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nIt was almost time for the first match of the third-year students against the second-year students. Everyone said goodbye to their family members and friends and soon, only the contestants were left in the room.

nEveryone made sure their gear and equipment were put on properly before waiting for the call to head out. Ray noticed that Slyvia was slightly shaking. It was a strange sight for Ray and the others to see. Usually, Slyvia was always calm and composed especially when leading the group.

nRay decided to sit down next to Slyvia. As Ray took a seat, Sylvia looked up at Ray and tried her best to force a smile.

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"I'm a mess right, now aren't I?

" Slyvia admitted.

"It's just…this match means so much for me. My brothers, you met earlier. They have all done amazing things. When my parents found out I couldn't perform magic, all their expectations of me kind of disappeared. Every day I would see my brothers get praised while I remained invisible in the background. This is finally my chance to prove to them I'm not useless.

"

nThere was a slight silence between the two of them before Ray decided to reply.

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"Did they even bother to show up?

" Ray inquired.

"I saw your brothers here but not your mother and father. Stop thinking about people who aren't even here and start thinking about the people around you. If you start ignoring the people who are around you and chase the people who aren't, that's how you end up with no one.

"

nTears started to flow out of Slyvia eyes. Her whole life she had been trying to impress her parents and finally she had the opportunity. Truthfully, she was upset that they didn't arrive yet she still wanted their acceptance. At home, she never felt like she had a family as her brothers were always away and her mother and father were too busy.

nWhen she arrived at the academy and formed her team and friends, she started treating them as a family. That's why she always tried so hard to stop arguments from happening and tried to help fix things she wasn't even a part of.

nShe understood what Ray was saying.

nAs Slyvia was thinking about what to do she suddenly felt a hand on her back, but it wasn't just one hand. When she turned around, she could see that everyone was there looking out for her. Monk, Martha, Dan, Ian, Gary, Kyle and even the two twins Badger and Sloth.

nSlyvia wiped away her tears and looked Ray in the eyes. The others could see that Ray and Slyvia would be best left alone and decided to get ready somewhere else.

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"I want to win Ray, and not for my family. I want us all to go to the All Kingdom Tournament together.

"

nRay liked Slyvia a lot. She never discriminated against him and saw him just like everyone else. Ray wanted her to be part of his team in the future but right now her loyalty was still with her family. Everything she had done so far was for her family. If she continued down the path of pleasing her parents, Ray could see this causing serious problems. However, Ray could see though that she was slowly changing.

nSlyvia's hand was still shaking a little.

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"I met a man today. He told me that Jack was strong, too strong. Originally, I was confident but for some reason those words the man said kept repeating in my head. What if he's right Ray? What if he is too strong for me?

"

nRay realised that the man she was talking about was himself when he was disguised as Nes. At the time, Ray thought there was nothing he could do, so he told her to the truth in hopes that Slyvia would find a way to overcome Jack's inherent strength. Sadly, it looked like she hadn't and was looking to him for answers.

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"Slyvia, do you really want to win?

"

nSlyvia nodded in response.

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"I'm a man who expects their favour to be returned to them. If I help you now you must help me in the future.

"

nAlthough Ray sounded a bit selfish, he needed to make it abundantly clear that Slyvia would owe him for this.

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"Ray even if you didn't help me out now, I would always help you out.

"

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"Good answer. Now I can help you but what I'm about to do is only temporary and you need to come back to me again afterwards okay? And I don't think I have to say this but not a soul must know of what I'm about to do.

"

nSlyvia nodded again.

nRay then stood up and went behind Slyvia placing his hand on her back.

n

n<-1 Mana>

n<-1 Mana>

n...

nAs the energy flowed from Ray into Slyvia, she could feel all her cells start to bounce around. Her skin felt like it was on fire. A burning sensation grew throughout her body. It wasn't a bad pain though; it was almost as if she was being reborn.

n

nRay had passed over twenty points of mana to Slyvia. With this on top of her Ki power, he thought it should be enough to even the playing field against Jack.

nSlyvia could feel the energy inside her almost triple in power. She couldn't believe it. Then her mind went back to the first round of the tournament. She had seen Ray take the Ki from the contestants on the ground. If Ray was able to take Ki, then did this mean he was able to give Ki to others as well?

nIt was hard for Slyvia to believe though. No mage was capable of skill like this. It was unheard of, but she could clearly feel all the Ki in her body.

n

"Your body isn't used to that amount of Ki; I would say while fighting your body has a maximum of ten minutes. Don't go over that time otherwise, you'll just end up damaging your body.

"

nRay's body was special allowing him to control a crazy amount of Ki without damaging his body. Slyvia was talented and if Ray gave her a little bit of Ki over time, then her body would be able to adapt to the amount but right now if she stood any chance of beating Jack. Ray knew he had to at least give Slyvia this much.

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"This is an announcement; would all contestants please make their way to the arena.

"

nIt was time for the second stage of the tournament to begin.

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