Academy Tournament Part 1

Chapter 74 - Academy Tournament Part 1

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Academy Tournament is a major event that is held to every academy in the whole continent. On this day, many nobles known by its names will be present in this day as to possibly a chance to pick a student who had gathered their interest and seek to be their vessels.

There are benefits of participating in this known event, if you're feeling confident and you can join as to showcase your strengths, whether you want fame, whether you wanted to get possibly pick by a powerhouse noble, and the least is whether you only wanted the winning price.

Anyways, Academy Tournament will be held for over 3 days as students who participated will compete in order to attain their desire.

As for me, I decided to join for the sole reason of the winning price—which is an OP accessory called the 『Valiant Heart』. This item gives the player a weak buff to all of my status. But here's the thing, the accessory gives me a boost to several stats that scales by killing all possible bosses in the game. It is an item that is viable until the endgame.

At my current strength, I can manage to win the tournament... Barely. Yeah, it will be hard, especially Sora and Seia who has a possession of a strong weapon.

Anyways, instead of going into the academy, the event will be held on a very large arena located at the center of the Capital just near the "House of Parliament" in which our group arrived at. Looking closely, the Arena, who was similar into a modern Arena usually used on a soccer match, it was so large that the five of us were looking up in awe.

"Wow, it's so large!" Seia cheerfully said, her tail was wagging in excitement. "I only see it from the distance, but I didn't think it would be so large..."

"Y-yeah..." Luna dumbfoundedly agreed, jaw dropped. "I didn't think I would ever experience to see something like this in my life..."

"I like you girls' reaction but were just starting, I assure you we'll see more places as beautiful as this place is." I started to walk towards the entrance. "We should head inside."

The girls nodded in agreement and follows after me. When we head inside, we saw Sora together with Astra and her companion Aoyuki. Surprisingly, Aedan was also with them—and it looks like they've been talking for a while now. That's reassuring to see.

"Sora!" I wave at sora as I approach him. The girls hurriedly followed below me.

"Ah, Sai!" Sora cheerfully wave back. Astra, Aoyuki, and Aedan who shifted their attention to me waved back after Sora. "I'm impressed you managed to find us."

"Right, the place was so crowded so it's very fortunate to meet you instantly." I look at them as if to examine. "It looks like it's all of us, shall we go then?"

All of us head into the audience seat and sat at the front seat to watch the full experience. Ah, I forgot to mention but we already signed in to compete into the tournament. Unfortunately, not all of us decided to join. Out of all of us, Akari, Aoyuki, and Aedan decided not to participate as it was unnecessary for the two companion to join while the other was not confident in his skill.

Anyways, we patiently wait to start the tournament by idly having a conversation. After half an hour and a loud mic that was created using magic begins to announce the start of the event.

After a detailed announcement comes a large hologram that displayed the face of the participant at the center of the Arena. It was very nerve-racking to see your face by the public and it left me very conscious about myself.

It looks like I'm not the only one feeling a bit nervous about this, Luna and the participants were making a super anxious face and is looking pale in response.

"I-I'm starting to get nervous for some reason..." Seia timidly said.

"Y-yeah... I guess it's telling us that were about to perform and being the center of attention..." Sora agreed. "But it's making me excited for some reason."

While they voiced out their anxiety, I carefully examine every participant one by one. Coincidentally, there would be 32 participants who will fight until the last one makes the winner. Aside from my circle of friends who participated, the rest are a face I didn't know or even heard of. Except...

"I see, so he participated huh..."

It was the guy who we fought not too long ago in the cafeteria. I knew there is something against him. Looking back at it, I remember that he managed to knock Sora away until he hit a wall. That feat cannot just be made by a regular guy.

"Hm? Ah, you're looking about that guy, right?" Sora who noticed my interest shifted his attention to me. "I forgot to tell you, but I actually fought him after you left that day on the Capital Park."

"Really?!" My eyes widened to his story. "Then? What happened? Did you win?"

"C-calm down Man," Sora said with a strained smile, then paused a moment before he continued. "Hardly... Aside from his heavy attack, he was fast on his decision. He can connect his attack that leaves me overwhelmed in response..."

I was overly shocked to Sora's statement. Sora is considered to be one of the strongest even in the entire academy. For him to lose to that guy... Just who is he... D-don't tell me... Looks like I need to consider someone whom I will have a hard time with aside from Seia and Sora.

"That guy huh..." Luna mused, displaying a serious demeanor. "Master, I already mentioned this to you before but if you want to win, you need to carefully keep an eye to that Man. I'm usually pretty biased especially to you Master but sorry to say, I doubt you can win against him with ease."

Even Luna... Maybe if I assess him with my ⟨⟨Appraisal⟩⟩ then I can know how to make some precautions but unfortunately, we don't seem to meet for some reason.

"I—"

"Ladies and Gentlemen! I would like to announce the beginning of the anticipated tournament! Please be seated and any minute will start the awaited event!"

While I was pondering, a loud voice starts to speak the announcement. Followed by an intro and hyping the spectators up, the tournament has finally begun.

"The first round will be fought between Sai Crimsonheart versus Abdul Salsalani!"

