Three Races Tournament

|Arthur|

My mother gently knocked on the door before asking, "Art, are you ready?"

Sylv, leaped onto my head as I got up, and together, we made our way downstairs to the living room. The Helstea family and my father were already gathered there, along with the twin horns.

Angelica, with her usual exuberance, enveloped me in a warm hug. "Oh, you look absolutely adorable!" she exclaimed, causing a blush to tint my cheeks.

Fortunately, Durden intervened just in time to rescue me from a potentially dangerous situation involving an instrument of assassination. With a grateful smile, I expressed my appreciation for his timely intervention.

Today, we were heading to the festival, but what I was truly excited about was the Three Races Tournament. Grandpa had sent me a message, informing me that he would be attending as well, having heard rumors of three formidable monsters participating in the tournament.

"I'm really looking forward to the tournament," I expressed genuinely.

Adam chimed in, "I highly doubt there are any monsters that surpass you, Art."

The others nodded in agreement, their confidence in my abilities evident.

"The world is vast, filled with countless surprises. Remember Al? I mentioned him before. He was even stronger than me. Who knows what other incredible beings may exist in this world?" I replied with a touch of humility.

Xyrus City was adorned with vibrant decorations for the festival, creating a lively atmosphere. Food stalls and various temporary stores dotted the streets, attracting crowds of people. As we strolled through the bustling city, I couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth and contentment, cherishing this precious time spent with my loved ones.

'Well, everyone seems to be enjoying themselves, except for Adam,' I thought with an internal chuckle, recalling his unsuccessful attempts at wooing four different girls.

After our leisurely tour of the city, it was time for the tournament to commence. We made our way to the grand stadium, its structure reinforced with powerful mana.

The seating was divided into four tiers: one for the general audience, VIP tickets, VVIP tickets, and the prestigious Royal Box. Vincent had secured VIP tickets for our group, granting us access to more comfortable and luxurious seats, ensuring an enjoyable viewing experience.

As time passed, a hush fell over the entire stadium, signaling the anticipation of something significant about to unfold.

Suddenly, Director Goodsky materialized in the center of the battlefield. Her usual large hat was absent, replaced by a more formal attire befitting the occasion.

In a soft yet commanding voice, her words carried throughout the entire stadium, "I welcome all those gathered here to witness a historic event. Before we proceed, I kindly request everyone to turn their attention to the Royal Box. Present there are the representatives of the royal families from each of the three races."

As one, the crowd rose to their feet and bowed respectfully towards their respective royalty. A smile graced my lips as I spotted Grandpa Virion, true to his word, among the distinguished guests.

Director Goodsky continued, "Allow me to outline the rules of the tournament. Participants are permitted to use weapons, potions, and armor of their choice. The age restriction is set at 14 years. Victory is achieved when a participant either loses consciousness, surrenders, or is pushed out of bounds. Spells with lethal or severely harmful intent are strictly prohibited. However, rest assured that several silver core mages, including myself, will be present to intervene if the need arises."

She paused momentarily before exclaiming, "Now, let us give a warm welcome to all the participants!"

In synchronized fashion, the fifteen young mages emerged from various entrances and formed a line, their positions delineated by race.

I carefully surveyed the participants, my gaze falling upon Feyfey, representing the elven race. He wore a striking silver-blue mage's robe and carried a long staff, embodying the elegance and grace associated with his people.

However, as my attention shifted to the human participants, my eyes narrowed before widening in sheer astonishment.

'Is this real?' I wondered, my gaze fixated on the boy who stood out among the rest. The blonde girl and the black-haired boy beside him were undoubtedly remarkable as well, but he possessed a magnetism that surpassed them all.

A tangible aura of prodigious talent emanated from him, capturing my attention. Our eyes momentarily locked, his amethyst meeting my sapphire, and in that fleeting moment, an inexplicable surge of emotions surged through me, causing my head to instinctively lower and my heart to race uncontrollably.

'Was I... afraid?' I pondered, struggling to comprehend my own reaction to someone my own age.

The Director's words became a distant echo as I clandestinely observed these three exceptional individuals representing the human race. Apart from the silver-haired boy, the other two exuded their own extraordinary prowess.

The girl, in all likelihood, surpassed Tessia in strength, a feat worthy of admiration. As for the boy, although lacking the same enigmatic aura as the silver-haired one, I could discern an immense reservoir of power dwelling within him.

"The tournament will follow a single elimination format, consisting of four rounds," Director Goodsky announced, her voice resonating with authority. "However, as we are one participant short, the youngest mage in the tournament will be granted a bye, advancing directly to the second round. That participant is Rachel Glidesburn," she declared, captivating the attention of the audience. "For the first match of the first round, we have Gary Whiteborn versus Feyrith Ivsaar III."

As the other participants made way, Gary and Feyrith stepped forward, ascending the stairs leading to the combat area.

"So, his name is Gary Whiteborn," I mused silently.

