After the demon raid, the kingdom announced that the academy would continue with their tournament. Not only were the watchers granted free admission, but they could also have a chance to meet the hero Incus in person.
An old man with long white hair and a long white beard popped up out of nowhere.
Looking up at the window, I smirked as I saw an opportunity.
—
Chapter 109: Tournament
…
The headmaster of the academy appeared in front of the stadium.
"Dear students of mine, I am here to praise all who will be leaving us for a better future. Of course it isn't time for graduation, however this tournament will show us your strength and how much you've cultivated your skills over the years."
A floating pillar then appeared. There were three items on the pillar.
"The winner will be given these rewards. First is the [True Truthseeker's Eye], an eye which belonged to the original Truthseeker."
An eyeball that burned the color of crimson purple was contained in a glass container.
"The second is the [Fire Hero's Sword]! There's no need for me to give any more information, as we all know the legacies of a hero."
A sword that gave off a fiery aura was resting on an intricate sword holder.
"And last but not least… the [Dragon Scales Armor], a very light armor which took the efforts of one hundred blacksmiths and mages to forge."
—
Gulping, I sneakily went up to the pillar as no one was written to protect them.
"…Ring, what are you doing, you fool!" Alleus whispered loudly at me.
Taking the rewards meant for the winner, I went back in line.
"I'm simply taking whatever will improve our chances of surviving."
It was a good thing my gamble paid off. Not only was I not stopped and killed on the spot, but I was thankful that there weren't any consequences for taking the rewards that were most likely meant for Incus. I wondered what would happen when the winner was supposed to be given the rewards.
Since I used swords and Alleus used a short sword, I kept the Fire Hero's Sword for myself.
"Do you want the Dragon Scales Armor?" I asked.
"Oh geez… I'm fine with just the eye. Since you're the front liner, you can keep it."
Giving her the glass container, she took the lid off the top and held the eye.
She tilted her head in confusion as she assessed it. When she put it near her eye, it grew tentacles, ripped out her right eye, and replaced it.
"Aurgh!" She groaned in pain.
"Are you good?"
Calming her breath, she nodded.
"…Yeah, I'm alright."
Opening her eye, she looked at me with a strange expression. Her right eye was now crimson purple.
"What, is there something on my face?"
Rubbing her eye, she blinked a few times.
"No, it's just that… I'm seeing multiples of you."
After saying that, she collapsed to the ground and grabbed her head.
"Urgh… my head. It hurts."
Rubbing her shoulder, I told her:
"Just close that eye for now. It's probably what's causing you pain."
Picking herself up, Alleus wobbled for a few moments before opening her left eye.
I also put the hero's sword around my waist next to my steel sword, and put on the Dragon Scales Armor, which looked more like a cloak.
After the headmaster's speech, he made the pillar float up in the air. Instructor Distal then spoke in front of the five rows of classrooms as he announced the brackets that the students would be fighting in.
Incus' name was announced to fight against a background character. Such a poor fool. Good thing it wouldn't be me anytime soon. As long as I didn't fight anyone from the main cast, I'd be fine.
I then heard my name. My opponent was some guy named Asher.
After the brackets had been announced, we sat on rows of seats that were placed near the fighting stadium. It was slightly elevated so we could see the battles.
"So who's your opponent?"
Alleus was covering her right eye and answered:
"Someone named Steven. I have an idea. We could use this as an opportunity to scout for potential allies!"
Putting my hand over my mouth, I pondered her suggestion.
Yes, it was indeed the best chance to find someone to join our crusade. However, it would be difficult to convince them. Unlike Alleus, who easily believed me, I would need something to push others into believing me. If one of them was an inch away from death, then it would be so much easier to convince them. Since we consisted of two front combatants, we would benefit from someone with ranged abilities.
"No. Not yet. For now, let's focus on growing our strength. The fewer people we have, the better we can maneuver."
Frowning, she gave a slight nod.
***
As the battles happened, the main cast blew through the competition.
Then, it was finally my turn.
