Gon's Harem System
Chapter 34: The tournament is about to begin!

Chapter 34: The tournament is about to begin!

Gon’s smile didn’t fade, though his eyes narrowed just slightly, as if trying to discern what lay behind Thane’s words.

"Yes, sir," Gon nodded, his wide grin softening into something more composed. "It’s a little impromptu, but it couldn’t be helped."

His tone was casual, yet there was an undercurrent of determination that made it clear this wasn’t a decision he had made lightly.

Gon’s posture remained confident, his chin slightly raised as though ready to defend his choice if challenged.

Lord Thane regarded him for a moment, his sharp eyes seeming to peer into Gon’s very thoughts.

He studied Gon for a moment longer, his eyes narrowing slightly as he assessed the boy’s unwavering confidence and bright-eyed optimism.

"How chronically optimistic,l Thane thought inwardly, a wry smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

It was both a quiet amusement and something deeper—an admiration for the raw spirit Gon exuded, unshaken by the weight of expectations or the gravity of the tournament looming before him.

There was something about Gon’s persistence, his refusal to be weighed down by uncertainty, that struck a chord with Thane.

"I admire his spirit, he thought", his gaze softening ever so slightly, though his external demeanor remained as controlled as ever.

He let the silence stretch for a beat, before speaking again, his voice calm and measured.

"Well, just be careful," Thane continued, his voice low but earnest.

He paused for a moment, eyes flicking to the horizon as if reflecting on a past that had shaped his perspective. "If I were here, perhaps I could have prevented this. But... all the same, we must build with whatever sand we’re given."

The words were heavy, tinged with a quiet wisdom that seemed to transcend the immediate situation.

It was a reminder that life, much like the tournament, could be unpredictable and unfair, and all one could do was make the most of the circumstances at hand.

Gon, for his part, nodded thoughtfully, absorbing the weight of Thane’s words. "I’ll be careful," he said, his voice unwavering, but there was a subtle shift in his expression as he acknowledged the underlying caution in Thane’s tone.

Thane gave Gon a small, approving nod, his half-smile returning as he turned away.

The expression was fleeting but genuine, a rare moment of openness before his demeanor shifted back to its usual, controlled state.

Without another word, he started walking toward another section of the courtyard, his steps purposeful and measured, as though he had somewhere else to be—or perhaps simply preferred to observe from a distance.

The air seemed to shift again as he moved, the quiet power of his presence lingering like a shadow.

Gon watched him go, his thoughts swirling for a moment, before he finally turned his attention back to the courtyard, the echoes of their conversation still ringing in his mind.

Gon’s eyes scanned the crowd, the buzz of conversation and the shifting movements around him fading into the background as he searched for Milo.

His focus narrowed, cutting through the chaotic flow of people until he spotted the boy in the distance.

Milo stood near the man with the gauntlet, his posture relaxed but if you looked closely enough, you’d see he was slightly uneasy,

Gon’s gaze sharpened as he watched the interaction between the two.

Milo seemed to be attempting a conversation, but there was a noticeable tension in his movements, as though he was on edge.

Gon couldn’t help but wonder what had drawn them together or what had passed between them before.

As Gon’s gaze settled on Milo, the moment seemed to stretch between them, the crowd around them fading into a blur.

Their eyes locked, and in that brief instant, Gon felt the full weight of the hatred emanating from Milo.

It was raw and palpable, like a crackling force of energy that rippled through the space between them, unspoken but unmistakable.

Gon blinked, momentarily taken aback by the intensity in the boy’s eyes.

"I don’t even know you he muttered to himself, his voice barely audible, but filled with an edge of confusion and curiosity.

He hadn’t expected such venom from Milo, especially after their last encounter, which had been more a test of strength than anything personal.

Yet here it was, a silent, seething animosity that seemed to burn just beneath the surface.

The tension hung in the air, and Gon couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted—something deeper than a mere rivalry.

Gon couldn’t help but shake his head slightly, a wry smirk tugging at his lips as he watched Milo from a distance.

It struck him as crazy—how a simple altercation, a brief clash of words and nkades, could spiral into something so intense.

The animosity in Milo’s eyes seemed almost exaggerated, as if the boy had taken that moment and allowed it to fester into something far bigger than it needed to be.

Some people just didn’t know how to take their defeats in peace, Gon thought with a quiet sense of disbelief.

It wasn’t like he’d humiliated Milo, or at least not intentionally—just a fight, just a test of strength.

But for some, losing was a wound that could never heal, a bruise on their pride that they couldn’t let go.

Gon’s expression softened just a fraction, the smirk fading into something more contemplative.

He had seen it before—people who couldn’t move on, whose ego became too fragile to accept defeat.

But in the end, it was just a loss.

It was just a fight.

There was always another chance, another opportunity to prove oneself.

It was just too bad that not everyone saw it that way.

A deep voice suddenly boomed around the courtyard, cutting through the hum of chatter and the rustle of movement.

Its commanding resonance seemed to vibrate in the air, silencing the crowd in an instant.

"SETTLE DOWN, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!" The voice rang out, its volume enough to command attention without effort. "THE TOURNAMENT OF MAGES IS ABOUT TO BEGIN!"

The words echoed around the space, and an electric current seemed to run through the crowd, a collective excitement surging as the announcement hung in the air.

Gon’s eyes brightened with the familiar thrill of anticipation, his stance shifting subtly as he prepared himself for what was to come.

The tension in the air seemed to thicken as the spectators began to fall into place, some talking excitedly among themselves, while others stood in silent awe, waiting for the first clash of the tournament to unfold