Ten minutes after our victory in the finals, Cerion and I were ushered to a small podium that had been erected in the arena. Arcellus' and Karons team joined us as we stood before the Royal booth, awaiting the kings announcent, before the rest of the top sixteen teams gathered in the arena.
Arcellus didnt seem as incensed as I had expected. He looked grim, to be sure, but calm. Much calr than he had been at the end of our match, at least. The fact that he was following us to the podium must have ant that he had secured third place, while Karons team ca in second.
Many of us were still in bandages, Arcellus servant being covered by them entirely. While the dedicated healers of the capital were nothing to scoff at, they could only heal serious wounds so quickly.
Thankfully, Cerion seed to be healing just fine from the wounds he had accrued during the doubles tournant. As for , did you even have to ask? My armor was wrecked, to be sure, but the rest of was pristine.
Honestly, the whole idea of armor was starting to bug . What was even the point when I healed so quickly anyway? At least it was cheap, by tier 2 standards.
My thoughts were interrupted by the appearance of his majesty the king. The giant that resembled a lion if you squinted, pushed the drapes of his booth out of the way to reveal himself, his cloak floating in the wind.
As he appeared, the arena beca dead silent. The king was a renowned figure, a tier 6 classer that had been ruling the kingdom for longer than most of its citizens had been alive. For them, he was a myth, a legend. As a result, they showed him the proper respect.
When he spoke, all heard him, even though he didnt speak that loudly.
Ah. Youth. With every iteration of this little tourney, I am reminded of this words significance. It represents growth. Change. Out with the old, in with the new. Its easy to forget that all is temporary, when you live for a long ti. Young warriors, you have once again proven that the future belongs to the younger generations! Your strength, courage and valor have shown all those present and all those watching from a distance what it ans to rise above the average! What it ans to supersede the expected! What the path to greatness looks like!
He lifted a hand, allowing the audience to make noise again. In response to his speech, they cheered, cried and shouted. While most here would never rise above expectations like we had, never be able to call themselves great, they were still caught in the narrative that the king had spun. While his speech might have placed a lot of focus on the few that rise above, and ignored those that remain below, I couldnt fault him for it. This was a world where personal power ruled. Entire empires rose and fell purely based on the strength of one or several people. What the kingdom needed wasnt a thousand tier 5s. It needed just a few more tier 6s.
He lowered his hand again, quieting the crowd.
In third place, team A9. Peter Arcellus and Sir Aleph, step forward.
They did so, and gave a deep bow.
In this category, you have shown imnse power, and your team managed to secure third place. Be careful not to forget about your cohesion as a team, however. As a reward for your placent, you will each receive a weapon created by one of the royal smiths, as well as a reward of 12000 gold pieces, to be split amongst the two of you. I hope to see you in the single tournant as well. Especially, you, young Arcellus. Now step onto the podium.
Arcellus and his knight approached the raised platform and stepped onto it. The announcer appeared from the sidelines with two bronze dals, which he put on their necks with elegant motions.
The crowd cheered them on and gave an applause for their performance, though it was a little subdued. Maybe his fiery display that had nearly torched the arena had scared them off.
The knight gave a deep bow to the audience, but Arcellus clearly couldnt be bothered. He just stared off into space with a listless look, as if none of this mattered to him anymore.
The king lowered his hand again, asking for silence.
In second place, team A2. Karon and X, step forward.
Your prowess, tactics and versatility allowed you to make it far in this tournant. Dont forget, however, that a team is made up of two people. That ans that both of you need to be capable of making decisions on the fly, rather than relying on predetermined decisions. No plan survives first contact with the enemy.. As your reward, you will each receive a trinket, handmade by the royal smiths, as well as 25000 gold pieces, to be split amongst you. Now take the number two placent on the podium.
Again, the crowd cheered as they stepped onto the podium.
Now, ti for the most impressive team to join this doubles tournant. Team A3, Cerion Rass and Arthur, step forward.
Your team has shown outstanding performances on all fronts. You are both very talented classers, who ca in first undisputedly. I have to warn you both, however, not to rely on each others company overly much in the future. You are both very powerful for your tier, and journeying together can be very gratifying. However, no person reaches their full potential without struggle. Sotis, facing challenges by oneself is the only way to progress.
For your victory, you will each receive the opportunity to loan one item from the third level of the imperial vault, which you may use for 100 years. Fret not, in the case of your death, it will be returned to the vault automatically. he said, with a grin full of teeth.
On top of that, you will receive 50000 gold pieces, to be split amongst the two of you. Now join the other competitors on the podium, and take your rightful place in the center. he finished.
