The day of Logan's challenge came fast.
In front of the City Guard barracks, big names from all over Twilight City were lining up to get in, ready to see a genius born with their own eyes.
By now, people across the Federation had lost interest in traditional sports and entertainment.
Real fights between familiar tamers had become the number one craze instead.
As City Lord, Natalia wasn't going to miss a chance to make money. She turned a private ring trial into a public familiar showdown on purpose.
Seeing rows of stalls at the gate selling posters, badges, fridge magnets, and holographic cards, Logan was stunned.
Because the faces printed on the merch weren't just his—there was also the Temple's Holy Girl, Evelynna.
On top of that, Logan's succubus, Lilith, and Evelynna's familiar, Diana, had been made into 15 cm, 30 cm, and 50 cm figurines.
"The City Lord really doesn't miss any chance to make money." Logan sighed as he put on a mask and headed for the gate.
He didn't know why Natalia had invited the Temple's Holy Girl to share the stage with him, but with Evelynna there for contrast, the hype for this match had clearly blown up.
He had only walked a few dozen meters when he heard people talking all around him.
"Did you hear? The City Lord set up two rings this time. She wants the top scorer from the last potential test to compete with the Temple's Holy Girl and pick who gets into the Genius Training Camp."
"I heard the top score last time even went over full marks. That shouldn't even count, right? Our Twilight City has never had a high schooler that good."
"In my opinion, the Holy Girl's strength is beyond doubt. My aunt works in the Temple kitchen chopping veggies, and she said the Holy Girl has been holding back. A few days ago the Temple finally revealed her real level. They say she's an elite-level familiar tamer and has contracted two A-level familiars."
"What? Two A-levels? Then what's the point of the match? At the same stage, the Holy Girl's familiar setup is already top-tier in the whole Federation! Even if that Logan's potential test score is real, he still can't beat the Holy Girl!"
"I think so too. I heard Logan's familiar is a succubus, and he stays home all day because of it. He's probably already been drained dry. I don't get why the City Lord would let someone like him share a stage with the Holy Girl."
Logan didn't take the chatter to heart.
After all, he skips school all the time, so of course people talk.
Just then, Jessica walked up beside him, gave him a wink, and muttered, "I'm going crazy. They know I know you, and they're trying everything to buy your info from me."
As she spoke, she sent 1 million to Logan's e-account.
"Here, your cut. It's your info after all." Jessica tugged down her mask, hooked his arm, and started toward the barracks.
Seeing the 1 million, Logan got curious. "Who would pay that much for my info?"
"The Federation bookmakers, of course. They love these short-term wagers." Jessica casually handed Logan a flyer and explained, "Your Arena Match with Evelynna is the hot topic for Twilight City's upper crowd. They opened a betting pool on it, and any citizen can place a bet."
Hearing that, Logan skimmed the flyer and happened to spot his own 19-to-1 odds. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "What did you tell them? Why are my odds so long?"
Jessica looked around, made sure no one was listening, then leaned in to whisper in his ear, "I put the two million I made from selling your info all on you. You can't lose, okay?"
"Relax. I didn't make anything up. I just kept your performance in the Blood Cultivation Realm to myself. That incident is now a military secret, and the City Lord strictly forbids leaks. Even the Federation bookmakers can't do anything to me."
Hearing that Jessica wanted to cash in, Logan felt tempted.
Still holding Logan's arm, Jessica also saw what he was thinking. "Want me to place a bet for you?"
"No. Not yet," Logan said, firm.
According to the flyer, after each bout in the Arena Match, there's a 60-second betting window.
But once the fights start, the odds switch from fixed to floating.
In other words, after every bout, Logan's odds could change.
Thinking of this, Logan grinned, picked up his phone, and called Principal Mark. "Principal, I've got a way to make some money..."
Jessica stood next to Logan, listening in on his call with Principal Mark. Her jaw dropped, eyes wide with surprise.
When Logan finished setting everything up, Jessica swallowed and let out a regretful sigh. "I really missed out!"
Meanwhile, at the City Guard barracks training field.
Two huge arenas stood side by side.
Evelynna had arrived early and was waiting quietly in the prep area.
Between the two rings, a giant screen was looping a promo video for Logan and Evelynna.
To be honest, 99% of the footage was about Evelynna—her wins and impressive resume.
It couldn't be helped. Logan had kept a very low profile.
The few highlights he could show were: summoning the angel Diana, scoring above full marks on the potential test, and turning the tide in the Blood Cultivation Realm to take all the resources.
But the Temple had already suppressed all info about the angel Diana, and the City Lord's Office had classified the Blood Cultivation Realm details long ago.
Only his potential test score could be shown to the crowd, and not many believed it.
Evelynna stared quietly at Logan's score on the big screen, her eyes deep. "Whether it's grades or battle records, I won't lose to you."
As she said that, she gripped the longsword at her waist, her gaze growing cold.
Right then, Logan walked into the prep area and came into her view.
It was the first time the two of them were in the same room. They both paused for a moment when they saw each other.
But Evelynna soon noticed something off: Logan was standing there alone. "Logan, where's your familiar?"
Logan caught her hint right away. She was trying to probe his info, to see if he had unlocked his familiar space.
So he pretended to be flustered, slapped his thigh on purpose, and smiled. "You mean Lilith? She went to buy souvenirs. You know how it is—women can shop forever."
Souvenirs?
When she heard that, a hint of disappointment passed over Evelynna's face, but she also let out a small breath, a little relieved.
She didn't really care whether Lilith was out shopping or just browsing.
What she cared about was whether Logan had a familiar space—whether he had unlocked it or not.
As a genius, she wanted her opponent to be strong, otherwise, it would be too boring.
At the same time, she didn't want her opponent to be stronger than her. That would be even worse.
Contradictory, plain and simple.
"I never waste my precious time on spending money." Evelynna said coldly, not wanting to get too close to Logan.
Since Logan wasn't taking the match seriously and let his familiar wander off, Evelynna didn't mind giving him a little pressure ahead of time.
"Logan, you're really laid-back. With a big fight coming up, you still feel like giving your familiar a day off." As she spoke, Evelynna's eyes flashed purple, and the angel Diana slowly stepped out of her familiar space.
Seeing the angel Diana again, Logan's eyes went cold.
Before Diana could speak, Logan mocked her with a smile. "Diana, the master you chose isn't that great either. She only knows how to train and never lets you enjoy yourself."
Mocked to her face, Diana's expression turned ice-cold in an instant.
She still clearly remembered how she had almost been sent to be dissected by Logan.
So she lifted her chin, looked straight at Logan without holding back, and snapped back: "Heh, only lowly humans get lost in pleasure. The strong always keep pushing forward! I..."
But before Diana could finish, Logan picked up his phone and walked out of the prep area.
In the hallway outside, you could still hear Logan's voice now and then after the call connected.
"Hello? Principal Mark, it's me. Just now some idiot..."
"It's okay, your matter is more important. Tell me more..."