Inter-Kingdom Tournament Participants - Part 1

Teacher Sasha welcomed me into the Royal Academy with open arms. Seeing this, the guards that prevented me from entering the Academy said their apologies.

"It's fine, you were only doing your job. Keep up the good work." I told the guards as I walked into the Academy.

It's been 3 months since I've been in this place. I've forgotten how peaceful and serene it can feel to be protected behind the walls of the Academy. I walked towards Teacher Sasha and stood right in front of her.

"Teacher Sasha, I can tell you what happened to me but is it okay if I freshen up and get a change of clothes first?" I raised both my arms up to my chest, showing my tattered clothing.

"Uh… Yes, John. You can go take a shower and get some clothes. If need be, you can also get some rest for the day. I'm sure you've been through a lot." She said with worried eyes.

"I feel fine and rested now, I just really need to get a change of clothes." I gave her a small chuckle and scratched the back of my head. "Oh, Miss Sasha, where do I go to report what happened?" I asked her.

"Hmm… Normally, I would ask you to meet me in my office and tell me all about it before reporting to the principal. However, seeing as it involves the Theviel Kingdom, you should report directly to the principal. I will notify the Duke of your arrival so he would not be as surprised as I was when I saw you." She replied.

We bid our farewells and I headed towards my dorm.

'I wonder how Daniel will react when he realizes I'm still alive' I thought as I walked down the halls of the dormitory building, eventually reaching the door of my room.

I opened the dorm room and headed inside, only to be greeted with a mess of a room and no one inside.

'Ah that's right… It's around noon. Everyone should probably be eating at the cafeteria.' I took some new clean clothes and a towel and went down stairs towards the dormitory bathroom.

After freshening up and having new clean clothes on, I went back into the dorm to clean up before I head towards the principal's office.

As I was walking towards the principal's office, I tried to recall the events that happened in the forest before I was heavily injured.

'How did the elves know that I had talent in all the elements? Is there a spy within the academy? Also, what does he mean by all of the elements? Do they know that I can do Light and Dark magic as well?'

My brain kept trying to process the information, sifting through memories about who knew about my talents. Soon enough, I was in front of the principal's office.

I knocked on the door and waited for the Duke's reply.

"Come in." Duke Lawrence's low voice sounded out.

I opened the door, walked inside, and stood in salute towards the Duke.

"John Colton, here to debrief about the events in Willow Forest." I replied in a serious tone.

"Calm down, John." He stood up from his seat and walked towards me. "First things first… I'm glad you're alive." He put his hand on my shoulder and gave me a small smile.

"Thank you, Your Grace!" My voice cracked from the memories of being near death.

"Now, relax and tell me what happened." He removed his hand from my shoulder and walked backwards, putting his hands behind him.

I recounted the events and told Duke Lawrence. I also gave him my suspicions about the possibility of a spy hiding within the academy.

"Yes, I've heard that you had talent in all of the elements. Only a handful of people outside the magic instructor and the students of that 2nd year class you've had your battle with." Duke Lawrence put his hand on his chin and closed his eyes, deep in thought.

"Though it's normal to suspect the students of the class, it just seems stupid for a spy of the Theviel Kingdom to expose themselves like that, and highly unlikely for an elf to be able to infiltrate our defenses in the Royal Academy. Therefore, there must be someone within those people that have betrayed our Qaviel Kingdom." He opened his eyes after a while and said in a serious tone.

"Someone among the students betrayed our Qaviel Kingdom?" I said with shock in my eyes.

"That seems most likely. However, I will check on the instructors that knew about it as well. We can never be too careful. Especially with a talent like you, one that can alter the course of this war with enough training." He said sternly.

"However, don't worry about it, John. I'll fill you in on the details as you are directly connected to everything, but for now, you should focus on increasing your strength. I see that you've come across some luck despite the harrowing experience you've had." He looked at me with a smile.

'This feeling again… It feels like he can see through everything' My body shivered from his gaze.

