The Max Level Hero Has Returned!

The atmosphere inside the banquet hall was tense. At the center stood Winley, her face red with anger, alongside a boy who appeared quite relaxed.

"Why are you so angry? Did I say something wrong?" the boy asked.

"Listen, apologize for what you just said immediately. Yulis is not someone you can belittle like that," Winley demanded.

While rivalries and tensions were common among competitors, direct confrontations like this were rare and typically unwanted.

“I wonder if bad luck is chasing after me wherever I go,” Davey muttered as he observed the hall from an empty terrace.

"Did I say anything incorrect?" the boy inquired.

"Hey, Merlin!" someone called out.

"Princess, why are you so angry? Even if you are currently working for Elder Yulis, distorting the truth to defend you only brings more disgrace to himself, doesn’t it?" the boy named Merlin retorted.

"Distorting the truth? Are you joking right now?!" Winley's mana surged even more aggressively. It was rare to see Winley this enraged.

"So, that boy must be Merlin. Seems like a fight might break out, huh?" another observer remarked.

"Seems like a tradition," someone else added.

At a glance, Merlin seemed like a gentle and handsome young man, but his unmistakable complacency reminded Davey of himself.

"Or are you suggesting we should have a duel right here?" Merlin challenged.

"..."

Winley, her fists clenched and shaking, looked even colder. The surrounding people, sensing the impending conflict, remained silent and watchful.

After staring intently at Merlin for a while, Winley exhaled deeply and turned away. "Enough. I didn’t realize you could stoop so low."

"Calling me lowly? Seems fitting for someone like you, just like the person you defended."

"I will crush you in tomorrow's tournament."

"Oh dear, how frightening. I’ll be looking forward to it."

Winley left with an air of cold dignity, undeterred by Merlin’s taunts until the end. Her previously volatile mana was reined in as she departed in frustration.

"Ah, Big Brother."

"Are you mad?"

When Davey inquired, Winley nodded. "He’s insufferable."

Her blunt response was characteristic.

"Do you want me to scold him?"

"No. Adults shouldn't intervene in children’s fights, remember?"

There was only a two-year age difference between them. From the outset, Davey had climbed ranks too quickly. It was quite amusing.

"Fighting with someone like him means stooping to his level. If there are grievances, they should be settled with skill."

"Do you think you can win?"

"No. The difference in our Circles is too significant."

Davey closed his eyes at Winley’s words.

The 6th Circle versus the 4th, and given Merlin’s rapid growth, it was challenging to dismiss him outright. If Illyna had unparalleled talent in swordsmanship, he certainly possessed a demonic aptitude for magic. However, that was it. From Davey's perspective, having observed the boy in confrontation with Winley...

"He has limits."

"Limits?" Perserque asked.

"He's reaching his peak. How he overcomes that, I don’t know. But it's not my concern."

If his attitude were better, Merlin might have become a renowned figure on the continent. But his arrogance overshadowed his talent, making it hard for people to accept him. In fact, one kingdom had attempted to recruit him as a royal magician, but he had blatantly and openly rejected them, a story Winley had shared.

"What if… Davey?"

"Hm?"

"What if Winley gets hurt fighting that kid?"

"She said adults shouldn't interfere in kids' fights, right?"

"True. You seem unusually calm today," Perserque commented.

For adults to interfere in kids' fights is a disgraceful act, but…

"If that arrogance surpasses a mere child's quarrel, the story changes," Davey said.

***

The magical tournament had begun. Prestigious families known for their remarkable magical abilities, royalty, and numerous other talented young boys and girls were among the participants. The number of entrants was 128, a carefully chosen selection that still remained quite large.

"Over here, Davey," Illyna called out.

She had already sorted out the tedious details of the tournament and reached out to Davey. Not only was Illyna present, but also several individuals who appeared to be of importance, including a familiar old man.

"Heh heh heh, it's been a while," the old man said with a chuckle.

"Indeed, did you receive the gift I sent to the mage tower earlier?" Davey inquired.

"Haha, a gift? An unforgettable one at that." The old man, Sage Hellison Valestia, was referring to the time when Davey had triggered a CS bomb throughout the entire mage tower.

As Davey took a seat beside Illyna, she showed him a small box she held. "This is a gem crafted by the Wise Teacher. I've heard it's a high-end artifact that would make wizards drool."

It must have been the work of Sage Hellison Valestia. He was hailed as the greatest wizard on the continent, an honorable and wise figure admired even by wizards from other towers. Beyond competition, he deserved respect.

"Heh, it's merely a gem that aids in magic use. To you, it might not appear all that special."

"It's quite spectacular."

Chuckling at Davey’s response, Sage Hellison Valestia laughed heartily. It was not empty flattery. Given that he was hailed as the continent's top wizard, it was clear he had immense skills.

"As soon as I mentioned this gem as the tournament prize, everyone became fired up. This is going to be a tournament like no other."

