Legacy of the Dark Sage

The Alchemy Competition concluded without much drama. The Conclave won by a large margin with a total score of 90 points against the Royal Army's 60.

All the participants from the Royal Army managed to concoct high-grade potions earning them twenty points each. However, Len from the Conclave concocted a legend-grade truth serum, which earned him 50 points. The other two alchemists concocted a mid-grade and a high-grade potion, earning 10 and 20 points, respectively. Because one of them concocted a legend grade, 10 points were added to their total score.

The individual performance of the participants in the Alchemy Competition surprised everyone. If they ignored the total score and only looked at their individual ability, it was easy to see that the Royal Army's alchemists were more stable than the Conclave. All of them did concoct high-grade potions. Nevertheless, with the Conclave producing a legend-grade potion, it could be said that they were able to produce geniuses.

Currently, the standing of both sides could still be considered even, and the audience was looking forward to the competitions that would commence in the afternoon. Most of them were wondering the same thing:

Who would excel in the upcoming competitions? Would it be the Conclave or the Royal Army?

The afternoon competitions would proceed in the same venue.

There would be a one-hour break before it starts. Taking up 45 minutes of this break, the Courtenay family members reconstructed the left side of the hall. They removed the alchemy furnaces and tables but left the cabinets. After that, six twenty-meter radius circles appeared on the floor. It was the same setup as the previous Array Creation Competition. The only difference was, there was no Array formation inside these circles.

The audience, who were not aware of the setup from the previous Array Creation Competitions, curiously looked at these circles. Today would be the first time they would witness an Array competition between the Conclave and the Royal Army and most of them tried to guess the rules.

As for the right side of the hall, the Courtenay family members activated the arena's restoration array to restore it to its initial state.

Ten minutes before the start of the competition, a male Courntenay announcer appeared before them. The VIPs also returned to their seats at their respective booths.

"The second half of today's event will commence shortly," the male announcer declared.

The audience was filled with anticipation as they awaited for the participants to appear.

Five minutes before the start of the competition, the participants entered the hall.

As soon as they arrived, murmurs filled the gallery.

Their reactions were reasonable. After all, Kyran, who was a quarterfinalist for the Solo Competition, appeared in the Array Creation Competition side. Styx was the only one who appeared as the Conclave's participant at the Solo Competition.

Most wondered if Kyran forfeited during the one-hour break.

Once all participants entered the hall, the male announcer started to speak.

"We welcome everyone, to the Array Creation and Solo Competitions. Before we begin, let me give you a brief explanation of the rules. First, I will explain the rules of the Array Creation Competition."

He paused to look at the six circles on the floor and then he said, "The six circles on the floor, with approximately a twenty-meter radius in size, are the participants' work area.

"As the name of the competition suggests, the participants will be required to 'create' an Array Formation."

Hushed discussions spread among the audience. All of them knew how precious it was to witness an Array Specialist while working. So long as one managed to follow an Array Specialist's work, they would gain a very valuable experience. If they were lucky, they might even find a clue on how they could break through.

A good example of this was when Array Master Noir had a public demonstration at Starhorn City. When he created the Mercenary Hall's Array Formation, many mages watching were able to gain insights and actually broke through. The stirring made by these formulas to the magic energies in the surroundings could also affect a mage's internal magic energy. This stirring could help a mage further understand the nature of their innate magic, thus, achieving a breakthrough.

Apart from this, Array Formation involved writing formulas, which were similar to a mage creating their magic arrays. If one paid good attention, they might also gain new insights on how they could create their magic arrays.

"Similar to the Alchemy Competition, each side will be asked to create three Array Formations: one for each type of Array: defense, offense, and last, support. However, we will not provide the formulas in creating the formations. You will be then given three hours to complete your assigned Array."

The male announcer gestured over the cabinets lined up on two sides, three on each side, "All materials will be provided, and on the occasion that a material is not available, please inform us and we shall find the material. However, do take note that the time will not be stopped while we look for your material."

None of the Array Creation participants reacted to this. All of them were veterans of Array Creation. There were times when they had to create Arrays with limited resources, thus, they came up with other materials to use as an alternative.

Some of the wiser members of the audience found this rule interesting. They already guessed that the announcer would not point this out if it would not happen. Most likely, the cabinet was missing some materials. And the reason they did this, was to test a participant's in-depth understanding of a material's composition and nature. It would also test their mentality when facing an unexpected situation.

In any case, most of them now understood that the Array Creation Competition was not a mere show of one's ability to create Array Formations.

"The three Array Formations that each side will create are as follows: Defense-type, Absolute Barrier, Offense-type, Rive Effect, and last, Support-type, Mass Regeneration."

The gallery went into an uproar as soon as the Array Formations were announced. Even the participants' expressions turned grim.

Those formations were all Advanced Arrays! Not to mention, all of them required rare materials and three hours would not be enough to complete them!

Before any of the participants could react, the male announcer continued, "As for the grading, the participant's work will be graded according to the percentage of the Array's completion."

The Array participants heaved a sigh of relief upon hearing this part. It was one

"Ten points will be given, if the Array is at least 50 to 60% complete. Twenty points, if it is 61 to 70% complete. Thirty points if it is 71 to 80%. Forty points, if it is 81 to 99%. Fifty, if it is 100% complete."

The audience could not help but frown at the last part of the grading. Following the earlier pattern of grading, they had thought as long as one of them achieved 91% completion, they would receive fifty. But it seemed, they would only accept a 100% completion before giving out a grade of fifty.

"Similar to the Alchemy Competition, once each participant is graded, it will be tallied according to their team and the side who received the highest point will win."

The male announcer looked at the participants, "Do remember that if any of your members fail to achieve at least 50% completion of their assigned Array, he will not receive a point. However, the total score of your team will have a fifty points deduction."

"What?"

"That is a huge number!"

The ones who protested were from the Royal Army's side.

Nevertheless, Owen and Hamish were also feeling a little indignant about the huge deduction. What if both of them failed to achieve a 50% completion? Even if Kyran received fifty points, they would end up with a negative point!

Too bad Kyran was unaware that these two were already convinced he would receive a perfect score.

The male announcer addressed the Royal Army's participants and coldly said, "If you have any complaints, you can direct them to the head committee. For your reference, the rules of the competition have been approved by the head committee, and your leaders."

His words shut them up at once. After confirming that the six had no questions, he looked at Kyran and said, "Participant Tyr, as you are a quarterfinalist in the Solo Competition, you have a choice of stopping midway with your work to participate in your match. However, your time will not be paused."

Kyran looked at him and nodded, "I know."

The male announcer nodded, "Very well."

The audience was surprised to hear that Kyran would participate in both competitions. If he stopped midway, wouldn't it disrupt his Array creation? Aside from this, after the drama that happened in the Solo Competition earlier, it was impossible for Kyran or even Styx to finish their matches in one piece. Wouldn't that mean he would have to forfeit? If that happened, then the Conclave would surely lose the Array Creation!