My Soul card is a Reaper

It looks like Barbara was able to catch on to Azzy's thoughts. She shook her head, "no but I heard that the final move of crescent clan sword techniques will emit a blue aura. The darker the blue, the higher the mastery.

When it reaches Navy blue, one can say they mastered the technique. Dad said that its power is even superior to soul skills. However, to execute it, there are certain conditions that need to be fulfilled. I don't know what they are though."

"I see…" Azzy nodded and then looked at Gideon who joined the other students below the battle platform.

With the completion of single battles, Uphiar announced that the Day 1 of the tournament is over.

Everyone started to leave.

Azzy and Barbara also parted their ways. She returned to her teammates while he returned to the dorm.

Sitting on top of his bed, he closed his eyes to meditate.

However, what he saw were the matches that occurred throughout the day. The battles, the cheering of the audience, teamwork between people in duo battles… all of them induced a desire to battle, in his heart.

He imagined himself on the stage.

However, he quickly suppressed the thoughts and slowly, went into a deep meditation.

Meanwhile, at the principal's office, Barton was attending to his guests.

Both of them appeared to be of peak-rank-7 and also of the same age as him. In fact, they were his friends who graduated along with him at the Central Academy, more than eight hundred years ago.

"Barton, I heard that you have taken in a genius disciple." One of his friends named Ryland suddenly brought Azzy into the topic while they were casually having a discussion regarding the Champions League.

He was an Elder at Crusaders, a private organization set up by a peak-rank-8 expert.

Barton frowned in response. He wondered whether this guy was eyeing for his disciple or something.

It appeared that Ryland realized Barton's thoughts upon seeing his expression. He quickly said, "I'm just curious what made you changed your mind after that incident."

"Oh! You are talking about that brat? What was his name again?" The other old man expressed his displeasure as soon as he was reminded of the kid who didn't even hesitate to betray his Master for the sake of power.

"Neal…" replied Ryland. Barton slowly said, "It's already been 60 years. Why bother talking about him.

*Knock* *Knock* 

Just then, the door has been knocked twice before Emelia put her head inside upon receiving the permission.

"Yes, Ms. Light?"

"Sir, there's a man waiting outside. He said he's from WAMO Headquarters." She informed.

"Oh! Please let him in." Barton replied.

She nodded and walked away. Barton stood up on his feet. He turned anxious about how this representative is gonna be.

However, a few seconds later, his facial expression changed as Neal entered the room.

"You… Why is it you?" Barton almost growled in anger upon seeing this traitorous disciple of his.

Neal greeted him with a bow, "Greetings, Master."

"Who the hell is your Master?" Barton erupted in anger and released his aura.  Just his aura alone pushed away all the furniture in the room.

Meanwhile, the three rank-7s felt a huge pressure dawned on them.

While Neal managed to stand steady, the other two old men staggered their feet and almost bent their knees under the pressure.

Their eyes were widened in surprise. Right now, they were no longer able to sense his soul rank despite being at peak levels, which tells that Barton has already broken through to the next rank.

Not only the three of them, but the aura also affected everyone else on the campus. 

Thankfully, aside from few staff members, no one is in the administration building, so, the people below rank-5, including the guests from top academies, felt slight suffocation.

Rank-6 experts, who were far away from the building didn't feel much and only felt the air around them became heavier.

The hidden rank-7 experts immediately became alert. They realized it is the aura of a strong peak-rank-7 expert or a rank-8 expert.

As one usually releases their aura when angered or to pressure someone, they wondered what might be the reason. 

"Barton, stop it. Students are in the school." Upon hearing Ryland's shout, Barton forced himself to calm down and dismissed his aura. However, his anger hasn't completely disappeared yet.

"So you quitted Special Forces and joined WAMO?" Barton glared at Neal.

Neal nodded with a smile, "Yes, I was recruited after a rescue operation."

"Sit." Taking a deep breath, Barton pointed to the sofa that was pushed away to the wall.

Neal dragged it and comfortably sat in it while thanking him. 

"So, what are the qualifications that WAMO is expecting from us?" Barton asked him calmly. He decided to put up with him for now. Hosting the league is more important.

Without minding the other two old elders, Neal got to the point directly, "One, facilities; Two, Quality of teachers; Three, Quality of students; Four, Security of the Academy; Five, Recognition.

These five categories will be evaluated. As long as the Academy proves that it is first-rate in all of them, Aclein Academy will not only host the tournament but also get a star rating from the organization.

It will be listed in the recommended first-rate academies after AEE's results are out.

And to host the league, the Academy should be qualified as the first rate in at least three of them.

If not, then, the hosting rights will be given to Egrein Academy. Even if I'm an Alumnus of this Academy, my evaluation will not be biased." 

"As if we need your support," Barton snorted while folding his hands to the chest. "And please don't call yourself our Academy's Alumnus. You never graduated from the Academy and I have already removed your name from the register."

Neal sighed inwardly as he heard Barton.

*** 

The next day started with duo battles. After they are over, the third round of single battles started. By the end of the day, single and duo category matches are finished.

Gideon won all of his matches and went to the knockouts. Claire, who teamed up with her classmate, only won 1 out of 3 matches and got eliminated.

It's so happened that her friend, Iris' Arcana spirit was killed in the first round, which made her depressed, and eventually, she forfeited from the tournament.

With no partner to fight with, Claire was also eliminated directly. When Azzy met her, she doesn't seem that bothered and in return, she said that she will go to the League through group matches.

Neal continued to observe everything in secret for his evaluation. Barton relayed the news to the other staff members but didn't disclose his identity as he doesn't want a rumor that his ex-disciple did him a favor when the Academy will pass through the evaluation.

Day 3 of the tournament started with group matches. The stadium is packed with people. After all, it is the first time there are group battles in the annual tournament.

However, a big problem had arisen.

Unlike with single and duo battles, most of the group battles were rather messier with imperfect teamwork.

Not only the students weren't able to perfect their teamwork but a lot of them also unintentionally attacked their own teammates.