Illyna's eyes sparkled as she observed the wizards setting up barriers in the arena. The objective of the tournament was unity, akin to a friendly match. Such events often played a role in resolving competitions or discontent between groups, much like Earth's World Cup or Olympics, which brought nations together.

Soon, with speeches from both Illyna and Sage Hellison Valestia, the atmosphere in the arena intensified as the tournament began. The first match featured a boy named Merlin and a noble girl whom Davey had not seen before.

Holding a colorful wand, the noble girl took a deep breath and courteously bowed to her opponent. "I'm Orin Temetes, the third daughter of the Temetes family. Pleased to make your acquaintance."

"Such a lovely lady. How about dinner after this?"

Orin Temetes frowned at Merlin’s rather forward remark. She said, "Please focus on the match. Despite appearances, I am a 3rd Circle wizard."

She appeared to be in her late teens and had a rather charming demeanor.

"What do you think will happen?" Perserque asked Davey, who was seated nearby.

Illyna, curious, also turned her gaze toward Davey.

"Merlin will win. It won't even be a contest," Davey said.

"True enough."

Davey's prediction was accurate. Orin shouted a long incantation, and a fireball the size of a soccer ball began to form at the tip of her wand. But Merlin, without a staff or wand, just stood there relaxed.

Clearly irritated by Merlin’s dismissive attitude, Orin quickly launched the fireball at him. The fireball, powered by her anger and lacking control, flew at Merlin.

Just as the fireball was about to hit, Merlin, who had been still, yawned and lifted a foot. With a loud bang, his foot collided with the ground and water streams erupted, not only extinguishing Orin's fireball but also counterattacking.

"Be the sturdy wall to protect me... Ahhh!!"

The outcome was clear. Unlike Orin's long incantation, Merlin executed magic with just a short word. Orin was completely outmatched in speed, potency, and proficiency.

The water streams wrapped around Orin and flung her out of the arena. The winner was decided.

"Silent casting?!" The crowd was shocked, exclaiming in unison.

The public was astounded by Merlin's actions, which seemed as though he was casting spells without any incantations or activation words.

This was Davey's first time witnessing Merlin officially in action.

"Wasn't silent casting possible only by you?" Illyna asked in surprise, looking at Davey.

Davey and Perserque both shook their heads in unison.

"He's deceiving you, fool," Davey retorted.

"He's subtly uttering the activation words. If he can produce magic with only the bare minimum requirements, then he's no ordinary talent," Perserque added.

Illyna narrowed her eyes at Perserque's response. Then, she mused, "Dealing with fast mages can be tricky."

It was as if she was pondering whether she could defeat Merlin if she wielded her sword. From Davey's perspective, Merlin would not be able to defeat Illyna, let alone Reina. The boy’s talent was undeniable, but his experience was sorely lacking.

The matches progressed rapidly. Teenage boys and girls gave their all, with some emerging in honorable defeat and others in glorious victory. A few stood out: Merlin, the most likely candidate for the competition winner, and Winley, a 4th Circle mage rich in experience and skill. Additionally, there were children from various magical families. Many were impressive, but in the end, the outcome was predictable.

"Heh, it's a year abundant in talent."

"They all belong to well-known circles. There won't be any surprises."

"Just watching them grow is enjoyable. The winner of this tournament will receive an artifact, and witnessing their further growth is an old man's joy," Sage Hellison Valestia said.

How nice it would be if everything went smoothly. Merlin, at least, seemed to have no such intentions. He continued to dominate, leaving people in awe of his magical prowess. The audience was immediately subdued. He had a strategy of overpowering any magic cast at him with a faster spell, annihilating his opponents. Yet, his face looked utterly bored.

"Boring and uninteresting," Merlin remarked.

A girl with green hair slowly approached. She asked coldly, "Boring and uninteresting? Why did you even come here, then?"

"Oh, lovely lady. I didn't mean to belittle. I'm simply stating the fact that magic is..." Merlin stretched out his hand, and the air around it began to change as blue flames started to gather. "This is easy and dull."

The audience gasped at the magic Merlin demonstrated.

"High heat... A flame sphere of such intensity, it's impossible for a 6th Circle..." Illyna murmured, her face tense.

On the other hand, Davey looked unfazed. As for Perserque, she appeared surprised.

Perserque said, "I knew he was a genius... but I never expected him to be able to distinguish and use elemental symbols independently."

"Hey! Magic might be dull for you, but it can be a lifelong goal for others!" Winley shouted.

Merlin just smirked. "Don't impose that belief on me. Magic is merely child's play. I don’t understand why I'm even interested. The Tower is just a haven for merchants, isn't it?"

"..."

"If you want to challenge that logic," Merlin said, with a blue fireball beginning to form in his hand. "Try to defeat me. Then, I might accept it."

As Merlin spoke, Winley moved the staff she held lightly.