Chapter 16 - The Tournament Begins

Sitting beside me was Feirit Ivsaar III, a representative of the noble Ivsaar family. I wasn't particularly interested in aristocracy, so I didn't know his history or accomplishments, but he was the only familiar face among those in the carriage.

Although my family was also of noble lineage, we lived a relatively modest life at my mother's insistence. Our title was granted after the last war between humans and elves, during which many of our ancestors perished, earning their honor on the battlefield with noble deaths. This explained why the royal family chose Aleya as a candidate for one of the Lances. With her heritage and talent, she stood out among others, placing herself on par with adult mages. I, too, performed decently, though I didn't seek such recognition.

Feeling a slight nervousness about the upcoming tournament, I suppressed a smile, striving to appear composed.

When our carriage entered the teleportation gates, a familiar sensation washed over me, as though we were fast-forwarding through a film. My head spun, and I barely managed to hold back nausea.

"We've arrived in Xyrus!" the driver announced.

Peeking outside, I saw crowds of people politely applauding our arrival. The tournament I was about to participate in was one of the continent's most significant events. It not only brought together the best young mages but also aimed to lay the foundation for a future where individuals could learn together regardless of their origins. This ambitious initiative by the continent's leaders was both thrilling and perilous, filled with the anticipation of conflicts and rivalries.

The driver directed the carriage through a narrow gap between two buildings, slowly moving through the welcoming crowd, which only heightened the sense of the moment's importance.

 We stopped in front of a magnificent structure resembling a castle, its high walls draped in ivy. The entrance was adorned with massive stone arches, and stationed at the doors were mages in uniforms signifying their affiliation with Xyrus.

So this was the Xyrus Academy. This was where the tournament was held—a place known for producing the finest mages, who would later achieve great renown. A chill ran down my spine as I realized I was standing at the threshold of something monumental.

"All participants, disembark and proceed for registration," a man in a stern uniform loudly instructed those in the carriage.

One by one, we stepped out and made our way toward the grand entrance, where tournament organizers awaited us. The air was thick with a festive atmosphere and excitement. Banners bearing Xyrus' insignia fluttered in the wind, and magical lights illuminated the square, adding to the grandeur.

Feirit walked ahead of me, his expression focused, his lips pressed into a thin line. He seemed confident, but I noticed his fingers nervously gripping the hilt of the wand hanging from his belt. I was tense as well but tried not to show it.

At the registration table, we were each asked to present our magical medallions—a symbol of our participation. I handed over mine, and one of the mages quickly activated it to verify its authenticity. I felt a slight tingling in my hand as the medallion glowed faintly, confirming my inclusion in the tournament.

"Lucius, son of the Triscan family, third youth participant," the mage announced as my name was recorded.

I nodded and proceeded inside the building. The interior was even more awe-inspiring: high vaulted ceilings, marble columns, and dazzling stained glass windows depicting scenes of great battles and magical feats from the past. The sight was mesmerizing, and despite my nervousness, I felt a surge of pride to be among these hallowed walls.

"Participants, please proceed to the main hall for orientation," one of the organizers instructed.

Each kingdom had sent a total of ten participants: five young prodigies who hadn't yet reached adulthood at fifteen and five participants in the adult category. We, the five youth representatives from our kingdom, exchanged brief glances with our older counterparts as we moved forward together.

The main hall was impressively vast, spacious enough to accommodate thousands of people. High ceilings adorned with magical lights added to the grandeur. The walls were lined with portraits of great mages from the past, their achievements inspiring future generations. At the center of the hall stood a stage adorned with the tournament's insignia—a proud reminder of the great event about to unfold. The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation.

Suddenly, a blurred figure on the stage came into focus, revealing an elderly woman standing behind a podium. She wore an elegant white diadem matching her white robes, exuding sophistication despite her age.

Her face bore gentle features reminiscent of a kind grandmother next door, but the aura surrounding her made her resemble a fae. The wrinkles on the corners of her brown eyes only enhanced her charm as she smiled and introduced herself.

"I welcome all of you, the talented mages of Dicathen, to this humble academy. I am Cynthia Goodsky, the headmistress of Xyrus Academy, and I will be your host for this tournament. It is my sincere wish that, in the future, some of you may choose to join my academy," she said with a pleasant voice that, despite its softness, carried clearly across the hall.

So this was the headmistress. I could only nod silently, taking in her presence.

"This tournament will test not only your strength but also your character. Victory belongs not just to the strongest but to the smartest and the most composed. May your hearts burn with courage and your minds remain cold."

