Chapter 200: Zich Vs.....
A few seconds later, the first name on the left side of the projection screen stopped changing.
[Zich]
The instant those two characters completely settled into place, an even more intense wave of cheers erupted throughout the Central Arena. Countless spectators raised their heads almost simultaneously, staring fixedly at the name still flashing on the right side of the projection screen, eager to know which opponent the white-haired youth who had just made history by personally defeating a Nullborn would face in the semifinals.
Ainos.
Veyron.
Lucien.
The three names alternated continuously.
Every change caused the atmosphere in the audience stands to fluctuate violently.
If Ainos or Veyron was selected, Zich would once again confront the Nullborn head-on, and whether he could repeat yesterday’s miracle would undoubtedly become the most closely watched topic throughout the entire First Layer.
But if it was Lucien, then it would be a confrontation between humanity’s two greatest hopes.
One was the biggest dark horse of this year’s Chosen Tournament.
The other was the Sun Warlock from the Vilhart Family, who had only truly revealed his strength during the Quarterfinals.
Buzz—!
The name on the projection screen finally stopped completely.
[Zich]
Versus.
[Lucien Vilhart]
The moment the two names appeared, the entire Central Arena instantly erupted.
"It really is Lucien!"
"Holy crap! Zich against the Sun Warlock!"
"This match will definitely be more exciting than all the previous ones!"
"One can even defeat a Nullborn, while the other defeated Jayden in three moves. Who exactly is stronger?"
"Zich was seriously injured only yesterday. Can he really still fight today?"
"Don’t forget, he still hasn’t released all of his summons!"
Countless discussions erupted wildly. Even the important figures seated in the upper VIP section straightened in their seats at that moment, because whether in terms of fame, strength, or the significance represented by both contestants, this battle had already far exceeded the scope of an ordinary semifinal.
If Zich won, then, as a human, he would have consecutively defeated Nameless and Lucien, becoming the most dazzling figure in the entire tournament.
If Lucien won, it would mean that the Sun Warlock of the Vilhart Family had officially announced his powerful return to the entire First Layer.
And regardless of the result, one human was guaranteed to enter the final.
High above the arena, Mithrash took a deep breath, the excitement on his face almost impossible to conceal.
"Ladies and gentlemen!"
"The matchup for the first semifinal of this year’s Chosen Tournament has officially been decided!"
"Zich!"
"Versus Lucien Vilhart!"
His voice spread throughout the entire venue through the amplification crystal, while Count Dragon, who stood beside him, also broke his silence for the first time.
"The outcome of this match is difficult to predict."
Mithrash immediately turned toward him.
"Count, which contestant do you favor more?"
Count Dragon was silent for a moment, his gaze sweeping across the two figures inside the waiting area.
"If we only consider direct combat power, Lucien is stronger."
"Whether in terms of attack range, destructive power, or casting speed, his Sun Techniques far surpass ordinary spells of the same level. Zich also suffered serious injuries yesterday, and it is impossible for all of his summons to have fully recovered to their peak condition."
Hearing that, many spectators supporting Zich immediately frowned.
However, Count Dragon’s next words caused them to become quiet once again.
"But the most dangerous thing about Zich has never been his direct strength."
"It is that you can never predict how he will transform what originally appeared to be a disadvantage into a trap that determines victory or defeat."
Mithrash’s eyes lit up.
"In other words, this is another confrontation between power and strategy?"
"You could say that."
Count Dragon nodded slightly.
"Provided Zich can survive beneath the Sun Techniques long enough."
...
Inside the waiting area.
Zich quietly stared at the names on the projection screen, showing little surprise on his face.
There were four contestants. No matter who he drew, it would have been normal.
However, the strength Lucien had displayed when defeating Jayden earlier had indeed far exceeded his previous expectations.
That attack range.
That casting speed.
And those consecutive techniques with almost no noticeable interval between them.
For a summoner, Lucien could practically be considered one of the most troublesome opponents possible.
If ordinary undead summons like the skeletons gathered together in large numbers, they could potentially be wiped out instantly by a Sun spell. But if they scattered, they would lose their advantage in numbers and coordination.
More importantly, Lucien had not used a staff from beginning to end.
Nor had he truly moved from his position.
That meant he had still not used his full strength when defeating Jayden.
"This is troublesome..."
Zich muttered softly. Slimy, who was resting on his shoulder, gently swayed its body.
"Bo?"
Zich reached out and pressed its head.
"I wasn’t talking about you."
"Though I might need you to take a few more hits later."
Slimy’s entire body instantly stiffened.
Immediately afterward...
It swiftly jumped down from Zich’s shoulder, as though it had suddenly remembered something extremely important, and turned around to dive back into the summoning space.
Zich reacted quickly and grabbed it.
"Trying to run now?"
"Too late."
"Bo, bo, bo!"
Seeing Slimy struggling violently, Helen, who stood nearby, could not help laughing.
"Can’t you treat it a little better?"
Zich remained expressionless.
"Blocking attacks at critical moments is the greatest value of a summon."
Slimy: "..."
Helen glanced toward Lucien in the distance, and the smile on her face gradually faded.
"He’s strong."
"I know."
"Much stronger than Jayden."
"I noticed that too."
Helen paused.
"Then why are you still so calm?"
Zich lowered his head and adjusted the scythe at his waist before checking the remaining items inside his storage space once again.
"Because being nervous won’t make him weaker."
"And besides..." He raised his head and looked toward Lucien on the opposite side.
"If I can’t even make it past the semifinals, then the championship never belonged to me in the first place."
Helen stared at the side of his face and was silent for two brief seconds before smiling softly.
"Then win and show me."
Zich’s movements paused slightly. For some reason, the words she had spoken on the battlefield earlier suddenly surfaced in his mind.
If he won... perhaps there might be a kiss.
Thinking of that, he immediately coughed lightly and suppressed all those messy thoughts.
Now was not the time to think about such things.