Aizel strode purposefully back into the tent, his gaze fixed ahead as he made his way towards Vespara. Without hesitation, he positioned himself beside her.

"Why did you kill them? You could have held back there," Raigun said, looking toward him.

Aizel turned his head back and looked at the man who spoke. It was Isabella's father.

At that moment, a flood of memories surged through his mind, memories that stirred within him a potent mixture of emotions.

The memory of that terrible night in Darkholm swept over him and sparked a fierce anger deep inside of him.

Aizel took a deep breath and said, " I thought they were strong... I guess I was wrong."

"And you expect that I would believe that?"

Aizel simply shrugged his shoulders in response.

"Leave the kid alone, Raigun. Don't forget you are in the presence of the King," Elric said.

"Now that the battle is over, we will take our leave. And don't forget the bets, bye bye," Vespara said with a smile.

At that moment, a mystical circle materialized directly below her, Daisy, Shelly, and Aizel. They were instantly transported back to their inn from the royal tent.

*Tsk*

"What a waste of time that was. Did they really think so little of me?" Aizel said, his face looking pissed as he directly landed on the couch.

"At least we earn a lot from that. You should be happy about it," Vespara replied.

Meanwhile, Daisy headed towards the kitchen to make something for them.

Attracted by the noises, kids hurried into the room as soon as they could.

Emma curled up next to him on his right side, while Lily was on the left.

"Did you win, Aiizzz?" Emma asked.

"I literally ki....ahem, I won pretty easily," Aizel replied with a smile.

"Hehe, I knew it. Aizel can't lose to anyone," Lily said.

"Of course, I never lose." He replied with a smug smile.

"By the way, when are you going to start teaching me about the Arcane Magic Circuit?" Aizel asked, looking towards Vespara, who was lying down on another couch.

"After the tournament,"

"But why?"

"Because I know, you will definitely use it in the tournament. That will bring a lot of unnecessary trouble for you."

"How do you know I will use it? I will be able to sweep pretty easily with my current power."

"Don't expect the tournament to be so easy, pretty boy. Even Soren won't have it easy.

"Rest you can figure it out yourself."

*Tsk*

*****

Theodora Kingdom...

The queen of Theodora walked through her lush garden with elegant steps that gave off an air of ease and sophistication. Dressed in a long, flowing robe made of soft, smooth fabric, the way it caressed her skin showed off her beautiful curves.

The way the fabric stuck to her body made it look like she didn't have any clothes on, giving her an air of daring and sensuality.

"Mother, who is the last person you have selected?" Her elder daughter asked who was strolling behind her.

"I thought a lot about that. But then I finally remembered a mage story.

"This person has suffered so many things in his whole path that a normal person would end his own life."

Her daughter looked confused when she heard that.

"You will know when he will arrive here; for now, leave me alone for some time...

*****

At the same time,

historical

Within the confines of a humble cottage nestled in a quaint village, a man's gaze was fixated upon his slumbering daughter.

The child was lying on the bed, and her weak body showed signs of the hard times she had been through.

One arm was missing as if it had been stolen by a terrible fate, and a leg was badly hurt, with a painful cut taking away some of its fullness.

Half of her body was wrapped in bandages, which showed that her wounds had been cared for. Behind one eyepatch, her other eye twinkled with strength, a sign of her unbreakable spirit in the face of life's difficulties.

Just as the man about to leave her daughter spoke, "Where...are you...going..father?" her voice sounded very weak.

The man turned around; his eyes were a little red, and he replied, "I am going to find something that will be able to heal you properly this time,"

"You...don't..have to...worry about...me, father. Just...live your life...please..."

"Just sleep well. Next time you see me, you will be able to travel with me all around the Xelgar. The chief will come to take care of you in the meantime."

He replied and then left without even trying to look back again.

The man walked steadily toward a quaint tavern in the corner of the village. As he made his way to his typical corner table, a place where he could be by himself with his thoughts, habit guided his steps.

Without him having to say anything, the smart waiter knew what he wanted and quickly brought him five or six drinks.

Abruptly, a resonant hum emitted from the depths of his pocket, signaling the presence of his crystal ball.

With a deft motion, he retrieved the enchanted orb from within his ring, its smooth surface shimmering with mystical energy.

"You have to arrive at the castle by tomorrow anyhow. The Queen doesn't like to wait."

"I will be there," The man replied.

*Sigh*

"Another opportunity this time. I wonder what you have this time for me, Xelgar.

"No matter what you have, I will keep going. I will heal my daughter and put a smile on her face.

As his mind wandered to past memories, he began to gulp down drink after drink.

In the grand hall, a young teenager found himself seated across from his parents. The atmosphere grew tense as his mother's voice filled the air, her words laced with anger and frustration.

"Why on Xelgar did I ever give birth to a fucking disappointment?" she exclaimed, her voice piercing through the silence.

"You can't even do a single thing."

"You only needed to form a core, and you can't even do that." His father said

"The kids around your age have already started to learn spells and techniques while you are still stuck on forming the core."

"How can we show our faces to others like this?"