Stepping onto the stadium, I pulled out the Fire Hero's Sword. For now, I was going to focus on learning how to wield its abilities and the Dragon Scales Armor's.
"Ring versus Asher..! May your battle now begin!" spat Instructor Distal.
"System open..!"
Looking at my weapons, I paid attention to the hero sword's description.
◈ Fire Hero's Sword
[ExcaliBurn: Shoots out an arc of flame]
Gripping the handle, I swung the blade as I shouted:
"ExcaliBurn!"
A crescent flame then flew out of the blade, aiming for my opponent Asher. However, as soon as it did, I felt something inside me drain, and sweat fell down my face. Damn it, did this attack require mana?
Sheathing the Fire Hero's Sword, I pulled out my steel sword. It was time to utilize the Dragon Scales Armor.
Shifting my attention to the Dragon Scales Armor, I glanced at the description:
[Command the scales and it will listen]
"Scales, veil my blade."
A portion of the cloak-like armor then began to cover the steel blade, which slightly shortened the sleeve.
Jumping into a fighting stance, I lunged at Asher.
He redirected my attack with a steel dagger and landed a side kick to my stomach.
But the scales then moved into the direction of the attack to protect me, somewhat softening the blow.
I could check his stats, but I needed to gain the ability to fight in any situation without knowing whether I could win the fight or not. If I learned that a person's stats and skills were lower, it could lead me to lower my guard, and that was something I wouldn't want to happen.
However, I did know something. Asher was a rogue.
"Scales, strangle his legs," I commanded, extending a hand.
Scales shot out and wrapped around Asher's legs.
Lunging downward, I then did an upward slash that made a large cut across his chest.
"Our winner is Ring! May our next contestants now come up."
Sitting back down on the seats by the stadium, Alleus offered me a high five.
"Great job, partner!"
Slapping her palm, I smirked.
"Just make sure that you don't lose to anyone except for me."
"Getting full of ourselves now, are we? How brave..!" She then laughed.
***
Match after match, Alleus and I flew through the tournament, exchanging a high five with every win.
I was also taking this chance to improve my ability to utilize the Dragon Scales Armor. Because the Fire Hero's Sword took a lot out of me, I decided to only use it when absolutely necessary.
And finally, it was the top twelve.
Walking to the stadium, Instructor Distal then announced:
"We are nearing our end. Ring versus Alleus..! May the battle begin!"
Running forward at full speed, I thrust my steel sword at Alleus. She swiftly countered by redirecting my attack to the side, then jumped in the air and did a downward kick.
Doing a high block, the scales protected my forearm. Grabbing Alleus by the ankle, I slammed her to the ground, but she stopped the impact by putting both hands on the ground. Twisting her ankle free, she then jumped back into a fighting stance.
"You're much better than I thought," she said, patting the dirt off her pants.
"Ha! Quit being such a hypocrite and open your other eye already. I've seen you slowly getting used to it."
"Geez, you've got quite the eyes." She then opened her right eye, which bore a crimson purple color on her pupil.
A drop of sweat then got into my eye, making me wince. Opening my eyes after wiping off the sweat, Alleus had disappeared. Whipping my head around the stadium, I couldn't find her.
But then a shadow enveloped me. Looking up, I saw Alleus falling from the sky, her blade pointed directly at me.
I raised my sword and blocked her attack, but I fell to my knees.
"Scales, strangle her sword!"
The scales then wrapped themselves around her short sword. Grabbing the scales, I yanked the weapon out of her hand and threw it away. The scales then formed themselves back.
At the same time, Alleus kicked my hand, then kicked my steel sword to the opposite side of her short sword.
Reaching for the grip of the Fire Hero's Sword, she did a low hammer fist at my hand as I reached. Every time I tried to grab my sword, she attacked my arm to prevent me from doing so.
Giving up on the idea of wielding the Fire Hero's Sword, I got into a fighting stance.
We might as well solve this the old fashioned way. Through the striking of flesh..!