Chapter 112: VOL 2 Chapter 57: Pride is a tool.
After letting out a defeated sigh, Erik entered the room behind Ngozi, where he found several Master-level individuals with overwhelming presences gathered around an elegant figure. They all immediately turned to look at him with various expressions. But without a doubt, the most notable were those of Sigrún and Eleonora, who wore huge smiles on their faces and exuded an aura that seemed to shout happiness and satisfaction.
"I greet you as the disciple of Master Eldurdóttir and Master Silverwood, the Ascended-level Erik."
While Ngozi walked over to her seat at the table, Erik bowed respectfully and spoke in a formal tone, which made the people present nod in satisfaction. At that moment, Sigrún spoke with a huge smile and a sing-song voice, just as Seraphina was arranging a new chair between Eleonora and herself.
"Come, Erik. Sit next to your masters."
"Right away, Master."
Erik quickly responded in a serious tone and went to sit on the chair, at which point Eleonora placed a large plate filled with a mountain of special cookies on the table. This made the star-haired boy's eyes light up, which caused his master's smile to grow considerably wider.
At the same time, Seraphina quickly served a cup of the finest tea that money could buy and set it on the table next to a plate. Erik thanked her with a smile, which greatly pleased the dedicated maid, who immediately began carefully massaging her young master's shoulders, completely ignoring the looks from everyone else present.
"Congratulations on making it through the tournament, Erik." the Director said with a pleasant smile on his face, ignoring Eleonora and Seraphina's actions. Erik immediately bowed his head respectfully and thanked him in a serious and formal tone.
"Thank you very much, Director."
"There's no need to be so formal, but I am curious about something: why did you choose to withdraw and not try to claim the champion's prize?" the Director asked with genuine curiosity, to which Erik responded in a calm tone.
"That was because I didn't feel it was worth it. I'm really not lacking anything. I have a bio-mystical technique, many spells to learn, tons of artifacts, and I even got the advanced pass for the library, which is what interests me the most. So I had no reason to keep going."