A high-pitched chime rang out.
At the far end of the arena, three glowing points of light materialized. Each was the size of a fist. These were the Blink Fireflies.
Almost immediately, two of the contestants reacted. A series of mechanical crossbow shots rang out. Three electric bolts hissed through the air. At the same time, bursts of laser magic rays flashed from an arcane rifle.
All of them missed the targets. The Blink Fireflies had teleported away almost instantly. Avoiding the attacks easily.
Reina didn't rush. Her eyes, however, seemed to track one of the three shimmering lights without blinking. She noticed that as soon as it appeared, it began to blink. Disappearing and reappearing several meters from their last known location. Making any direct aim almost impossible.
Reina knew she couldn't just aim. She needed to predict. It wasn't just the fireflies which were able to teleport, she could also do it. She had an [Absolute Blink] power after all. That teleportation ability of her gave her a unique insight into spatial manipulation.
She could anticipate where the firefly would likely be, even before the instant it rematerialized. But, eight hundred meters... that distance was outside the effective range of her handguns.
She immediately holstered her handguns and drew her steamrune sniper rifle. Her hands lifted it. The rifle rose. Steady as a rock.
She aimed and pulled the trigger in a seamless manner. Without using the rifle's scope. A single, clear shot rang. BANG! The bullet cut through the air. Targeting an empty space.
At eight hundred meters, the shot seemed impossibly fast, impossibly accurate. The blinking firefly Reina targeted reappeared right at the bullet destination. Just an instant after a blink, it suddenly exploded in a shower of sparks and iridescent dust.
It had been hit mid-teleport. Before it could even sense the danger of the incoming projectile.
A roar erupted from the crowd. It was instantaneous. Reina had fired first, and killed first.
Five seconds afterward, the second firefly was hit. It was a tall archer with a scarred face, one of the five finalists. He didn't just let loose an arrow. He shot four arrows simultaneously. Powerful flashing arrows. Aimed at his predicted teleporting destination of his target.
His shot was timed well. Aiming at the exact moment a second firefly became visible. And he was quite lucky. One of his four arrows struck true. Piercing the glowing creature. It flickered once, then burst into sparks and colorful dust.
Aella hadn't looked at the fireflies. She had watched Reina's strategy instead. A flash of understanding bloomed in her young eyes.
She didn't have Reina's experience, but she had her own uncanny instincts. And she had her own insight of space-time nature. Her small revolver snapped up.
She took a breath, held it, and charged the gun with her voidfire energy. Eight hundred meters... that was normally out of the range of a normal revolver.
But hers wasn't normal. Jack had designed it as the tool to focus her voidfire power. As long as there was enough energy, any range would be fine.
Aella pulled the trigger. BANG! The bullet streaked towards an empty space. The last remaining firefly blinked and appeared right in that space.
It instantly sensed danger and tried to teleport again, but Aella's shot was already there. Impacting the firefly just as it began its next teleportation. It instantly exploded in a spark of black-purple color.
Three fireflies. Three hits. Reina's was unequivocally the first. The archer, Harjune Janarch, was the second. And Aella, surprising everyone, gained the third position.
The arena descended into a frenzy of shouts and cheers. The crew members of the Silent Mermaid screamed loudly. Full of excitement.
Jack looked at both Reina and Aella. Smiling proudly. Lifting both his thumbs up as the two looked at him.
...
The official's voice, amplified by magic, cut through the noise. "We have our champion! Contestant Reina Night! And the second and third winners... Contestant Harjune Janarch, and Contestant Aella Night! Please come to the center stage."
Reina walked to the center stage. A small smile of pride graced her lips. The archer with the scarred face followed. Accepting his second-place finish with a simple nod. Aella, beaming with pride, skipped happily behind them.
The official raised his hands. "Let us now present the rewards for the Marksmanship Mastery!"
He turned to Reina. "To our Champion, Reina Night, we present the illustrious title of 'Marksman Queen'!"
Suddenly, a glowing pillar of light descended from the sky. Bathing Reina with its radiance for a few seconds.
Jack, observing from the audience stand, immediately activated his [Eyes of Judgement]. The title given to Reina wasn't just a set of empty words. It was actually something comparable to a permanent buff. Significantly enhancing her reaction speed, stamina, and accuracy.
"Alongside this esteemed designation..." The official continued after the radiance dissipated. "... you shall receive a substantial reward of ten thousand gold coins, and the legendary artifact, the [Dragonhorn Bow]!"
An assistant brought forward a large pouch of gold coins. And a long, elegantly curved bow.
The bow was crafted from what appeared to be dark, gnarled horn. It was glinting with an inner light. Radiating a subtle, ancient power.
Reina took it. Inspecting it briefly. It was undoubtedly a powerful weapon. But she didn't use bows. She was a master of steamrune handguns and rifles. Not of traditional archery.