Curiously, my father inquired, "He caught your eye, son?"

Nodding in response, I admitted, "I don't think I stand a chance against Gary in a fight."

His eyes widened momentarily, but then he took hold of my hand. Turning to face me, he offered a reassuring smile and uttered, "Don't worry, Arthur. Remember what you said— the world is vast."

'Have I shown so much concern on my face?' I wondered, slightly embarrassed by my visible unease.

A surge of cheers and whistles erupted from the elven spectators as Feyrith entered the combat area.

'He must be around 11 years old now. Perhaps he could have reached the semifinals of this tournament, but fate has placed him against a formidable opponent in the first round,' I contemplated.

"Assume your positions," the Director commanded, descending from the stage.

Feyrith and Gary took their stances, poised for battle.

Noticing Feyrith's focused and serious demeanor, it became apparent that he, too, had discerned something about Gary.

With swift precision, Feyrith cast a spell, conjuring water bubbles and propelling them towards Gary. However, his opponent wore an expression of boredom.

Moments before Feyrith's spell made contact, the bubbles shattered against an invisible barrier. Feyrith's eyes widened as he launched another attack, this time summoning a serpent with water magic and directing it towards Gary.

In a flash, Gary executed the a swift slash, causing the world to blur into a white haze. I could barely keep track of his movements as he deftly sliced through Feyrith's spell and struck him with his sword.

Summoning all his strength, Feyrith managed to create a shield, barely blocking the blow, but the sheer force sent him hurtling out of the arena.

"I-It's Gary's victory!" Cynthia stammered, her face etched with astonishment. The same sentiment reverberated through the crowd.

|Rachel|

Watching Gary effortlessly dispatch Feyrith, I couldn't help but be awestruck by his sheer skill. Feyrith was no pushover; given the opportunity, he could potentially reach the silver stage in the ftuure.

Yet, Gary effortlessly demonstrated the vast disparity between them, his casual demeanor and ability to end the battle in a single strike leaving no room for doubt.

'Lancelot... it will be a challenging fight,' I contemplated, contemplating the outcome of their impending clash.

Having spent considerable time with Lancelot, I naturally found myself rooting for him, but I couldn't envision a victory against Gary.

"Don't worry about me, Rachel," Lancelot assured, turning to face me with a reassuring smile. "I won't go down without a fight, especially not against him."

|Arthur|

My train of thought was interrupted as the Director proceeded to announce the next pair of contestants.

"The second match features Lancelot Orbel and Kai Birchstone."

A surge of cheers erupted from the dwarven side as Kai made his entrance.

"It seems they're already setting the stage for the outcome," I mused, a faint grin spreading across my face. The result of this battle seemed all too clear to me.

Lancelot was adorned in a cloak of light brown and black, exuding a quiet confidence despite not brandishing any weapon.

His opponent, Rai, stood at a similar height but appeared older. He possessed a sturdy build, and I noticed the gleam of silver gauntlets encasing his fists.

"A brawler, much like my father," I thought, recognizing the fighting style.

"Assume your positions," the Director's voice resounded as she stepped down from the stage.

Lancelot remained poised, his stance relaxed, yet I could sense the mana surrounding him grow denser. Rai adopted a defensive fighting stance, refusing to underestimate his young adversary.

"He has a solid stance," my father murmured, and I nodded in agreement. "But isn't Lancelot too calm?" Helen pondered aloud.

Before I could respond, Adam interjected with a snort. "Heh, that's because this prodigy has never truly faced adversity. Just watch as he crumbles when confronted with a real opponent."

"While it may not be evident at first glance," I interjected, "Lancelot is fully prepared for the battle."

Perplexed expressions greeted my comment, but the battle commenced before they could question further.

Rai lunged straight at Lancelot, utilizing earth magic to enhance his speed. His fiery fists, propelled beyond the speed of sound, hurtled toward Lancelot's head.

'A dual elemental augmenter,' I noted, a glint of fascination in my eyes. 'He would likely have prevailed if not for those three.'

As anticipated, compressed air shields materialized in front of Lancelot's head, expertly blocking the oncoming assault. The shield remained unscathed, devoid of any cracks.

Rai unleashed a barrage of punches, attempting to breach the defensive spell. Hairline fractures appeared, propagating across the shield, but just as it neared the breaking point, Lancelot swiftly conjured a wind spell, propelling Rai out of the stage.

Although the dwarf attempted to protect himself by burrowing into the earth, his magic proved insufficient, leading to his defeat.

"Lancelot Orbel emerges as the victor of the second match!" the Director declared.

Disregarding the subsequent battles, my mind delved into simulations of a hypothetical clash between Lancelot and myself. While I acknowledged that he still possessed hidden cards, I had gained a reasonable estimation of his capabilities from this encounter.

'No use; I can't surpass him without tapping into Sylvia's beast will,' I shook my head in resignation.

