Reincarnated with a lucky draw system

Chapter 419: ATTENTION SEEKER II

The veils parted in his vision, layers of magic unraveling like threads in a tapestry, revealing the underlying structure of energy flows and deceptive constructs.

Colors shifted, hidden wards glowing faintly, the entire galaxy a web of mischief he could navigate with ease.

Without bothering to wait longer, he bypassed everything, ensuring he could never be eliminated by tweaking the energy control.

A subtle manipulation a twist of shadow and will rerouted the illusions around him, rendering him untouchable, a ghost in the machine.

He found a hiding place no one could bypass, a pocket of warped space tucked behind overlapping illusions, cool and silent, the scents of grass and mana fading into nothingness.

And then he exited the battlefield.

Yes, much to the speechless surprise of everyone else, Aaron exited the battlefield.

He stepped out of the illusory galaxy in a shimmer of light, the transition smooth and unannounced, leaving the chaos behind like shedding an old skin.

But absurdly, he wasn’t eliminated.

The holographic counters didn’t tick for him; his presence lingered in the system, a phantom echo defying the rules.

"Next time, try as much as you can to omit me from the boring stuff," Aaron said to Nick, finding his way to the special platform attributed to the dignitaries.

He ascended the steps with casual grace, the VIP area’s opulent air enveloping him, scents of fine leather and spiced air, the low murmur of shocked whispers rippling through the group.

Nick stared at him, mouth slightly agape. "Did you just eliminate yourself?" he asked speechlessly, unable to comprehend Aaron one bit.

His hands gripped the armrests tighter, knuckles whitening, the holographic displays flickering behind him like accusing eyes.

Aaron chuckled softly, the sound light but laced with mockery. "Eliminate? Nahh. I’m still very present there," he informed, gesturing vaguely toward the arena.

"I just copied an astral version of myself by tweaking his magic a bit." He found a free chair and sank into it, the plush cushions yielding under his weight, reclining with effortless nonchalance.

Loki leaned forward, intrigue sharpening his features. "Tweak my abilities? What does that mean?" he asked in surprise, finding Aaron’s words to be ridiculously impossible.

His fingers twitched, as if itching to unravel the mystery.

Aaron met his gaze steadily, shadows playing in his eyes. "Exactly what you think I mean," he agreed, leaning back further, the chair creaking softly.

A faint smile tugged at his lips, satisfaction warming him amid the stunned silence of the platform.

[I know you to be arrogant, but an attention seeker? Guess I will have to update your résumé]

Aaron’s thoughts sharpened in response to the system’s query, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth despite the chaos unfolding around him.

"Well, if I want to get close to the Sovereigns, I have to be a huge attention seeker," he replied mentally, his inner voice laced with calculated amusement.

"Especially with those men lurking in the hidden," the subtle figures he’d spotted earlier, shadows among the spectators, their gazes too intent, too probing to be mere observers.

[You think they have some relationship with the Sovereigns?]

the system asked, its tone neutral but probing, echoing faintly in his mind.

"Not think. I know," Aaron added, his mental words firm and unyielding.

"This is all a show for me to wow them, make them report back to the Sovereigns positively about me."

He could almost picture it, the hushed conversations in grand halls, reports filtering up the chain of cosmic power, his name whispered with a mix of curiosity and caution.

[And you think it’s working?]

I know it’s working, Aaron affirmed, satisfaction curling warm and deep in his chest like a secret flame.

With Aaron absent, his astral projection lingering unseen amid the fray, the assessment carried on smoothly.

Eliminations took place at the usual pace it should, without a great disturber like him accelerating the chaos.

The battlefield hummed with steady intensity: bursts of illusory mana lighting the skies in fleeting explosions, soldiers vanishing in pixelated bursts that glittered like falling stars, the air thick with the fabricated scents of sweat, scorched earth, and ozone.

The crowd’s murmurs rose and fell from the stands, a rhythmic wave of excitement and tension, while holographic counters ticked upward relentlessly, numbers flashing in bold red against the domed ceiling.

Beep!

The first phase eventually ended, a final chime echoing through the arena like a tolling bell.

The remaining participants stood amid the fading illusions, panting, sweat-slicked, eyes wide with a mix of relief and wariness.

Loki’s magic unraveled gradually, terrains dissolving into shimmering mist that left behind the stark, empty floor of the real arena, the cool rush of recycled air replacing the simulated winds.

"Congratulations for passing the first phase," Nick informed the successful group, his voice booming from the flying podium.

He hovered above them, uniform crisp under the bright lights, a faint sheen of satisfaction on his face as he surveyed the survivors.

The platform gleamed with embedded runes, humming softly with levitation energy.

"Now, the second phase is quite similar. And it will be carried out tomorrow."

The group shifted restlessly, murmurs rippling through their ranks like waves on a disturbed pond, the exhaustion of the day evident in slumped shoulders and heavy breaths, the metallic tang of sweat hanging heavy in the air.

"So rest well, you all, and be ready for tomorrow," Nick added, his tone commanding yet laced with encouragement.

The podium descended gracefully, signaling the end, as barriers shimmered and faded, allowing the soldiers to disperse.

With that, the group was dismissed, every soldier returning to their homes after a mentally draining day.

Boots echoed on the arena floors as they filed out, the weight of competition pressing on their minds like invisible chains, visions of tomorrow’s trials haunting their steps, the city lights of Aiz welcoming them with indifferent glows through the evening haze.

Aaron, though, was different.

While others sought the solace of sleep, collapsing onto beds with weary sighs, he continued the secret life of the Celestial Devourer.