They don't want me to try anymore.

Lauren gestured to Catherine beside her and said, "She's going to participate in the Resurrection Grand Competition next month. In the Empire, the final result of this competition greatly affects one's future. However, the problem is that she still lacks a teammate who is strong enough."

"teammate?"

Richard, who had been quietly studying and hadn't paid much attention to the Easter competition, was a little puzzled.

Catherine continued, "The Grand Tournament is a combination of many different types of competitions, including potion-making and alchemy competitions, not just one-on-one duels... But the most important of all the competitions is the tactical contest in which three-person teams compete for the scepter in a special arena."

"My own profession is Hospital Knight, and my companion Sophia is an Ice Mage. I'm currently looking for another versatile magic-based professional..."

Upon hearing this, Richard immediately understood.

Summoners can become very versatile if they freely contract summoned creatures.

He couldn't help but laugh at himself.

I was just thinking how Anton came to compete for his ancestors' legacy, but now this fate has befallen me.

However, compared to exchanging other benefits, this matter is more amicable.

He also recalled Megan's words from prison: "You can't beat them on their own turf..."

Ah.

Since fate has come knocking on my door... I'm going to give it a try!

"I'm willing to participate."

Chapter 87 As long as you have a broad mind, you can drift through any corner.

An hour later, the banquet ended.

Richard had barely stepped out when he was pulled into a carriage by the roadside.

At first he panicked a little, but after smelling the familiar scent, he immediately... panicked even more.

He quickly said, "Luvia, I'm fine."

Across from her, Luvia nodded, appearing relatively calm. She asked:

What conditions did Laurene propose?

"It's better than I expected..."

Richard was about to tell everyone that he was going to participate in the Easter competition.

Luvia was slightly surprised and asked, "Does he require you to win?"

"No, his exact words were that as long as I do my best, he will help me rescue Ms. Megan, regardless of success or failure."

Richard shrugged and smiled: "Maybe he's being so generous because of you."

However, Luvia was not pleased by Richard's praise. She couldn't help but furrow her brows as she recalled the Tory family members who might participate in the Easter competition this year.

"...Your teammate is Catherine?"

"Hmm, there's also Sophia from the North. Do you know them?"

"I've met you, but we're not close."

Luvia's tone became noticeably somber.

Richard's decision to go to the competition with two women reminded her of the experience of watching Alice steal someone away in the simulation, which inexplicably made her feel sour and wary.

Phew, calm down.

Maybe I'm just overthinking it.

Catherine is a mediocre and arrogant woman; she could never attract Richard. As for Sophia, I remember she was just someone whose parents lost a power struggle and came to the Empire for refuge? She's even less of a threat.

Yes, that's right. As long as Alice doesn't come back, victory is ours!

Richard's lips twitched slightly as he watched the beauty across from him change her expression.

Sister, what are you thinking about again?

No, we need to change the subject!

"Luvia?"

"Sorry, I was daydreaming... What did you just say?"

“I was wondering if you’ve ever participated in the Easter competition?” Richard said. “I remember the entry requirement was that anyone under 25 years old could participate.”

"Yes."

Luvia puffed out her chest, which was known for its ability to win people's hearts, and replied, "I was the champion three years ago."

Yes, concise and to the point, very powerful.

"Then tell me, what preparations do I need to make?"

Richard scratched his head and laughed, "I haven't paid much attention to this competition before, and I'm not clear about some of the procedures. I was too embarrassed to ask Lauren."

Luvia nodded: "Everything else is fine, but recently... the qualifiers are next week, and you can't miss that."

"The qualifiers?"

“The Easter competition is a very grand event, and it’s not something anyone can just come to. Therefore, there will be preliminary rounds to filter out those who are not strong enough.”

"Is it difficult?"

"It might be a little bit of a problem for ordinary people, but for you, it's not a problem, however..."

Luvia suddenly moved closer: "Just in case, let's practice extra these days!"

Richard couldn't help but shudder at the look in the other person's eyes that seemed to want to be with them 24/7.

I feel like I can't resist...

But what reason is there to refuse?

Forget it... let Big Black help us cover half the cost then!

The seven days filled with sweat, passion, bruises, a head full of bumps, and the coach's "groping" passed quickly.

Monday morning next week.

Richard arrived at the main square on the central axis of Idaril, ready to participate in the preliminary rounds of the Easter competition.

Zoe and Katyusha followed—as for Luvia, due to a very urgent mission from the border troops, even though she had special privileges, she had no choice but to reluctantly interrupt her vacation and leave temporarily.

"So many people!"

Upon arriving at the square, Zoe looked around and couldn't help but exclaim, "There must be at least three or four thousand."

"For ordinary people, even the qualifiers are quite a spectacle."

Li looked around and saw that the audience was kept out of the square by the guards, while only the armed professionals had entered the center and gathered near a portal that was clearly the entrance to the illusionary realm.

Well, most professionals... are only at the Bronze level.

There's still a lot of black iron.

Richard immediately felt much more relaxed, since it was obvious to the naked eye that the strength of these competitors was not up to Saint Goethe's average level.

Zoe clapped her hands: "Richard, you'll be fine!"

Katyusha clenched her fist and said, "Your Highness, good luck!"

"okay!"

Bearing the smiles of the girls on his back, he walked into the center of the square. After going through a series of steps including identity checks and handing over prohibited items, he stood in front of the gate to the Illusionary Realm.

At this moment, an official came before the group and said loudly:

"Welcome everyone to the preliminary rounds of the grand competition. The rules are simple: within three days, whoever can survive in this illusionary realm for five hours will pass..."

The rest of the conversation was just about not cheating, and that there were protective measures in the illusion world so Richard didn't have to worry about his life. Richard didn't pay any more attention to that.

He was simply intrigued by the free-flowing format of the qualifiers.

Soon, a bell rang, and Richard and his group stepped into the illusionary realm, immediately understanding why the competition format was the way it was...

"Ouch!"

"We've been teleported to the sky!"

With a blink of an eye, Richard found himself floating in mid-air, with sparse white clouds above him and the sea thousands of meters below. The seawater was pitch black, and there was not a single island nearby.

Around the crowd, countless bubbles floated, some tens of centimeters in diameter, others five or six meters. They were crystal clear, and their smooth surfaces reflected rainbow colors in the sunlight, making them quite beautiful.

Seeing this, Richard instinctively summoned the wind elemental to try and lift himself up, but as soon as the wind elemental appeared, it lost its footing like a drowned rat and fell down with Richard.

Others nearby shouted, "Flying and levitation spells aren't working!"

Oh, I see. Is flying prohibited here?

Well, it's like the Weak Water from the Legend of Nezha.

While he was pondering this, many people had already fallen onto the sea surface, and then their bodies lit up with light, indicating that they had been teleported away.

In other words, it will fail if it encounters the test on the sea surface...

Richard jolted awake, immediately adjusting his posture as he fell, summoning an earth elemental out of thin air beneath his feet, stepping on its back, and leaping onto the giant bubble beside him.

The bubbles were slippery, and it took him some effort to stand up, but at least he didn't continue to fall.