan. But Reina cut off her complaint halfway, unwilling to argue further.

“Whatever, whoever you pick won’t affect the final outcome. Facing us, they can only suffer defeat!”

Then it was Shen Zai Guo’s turn.

“I’ll pick the offensive-type light elf,” she said, turning to her teammates. “My defense counters offensive light elves. Handling one shouldn’t be a problem.”

The Royal Magic Academy still had a towering earth mage and a slender-faced water mage, both eyeing the women across the table with ill intent from the start.

“Two girls left. Which one catches your eye?” the water mage asked.

“That one looks good, and feels just right,” the earth mage said, glancing sideways at Lingmeng. “I’ll pick the light elf!”

Lingmeng’s temper flared. She thought to herself, “Just picking on girls, huh? Tomorrow I’ll show you how it’s done!”

Lingxiao Lei and the water mage paired up automatically.

“The matchups are set! I wish everyone the best in tomorrow’s competition, playing at their highest level! And here’s some good news: at tomorrow’s final award ceremony, the Lord of Holy City will personally be present to crown this year’s champion team!”