It was the moment Levi had been waiting for.
As there were no obstructions, he would be able to make up as much of it as he wanted.
Since the news of the Elites Conference was made public, Levi and the rest finally understood the motive behind the mass incapacitation of the young martial artists of Erudia.
Even the Erudians who were initially in disbelief of Levi’s innocence and were under the impression that it was the doing of the Seven Fiends were finally starting to see otherwise.
Levi and his men did not have any reason to carry out all of those heinous acts.
The incapacitation of several hundred fighters followed by the disappearance of the top three fighters of the Stone List with their status uncertain suspiciously preceded the commencement of the Elites Conference.
It was obvious that foul play was involved.
Expounding on that trail of logic, they arrived at the conclusion that there was a possibility that Levi had been framed.
There is a mastermind involved.
If that was the case, Levi’s position at the top of the Gem List did not bring any harm to Erudia. In fact, he had even managed to convert the Seven Fiends to lead a more righteous path.
With the announcement of the Elites Conference, the series of events that were hitherto puzzling seemed clear as day all of a sudden.
Levi had been framed all along. He would not do anything to harm Erudia. On the contrary, he has converted the Fiends for the benefit of Erudia.
Clever observers quickly discerned the ultimate benefactors of the scheme having been convinced that Levi had been framed.
With the upcoming Elites Conference, the people of Erudia were unable to think of much else as they began to panic.
What do we do? The Elites Conference is to be held at Erudia with no Erudian candidates to show up!
With the strongest candidates from every other country ready to fight for the glory of their nation, Erudia had only a group of wheelchair-bound fighters.
When the time came, they would only be able to send out mediocre martial artists who would no doubt be soundly beaten and ridiculed by the fighters of the other nations.
The reputation of Erudia and its martial artists would be trampled to the ground.
For thirty years until the next Elites Conference, Erudia would not even be able to look any foreigner in the eye out of shame as they would be the subject of ridicule and insult of the entire world.
In the inevitable event of their failure, the situation they were to face would be even worse than what they had imagined.
The prospect of being humiliated by the world was more unbearable than the loss of Erudian life. They were willing to die fighting like men over being alive to endure being ridiculed.
To the proud Erudians, death would be much more preferable.
Despite being aware of the serious consequences, they were powerless to stop the onslaught as they were not able to send forth any worthy candidates.
Several hundred of the top candidates were incapacitated with fresh representatives nowhere to be found.
Is Erudia destined to watch the demise of its reputation helplessly?
No!
The Cardinal Hall and the other organizations hastily came out with a plan to comb the country for worthy talents and come up with ways to maximize their natural potential in the shortest time possible.
Erudia began spending large amounts of money to explore pharmaceutical or technological means frantically. No cost was too great as it was a matter of maintaining the honor of the entire nation.
Every Erudian was fervent with expectation as their last hope was being explored.
Despite the best efforts of the scientists, the effects remained negligible as the talents of the recruits were far too mediocre to make the best of the augmentations.
It is pointless!
At the grave announcement by the media weeks before the Elites Conference, panic ensued.
“If nothing more could be done, we’ll loan some fighters! I don’t care what cult they belong to, all that matters is that they are Erudians!”
“That is unacceptable! How could we ask the criminals and the Fiends for help?”
“If that did not work, could we use the youth from the Cardinal Hall and Eragon and have them disguised?”
“No, that’s against the rules. Being the martial arts organization of Erudia, we are not supposed to participate. If we were caught, we will endure even greater humiliation. Don’t even think about it!”
……
The council of the Cardinal Hall could not come to an agreement.
Over the following days, the competitors from the nations of Bayview arrived at Erudia.
As the Erudians watched glumly, the nations of Raysonia and Keerea paraded their most promising young talents. It was said that those talents were comparable to Erudia’s at their peak.
With the expectation of every citizen in Bayview growing to unprecedented heights, the Elites Conference finally began several days later.