"Oh right. The possible participants of the Inter-Kingdom tournament will be gathered at the end of this week. You and the others will have a duel to determine who will claim the spots. You are allowed to refrain from going to class to recuperate as well as give more time to prepare for the duels." He said.

"Yes, Your Grace! Thank you!" I gave a solemn bow and walked out of the principal's office, closing the door behind me.

'A break from class, huh? I don't really need one but I can use this as a pretense for my personal training.' I headed towards my classroom to inform Teacher Sasha about my absence for the rest of the week.

I reached the classroom door and slid it open. I walked in and saw that everyone's eyes were on me.

"JOHN!?" Daniel, Julius and Hannah stood up from their seats when they saw me.

Hannah and Daniel ran towards me and quickly embraced me.

"I can't believe you're alive!" Daniel screamed.

"Are you okay? What happened? Tell me everything! I thought I was gonna lose another friend..." Hannah said as tears started to form in her eyes.

"I'm fine, I'm fine." I was able to let out a reply despite the crushing force of the duo's embrace.

"Hannah, Daniel, go back to your seats." Teacher Sasha said sternly as she lightly smacked her table.

Hannah and Daniela apologized and went back to their seats, their eyes still glued on me.

"Now, John. What are you doing here? I thought you were going to rest." Teacher Sasha asked.

"Um, yes, Teacher Sasha. I will be resting but I just came to inform you that I will not be able to go to classes for the rest of the week since I was selected as a possible participant for the Inter-Kingdom tournament." I replied.

"The Inter-Kingdom tournament?! It's the first time that a first year like you has been selected for that big of an event! Truly amazing!" Teacher Sasha's voice got louder and louder and her shock could be seen on her face.

"Ehem… That's great, John." She tried to relax herself. "It's understandable for you to not be able to attend classes. However, I do not want you slacking on your schoolwork." She said sternly.

"Yes, Teacher." I replied.

"Goodluck." She replied.

As Teacher Sasha said those words, sounds of applause resounded within the classroom. I saw Hannah and Daniel standing up from their seats, clapping with all their might. While Julius and the others clapped while seated, their faces filled with shock, pride and a little bit of envy.

'Huh? What's happening?' I felt my heart start to beat faster and faster. I put my hand on my chest clenching my clothes.

'What is this feeling?' It felt like my heart was about to burst out of my chest. It wasn't painful, not at all. If at all, it's the opposite of that. I felt happy. They were cheering for me, for my success.

"THANK YOU! I WILL DO MY BEST!" I screamed as I gave everyone in the classroom a solemn bow, my eyes began to feel wetter and wetter.

I stood back up and turned around and headed out of the classroom as quickly as I could, afraid that they would see the tears forming. I closed the door behind me and just stood there for a while.

"Alright, my classmates and friends are rooting for me. No matter what, I must gain a slot in the Inter-Kingdom tournaments!" I quietly promised myself as I clenched my fist.

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[Status]

Name: John Colton

Age: 14

Level: 7

Experience: 400/700

HP: 200/200

Mana: 50/100

Strength: 22

Intelligence: 20

Dexterity: 20

Agility: 20

Wisdom: 19

Unspent points: 0

Skills: Identify, Intermediate Magic Focus, Primal Instinct, Indomitable Will, Sword Training - Intermediate, Magic Creation - Beginner, Pain Resistance - Intermediate, Overcome the odds - Beginner, Blue Fire, Body Master - Beginner, Foresight

Spells: Fireball, Light, Aqua, Wind Slash, Raise Earth, Blind, Fire Bullet, Earth Bullet, Wind Bullet, Water Bullet, Wind Sword, Fire Sword, Earth Sword, Water Sword, Metal Bullet, Lightning, Ice Lance, Heal, Void Slash, Void Step

Boons: Wadur's Blessing

Curses: -None-

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I opened my status and studied it.

'I can still get stronger.' I thought as I walked towards the training grounds.