It was clear that I needed to bolster my strength, significantly so.

|Virion|

Talent.

Talent is a tangible force in our world, manifesting in various forms.

The ability to absorb ambient mana swiftly, the aptitude for mastering new combat techniques, the capacity to create innovative spells—the facets of talent are as diverse as the individuals who possess them.

Geniuses, too, possess their own unique qualities while sharing a common thread. What sets them apart is their ability to surpass their peers and achieve a level of power that surpasses expectations.

In my generation, Cynthia and I were considered geniuses.

But beyond geniuses, there exist beings that defy classification.

Monsters.

These individuals not only surpass their peers, but their talent is so immense that it disrupts the very equilibrium of the world.

And before me stood two such monsters, two individuals who had the potential to elevate Dicathen to unprecedented heights or plunge it into ruin.

'They surpass even Arthur and Alistair,' I mused, awestruck. It was a revelation that sent shockwaves through my mind. Both of them were solidly in the orange stage, yet their prowess surpassed even those who had attained a core color higher than their own.

Gary, in particular, the swordsman, was a sight to behold. His skills were simply extraordinary.

My gaze swept across the faces of those present in the Royal Box, noting their expressions. Save for the human royalty, everyone wore expressions that had yet to recover from the astonishment of the first round.

I couldn't blame them; I, too, was likely equally stunned.

'I believed that Alistair represented the pinnacle of talent, but it seems I am growing old,' I sighed inwardly.

"Hahaha!" Blaine erupted into laughter, his hands clapping together. "Just as I anticipated, we humans are destined to dominate this tournament!" His proclamation resounded with pride and avarice gleaming in his eyes.

None dared to challenge his claim. All present were aware that both Lancelot and Gary possessed the capability to reach the finals effortlessly.

Once again, I sighed, recognizing the complexity of this situation.

The quarterfinals commenced, and the outcome was predictable. Lancelot and Gary effortlessly dispatched their adversaries, leaving no room for doubt.

'Another one? How many prodigies does Sapin possess?' I pondered as my attention shifted to Rachel, who ascended the stage.

Though her aura paled in comparison to that of Gary and Lancelot, she already stood at the dark orange stage. Her power was discernible, formidable in its own right.

"Claire Bladeheart and Rachel Glidesburn, assume your positions!" Cynthia's voice rang out, signaling the start of the battle.

The thirteen-year-old girl with fiery red hair was remarkable. Were it not for the presence of those three titans, she could have easily advanced to the finals of this tournament.

The augmenter charged forward, her rapier infused with the elements of wind and fire. However, Rachel swiftly conjured a water shield, effortlessly blocking the attack.

Soon, the battle concluded.

|Arthur|

'Rachel possesses considerable strength,' I acknowledged silently as the semi-finals commenced.

The first match was a lackluster affair, with Lancelot easily emerging victorious. However, the second match held promise, piquing my interest.

Rachel Glidesburn versus Gary Whiteborn.

"Assume your positions!" the Director commanded the participants.

Rachel's golden locks shimmered like liquid sunshine beneath the sun's rays. Her radiant blue eyes eclipsed even Tessia's luster. Her once cheerful countenance had transformed into a determined visage, brimming with resolve.

Gary wore his customary stoic expression, but an undercurrent of heightened interest emanated from him, unlike his previous bouts.

"Let the match begin!"

Rachel swiftly took cover behind a cascading wall of water.

'A wise strategy,' I silently commended.

With practiced ease, she conjured swirling water bullets, propelling them toward Gary.

'Her affinity with water magic is remarkable. The way she imparts spin to the bullets without employing any wind magic is extraordinary.'

Click!

As a resounding click reverberated throughout the stadium, Gary's thumb pressed against the hilt of his sword. In an instant, the bullet disintegrated before it could make contact.

In response, Gary surged toward Rachel, enveloping himself and his blade in crackling lightning, poised to bring the battle to an end.

Mammoth earthen walls sprang forth from the ground, attempting to impede Gary's advance. Yet, he effortlessly cleaved through them, encountering minimal resistance. Ultimately, his blade sliced through Rachel's defensive shield.

|Gary|

I watched in awe as Rachel muttered a curse under her breath, her eyes blazing with determination. Suddenly, time slowed down as I activated my extraordinary ability—'Eyes of Chronos.'

Water spells materialized around me, launched with precision by Rachel's skilled hands. However, with a focused thought, I enveloped myself in an armor of crackling lightning, effectively deflecting each incoming attack.

Undeterred, Rachel continued to unleash a relentless assault, exploiting every opening she could find. But my mastery of time manipulation allowed me to anticipate her moves with uncanny accuracy.

Closing in on her, I struck Rachel's stomach with a swift and calculated blow from the hilt of my sword. The impact sent her soaring out of the arena, her body disappearing into a cloud of dust.

"The winner is Gary Whiteborn!" Cynthia's voice reverberated throughout the stadium, confirming my victory.