"Alex, you won't participate in this tournament!"
"Huh?"
A single word blurted out from Alex's mouth the instant he heard what Rowan said.
"Uhm... I... I don't quite understand..." Alex said, his brows furrowed as he glanced at Orion and then glanced at the King.
Rowan leaned forward slightly, his gaze fixated on Alex.
"You heard me correctly, Alex," he said, his voice unshaken. "You won't participate in this tournament, and the reason is valid."
Alex's eyes were still filled with confusion. He needed an explanation.
"If you participate in this tournament, there's no doubt that Greenfield Academy will win," Rowan said. "I believe that you, participating in this tournament, will be quite unfair."
Alex squinted his eyes. "I... There must certainly be other participants who are as strong as m-"
The King suddenly gazed at Alex deeply, interrupting him.
"Are you toying with me?" Rowan asked. "Or do you think I don't know what you are capable of?"
