Chapter Eighty Five - We are all observers this time

The third and final part of the Interschool exchange were a series of one on one battles.  It was said that anyone could enter (with the exception of first years) but that did not mean everyone entered.  Competitors first had to purchase the rights to enter the competition and they had to be of at least secondary stage in their cultivation.  The price of entering was actually only fifty points, nothing extravagant, but those fifty points were still too much for many.  Scholars and Alchemists generally did not enter the competition, though it was not that they couldn't.  Seventy Four years prior, a famous Scholar entered the competition and succeeded on obtaining third place.

Jin Li, Sun and Maimai were all first years, couldn't enter the main competition.  Pike and Bowyer were in the top twenty of the martial arts school and had just led teams through the Shattered Empyrean Isles realm, so they were discouraged from entering.  So along with Leon, who naturally had no intentions of entering, they all watched from the comfort of the observation platforms of the outer mage school.

Leon had travelled in the company of his Teacher to the outer mage school twice before.  It was the complete opposite of the scholars school area in the fact that it was not designed with picturesque scenery in mind.  Magic was often a destructive force, intentionally or otherwise.  It simply wasn't practical to rely on architecture for the sake of pleasing the senses. 

The outer mage school was formed on an artificial platform deep within and high up in the Ascending mountain institute.  It was a grey and sterile place for the most part, cold and imposing.  Four large stone towers stretched skyward, the lower floors being nothing more than a series of arches designed to support the upper floors, where domiciles, classrooms and other facilities could be found.  These seemed to guard at four points a large, empty field of flat rock.  This space was also surrounded by tall stone walls, two of which curved slightly inward after reaching some height, the tops of which were not flat and even but jagged as if made of a large wave of grey.

There was a fair bit of debris carelessly swept to one corner.  It seemed as if it were a mix of splintered and painted wood, likely once these were targets or mannequins.  Scorch marks and cracks could be found in various places along the walls indicating further what this large space was used for.  Right now, it contained the scene of a martial artist battling with a mage.  It was far more interesting than what Leon might have imagined; the mage was not necessarily as squishy as reputed and the martial artist's advantages of constitution were offset with the fact he had to get within range of the mage's explosive attacks to do any damage to his opponent.  However, the mage might not necessarily win should his arsenal of spells be inadequate or his mind not calculative enough; spells that were quick to cast seldom had the range or power of those long versed spells which would give a swift martial artist the opportunity he required to be able to attack the mage.  In theory, a mix of spells were best, but again would not always grasp victory.  Martial artists abilities could not be underestimated.

The group of friends were watching the battle from a standing, roofed platform that rose from one of the two completely vertical walls in this place; these walls also acted as a corridors between towers. There were actually three floors for observation on each wall and each were filled with bustling, curious students, watching the battles with glee. The battles were short, only the length it took to burn an incense stick, and were judged by three Teachers. The person who was declared a winner gained ten points, the loser was unable to continue to battle and a draw would gain both just two points. This would generally continue until only ten combatants remained.

The battles following would be longer, more intense for the individuals involved and the risk of injury far greater. Naturally medics were on standby, but usually a healing pill would be sufficient for most.

The mage managed to win this round, but it was exceedingly close. If the martial artist had around half a minute longer, the victory likely would have swayed in his direction. The martial artist was clearly unhappy, his fists clenched more than necessary as he politely bowed to the mage and left the field.

"I know that one," Bowyer sighed, shaking his head. "His temper has always been short. Likely, he'll want a rematch in the future."

"If he's willing to put more points on the line and challenge that mage," Pike muttered in disapproval, "he can have his wish tomorrow." After the top ten battled came the usual 'grudge' matches, challenges between individuals, just like following the Standings. They were a good way to settle issues and blow off steam. Not that some people were able to let their grudges go even after that.

"Too weak," Jin Li declared, crossing his arms, causing Pike and the others to chuckle.

"You would think so," Bowyer snorted aloud. "How can they compare to you who have now formed his core?!"

"There are likely only a handful that could face you now, Jin Li," Pike agreed. There was no envy, despite their teasing. They were several years older than Jin Li and only of tertiary stage, but both were not untalented and their chances of piercing through the bottleneck and forming their cores was considered high. It wouldn't surprise others if they didn't achieve such in the next year or two. Afterwards, they might seek to move on from the Institute, as most who'd formed their core did. Jin Li stayed for at least one obvious reason.

Of course as central as Leon was to his plans, Jin Li did not dislike the Institute. There was much he'd learned over the years at his father and tutor's side, but there was much he'd learned in the half-year of studying here instead. Although the spiritual energy in the air was weaker than in the higher realm, there were definitely benefits that offset this loss, benefits that he enjoyed immensely.

Still, he wouldn't be as naive to say that he was invincible compared to other students just because his core was formed. Tertiary stage cultivators were not weak. There were many with the skill set and experience to stand equally or even above someone like him who'd just formed his core at such a young age. Plus, there were pills that could further close the gaps and exploit weaknesses. To bulldoze his way over others just based on his improved power was an idiot's fantasy.

There were almost one hundred entrants into the competition, with at least eight battles per sichen, they began just after breakfast and lasted well after the setting sun.  The conditions of light and weather were based on luck for once a participant's name was drawn, they had to battle or forfeit.  A forfeit was as good as a loss and as battles progressed, the number of people throwing in the towel increased.  Some were due to previous injuries, some were due to confidence.  The numbers of participants dwindled to twelve by the time the the judges declared it a day.  The twelve were declared finalists rather than ten, this was not unusual so no one mentioned it, just looked forward to the following day.