The Great Gracicus Festival

"Let's make this quick-" The boy said-

A fight.

No-

A tournament.

Surrounded by thousands of students, and even some prestigious alumni and parents- a tournament of the ages!

Under the sky- an open Ampitheator and quite large at the top with an audience of over ten thousand!

Organized by the Godness Gracicus Academy.

Open from Grade 3 to eight.

Except only students from grade five and above registered.

Of course, there was one exception; Mihael from third Grade.

In the past this tournament only took place in student's final year; grade 8. Gracicus Festival.

Why festival?

Because just after the event, representatives were chosen and honored by putting them on a pedestal and organizing a whole festival just for them…

This year though- it wasn't just the Gracicus Festival, no. It was the Great Gracicus Festival!

Some claimed, the tournament was made open this year, particularly to establish a rank among the god candidates.

Why?

Because the reward for winning the tournament was the certificate of eligibility and the certificate of dominance; both were required to become a god.

And both were only offered to one candidate every ten years- making this year's tournament- very, very exciting.

"I'm gonna clobber you-" The boy attempted but- crumbled to the ground. "Wha-what's going on!" He yelled. "Why can't I move!?"

"Winner- MIhael Zable!" The referee declared.

A weird sort of cheer erupted.

Some cheered, others- booed, some just stared in pure confusion.

The winning angel swiftly headed back outside, to the now jumping high angel teacher.

***

"What the hell was that!?" One of the visitor middle section gods whined.

There were separate platforms for gods and angels of every class.

Despite having a separate space all to themselves however, the god stage still had sections; the lower sections were filled while the upper sections were mostly empty.

"This is absurd! How come one of my subjects to lose to a lesser!"

The middle section gods were kind of going crazy- while two rows below them, the lower tier gods were just sighing and hoping the day would end already…

"Another one's beginning!"

This time- the same outcome.

Swift!

"And it's the same brat!" And the same god whined again.

"Which one of you is that brat's patron god?" A middle section god yelled.

"I am-" A lower tier god stood up, Zamas.

"What is that thing? Is it really a lesser?"

"He is an angel, and a god candidate. Please show your due respect, lord Albael," Zamas stared, head on.

A minor snort. The god looked away.

"Now- now, let's not quarrel among ourselves-" Lightning streaked and a teenager warped before them, taking a seat on the row above- a high tier god-

"Lord Xorax-"

All the available gods offered standing bows as the newcomer god sat down.

But no, Xorax didn't sit on the very top.

Why?

Because above him was a special row of seven, and above that, another row- this one- of just four.

And there was another one above that- this time- just one.

There were some chatter but for the most part, the gods didn't say much anymore.

As for the matches?

They were well underway.

With 128 participants, the tournament was going to be held in three stages and presumably for three days.

Four groups of 32 students will each fight three matches and will be given points for winning. 1 point for winning. 1 for winning without any bloodshed. And one if the opponent outright quits. So, one participant could very well get 3 points for a single match.

Participants could fight with whatever weapons, armor, and magic they preferred. Killing wasn't allowed and anyone who killed their opponent would just forfeit the match.

All top ten of each group holding the most points would move on to the second stage.

Each group members would fight amongst themselves in a battle royal sort of way and only the strongest two would move on to the next stage.

This time, all four groups; eight participants would fight and thus the winning team would take home the two certificates.

"But- what if the winning team has a debate on who gets what certificate or if someone wants both?" A god pondered.

"Then, I suppose they'll have to duke it out." Another one shrugged.

And a new match began!

With the same boy, and with the same result.

***

"Goodjob!" Sarveisa patted Mihael's head, making him roll his eyes. "Though, there seems to be a lot of 3s. How're they going to sort out the ten?"

"Maybe they'll make them fight again?" Rose said, who happened to be just there, getting ready for her next match.

Dressed in a pale silver armor- she let her wings flutter-

"I'm sure we won't have to worry about that," Mihael said. "I'm not sure what sort of strings the headmistress pulled but she placed almost all the strong ones in Group B," Aka, Mihael's group.