Chapter 34: Magic Tournament
Teams from various classes will compete against each other, this was a fantastic opportunity to gain experience and recognition amongst my peers.
"Will there be any rewards?" a random student from within the hall yelled out of proportion.
"Indeed. The wining team will receive substantial amount of Urns and rare magical artifacts, along with the chance to train under a top Reaper for a full month," Wagner replied.
We all exchanged excited looks in our table. "We have to enter!" Valeria said enthusiastically.
"Absolutely," I agreed, determination flooding my viens. "This could definitely be a great chance for us to prove ourselves and grow stronger together."
Jet nodded, his competitive side shining through. "Lets show everyone what we are capable of!"
"I expect nothing less from you, my esteemed students... the tournament will begin in two weeks, train hard and remember to strategize. You’ll need to work together to succeed."
With that the Chancellor left the stage and disappeared behind a veil of purple curtains.
From that moment on, we decided to spend the next few days intensifying our training, focusing on honing our individual skills while also improving our team work.
On the first day, I practised using two separate skills together; the elemental skills wich my pets granted me in combination with my Space Manipulation, focusing on redirecting attacks and creating defensive barriers like I did during the Class Awakening Quest.
On the second day, Valeria worked on her healing techniques, experimenting with enhancing her spells to heal multiple targets simultaneously with upmost effectiveness.
On the third day, Jet aimed to refine his abilities and his skill set, focusing on being more accurate with his arrows and seeking ways to enhance his offensive techniques.
As the tournament approached, we began formulating strategies, discussing our strengths and weaknesses.
"I think we should have a well balanced approach," I suggested during one of our strategy meetings.
"I can create distractions with my space distortions while my pets can launch elemental attacks. Valeria can support is with healing and buffs and Jet can provide powerful ranged attacks.
Valeria nodded, "That sounds like a solid plan. But we also need to practice our coordination so we don’t get in each others way during the fights."
With our strategies set, we trained relentlessly over the next week, determined to give our all in the tournament.
»»»«««
As the day of the tournament finally arrived, I felt a mix of nerves and excitement. The academy grounds were buzzing with energy, students from different classes congregating to showcase their abilities.
"Lets make one thing clear," Valeria said, standing before her teammates. "No matter what happens today, we’ll give it our best and support each other."
We nodded in agreement as we entered the arena, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
A roar of spectators greeted us with a deafening roar as the grandstands were filled with students, instructors and dignitaries, all eager to witness the spectacle of the tournament.
Banners of various teams fluttered in the breeze, each representing the different teams competing for glory. The arena itself was a vast, open space with intricate designs etched into the ground, showcasing various awakened class symbols.
Massive magical screens displayed the names of the teams and a voice boomed over the arena, announcing the start of the tournament.
"Welcome one and all! Welcome to the Cindralock Reaper Academy Magic Tournament. Let the match begin!"
My heart raced as I scanned the arena, noticing the intense competition ahead. We had drawn a challenging first match against a team of individuals known for their exceptional teamwork and powerful abilities.
"Stay focused, everyone," I reminded my friends. "We need to stick to our plan."
The two nodded, adjusting their stance as well. As the match was about to commence, the opposing team walked in from the opposite side of the arena. Their leader was a tall girl with fiery hair and temper to match .
"We don’t like to waste time on small fry like you... this is only the first round. Prepare to be eliminated."
The signal to start the match was ready to be given and both teams poised to charge forward.
I didn’t want to waste anytime either, knowing that thousands of people were watching and this was an opportunity to showcase the full extent of my talents, I locked in and whipped out a breath of relaxation to steady my breath.
"We would get eliminated? What the hell are you talking about?" I muttered in response with a tone tagged with arrogance.
"Be careful Levi, that’s Shawn Ferrell... she’s a noble blood and very well known on campus for her temper..." Valeria leaned in and whispered only so that I and Jet could here.
"Tch! Nobility or status doesn’t matter in a magic tournament, she and her lacky heads are going down..." Jet whispered back with audacious intent.
Right when we were about to take our stance in the center of the platform, the announcers voice blared into the sound system, causing all of us to halt in unison and listen attentively.
"Attention competitors, I’m here to announce that team Cleanup Guild are violating the rules of the tournament by participating under the required minimum number of players that is four..."
"They have just five minutes to find one more player or they will be automatically disqualified and team Runebreakers win by difficult..."
I spun around immediately in surprise to glance at the other team, it was at this moment I realized they were actually greater in number than my team, having a fourth man that seemed to be quite and reserved standing behind the rest.
"Shit, everyone calm down" I said, opening my palms to create a soothing outwardness so that Valeria and Jet don’t freak out. "All we have to do is find one more individual who is willing to join our team..." I said as we gathered in a circle.
"We have less than five minutes, how the hell are we going to accomplish that?" Jet said, scratching the back of his head nervously.
"Do you think we can just go into the stands and ask random people, that might work..." Valeria chipped in as she ran her gaze through the crowded and noisy grand stands around us.
The roar of the crowd kept echoing through the vast arena constantly without pause, waves of cheers crashing down from the grandstands, and just then, the announcers voice boomed again.
"I repeat, Team Cleanup Group, failure to present the fourth member will result in an automatic disqualification!!"
My jaw clenched with slight anxiety, I wanted nothing more than to show off my talents right here on this stage. We stood on the edge of the circle that marked on the battlefield, myself, Jet and Valeria— three people, but one short.
"Damn it," Jet muttered, scanning the seats. "Where are we supposed to find another person in less than five minutes?" he repeated, this time with irritation.
Valeria folded her arms, her eyes also darting nervously across the stands. "We can’t just pick a random person..."
Her words were cut off when the shadowed tunnel leading into the arena flickered with light, and footsteps echoed slowly that suggested a confident stride.
Out from the dark passage walked a young man with messy yellow hair and a cocky grin plastered across his face. His bright golden clothes practically glowed under the sunlight and a sword dangled loosely from his gear belt.
"Sorry I’m late teammates," he said with a laugh, even though non of us even recognized or knew him.
Jet blinked. "Teammates? I only registered our names for the tournament, no one else".
The stranger stretched his arms lazily. "Yeah, I had lots of chicken broth for breakfast... it had to go somewhere, and that wasn’t my stomach. Hehe."
Even the announcer hesitated for a second, unsure what to make of the guy’s sudden entrance. However, the crowd still cheered on.
"I am Zeddack Quickman," he declared proudly, slapping a hand on his chest. "The surname tells of my nobility, but you can call me Zed. B-Rank Awakened Potential, Pyromancer class."
He gave a hard, dramatic bow, nearly tipping over in the process.
Then he flung up and his eyes flicked to jet. "Oh, and by the way... ’Cleanup Group’? that team name could have used some rethinking."
Jet groaned, rubbing his temples. "He’s got a point."
I sighted quietly, studying the new arrival. Zeddack was short, maybe a full head shorter than the rest of us. His bright clothing and carefree grin screamed reckless energy. His size might limit reach and his unpredictable attitude could wreck our teams coordination.
Still, he showed up when we needed him most. I stepped forward and extended a hand. "Thanks for filling in, Zed. We owe you one."
Zed grinned and clasped my hand with surprising physical strength. "Don’t mention it. Just point me towards something that needs to be burned."
Together we walked into the battlefield center ready to participate in the tournament. Four individuals now stood where three had moments ago, we were mismatched but ready to fight.
"Cleanup group has avoided disqualification..." the
announcers voice blared once again.
"Let the Magic Tournament begin, Team Runebreakers versus Team Cleanup Guild...!!"