"Looks like we have a tie between you two."
Osha clapped at Grimdawn's composition before speaking up. Since Sara and Eren received almost the same audience responses, she couldn't decide on a clear winner between them.
Sara and Eren both looked at each other before laughing together. Sara was impressed by Eren's creative skills. The latter was satisfied that he could come up with something that answered Sara's composition perfectly.
Osha suggested Eren and Sara compete against each other for three more rounds to establish a clear winner between them. And both obliged.
Eren tried to compete with Sara to the extent of his abilities. But Sara's consecutive compositions kept improving by a huge margin. Her linguistic and crowd-pulling skills showed their true colors in the last round. In the end, Sara won.
Eren smiled mirthlessly as he accepted his defeat. He concluded that not every battle was meant to be won. One needed to fight some battles because they needed to be fought.
Sara reserved a reward for later use. Both of them had a little drinking game on stage. They needed to walk in a straight line on stage after consuming a potent concoction meant for their respective ranks.
Sara had a huge advantage because she won the poetry challenge. And yet, she lost liquor handling. She couldn't be blamed for her loss though.
Sara retired to her seat when the drinking game was finished. Eren remained on stage because he felt he was needed after looking at the next challenger approaching the stage.
Levine de Montmorency, the potioneer with witch-like charms, approached the stage dressed in a stunning off-white ensemble that complemented her pale white skin. Her waist-length hair was neatly styled, giving her a sophisticated look. Her cherry-red lips stood out and added a touch of sensuality to her overall appearance.
With a bountiful bosom and a peach-shaped posterior, Levine's vibrant and vivacious presence turned heads as she walked past. Her black eyes were captivating, and her seductive stride showed off her confident personality.
Adding a touch of playfulness to her attire was her deep pink fedora hat, which perfectly matched her light pink wrap dress. The dress hugged her curves in all the right places, emphasizing her feminine figure. To complete her look, she wore T-strap footwear that lent elegance to her already charming appearance.
As Levine walked through the crowd at the Grad Ball, her enchanting aura left those around her in awe. Her bewitching looks, coupled with her alluring ensemble and accessories, made her a vision to behold.
Levine's presence enchanted onlookers. But that was only until they heard her last name when Osha Daman announced it.
"Please welcome on stage our next challenger, Levine de Montmorency."
***
Osha introduced Levine to her audience. And people started talking about a certain traitor to Edinburgh who was from her House. For some reason, the grand hall became less chaotic.
Levine sighed when she heard whispers about Demonmir from the audience. She knew that she and her entire clan would be judged by Edinburgh rankers just because they were once associated with the biggest traitor in Edinburgh.
Still, she didn't mind the stares and whispers from a select few rankers. She approached the stage confidently while looking at Eren.
Osha knew the implications of getting Levine on stage. But she handled the situation flawlessly by providing additional information about Levine and House Montmorency. While introducing Levine, she highlighted House Montmorency's contribution to Edinburgh and its masses long before Demonmir came to be.
Osha also highlighted how House Montmorency worked closely with Edinburgh's forces in the ongoing war. The Sage also briefly touched upon Levine's importance to such a prestigious clan.
Levine came on stage when Osha finished giving a brief introduction about her. She thanked the Sage with a nod and greeted Eren with an endearing hug before taking charge of the lectern.
Levine presented her challenge to Eren calmly and composedly.
"You're my concoction of magic, the one I seek,
A strong, sleek web that caught me with a tweak,
Clearing my vision of blurs and smears,
Making me feel alive, washing away my fears.
You're the spark in my darkness, the light in my eyes,
A cool breeze on my face, under scorching skies,
The taste of honey on my tongue, the scent of fresh dew,
A dream comes true, the one that's always new.
You're the rhythm in my heartbeat, the melody in my soul,
A symphony of emotions, making me whole,
A flawless potion, a spell I can't break,
A treasure, a blessing, that I will forever take.
So keep teasing me, my love,
Your endearing words act like a stove,
For you have the right to set ablaze my heart,
And never will we be torn apart."
Levine received lots of applause at the end. Thanks to her heart-touching composition, she overshadowed her clan's links with Demonmir in the audience's minds. She also received a gentle kiss from Eren on her lips to show her that she had exceeded his expectations.
Eren took charge of the lectern and replied to Levine's composition confidently.
"You are my guiding light through life's twists,
A wise mentor, a friend who assists,
You supported me when I had nothing to show,
And showed me the path that led me to grow.
Being a witch is living consciously and bold,
Not afraid to love, not afraid to be cold
You take me to a land of fantasy and dreams,
A world so magical, nothing is what it seems.
Brewing potions of mystery, a secret to unveil,
With you by my side, there's no need to bail,
For you are my witch, and I am your muse,
Together we'll create magic, with nothing to lose."
Levine chuckled when Eren talked about his Shroomcid trip in his composition. And she hugged him for everything else.
Needless to say, Eren scored another victory for himself. And other male rankers were getting impatient because Eren was taking all the attention. Even the ladies who had come with them looked at Eren as if he was some kind of mysterious wizard the land of Anfang had never seen before.
