Chapter 394: Appearance
"Jia Na, please look this way—"
"Jia Na, how do you view the other contestants in the Transformation Trial?"
"Jia Na, your current betting odds have risen to seventh place. Do you think this ranking is accurate—"
Because Goblin Billy had set up a cordon around the Crystal Rose Tavern in advance, the reporters, who wished they could shove their cameras into Jia Na's face, had no choice but to stand outside the cordon, shouting questions at Jia Na with all their might.
However, Jia Na, whose face was completely obscured by a Wizard's hood, simply walked quickly into the carriage prepared by Tongling Group, surrounded by the crowd, without responding to any of the reporters' questions.
"I apologize, Jia Na needs to rush to the Glory Arena for the opening ceremony of the Professional Trial. Please forgive her for not being able to answer your questions now." "Then didn't we wait in vain?"
"Exactly, we've been standing here since early morning!"
"Madam, please be accommodating—"
After Jia Na boarded the carriage, Jenny acted as her temporary agent and spoke on her behalf.
Looking at the persistent reporters, Jenny maintained her usual indifferent expression, without much emotion, and shook her head firmly.
"After the trial ends, Tongling Group will arrange an exclusive interview. At that time, Jia Na will set aside time specifically to answer your questions."
"Where will the exclusive interview take place?"
"It will be at the Tongling Group branch company's venue."
The reporters, who had been somewhat resentful, no longer pressed the issue when they heard there would be an opportunity for a separate exclusive interview.
Jenny bowed to the reporters, whispered a few words to the coachman, and then entered the carriage.
"As expected, professional matters should be left to professionals. With just a few words, she sent these reporters away."
Looking at Jenny as she entered the carriage, Gavin-Tuer, whose eyes had been somewhat unable to open due to the flashing camera lights outside, praised Jenny without reservation.
"Thank you, after all, this is one of my duties. Jia Na, today's exclusive interview is tentatively scheduled for 1:00 PM. Are you able to attend?"
Hearing Jenny's words, Jia Na, who had already removed her Wizard's hood, shook her head.
"Let's change the time. Gavin's Wizard Invention assessment is at 1:00 PM, and I need to be there to wait for him."
"Alright, then I will change the time to 6:00 PM. Is that acceptable?"
"Yes."
After confirming the exclusive interview schedule, Jenny quickly reviewed all the procedures for Jia Na's interview, including her attire, makeup, hair, and interview questions, until there were no omissions. Only then did Jenny close her notebook.
"Being a spokesperson is indeed difficult; I still have to work after the trial ends."
"It's fine, I'm already used to it."
Jia Na's career as a popular opera singer over the past two years had long accustomed her to the barrage of questions from reporters and the daily routine of being targeted by countless camera lenses.
Although it was sometimes tiring, overall, Jia Na did not dislike this high-paying job. Instead, she felt more and more like a fish in water.
"Today's first assessment trial is the Transformation Trial. Remember the key points of transformation I taught you these past few days, and be sure to maintain your composure."
As the carriage drew closer to the Glory Arena, Lilith-Meg, who had been mostly silent, suddenly turned her head and spoke earnestly to Jia Na.
"Yes, Professor, I will pay attention."
Jia Na also nodded seriously at Lilith-Meg's last-minute instructions.
"Jia Na, I will always cheer for you!"
"Jia Na, I will also keep praying for your victory!"
"Thank you both."
The carriage traveled quickly. Around 7:50, it had already entered the Glory Arena's special entrance for contestants and smoothly proceeded into the inner area.
"Is this the inner area of the Glory Arena?"
As the group successively stepped out of the carriage, Gavin-Tuer, who was visiting the Glory Arena's inner area for the first time, couldn't help but exclaim.
Jia Na, who was also visiting the Glory Arena for the first time, was truly astonished by the layout of the inner area.
From the outside, the overall architecture of the Glory Arena appeared to be a massive elliptical building. Besides its large footprint, it didn't offer much in terms of aesthetic appeal.
However, as they entered the inner area, Jia Na truly understood why the Glory Arena was rated as the number one arena in the Element Soul Wizard Gathering Place.
In addition to a space large enough to accommodate tens of thousands of people, the densely carved magic patterns on the inner walls and the enormous, 360-degree curved, full-magic crystal screen suspended at the top of the arena's inner area were what surprised Jia Na the most.
"Professor McGonagall, do you know what the magic patterns carved on the inner walls are used for?"
Hearing Jia Na's question, Lilith-Meg merely smiled and looked at Jia Na.
"Some things might be more interesting when you discover them yourself. Go on in, we'll be watching you from the stands."
Saying this, Lilith-Meg gently patted Jia Na's shoulder and gave her an encouraging look.
"Alright, then I'll go in first."
After greeting everyone, Jia Na walked towards a reception area near the carriage that read "Trial Contestant Reporting Desk."
"Jia Na, is that you?"
As soon as Jia Na reached the reporting desk, a slightly plump girl quickly stood up from her chair and excitedly whispered a greeting to Jia Na.
"Hello, Joanna."
Looking at the slightly plump girl in front of her, Jia Na quickly remembered that she was the staff member responsible for registering Jia Na's information at the Mercenary Guild a few days ago.
"Jia Na, I'll take you to the contestant waiting room."
"Thank you."
To avoid unnecessary commotion, Jia Na had put her Wizard's hood back on when she got out of the carriage. She also hadn't taken off the shawl Jenny had draped over her.
"Jia Na, this is the Glory Arena's waiting room. All contestants participating in the Transformation Trial are currently inside."
After walking down the escalator for about half a minute, Joanna led Jia Na to the entrance of a room on the first underground floor.
"Alright, thank you for your trouble."
"It's no trouble at all!"
Seeing Joanna's excited reaction, Jia Na simply smiled and nodded. Then, she slowly removed the Wizard's hood from her head and also put the shawl from her body into her thorn bracelet.
"Then I'll go in first—"
