"Today is the final of the Academy Martial Arts Tournament. Ticket scalping near the venue is strictly forbidden. If staff confirm a sale on the spot, the relevant ticket will be invalidated immediately. Repeating—"
A loudspeaker-magic voice that pierced the ears rang across the royal capital's main avenue.
The Academy Martial Arts Tournament.
For the people living in the royal capital, it was a major event.
Drunkards in taverns, scholars shut in studies, knights who guarded the kingdom's order, all turned their eyes to this tournament.
Onlookers heated by betting formed lines from early morning and filled the street before the sun had even fully risen.
For commoners who normally lacked entertainment, the Academy Martial Arts Tournament was one of the few events that made their hearts leap.
First round, second round.
At first there was still room.
There were fathers watching with children on their shoulders, and old women waving handmade support flags.
