The Most Arbitrary Wizard

If this were reality, he might have actually been more careful.

Forget the fact that he only had one life; meeting a VIP like the Saintess was something that demanded caution. Every word and action had to be carefully considered. Otherwise, with her power, a single word could make his already difficult situation a hundred times worse.

But alas, this wasn't reality.

So he could act as recklessly as he pleased.

He was curious to see just what kind of "script" Her Highness the Saintess had in mind, publicly inviting him to a "hotel."

And so, Sean went.

Diana had left Sean the message to attend the meeting and then departed. Now that Sean was gone too, it was naturally time for the gathering to disperse. Under the direction of Catherine and the Knight Order, the many Wizards made an orderly, albeit tearful, exit, leaving only Teacher Tony to grieve at the round table.

He looked up at the sky, speechless and choking back tears.

'Why did things have to turn out this way...'

'He was clearly number one. He was the one who performed the best this year.'

'Why would Her Highness the Saintess invite Sean?'

'He couldn't accept it!'

Ryan sighed and patted his shoulder gently. "There, there," he consoled. "The Saintess not choosing you is actually a good thing."

"Otherwise, just imagine it. If the Saintess had really chosen you, one day you two would be on a date, walking down the street, and everyone would be saying, 'Look! A perfect rose on a pile of manure!'... How awful would that be for you to hear? Right?"

Tony: ?

'I'll fucking tear you apart!'

'Is that any way to comfort someone?'

'You're the pile of manure!'

Johnson, on the other hand, said, "To be honest, if I were Her Highness the Saintess, I'd choose Sean too."

Tony: "Shut up!"

'You're just here to twist the knife, aren't you?'

Johnson explained with an innocent look, "Well, what can you do? That guy Sean took out a Grand Mage."

It was "a matter of course" for Tony to win the final round. No matter what, there was always going to be a victor. But Sean slapping a Male Wizard into the dirt? That was something else entirely. The former was a fair duel, while the latter was a beatdown delivered by someone of a lower Tier—and not just by one Tier, either. As far as the Saintess was concerned, Sean was a newcomer too and also under her observation. So, was there even a need to ask who had performed better?

"If you could send a Grand Mage flying with a single slap, maybe Her Highness the Saintess would consider you too."

Tony: ...

'Better forget it, then.'

Not everyone was a monster like Sean. If he dared to slap a Grand Mage, he'd most likely be the one sent flying.

Still, after hearing Johnson's explanation, Tony did feel a bit better.

Sean took down a Grand Mage with a single slap, which meant Sean > Grand Mage. He was only a Tier Six, and Tier Six him. There was no shame in losing to an opponent who was fundamentally stronger than him.

'But he was still so pissed.'

Not only had Sean received the Saintess's invitation, but he'd also completely stolen the show.

He was probably the most pathetic first-place winner in the history of the competition. He hadn't even basked in the audience's envious glares for more than a few seconds before all eyes turned to Sean.

'How infuriating!'

"Come on, let's drink!"

Tony had no other recourse. He was no match in a battle of wits—he was just a contestant, while Sean was practically an examiner. A physical fight was even more out of the question. If that slap had been aimed at him, he'd have died on the spot. Tony had no choice but to numb himself with alcohol and forget this heart-wrenching evening.

And he wasn't the only Wizard with that idea.

By the time Sean had changed his clothes and returned to Black Rose Castle, the atmosphere was already electric.

The ball had started at seven, and Diana had asked to meet him at eight. With half an hour to kill, Sean decided to check out the ball and join the festivities. To his surprise, he found many Wizards already dead drunk, sprawled out on the floor or ranting on the sofas. They were clutching water-cooler jugs of stout and muttering things like, "May Her Highness the Saintess and Teacher Sean be blessed with a hundred years of happiness," "I just want Her Highness the Saintess to be happy," and "May Her Highness the Saintess and Teacher Sean have children soon—octuplets in the first go!"

Sean: ...

'Should he perhaps say, "Thank you for the well wishes"?'

A Wizard spotted him and immediately pulled him over, tearfully shoving a glass of Champagne into his hand.

"Teacher Sean, you must promise me one thing, I'm begging you!"

Sean thought it was something important and said with a serious expression, "Go on."

The Wizard said, "Please, you must treasure Her Highness the Saintess. Be gentle..."

Sean: ?

'What is this nonsense.'

Sean replied with a deadpan expression, "Okay."

Then he pushed the Wizard aside and wandered off.

The ball tonight was stocked with plenty of alcohol, both red and dark. It was hard not to suspect that Her Highness the Saintess had done this deliberately. She was using this opportunity, with him as a shield, to crush the hopes of all the guys who dreamed of latching onto her.

'Drink your fill tonight, and once you're done, forget all about her.'

Thinking about it this way, Sean felt this generation's Saintess was even more calculating than he'd thought.

'Everything was within her calculations.'

Sean wandered for a while longer, then checked the time. It was almost eight, so he made his way to the corridor, arriving right on schedule.

Catherine was already waiting for him.

Seeing that Sean had changed into formal wear and clearly put effort into his appearance, she couldn't help but think to herself, 'This man really is quite handsome.'

"Follow me."

She walked ahead, leading Sean.

Although Black Rose Castle's decor followed the rustic style of the Era of Polymath, many of its facilities were quite modern.

Like the elevator.

However, this elevator wasn't for public use; it was the private property of Her Highness the Saintess.

The castle had seven floors in total, just like the Hall of Truth.

The lower three floors were for "public use," for receiving guests or hosting events. Tonight's ball was taking place on these floors.

The fourth and fifth floors were office space, which included Catherine's own office.

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