St Chaos Healer

Ch 51 - The Outcasts

I started walking down the aisle heading toward the arena in a proud manner.

I knew it! I knew that my name would be chosen among the exemplary mage candidates.

I had managed to reach 1st tier mage even before I could attend the 3rd ceremony trial. Not to mention that I managed to survive the onslaught of a berserk mage's golem attack. There was a setback like how I failed to reach 2nd tier but even geniuses have a bad day. Anyway, my mana art showcase was the final trick that let me get selected. As the saying goes all is well that ends well.

I am Benjamin Almond, a genius born once in a millennium so there should have been no room for doubt, to begin with.

It's just that it really doesn't settle well that my name was the last to be picked. It was like I just barely made the cut. Anyway, no point in brooding over this any longer.

As I headed down the stairs walking towards the arena, a condescending smile appeared on my face. My walking style by default changed to this elegant posture suited for a king. I still clearly remember when my wife, Gloxinia, hammered me on the way to walk in this gentlemanly posture just days before my coronation ceremony in the demon realm.

After I ended all the wars in the demon realm, Gloxinia started training me to live my new life as the royal Overlord of the demon realm. My new task as the king was to learn the way noble walks, talks, dances, hunts, etc, down to the note. Gloxinia's training was harder than any battle that I ever faced but I still enjoyed the time we spent together.

As I reminisced about my wife, a wave of sorrow hit me again. The condescending smile disappeared and my brows narrowed with firm determined eyes- 'Enough! I had grieved long enough in that pitch-black dimension. Now all I should focus on is the trial in front of me. Vengeance can wait a little longer,'

As I walked through the seats, the other ordinary 1st tier candidates were all glaring at me. Their eyes were filled with anger, disappointment, and surprise.

"Heh" I scoffed after remembering this was not the first time I experienced these glares.

Kinda reminded me of those stupid demon nobles ogling at me during my coronation as the Overlord of the Demon realm. They put a charade of being loyal and happy but behind my back, they loathed me and almost wished me for my death.

These 1st ordinary kids had a common expression as those of the demi nobles, the feeling of envy. How laughable.

As I climbed down the stairs I quickly entered the arena.

The white marble tiles of the arena were crystal clear like new, I could even see my own reflection on it. I had to be careful to walk on these smooth tiles so that I won't slip and make a fool of myself. I have to give some credit to the head mage for fixing this arena, it almost looks brand new.

Sigurd stood in the center of the arena. I stood before him and greeted him with a respectful bow. The head mage nodded and then turned back towards the crowd in the front.

I finally got to get a good look at the head mage.

Sigurd was a rather short hunchback old guy with barebones and loose skin. His eyes were soggy and sunken deep like he had almost seen all the world had to offer. His lousy beard was just frills of a couple of hairs hanging from his chin. Without the support of his staff, I don't think he could stand for more than a few seconds before falling on his back.

To be honest, Sigurd looked like any other old man that you would find in a village. Such old people would rather spend time playing with their grandkids as they waited for their death. These old people always are dependent on others, you would never even expect such old people to be even able to defend themselves. Just a tight slap across the face of an old man would be enough to send him to his grave.