Last Wizard King's SSS-Level Magic system in Modern World
Chapter 151: The End of Round 1- Part 3

Chapter 151: 151: The End of Round 1- Part 3

The tension in the professor’s lounge was palpable.

Despite the evidence in front of them, the academy staff refused to believe that Nico Vale—an unknown transfer student—had legitimately cleared the first round of the tournament in record time.

"He must have cheated."

Professor Aldric said, his hands clenched into fists. His disbelief was shared by the others, who murmured in agreement.

"There’s no way. Even our best students haven’t reached the exit yet, and they’ve been training for years"

Professor Callum added, shaking his head.

Elara, still watching Liam through the viewing crystal, frowned.

"There’s no proof of foul play."

"That’s because our monitoring system failed. Which is exactly why we need to stop the tournament and recheck the entire arena. If there’s a flaw in the system, then we need to find it before we embarrass ourselves further."

Dain snapped.

The room erupted into a heated debate, voices overlapping as professors threw out accusations and concerns.

Elder Erin, who had remained silent throughout the chaos, finally raised his hand.

"Enough!"

He said, his voice calm but firm. The room immediately quieted.

"If we stop the tournament now, then we will have no choice but to cancel it entirely."

Elder Erin continued.

That statement sent a ripple of unease through the professors. Canceling the tournament was out of the question. Too much was at stake.

"We’ve invested too much money."

Professor Callum muttered.

"Not to mention the guilds. Some of us have... arrangements. If we cancel now, there will be consequences."

Aldric added, voice low.

Elder Erin nodded. He already knew that many professors had taken bribes to steer talented students toward specific guilds.

It was a dirty secret that everyone was aware of but no one openly acknowledged. If the tournament was canceled, those deals would fall through, and people would start demanding answers.

"I agree with Elder Erin. Canceling the tournament would cause too much trouble."

Victor suddenly spoke up, a lazy smile on his face.

Professor Elara shot him a sharp look.

"Then what do you suggest?"

Victor shrugged.

"We let it continue."

The professors bristled at that suggestion.

Victor chuckled.

"Think about it. If Nico Vale’s win was a mistake—or if he cheated—then he won’t last long in the second round. He’ll be eliminated soon enough, and no one here will have to take responsibility for a bad call."

A long silence followed as the professors mulled over Victor’s words.

It was a convenient solution. If Nico Vale failed in the next round, then everything would go back to normal.

Finally, Professor Callum sighed.

"Fine. We’ll continue."

The decision was made. The professors sat back, waiting for the other students to finish the first round.

Meanwhile, in the clearance room, Liam sat comfortably, his posture relaxed but his mind alert.

It wasn’t long before two new figures appeared. Bianca and Shelly Bell, both of whom had been considered top contenders, stumbled into the room, breathing heavily from exertion.

"I made it first."

Bianca panted, placing her hands on her hips.

Shelly scoffed.

"In your dreams. I was ahead of you the entire time."

"You wish—"

Their argument came to an abrupt halt when they noticed Liam sitting calmly in the corner.

Bianca’s eyes widened in shock.

"Liam? What are you doing here?"

Liam glanced up lazily.

"Sitting."

Shelly’s expression darkened.

"That’s not what she meant. How are you here?"

Liam leaned back in his chair.

"I finished the first round."

Bianca blinked, as if trying to process that information.

"Wait... you finished? Before us?"

Shelly let out a sharp laugh.

"That’s impossible."

Liam shrugged.

"And yet, here I am."

Shelly’s face twisted in anger.

"You cheated."

Liam raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? And what makes you say that?"

"There’s no way you finished before us. The desert labyrinth was designed to test endurance, strategy, and magical proficiency. No one could have solved it that fast!"

Shelly snapped, her voice rising.

"Maybe you’re just slow."

Liam replied, his tone even.

Shelly’s face turned red with fury.

"Tell me how you did it! I demand to know!"

Liam sighed. He wasn’t interested in entertaining Shelly’s tantrum.

Bianca, however, was watching him carefully. Unlike Shelly, she wasn’t shouting accusations. Instead, she seemed genuinely curious.

"You didn’t cheat, did you?"

Bianca asked softly.

Liam met her gaze and smirked.

"What do you think?"

Bianca hesitated. Unlike the others, she had always felt that Liam was different. There was something about him that didn’t fit with the rest of the students. But even she couldn’t explain how he had finished before them.

Shelly, on the other hand, wasn’t about to let the matter drop.

"I’ll make sure the professors hear about this. If you think you can get away with—"

She snarled.

Just then, another student entered the room, distracting Shelly from her tirade. More participants were finally finishing the first round, proving just how much time had passed.

Liam used the opportunity to stand and stretch.

"Looks like the second round is about to start."

Shelly glared at him but said nothing more, her anger simmering beneath the surface.

Bianca, still watching Liam, finally sighed.

"I don’t know how you did it, but... good luck."

Liam smirked.

"I don’t need luck."

With that, he turned away, leaving Bianca and Shelly behind.

By now, other students were starting to pour into the waiting room as well.

As Liam walked away, the murmurs around him grew louder. He could hear the whispers, the doubt in everyone’s voices.

"Did he really finish first?"

"There’s no way. He had to have cheated."

"If he’s that strong, why haven’t we heard of him before?"

Liam ignored them. He had no interest in proving himself to people who had already made up their minds. Let them talk. He had bigger things to focus on—like the second round.

Bianca watched him go, her expression unreadable. Shelly, still fuming, crossed her arms. "We’ll see how long he lasts."

Meanwhile, back in the teacher’s lounge, the professors observed the students through their monitoring crystals.

Victor leaned back in his chair, amused by the growing tension.

"This is getting interesting."

He muttered to himself.

Elder Erin glanced at him but said nothing.

The second round was about to begin, and all eyes were now on Nico Vale.