章 80: How did it feel?

"Wait, how?" Kassandra asked, completely baffled by Ludwig's placement in the finals.

Ludwig couldn't help but flash her a knowing smile, leaving her to figure it out on her own.

"Regardless, this gives him a good shot at grabbing the orb. Please do—I don't want to study for the exams anymore," Hoyo groaned, half-serious.

"Don't worry about it," Ludwig replied nonchalantly. For him, the entire tournament was more of a casual distraction than a test of skill. His true concern lay elsewhere—the ominous chains he'd seen earlier, and the unsettling feeling of souls being tampered with. Something darker was happening behind the masquerade's festivities.

Kassandra, however, seemed far more invested, nervously tapping her foot as the minutes dragged on. Her tension seemed to grow with every passing moment.