My heart skips a beat when I heard my name mentioned. I silently left the seat and head into the Centerstage of the Arena. Also, what the heck is with that guy's name. I know I heard it before but it's not a word you can just hear in this world—maybe he's lost or something?

I enter the Centerstage together with a Black Wolf demi-human named Adbul Salsalani. What isn't he... Oh, guess I'm right, looking at his face, he also remembers me.

"Ah! You're that fucker who beat me in the examination day!" The Wolf Guy shouted, then points his weapon at me. "Don't go thinking I'm the same guy as before!"

"Y-yeah..." I timidly said and use the ⟨⟨Appraisal⟩⟩ skill on him.

『Abdul Salsalani』

『HP: 320』

『MP: 20』

『Armor: 20』

『AGI: 155-310 』

『DEX: 20 』

『ENDURANCE: 60』

Skills: ⟨⟨Dash⟩⟩ ⟨⟨Brisk⟩⟩

He was using a weapon called 『Bladed Glove』 on both of his hands. He really improved! The weapon only that is.

"Match Begin!"

As soon as the match begun, Abdul ⟨⟨Dash⟩⟩ towards me with an incredible speed and start swinging ferociously. In response, I quickly dodge his attack while sometimes parrying his claws if necessary.

"What's wrong! What's wrong! Overwhelmed?" Adbul mockingly said while clawing aggressively. "Going to cry? Huh? Come on piece of shit!"

W-woah... He sure doesn't have any ounce of control to his emotions... That's one of the most important factors of fighting you know?

Unfortunately, he was just swinging his claws repetitively and aggressively—so I immediately ended the fight by strongly parrying his claws which he staggered for a second. I then took its advantage and stab him on his thighs and swinging a kick on his face—slamming him on the ground unconsciously.

Just like before, the stage has a barrier that keeps us from being hurt and feels like were in a simulation. We won't get hurt and killed even if we get critically damaged. I hope we can buy something like that to drastically improve our sparring.

"W-winner! Sai Crimsonheart!"

At his vigorous announcement, a deafening cheer spreads the whole Arena enthusiastically. It was surprising even for me, I expected a boo coming from me, but it was a pleasant experience.

————————————————————————————————————————————

(Somewhere at the Arena)

"Wow! Big Brother Sai is so strong!"

"Yeah, it's been a while since we last saw them. Look, looks like Luna is the next competitor this round. Ara? She looks stronger than before."

The two blonde woman was watching on the top of the spectator's seat in an excited manner. Cheerfully watching a face that's very familiar into them.

"Mama, let's watch a little more, I want to see Big Sister Luna." The blonde girl with a small build said.

"I also wanted to, but we have more important things to do here." The blonde woman who is probably her mother replied. "Let's go."

"Ehhhh?! Hm... I understand..."

The two left the Arena and went somewhere from who knows where.

* * *

"So that's Sai Crimsonheart huh... I thought you said he was a complete loser?"

"Yes, that's what the majority explained, but it doesn't look like it to me."

The two delinquent looking guys were making a conversation as they watch the scene located at the VIP area. Carefully examining, the guy was sitting on a chair while resting his feet on the table puts his hands on his chin.

"What do you think boss?" the composed looking guy beside him asked.

The guy paused before he answers. "You said that guy had the popular girls always into him, right?"

"E-eh?" The composed looking guy was stunned to his weird question. "Y-yeah, w-what about it...?"

"Kuh!!" The delinquent looking guy gritted his teeth, tears started to come out of his eyes. "Arrogant bastard...!"

* * *

"Hm... Sai Crimsonheart huh."

The middle-aged guy who was standing somewhere at the arena puts his hand on his chin as he carefully analyze the guy mentioned. He had a very ripped physique that he's gathering attention to everyone who sees him without him realizing.

"So that's the guy Lily picked..." The guy mused, then lets out a grin. "I can't wait to meet him..."

* * *

"So that crimson bastard participated huh..."

Davis voiced out his irritation as he watches the scene together with Jasmine. Jasmine who heard him look at him with a concerned look.

"Davis, please don't cause any more trouble..."

"Guh...! I-I get it, I just saw a familiar face that's all..." Davis sulked.

Well then, who knows what relation Sai was connected on this people.

————————————————————————————————————————————

『Sai Crimsonheart』 Current Stats:

『HP: 800』

『MP: 200』

『Armor: 32』

『AGI: 534-1068(620) 』

『DEX: 118(200) 』

『ENDURANCE: 268(350) 』

Armor: 『Ancient Damascus Armor』

Weapon and Equipment:

『Imperfect Demon Sword』 『Spore Staff』 『Beaver Shark』 『Polarity Shotgun』 『Musket』

Accessory:

『Thunderboots』 『Antipathy Gloves』 『Dart Scarf』 『Diamond Hook』 『Mighty Gloves』

Skills:

⟨⟨Rapid Life Regeneration⟩⟩ ⟨⟨Appraisal⟩⟩ ⟨⟨Battōjutsu⟩⟩ ⟨⟨Bloodlust⟩⟩ ⟨⟨Triple Jump⟩⟩ ⟨⟨Passive: Dodge⟩⟩ ⟨⟨Adrenaline⟩⟩ ⟨⟨Dash⟩⟩