The victory of Gambler's academy is loud.

Cheers exploded all over the arena from the academy's students. As much as they hated Sam, they still felt happy that he swooped in at the last moment and brought them victory. All the participants inside were brought out.

Sam and the rest of the Gambler academy students landed near the instructors of the Gambler's academy.

The Elder looked at Sam and the rest and said without much emotion.

"Congratulations. All the best for your future endeavours in the tournament.

"

Sam looked at the team and nodded at them before he left. On his way back a third grade student from the Zeus academy blocked his path.

"Our seniors want to have a chat with you. They are inviting you for a meal at Nalan's Restaurant.

"

Sam raised an eyebrow and said.

"I don't feel like talking to them today. But tell them I am exactly who they think I am and I am here to make good on the promise I made them.

"

The senior was about to block the path, but after taking a look at the surroundings he took a step back and let Sam leave. Everyone dispersed. After the next dawn, there would be auxiliary tournaments once again and since there are only a few people participating in each profession now, they wouldn't take too long this time.

Sam took some rest and went back there.

He didn't care to perform too well. As long as he stays in the top five and gets to go to the finals that is enough or him. And he did that as expected. After the competitions are over, Sam went to his secret room to check on Stone.

His body's marrow is transforming as expected. The process is slow but very stable.

"How are you feeling?

"

"I am getting mentally exhausted every day, just like you said. It is almost like my brain is asking for a reset every night and the next day, I feel like a new person.

My blood is changing bit by bit along with the marrow and my organs have been impacted by this as well.

"

"That is all expected. You are very stable. I thought this would be a faster, but its alright. The process is slow but more effective that I initially calculated. Maybe there is a hidden factor in your body that I didn't take into account.

Over all, this is going to be a successful operation.

After I come back from the tournament, I will finish the final surgery.

"

"I already feel a lot better. My energy absorption level increased. Even if it is not up to the levels of genius talents, my senses are just as good. Even my control is good if not better.

"

"Yeah, that's because everything in your body and soul now has better affinity with the spiritual energy. Your spiritual core might also mutate a bit, but it wouldn't be enough. You would be able to use up all the energy very easily. The last surgery will fix it.

"

"There is just another feeling I have…

"

Stone hesitated to speak.

"What is it?

"

"I feel like that I shouldn't exist like this somehow. I feel a bit unnatural. As if I am opposing nature.

"

Sam chuckled.

"Of course you are going to feel that way. You are not supposed to exist like this. I recreated you. But that is just a feeling as you said. You are so used to your existence like it was before, you are not able to digest your new life.

Think of it as you being reborn.

I heard that people in your realm believe in god's blessings and whenever those blessings change your inherent nature slightly, you would be able to understand it and accept it.

Think of it like that.

"

Sam left after that.

Stone looked at Sam with a complicated gaze. If he really considers this as a god's blessing, who would that god be? Stone is certain it is An Elder in charge summoned him and other people who got selected to the finals.

definitely not the actual gods that he prayed for.

Sam went back to the academy to finish the procedures.

An Elder in charge summoned him and other people who got selected to the finals.

"My name is Chorus. And before anyone asks, yes Chorus as in Chorus of a Song. I don't know why I was named like that.

I will be the person in charge of escorting you to the Inter Academy tournament Finals. This time it is happening in the Norse Region. A couple of seniors will be accompanying me. If you have any doubts ask them. Don't disturb me unless it is a problem even they cannot solve.

We are leaving in one week. Make all your preparations before them. If you are not here at the informed time you will be left behind.

Also, I don't give a ** about what sort of grudges you all hold between each other. Don't let it get in between the competition. I need a united front from all of you.

And the MVP of Gambler's academy this time is obviously Sam. He would be in charge of you all. If I and the seniors are not present, he should be one the rest of you should listen to.

"

After giving this boring lecture for some time Chorus sent the rest of them away.

Sam looked at the rest and said.

"I don't know why that Elder asked you guys to listen to me. I don't have any interest in bossing you guys around. Since you are all holding up pretty well by yourselves in the team competition, I am sure you can manage yourselves.

We will just do as we did in the team competition before. I will step in when you need me. Otherwise, you can do whatever the hell you want.

"

Sam disappeared after leaving those words.

The rest of them were a bit stumped. They actually wanted to cooperate with Sam after seeing his performance. They even came up with a few strategies that would involve Sam's skills of Sam. Now they didn't know what to do.

Sam decided to rest in his dorm.

Even though his plans this time are very long and complicated, he is very much enjoying the progress he made thus far.

He couldn't help but feel excited when all of this is over.

As he was imagining what he should do next to create more chaos in the Academic Region, someone knocked on his door.

He opened to see a young lady with silver hair standing in front of him.

"Hello, I am Dove. A Grade 4 Student. May I come in?

"

Sam opened the door ajar and let her walk in.

"I heard a lot about you Sam. I just wanted to introduce myself because we will be traveling to the Norse region together soon.

"

"You are one of the seniors that will come with us?

I didn't expect the leader of Grade 4 Students would be so free to accompany some Grade 1 students.

"

"It is an important role after all. The Gambler's Academy is going to be in the limelight because of you and I expect there would be a lot of evil eyes locked on us. So, we need someone who can handle it all so the rest of the freshmen won't be affected by it.

"

Sam just nodded and didn't say anything.

"Anyway, I heard some Grade 4 students of Zeus Academy wanted to meet you.

"

"News travels fast here.

"

"May I know what your relationship with them is?

"

"Not a good one. That is all I can tell.

"

"Anyway, if you do decide to meet them or if they force you to meet them, please do contact me. I will be there. I am sure they cannot go overboard with me present.

"

Dove tossed a token over to Sam.

It is a token that he just needs to crush and a message would be sent to Dove.

Sam didn't ask any questions. He is curious about why she cared so much, but he is sure that he can get the information in other ways. She has a wrist band after all.

"I have another thing to inform you.

The night before our travel, there would be a prayer ceremony. I am sure Chorus wouldn't have informed you about it.

"

"What's this ceremony about?

"

"All the participants would be praying for the Gods that represent their schools. They would get a blessing from their gods that you could say will give them a minor boost in their mental strength and even provide help in their enlightenment to advance in their cultivation.

It is a tradition. If you want to know more, you can check this out.

"

She threw him a book.

Sam caught it and decided to take a look. Dove left after that.

Sam studied the contents of the book and raised an eyebrow. He

kind of understood why Dove came to him now. It is not just for the reasons she mentioned. She wanted to understand Sam's intentions through his actions.