Her words echoed through the hall, urging us to consider the challenges ahead. The air was thick with tension and excitement—every eye was fixed on the stage.

"The tournament consists of two phases, each designed to test your abilities," she continued, unrolling a scroll with the rules. "You will face various challenges: duels and team competitions. We will assess not only your combat skills but also your teamwork, problem-solving, and adaptability."

Feirit, standing beside me, scoffed and crossed his arms, exuding confidence. Other participants exchanged glances, clearly sizing each other up. I glanced briefly at my team: young mages from different corners of the kingdom, each with unique traits and strengths.

"Your first task will be a team challenge. The rules are simple. Teams of three from each kingdom will battle against each other. Your objective is to protect your crystal and destroy your opponent's. This will help us evaluate your leadership, cooperation, and strategic planning skills," Cynthia explained.

This announcement sparked whispers among the participants. Team battles could be both an advantage and a challenge. Teamwork required complete trust and synchronization with your partners—a difficult feat, especially among strangers.

"This is your chance to prove yourselves. May the best prevail!" she said, raising her hand and glancing upward toward where the kings of the three kingdoms sat.

All eyes instinctively turned to the glass partitioned balconies where the rulers and their entourages observed the tournament from above. Their presence added a sense of gravity to the event—their approval could alter the fate of everyone present.

"The team list will be posted at the main hall entrance," Cynthia pointed to the door. "You have a few hours to review it and discuss strategies with your teammates. And congratulations to one youth and one adult team who are lucky enough to pass this round without a match! Now, good luck, young mages. May these walls witness the first steps of your journey to greatness!"

Her speech concluded with thunderous applause. The atmosphere grew even more charged as anticipation for the first challenge surged. I made my way to the exit, following the stream of participants.

At the entrance, a board displaying the team compositions had already been put up. I scanned the list, searching for my group. My teammates were Claire Bladeheart and Darius Volheim—a human, an elf, and a dwarf. It seemed the roots of unity were beginning to take hold, with three races forming one team.

I glanced through the rest of the lists, not expecting anything out of the ordinary, until my eyes widened in shock.

"Eh—?" I let out a disbelieving sound. It was a name I knew all too well. A—Ar—Arthur Leywin. He was participating in the tournament? How?

I reread the list several times, but the name didn't disappear: Arthur Leywin, a human from the Sapin Kingdom. A name so familiar it hurt, one I never expected to see here. Memories from the past flooded my mind. Chronologically, he wasn't supposed to participate in this tournament. Seeing him here among the competitors felt absurd.

"This can't be…" I muttered, feeling my heart skip a beat. Could it be someone with the same name?

Someone called out to me, but I couldn't tear my gaze away from the name, as if trying to convince myself it wasn't a mistake. Arthur Leywin wasn't just anyone—he was a future legend. A heartthrob for princesses, a Xyrus professor, a Spear of Godspell, and a God Slayer. I knew his strength and talents, but what was he doing among young mages ready to fight for a place in the spotlight?

My thoughts bounced between surprise and a hint of unease. Whether he was here as an ordinary participant or for other reasons, his presence changed everything. Perhaps someone among the royal faces recognized his potential, or maybe he chose to test himself?

"Hey, you're Lucius Triscan, right?" A tap on my shoulder and a cheerful voice broke me out of my thoughts.

I nodded, looking at the speaker. A girl stood before me, a head taller than I was. She wasn't as striking as Tess, but she was still quite pretty. Her face held a combination of determination and curiosity.

"It seems we're on the same team. My name is Claire Bladeheart, nice to meet you," she said, extending her hand. I shook it in response.

"Let's hope we work well together!"

"I hope so too," I replied, trying to focus on Claire, though my thoughts kept drifting back to Arthur. Could fate really have intertwined our paths in such a strange way? I tried to push the thought aside, knowing I needed to concentrate on the upcoming competition.

Claire smiled and let go of my hand, clearly pleased with the introduction.

"You're quite young. I heard you're only eleven years old," she continued. "You must be a very talented mage to be representing the Kingdom of Eleanor at such an age."

I offered a faint smile in response to her flattering words.

At that moment, the third member of our team approached—a short, broad-shouldered dwarf with a thick beard, who looked like he'd seen it all.

"Darius Volheim," he introduced himself, glancing between the two of us. His voice was rough, but it carried a tone of confidence. "I hope you won't get in the way."

Claire snorted at his arrogant comment and introduced herself. I followed suit, keeping my tone polite.

Darius gave me a disdainful look, crossing his arms.

"Looks like the elves have run out of decent mages if they're sending kids to the tournament," he sneered, planting his hands on his hips.

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