The preliminary rounds of the tournant are conducted more briefly compared to the main rounds.
Only the main rounds are broadcast online and attended by external spectators, which is a result of the preliminaries simply serving as a way to filter which cadets make it to the main rounds.
Because of this, the preliminaries aren't held in a single arena but are spread out across various locations, leading to many overlapping match schedules.
This applies not only to the first-year students but also to the upper years, resulting in a multiplied number of overlapping matches.
As such, few people split their ti to watch other cadets' preliminary matches.
Therefore, the arenas for the preliminary rounds are usually sparse, with empty seats creating an overall calm atmosphere.
“......”
But that’s usually the case.
As I stepped out of the waiting room and walked onto the stage, I caught the sound of murmurs, and I could feel a crowd so large it seed to sway the wind.
The arena resembled a coliseum.
In the center was a spacious, sandy battleground, surrounded by a circular seating area for spectators.
The sounds and presence emanating from the seats were far from calm. It was as bustling as a marketplace.
Even without any external spectators—only cadets—it was still like this.
With my Observation Power, I noticed that a fair number of seats were occupied. I saw not only green ties, indicating first-year students, but also red, yellow, and blue ties.
These were upper-year students with whom I had almost no interaction due to different living areas.
Among them were so I knew, albeit one-sidedly.
So would soday beco world-class fighters, should they avoid mishaps along the way.
Others would rise to fa as skilled warriors.
So, even if lacking in raw strength, could offer strategic advantages if I beca close to them.
'And then...'
I shifted my observation to the edge of the spectator stands, where soone sitting in a rather secluded spot was drawing a lot of attention.
They were tall, noticeably above average, like an advertisent for superhumans.
With distinct and sharp features that naturally drew the eye.
Their loosely tied brown hair and leaf-like green eyes stood out even against earthy tones.
‘Lee Jiyeon.’
Heir to Taesan, soone I had yet to et. A significant figure I had worked alongside until the end of the first round.
The mont I recognized her.
Ding!
An alarm rang, a sound so familiar that it was almost tireso. It was like a small bell ringing by my ear.
I sighed, rubbing my neck.
There was no Confession Necklace or hologram projector. I hadn’t even equipped Wings of the Sky.
In the tournant, not only are weapons forbidden, but artifacts acquired within Shio-ram are also restricted.
I left everything behind.
In other words, the alarm wasn’t coming from the spectator seats, and there was no reason for it to ring so clearly in my ears.
I forced down a scowl. With so many eyes on , frowning at the opponent just entering the stage would certainly invite so unwanted comntary.
‘Status screen? Status?’
A mysterious alarm.
I first beca aware of it when I was recovering in the healing room after the Shipnaha incident.
Even without a smartwatch, the alarm rang in my ears. At first, I wasn’t sure, but at so point, I was certain it was ant for .
‘A real status screen? Then why isn’t it showing up?’
The first thought that crossed my mind was a status screen. But no matter how I tried to call it up, not even a hint of it appeared.
I almost wondered if I was losing my mind.
Suppressing a sigh, I began to stretch.
Across the stage, Aiden climbed up, gripping a longsword.
Each of us held a sword. The dueling stage. The variety of gazes locked on us.
The situation was quite similar to that ti.
“It’s been a while… Well, actually, we t in the lecture room just a few days ago...”
Ha-ha...
Aiden, who trudged up while checking his equipnt, awkwardly broke the silence.
There was an odd tension in his expression and tone, suggesting that he also found this situation similar to last ti.
“......”
I, too, couldn’t find the words to speak. Just like then, the curse still lingered, and I was only barely bypassing it with the Confession Necklace.
Not that things were entirely the sa as last ti.
[At this mont, the tournant preliminary round will begin.]
Amidst this, the amplified voice of the announcer echoed within the building.
[The rules allow virtual combat. Combatants are permitted to use body strengthening, aura, magic, and unique abilities, but the match may be halted at the discretion of the referee.]
This wasn’t like the friendly match before. It was the midterm assessnt at Shio-ram, with backup asures in place, including the power of the Tower.
It was almost as if we were within the Tower itself.
At the very least, no one would die, and injuries would manifest as those sa light clusters as last ti.
[Prepare for battle on both sides.]
Shwing.
I drew my sword, feeling the cool energy sweep past my ears as I took my stance.
Aiden, gathering himself, also unsheathed his sword.
“Aiden Reynolds. Let’s have a good match.”
He steadied his grip, holding his sword firmly with both hands, and spoke with a steely gaze.
“This ti, I won’t be careless. I’ll give it my all.”
His stance left no room for doubt.
Nodding at him, I let the mana from my core spread through my body.
‘Manifest Body Strengthening.’
[Let the evaluation begin!]
The mont the voice resounded, we both kicked off the ground.
The distance closed rapidly, and finally, our swords clashed in the center.
Clang!
The sound of tal rang harshly. Sparks flew as aura-clad swords scraped against each other and then rebounded upwards.
“Ugh...!”
This ti, Aiden’s arm was the one thrown back.
Despite wielding a sword with one hand against an opponent using both hands.
He didn’t waver, imdiately steadying himself and swinging his sword back at .
I watched the trajectory of his swing, predicting where it would land and the follow-up strike he would make.
Clang! Clang! Clash!
Our swords collided. Blades scraped against each other, and sparks flew as we pushed against one another.
My feet shifted constantly to stabilize my stance.
With each shift, I evaded his attacks and delivered strikes aid back at him.
The duel was underway.
Soon enough, one side began to yield.
Aiden was the one being pushed back.
As I relentlessly pressed him, I slamd my aura-infused sword down.
A blue arc traced through the air, and Aiden, struggling to block, gripped his sword tightly with both hands.
Boom!
“Argh...!”
Aiden groaned as his legs dug into the ground. Dust rose from the indent his feet made as he was gradually pushed back.
His arms trembled under the strain of my assault. He was being slowly forced downward.
Realizing that brute force wouldn’t work, Aiden gritted his teeth, shifting his weight to his lower body.
He tried to distribute the force pressing down on him and, taking advantage of a brief gap, aid to shake off.
I anticipated his move and countered.
As he pulled back to strike, I retracted my sword.
Then, turning with the exposed gap in his upper body, I aid a swift, aura-clad kick at his torso.
Boom! The impact landed on Aiden’s midsection, folding him over.
The force sent him skidding back, unable to counter the shock.
I imdiately followed up, swinging my sword at him.
Not wanting to lose, Aiden, disregarding the saliva trailing from his mouth, t my attack head-on.
Clang... Clang! Clash!
Our blades clashed, their edges interlocking. Aura swirled, and one side’s energy was relentlessly chipped away.
Shing! A flash of light erupted near Aiden’s shoulder.
He grimaced and tried to react, but my relentless attacks continued, making light burst repeatedly.
‘Power.’
In terms of sheer strength, I held the advantage.
‘Mana.’
In both quality and quantity, the aura I infused with my mana was far superior.
‘Skill.’
My skill in wielding the sword and sustaining combat also placed in the lead.
Aiden continued to retreat, his aura dissipating, his body accumulating wounds.
“Huff... Huff...”
Aiden stepped back, breathing heavily.
With every breath, blood-like clusters of light dripped from his wounds.
In contrast, I stood steady, my mana reserves overflowing. I hadn’t allowed a single injury.
It was one-sided.
This ti was different.
Aiden hadn’t underestimated or let his guard down. From the start, he had given it his all.
It felt like an entirely different era had passed.
It was a deeply peculiar feeling.
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