The Royal Magic Academy Tournament, Day Three.
The banners still flapped gallantly. The announcer still screamed like a man watching his retirement plan burn. And Rei still sat chained in the "VIP Groom Seat," praying for divine smiting, divine rescue, or at least divine earplugs.
The previous duels had left the arena scarred, the audience traumatized, and Rei sunburned in places a man should never be sunburned. But today promised a new flavor of nightmare.
Because today… Emilia was up.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we move to the next bracket match!" the announcer croaked, sipping heavily from a flask of Please Forget I Exist. "And in this round… Emilia of House Veyra will face—"
The announcer's voice broke as he read the second name. "…Professor Baltazar the Grand Archmage, Destroyer of Nations, Scourge of Demons, and Ten-Time Academy Champion."
The crowd gasped.
Rei blinked. "Wait, WHAT?!"
