The World of Deities

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio  Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

However, a minority of students from the Plato Academy's camp remained silent. There was no shred of joy on their faces.

The students who were not smiling all had similar features on their clothes. Their robes were exceptionally regal, and they were wearing extremely exquisite ornaments.

They were either lesser nobles, groveling nobles, or the illegitimate sons of nobles. A minority of them were of a higher status.

These people could not attend the Noble Academy for a variety of reasons and thus had no choice but to settle for second best and choose the Plato Academy.

"I didn't say that…" Niedern thought.

The people from the Noble Academy once again cursed at Su Ye.

However, it was only the younger students who were scolding Su Ye.

The older students instead cautiously looked at Su Ye.

These older students understood the matter clearly. They had shouted just now not because they were angry or infuriated, but because they were trying to suppress the spirit of their opponents and boost their morale. This was a tactic that was commonly used in contests.

Now, Su Ye had turned the entire situation around with a joke. His method was obviously more intelligent than their indiscriminate shouting.

Thus, a few of the older students even reminded the three Mage Apprentices to be wary of Su Ye.

The three Mage Apprentices from the Noble Academy were not angry, nor did they start to belittle Su Ye because of this. Instead, they lowered their heads in a discussion.

"He is undoubtedly a newly-advanced Mage Apprentice. If he was a secret weapon, then the other party would not have had such a reaction just now."

"I have the talent of Wind-hearing Ears. I heard them say that Su Ye was only slightly better than that fool, Hort."

"Niedern is a scheming man. He would not send a person in without consideration."

"That person is very calm."

"Though, the more he uses these methods, the more it shows that he has no chance of victory."

"Would the three of us use such a method?"

Andre looked into Basaro and Adonis's eyes after he spoke. His eyes shone with confidence.

Su Ye looked at the three of them, then glanced at his two incredibly nervous partners beside him. He shook his head in frustration. Even if he did not consider the difference in their magic, the other party had already won half the battles based on the differences in their attitudes alone.

"The attitude of our opponent is rather good, but the stench of their arrogance as nobles is too thick."

Su Ye had already adjusted his mentality before he stepped into the arena. The reason for his slow walk was because he had been continuously analyzing the situation in his brain. He had analyzed the two parties and the current situation using a simplified cloud-rain-umbrella model and a SWOT model. He had identified some of the advantages that he possessed.

1

Even though he had failed to infuriate the three Mage Apprentices when he mocked the Noble Academy just now, he had dampened the spirits that their consecutive victory had brought them. More importantly, he had got into the good books of the students and teachers from the Plato Academy.

Su Ye had already thought about this from the start. It would be best if he won, but how could he obtain the greatest amount of benefit should he lose?

Mocking the Noble Academy was one of the best choices. The key was that it was easy to execute.

Su Ye cleared his throat once again and said, "Compared to the nonsensical howls from the other side, the people from the Plato Academy prefer to address the crowd with humor. However, every student in the Plato Academy understands that a loss is a loss. There was no luck involved in the victories of the Noble Academy. Please allow me to express my respect toward the victors. Each of your victories is the culmination of your sweat and effort. Victory is the fruit of your labor, the crystallization of your intelligence. You should be proud of that."

Su Ye lowered his head slightly as a sign of respect after he finished speaking.

The students and even some of the teachers from the Plato Academy gently nodded their heads when they heard Su Ye. The Plato Academy was not an institution that would gain advantages with trickery. Though they were not happy about it, a loss was a loss. There was no need to paint it in a different light.

The expressions of the people from the Noble Academy softened once again. Some even felt that they were too much just now when they cursed angrily at a second-year student.

That second-year student was just defending the honor of his school. There was no reason for them to curse at him, nor get angry. Instead, they should have rebutted with humor. That was the true way of an Athenian. Instead, the actions of the Noble Academy were more typical of a barbarian from Northern Europe or a vulgar bloke from Sparta in the south.

Su Ye finally narrated, "We, students of the Plato Academy, will never be discouraged because of this! Recognizing humiliation and being brave enough to change is the true way of Plato! Today, Teacher Niedern looked for me and said, Su Ye, the Plato Academy has already suffered consecutive defeats. Many young students have lost their edge and their will to fight. They have started to doubt the school's spirit. He asked me if I could step forward as a second-year student, as the newest Mage Apprentice in the Plato Academy. He wanted the students of the Plato Academy to witness bravery once again! To witness fearlessness! To witness determination! I will now give my answer."

Su Ye turned around slowly. He scanned through the teachers and students of the Plato Academy, brimming with justice.

"I am here. I will battle!"

The belligerent blood in every Athenian was instantly ignited.

A bunch of warriors raised their hands and roared manically. Soon after, the mages followed them with their shouts.

Some of the younger teachers could not control themselves and also cheered loudly with raised arms.

Hort's eyes were red in excitement. He cheered with force as if he was a giant ape.

"Su Ye!"

"Su Ye!"

"Su Ye…"

The teachers and students of the Plato Academy were shouting Su Ye's name.

Their spirits seemed to have joined into one at this very moment.

The students of the Noble Academy on the other side froze for a long time after they saw this scene.

The meaning behind the word "Plato" was one with a broad shoulder. It was a name given to him by Socrates. Plato's original name was Aristocles, which meant the "highest honor."

In the Plato Academy, "the real Plato" often referred to "the true highest honor" and also "a true student of the Plato Academy."

To be praised with "the real Plato" by a teacher was the highest pursuit of every student in the Plato Academy.

It triumphed over everything.

"I didn't say that either…" Niedern looked at Su Ye with gently quivering lips. He had considered everything but had ultimately still underestimated Su Ye.

2

Su Ye took a deep breath, then smiled and turned to look at the Noble Academy. He thought to himself, "Raising my reputation to this level feels about right. I won't be able to wrap things up if I blow this act up too much. I'll have to concentrate on the contest next."

Su Ye whispered to the Mage Apprentice by the side, "Help me get an apprentice-level staff. I want a big one, the bigger the better. Thank you."

The Mage Apprentice froze for a moment. He was one year older than Su Ye, but he obediently ran toward the rack where they placed the apprentice-level staffs and picked one that was about Su Ye's height. He carried the staff and ran back; then he handed it over to Su Ye.

The students of the Noble Academy on the other side let out a collective gasp.

A person could only activate the powers of a magic staff when they advanced to become a Black Iron Mage and obtained the second level of their Magic Tower.

An apprentice-level staff was usually made out of wood and was made to get apprentices familiar with a magic staff and ease their worries. Only apprentices who were not confident enough would use an apprentice-level staff during battle.

The staff in Su Ye's hand was made out of wood from an olive tree. It was thick on top and thinner at the bottom. The faint yellow wood was covered in brown grooves.

Su Ye did not step forward immediately. Instead, he stood at his position and recalled the results of his previous analysis and checked to see if he had left anything out.