He didnt have to tell us twice. I had to hold myself back from sprinting onto the raised platform, telling all who would listen that I had won. That I was powerful. As I noticed this inclination, I quickly pushed it back down, knowing it to be my affinity-fueled pride.
Cerion and I stepped up, and bowed deeply, first to the king, then to the audience, who gave us the loudest applause yet.
I grinned. It seed that they had all but forgotten about the threat I posed. For now, at least.
I took that happy thought all the way ho, to my bed in the guild, where I fell asleep the mont my head struck the pillow. Today had been a good day.
~scene transition~
Suddenly, I woke from my dreams with a start. Sothing heavy had landed on my stomach, and was pinning down. My eyes shot open and I went for my sword that I kept at my bedside. I was halfway done swinging it, when I noticed just who had attacked.
Michael, what are you doing? Dont wake like that! I could have damn near killed you! I asked him, as he bounced up and down excitedly.
Dont be a spoilsport, Arthur! You won! You won the tournant! he replied with wide eyes and a bright smile.
I sighed and lifted him off of myself, lifting my body to a sitting position.
We won one of the nine possible categories, yes. One of the two were signed up for, actually. You cant just call that winning the tournant. I said, rubbing my eyes.
So you lost he asked sadly.
I looked at him incredulously. This guy had gotten into a royal school?
No, you idiot! We won, obviously.
Instead of replying, he ran into the living room, singing sothing along the lines of Arthur won the entire tournant, Arthur says he won the entire tournant
Damn brat. That was his intent all along? Damn. I sighed to myself, before preparing myself for another day. The singles tournant would start the next day, which ant that I had to be in shape for another round of fighting.
As I entered the living room, Doran entered as well, carrying so fresh bread in a basket and setting it down on the table.
When he noticed , he greeted .
Ah, Arthur. I went to visit my father this morning and thought to bring so fresh breakfast while I was at it. He was impressed by your performance yesterday, especially when he saw so of the swordsmanship that I tend to use. I told him about being your ntor, you see.
I smiled and grabbed a honey-filled bun, munching down on it. It sure was convenient, having so inroad into the church. Especially when, you know, you were the antithesis to the church in almost every way. Wait a minute had Andross set up with Doran as a ntor to mollify the church? That old man had been planning this from the start! Devious old bugger Well, since it benefitted , I wasnt about to complain.
I turned my attention from the sweet taste of my honey bun to Doran.
So hows that coming along? You and your father, I an.
He smiled slightly, before letting out a small sigh.
Typical of you to ask such a tactless question. I suppose Ive co to expect this of you. My relationship with my father has been recovering. When first we talked a few days ago, it was like I had never left. Now, its a little more awkward, though. Sotis we dont find anything to talk about and fall silent. That wouldnt be so bad, if it wasnt for the guilty look on my fathers face in those monts. Doran said quietly.
Realizing my mistake, I paused.
...Sorry. I said.
Oh, think nothing of it. I dont bla you. Anyway, I think I should go wake Cerion, before he sleeps through the next category of the tournant. he said with a light smile, before getting up.
A short breakfast later, I decided to visit the old codgers underground shack. Rashid, the guild head, always seed to welco my company anyway. Much to my own displeasure, I didnt exactly dislike his, either. Sothing about that old mans energy was infectious.
~scene transition~
Ah, Arthur, my boy! Good show I say, good show! Fantastic job yesterday, you really showed those rcs whose boss! he said, shadowboxing around his couch as he did so.
Can I keep this sword, then? I asked halfheartedly, pointing at the tier 4 sword he had loaned for the tournant.
But of course! As long as you win the next one as well! Or get into the finale, at least. There are so strong competitors, after all, hohoho! he said with glee, rubbing his bony hands together.
My eyebrows lifted in surprise.
Really? Even after yesterdays showing you dont know who will win the next category?
That was surprising, especially since I had even used my trump cards in those final few fights. I had even used my mana intrusion, which the guild head, as a tier 6, wouldnt have missed.
Right, right! That monk boy and the church girl are both pretty tough, with their own fun rules to follow! Your build definitely holds an inherent advantage over more basic, inert ones, but dont think your competitors will play by the rules either! You saw what Arcellus was capable of last ti! Now imagine another three or four people with similar strength, that havent completed yet. Less than half of the seeded participants participated in the doubles tournant, after all. He said warningly, waving a finger in the air. He started to spin it around when he noticed I was following his movent, so I quickly snapped out of it.
Anyway, on to more important matters he said dangerously, in a half whisper. His face twisted into one of glee just as quickly as the opposite had happened, however.
Want to see my rock collection? he asked with a childs innocence.
Maybe later I replied; before running away. I wasnt a coward. So things were just too scary to deal with twice. No one man should have all that power or all those petrified animal turds, in this case.
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