Silence reigned among the spectators who weren't given enough time to react to the scene before them. Although Holger's victory was a given, no one expected him to make use of a Saint-Origin Pill to increase his cultivation and strengthen his physique. Was there still any point to this compet.i.tion?

　　They might as well directly proclaim him the victor!

　　However, shortly afterward, among the younger females of the lesser n.o.bility, a commotion rose.

　　"Kyyya! So cool!"

　　"Holger, Holger, Holger!!!"

　　In an instant, Holger's performance turned him into the idol of the airheaded la.s.ses filling many of the stadium's seats.

　　As for the contestants lying in a pool of their own blood, aside from their relatives, no one paid them any mind. A priest team dragged them off the stage, bringing them to the healing center.

　　…

　　"I didn't expect the imperial family to be this extravagant. Granting a Saint-Origin Pill to an Arch-Knight junior? Isn't that a tad bit too…excessive?"

　　Heinrich commented in the Saints' booth. However, neither Verena nor Else paid him attention.

　　"This must be Elmar's doing. But I wonder, is Holger the only one?"

　　Verena's eyes moved toward Nils, and following a brief a.s.sessment, she frowned.

　　"I'm afraid Konrad no longer has any shot at victory."

　　She told Else in a mental message.

　　"Oh? What do you say about a bet, then?"

　　"Why are you still that confident in him?"

　　The tables had changed. If Konrad had accepted their gifts, Verena wouldn't be that pessimistic about him. Now, however, victory could only elude him.

　　Her eyes then fell upon Konrad for a new a.n.a.lysis that soon left her dumbfounded.

　　"I can no longer see through his disguise. Not only that, but even the nature of his physique eludes me. How can this be?"

　　"Are you accepting the bet or not?"

　　"I'd…rather not."

　　…

　　"Group C, on the stage!"

　　Nils' group went on the stage. Just like the first group, it was well balanced, with a few first step Arch Knights while the rest were at the second step. Nils, however, was the oddball as she was supposedly at the ninth step Grand Knight and Priest Ranks.

　　Still, if she unleashed her True Spirit form, it would become a whole other matter.

　　Konrad felt something different from today's Nils and used his Origin Sight to a.n.a.lyze her body.

　　What he saw caused his eyes to widen in amazement.

　　"Having a good background is truly the foundation of success."

　　On the stage, Nils' eyes swept through those surrounding her, and disappointment flashed within her gaze.

　　"Begin!"

　　On the bishop's order, the battle began. The two first step Arch-Knight formed a team to contend with the rest. Besides them, no one joined hands, and for an instant, no contestant made a move. All paid close attention to the rest, hoping to spot flaws, and unwilling to leave openings for others to exploit.