The official then turned to the scarred archer. "For your exceptional skill, Contestant Harjune Janarch, we bestow upon you the blessed mystic title of 'Marksman Lord'!"
Similar scene appeared. Another glowing pillar of light descended from the sky. Bathing the archer with its radiance for another few seconds. It was not as bright nor as long as the first time with Reina, but it was definitely another significant permanent buff.
"You are awarded five thousand gold coins, and the artifact, the [Leather Armor of the Night]!" The official added.
Another assistant presented a pouch of gold coins and a set of dark, supple leather armor. The armor was intricately stitched. Seemingly absorbing the light around it. It looked practical and durable. Harjune Janarch nodded. Pleased with the prize.
Finally, the official addressed Aella.
"And for our youngest, yet incredibly skilled contestant, Aella, we grant the blessed mystic title of 'Marksman Master'!"
Another blessing scene happened for the third time. A similar pillar of light descended from the sky and bathed Aella with its radiance. It was a little less bright and less long. Yet, it was still significant permanent buff.
"Little lady Aella, you shall receive two thousand five hundred gold coins, and the artifact, the [Cape of Mystery]!"
Aella's eyes lit up as an assistant brought her a deep blue cape, embroidered with shimmering, star-like patterns. It seemed to ripple with unheard secrets. She hugged it immediately. Clearly delighted with the prize.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, the first day of the Tournament was over." The official announced. "Tomorrow, the Battle King Duel will be held in this stage. Will we have a Battle King this year? We will see it tomorrow."
...
After the official ceremony, the crowd began to disperse. Reina didn't rejoin the crew immediately. Instead, she approached Harjune Janarch.
Jack watched silently. Anticipating her move. He could easily guess what she wanted to do. The [Dragonhorn Bow] was useless in her hand. And none of the crew members used such kind of weapon. The [Leather Armor of the Night] on the other hand, was much more practical. She definitely intended to exchange the prize.
"Wait a moment, Mr. Janarch." Reina said in clear voice.
The archer turned. "Ms. Night. Do you require something? Anayway... Congratulations on your victory. Truly remarkable marksmanship."
"Thank you." Reina replied. She held up and showed the [Dragonhorn Bow]. "This was a powerful artifact, without a doubt. Wouldn't you say so?"
Harjune Janarch's eyes narrowed slightly as they landed on the bow. "It is a legendary piece. Many would kill for such a weapon."
"Indeed." Reina said. "However, I am not trained in the way of archery. This bow, while magnificent, would not see its full potential in my hands."
The archer looked at her seriously. Immediately able to guess her intention. "Prize exchange?"
"Precisely." Reina said calmly. "You, Mr. Janarch, are an archer. Your prize is the [Leather Armor of the Night], a fine piece of stealth and defensive gear. But I imagine a powerful bow would serve better."
She paused, then continued, straightforwardly. "I propose an exchange. My [Dragonhorn Bow] for your [Leather Armor of the Night]. A fair trade, wouldn't you say?"
Harjune Janarch's gaze lingered on the [Dragonhorn Bow]. Then flickered to his own armor. "Are you sure, Ms. Night? Many would consider the [Dragonhorn Bow] more valuable than this armor."
"Even the most valuable thing will be useless for me if I cannot use it." Reina shrugged her shoulders. "In my hand, it will just be a merchandise to sell, or a pointless collection. So, how about it? Should we exchange them?"
A wide grin spread across the archer's scarred face. "For me, it's a perfect proposal, Ms. Night. It would be an honor to wield such a weapon. And this armor, while excellent, cannot compare to the utility of a legendary bow for a man of my profession."
He extended his hand. "Happily agreed!"
Reina nodded. A small, satisfied smirk playing on her lips. They quickly exchanged their new artifacts.
Harjune Janarch immediately took to the Dragonhorn Bow, feeling its balance. His eyes were gleaming with excitement.
Reina, on the other hand, didn't wear the [Leather Armor of the Night]. It was pretty redundant for her. Her enchanted leather armor was created by Jack using various fused materials and inscribed with multiple useful runes.
As for the specific ability of the new artifact, stealth and short distance teleportation... it ovelapped with her illusion and [Absolute Blink] power.
The armor wouldn't do much for her. But one of the crew members should be able to make a full use of it. And Jack might learn some new runes from the armor's enchantment.
While Reina was trading the prizes with the archer, Aella had already rejoined the crew. She was, at the moment, already busy experimenting with her new [Cape of Mystery]. The cape seemed to shimmer and shift in subtle ways as she moved.
Jack caught Reina's eye as she walked to their crew's seat. She gave him a brief, almost imperceptible wink.
The first day of the tournament was a resounding success. They had not only secured a championship but also optimized their new gains. The next event of the tournament would be... tomorrow.
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