Supreme BeastTamer: I Can Copy and Upgrade Skills 10x!

Bridgett had earlier sighted which way the Doombringer was heading. She knew about the beef between the Cromwell Barony, which was the reason for this tournament in the first place; hence, she never once thought Nathan would head there.

'Most likely, they'll head to an inn,' she pondered and glanced at the distance where the Doombringer had flown. A moment later, she flickered from her spot, leaving a light crater that wasn't too visible on the ground.

The beautiful purple-haired woman sped through the alleys of the Armstrong dutchy at an astonishing speed—so fast that most citizens in the Armstrong Duchy didn't even notice anything strange, just a sudden gust of breeze passing them. Her speed was almost on par with, or perhaps even greater than, Nox's when he used Divine Velocity.

She continued navigating through the city before eventually stopping at the front door of Blossoms Inn and Tavern, the same inn where the Cromwell Barony had decided to lodge for the duration of their time in the Armstrong Duchy. She knew this because the carriages bearing the emblem of the Cromwell Barony were parked just outside the inn.

Bridgett stepped into the reception area, her steps making light clicks on the wooden floor as she approached the receptionist.

The receptionist displayed a warm smile and spoke in a professional tone: "Good day, miss. What brings you to our tavern?"

Bridgett displayed a smile of her own—a smile that made the receptionist blush slightly, even though they were the same gender. "Do you have any rooms available?" she asked in a friendly tone.

"Y-yes... you're in luck," the receptionist stammered, feeling suddenly nervous in this woman's presence. There was only one room left, which had been reserved for an important guest. The manager had practically told her not to give it away.

Before she could stop herself, however, the words had already left her mouth. Bridgett pulled out two golden tickets from midair and slipped them toward the wide-eyed receptionist. "I'll be taking the room," Bridgett said smoothly. She glanced at the receptionist's stunned face and added, "Also, I know the rooms aren't this expensive, but you can keep the change as a little gift from me."

"Yes, thank you, miss." The receptionist bowed her head as she handed over the key. As the beautiful, curvy, purple-haired woman climbed the stairs, the receptionist, still stunned, couldn't help but call after her, "Enjoy your stay!"

"Oh, I will." Bridgett smiled mischievously as she searched for her assigned room. Not long after, she found it—but before entering, she bumped into someone.

"Vice Principal... what are you doing here?" the person called out.

"Oh, Lord Nathan. I didn't expect to meet you here," Bridgett said, performing a low bow. Despite her position as Vice Principal of the prestigious Vermilion Royal Academy, which ranked higher than a baron in terms of status, she still showed respect because Nathan was one of the few she admired.

After all, he was the Mad Dog of the West.

Nathan raised an eyebrow, his eyes narrowing slightly. "You're far from the academy, Vice Principal. What brings you here?" His eyes flashed with realization as he added, "Could it be you're here for the tournament as well?"

Bridgett gave a light chuckle, brushing a strand of her purple hair behind her ear. "Yes... apparently, I was invited by Duke Felix as well. Anyway, don't mind me; I'm just here to enjoy the tournament. If you'll excuse me, I'll continue with my business."

Bridgett stepped around Nathan and continued toward her room, her soft footsteps echoing down the wooden hallway. Nathan stood still for a moment, watching her disappear.

"If she's here, that means more of those arrogant nobles will be here as well," he thought as he resumed walking.

Just as Nathan had predicted, powerful Awakened from all over the kingdom began converging on the Armstrong Duchy. Their arrival brought tension that crackled through the air. Representatives from the big four noble households were sent out, each with their own agendas.

The big four weren't the only ones coming to witness the tournament—top guilds in the Vermilion Kingdom also attended, aiming to sponsor promising students in the academy and recruit them upon graduation.

By the second day before the tournament, the tension in the air had grown even more intense. The streets of the Armstrong Duchy were now filled with excited chatter from the combined citizens of all ten towns in the west.

"Have you heard?" one of the locals asked his friend. "The Cromwell Barony is bringing their best fighters. They say Nox is going to face Young Master Hendrix. It's going to be a slaughter!"

A citizen from the Cromwell Barony, passing by, couldn't help but sneer when he heard this. "You think Hendrix stands a chance against Nox?" His voice dripped with disdain. He had watched Nox dominate the mock tournament. That speed and those skills!

"I'd be surprised if Hendrix even makes it past the first strike," the man sneered coldly.

Boisterous laughter erupted from Connor. "Hahaha, I can't believe you said that with a straight face!" A rather plump man stepped out, holding his stomach from laughing too hard, tears streaming from his eyes. "Have you forgotten how Young Master Hendrix beat up all the kids in your town? It's only been five years—how did you forget so soon?"

"Like you said, it's been five years!" another citizen from the Cromwell Barony chimed in, his eyes burning with belief. "Our little Nox has improved by leaps and bounds!"

"Hmph, and what do you think Young Master Hendrix has been doing? He's been training just as hard, if not harder!"

"Well, tomorrow in the arena, we'll see who's really the strongest!"

While the streets were bustling with chatter, in the distance, a carriage adorned with the golden sigil of the noble Silver Household arrived at the gates of the Armstrong Duchy.

Hidden behind thick velvet curtains was a single silver-haired man with an eye concealed by an eyepatch. Zarek, the representative of the Silver Household, had arrived...

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