With the Magic Tournament approaching, many unfamiliar faces are gradually appearing on the streets of Santa Fe City. Most of them are wearing the magic robes specially provided by their respective academies, and you can tell which academy they come from at a glance.
Of course, there are also many independent adventurers and mercenaries, but their numbers are relatively small.
In addition, the environment in the eastern suburbs is more free and chaotic enough, and scattered people basically gather there. The main roads of Santa Fe are mostly filled with students.
The road was filled with the constant chatter of voices, and those who could be heard were mostly young magicians.
"Wow, this is Saint Fe City! As expected, the Temple of Light is powerful!"
The red-haired girl excitedly pulled the boy next to her, craning her neck to look around, curious about everything.
The prosperity of Santa Fe City is far beyond what small countries can match. Although most of the students participating in this magic competition are nobles, very few of them have ever seen such a magnificent temple.
“Susie, we’re on someone else’s turf, so let’s keep our voices down.”
The boy looked helpless.
"What's the big deal? The God is lenient. It's just a few words. What can the temple do to me?"
The red-haired girl pursed her lips, unimpressed by the boy's caution, and continued to pull him along, stopping to look at anything interesting they saw.
The boy quietly followed behind her, paying her money every now and then.
Just then, a series of exclamations suddenly came from afar. Susie, as if she had discovered a pleasant surprise, grabbed the boy and ran towards the crowd.
"Slow down!"
The boy stumbled as he was pulled, and his words became hurried, but he managed to steady himself and keep up with Susie's pace.
“Witt, I’m not trying to criticize you, but even magicians need to exercise. You see, you’re not as good as me.”
Susie ran while showing a smug little expression.
"Ha, everyone here is a mage, you're the only swordsman."
Vitt sneered, "How many mages can match the physical abilities of a swordsman?"
"No, no, no, I'm a magician now too!"
Susie straightened her back with a righteous air.
"You mean that meager fire-based talent?"
Witt asked in a calm tone.
"So what! Doesn't it count?! Oh well, I'm just here to accompany you in the competition, it's not important, it's not important. Look ahead, it seems to be the Holy Maiden of Light!"
Susie kept talking, but when her gaze fell on the woman protected in the center by the paladin, her eyes suddenly lit up.
Forgetting her banter with Victor, she excitedly pointed inside, as if she had discovered a new continent.
"Wow! She's so beautiful! She's even more beautiful than the statue of God!"
Susie was speaking without thinking, and before she could finish her sentence, Victor suddenly covered her mouth.
"Shut up! Do you want to get arrested?"
Witt's face darkened. He regretted allowing this guy to come with him, but then he thought that, given her personality, it was safer to have her by his side.
"oh."
Susie realized she had misspoke, so she playfully stuck out her tongue and turned back to look at the center of the open space.
Holy light fell upon her, and Maggie seemed to be the very embodiment of divinity descending upon the world; no one could look away from her.
Maggie's gaze swept across the entire area, her voice gentle yet powerful. With the help of magical artifacts, her voice, neither too loud nor too soft, was enough to carry throughout the entire city of Santa Fe.
"With the Magic Competition just around the corner, I, in my capacity as the Holy Maiden of Light, welcome all the academies and wish the competition a great success."
This year's Magic Competition is being held in Santa Fe City, and the Temple of Light, as the host, must extend its welcome first.
Following her prepared script, Maggie nodded gracefully to everyone present as a sign of respect.
"For the next three months, the temple will send paladins to oversee all security issues in St. Fe City. We hope that all student instructors will refrain from any actions that could damage the academy's image."
"I believe everyone wants to have a pleasant three months and doesn't want to see the temple's ruthless methods."
After saying this with neither arrogance nor servility, Maggie gave the crowd a holy and gentle smile, turned around and prepared to return to the temple. At that moment, all the paladins followed behind her in perfect unison.
The left and right sides were also heavily guarded by paladins.
Another very special one is the one closest to her...
Harun.
The paladin in front of her was a gentleman with impeccable manners. He was extending his hand to her, his long, strong hand covered by a white glove, waiting for Maggie to take his arm.
Harlan had blond hair and blue eyes, a perfectly curved smile on his lips, and eyes that seemed to be filled with deep affection. With a sword at his waist, he looked like a prince from a fairy tale.
Seeing this from a distance, Susie was so excited she almost wanted to scream to the sky, but thankfully Victor quickly covered her mouth again.
"No, are all the people in the temple incredibly beautiful and handsome? And they're all so well-matched! This trip was definitely worthwhile!"
Susie turned to Victor and whispered something to him, her face flushed with excitement.
"Keep your voice down..."
Witt covered his face helplessly, wishing he could pretend he didn't know her.
The surrounding crowd reacted in much the same way, all captivated by the beauty of the Holy Maiden of Light and the Holy Knight Commander, whispering among themselves and occasionally letting out a low scream as they watched Maggie and Harun interact.
Maggie looked at Harlan, her lips twitching almost imperceptibly.
"Didn't you have a mission? How come you have time to come here?"
Maggie walked up to him, away from the crowd, and after taking Harlan's arm, she forced out the words through gritted teeth.
"I missed Her Highness's pilgrimage last time because of a mission. If I miss it again this time, I won't be able to sleep tonight."
The two were very close, and for some reason, Harlan's voice carried a hint of lazy laughter. His words were ambiguous, with an upward inflection at the end, making one's ears itch.
That's enough.
Maggie's temples throbbed with veins, and she felt an urge to strangle the guy.
Not a single word he uttered was true.
"Your Highness still doesn't believe me."
Harun's tone became even more amused, and it was unclear what he was thinking.
"I believe in you..."
Maggie turned her head and saw Harlan's smiling face. As the saying goes, you can't hit a smiling face, so she could only weakly utter three words.
As long as you don't completely break ties with Harlen, you always feel a sense of powerlessness, like punching cotton.
"Don't worry, you are in complete control of the paladins during this period, and I will not interfere."
Upon entering the temple, Harun waved to dismiss the other paladins, leaving only Maggie and Harun in the corridor. He held his sword, his tone serious.
"I hope so. The archbishop has come out of the dark room and will definitely cause me trouble."
Maggie rubbed her temples, looking somewhat tired.
What she needs to do now is to ensure that no large-scale chaos occurs in Santa Fe City. Any problems that arise during the Magic Competition will be the responsibility of Lunita Academy.
The host and organizer have a clear division of labor.
It's easier said than done.
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