Location: Festival Camp – Border Forest.
Time: Day 12.The forest was teeming with life. Colorful tents dotted the clearing, mages drilled their spells, and warriors sharpened their weapons. At the center stood a tall wooden watchtower where the judges would preside.When Team Verdan arrived, they were immediately met with sneers from students of the Red Tiger Academy."Look, Verdan Village showed up," laughed a tall student twirling an oak staff. "Are you here to feed the monsters or fight them?"Garek stepped forward, his red root flaring with anger. "Say that again, and I'll make you eat forest dirt."Lirion stopped him with a calm hand on his arm. "Don't waste your mana before the battle, Garek. Anger distorts the circuits."The mocking student glanced at Lirion, then at his light blue root. "Light blue? Beginner level. I'd advise you to stay in your tent, kid."Lirion offered a faint smile. "We'll see who's still standing at dusk."Lirion entered his tent and sat down, focusing on the First Circuit in his mind. He was preparing his signature spell. It wasn't just a water arrow; he was compressing the circuit to maximize density rather than size.[System Analysis: Compressing the circuit by 20% increases penetrating power, but raises mana consumption by 50%.]"Acceptable," Lirion thought. "I don't need a barrage of strikes. One will be enough."