92 Changing...
"Sister Maya, You Lost.
Again."
Maeve announced with a small grin on her face. Maya, on the other hand, was petrified by the outcome. Never in her dreams would she had thought that she would lose to Maeve who isn't even a mage.
She has always been thinking that Maeve only managed to attract Ace's attention with her looks but today, she realized that it wasn't even near the real truth.
There was more to this Maeve than what meets the eyes, Mr. Ace is definitely not stupid enough to choose someone as if life partner just on the basis of looks.
Thinking of Ace, Maya turned around to see his reaction and what she found was… nothing.
Other than a slight smile on his dangerously handsome face, Ace's face had no other changes. It was as if he was sure about the result and the outcome wasn't surprising at all.
You are Overestimating yourself.
Suddenly, Maya remembered the words Ace said when she challenged Maeve. Remembering that scene, she felt another wave of embarrassment washing over her.
That disdainful smile that was plastered on Maeve's face…
That smile that showed Maeve's confidence in winning against her without any resistance…
Ahh! I must have looked like an idiot back then…
Feeling all that, Maya's leg weakened as she fell on the ground, butt first.
"You are 1000 years too young to challenge me."
Maeve stated with a grin.
Maya gritted her teeth as she shot back, "I will defeat you soon!"
"Don't bother." This time, Ace interrupted.
Maya's eyes widened as she glanced at Ace and Gracie walking towards her.
"Let alone you, even your Master, the Sect Master of the Gracious Flower Sect isn't my Maeve's match.
She is the strongest one present here, after all."
Ace revealed and Maya's wide eyes widened even more.
Who was Ace?
He was the 5th strongest person in the city. No screw that! That was something normal mages think but Maya being the personal disciple of the Sect Master of the Gracious Flower Sect knew better.
She knew better than anyone that Elder Ace was definitely not the 5th strongest person in the city. Even her master stated that she wasn't sure that she could defeat him. That statement alone proves that Elder Ace was at the very least equally strong as the other 4 sect masters of the top 4 sects.
And if that person is stating that Maeve is stronger than her Master and even him, then it most definitely won't be a lie.
Maya then stared at Ace and Maeve in a daze before she muttered inwardly,
Just what kind of monsters are these two? Wasn't it enough for only one of them to be abnormally strong? Why do these two possess this monster-like strength? And if Mrs. Maeve is as strong as Mr. Ace says she is, then doesn't that mean that the Inferno Sword Sect is the strongest among us all?
Suddenly, another thought popped into Maya's mind as she questioned.
"Does that mean Mrs. Maeve will also be participating in this year's Annual Sect Meeting?"
"Huh? Why would I do that?" Maeve questioned with a frown.
Why isn't this girl leaving already…
Hearing Maeve's response and noticing Ace's furrowed brows, Maya questioned, "You two do know about the rewards for the top 2 positions, right?"
"Is there anything different than usual?" Ace questioned.
"You don't know?"
Ace shook his head.
"Those Inferno Swords Bastards! I knew it! I knew that they won't tell you about it!" Maya cried in rage.
"What do you mean?"
"Actually this time, the top 2 of the Annual Sect Meet, will be recruited by the Imperial Academy of Magic! This is a rare chance for someone from a small city like us!" Maya disclosed happily.
"Imperial Academy of Magic…" Ace frowned.
Of course, he knew about the Imperial Academy of Magic. let alone him, every mage in the city has heard about this majestic academy at least once. The Academy regularly produces elite mage who later becomes the foundation of the Empire.
It goes without saying that a mage who graduated from the Imperial Academy of Magic will lead a lavish life with limitless potential but, like any other prestigious institute, it never accepts students so easily.
"Why is the Imperial Academy of Magic doing that?" Ace questioned out loud, of course, he wasn't expecting any answers.
"Celebration! They are celebrating!" Maya replied instantly.
"Celebrating? What are they celebrating?"
"You really don't know anything, do you, Mr. Ace? Well, don't worry, I'll tell you everything!
It is said that the strongest mage of our Empire, Master Eliard, the Headmaster of the Imperial Institute of Magic, has become the 1st Legendary Advance Mage in last 1000 years!"
"Advance Mage..." Ace muttered as he turned towards Maeve, who was already glancing at her.
In the World Ashleyn, the stages of magic are distributed into the following:
Core Formation to Tier 1 stage: Apprentice Mage. (Yes, Gracie is an apprentice Mage)
Tier 1 to Tier 9 Stage: Mage.
Tier 10 to Tier 18 Stage: Elite Mage
And beyond Tier 18: Advance Mage
So in other words, this Mage named Master Eliard has entered the 19 stages, or by the standards of Herferd, he is at the initial stage of Tier 3 Mage. A pitiful strength if compared to Ace and Maeve.
Of course, the Frown on Ace and Maeve's face is not due to this new 'Advance Mage' but another matter which is... maybe... related to his advancement and something both Ace and Maeve actually feared.
This world… Ashleyn… it is...
Changing.
