Shion Lan stood with his friends as they watched the noble families arrive to attend the tournament.
Solan Neumann explained,
"This festival will last for three days. The first day is for the qualification matches, the second day for the elimination rounds, and the third day for the final match followed by the closing ceremony."
Shion showed little interest and replied,
"There are eighty participants this year. We'll be divided into sixteen groups, with each participant facing four opponents. Only one person from each group will advance today."
He then looked at Baro Ferrer and Fiore Tai.
"The two of you fight exceptionally well together, but things will become much more difficult when you're on your own."
Both of them nodded.
Shion continued,
"Even so, I have complete confidence in your strength. Advancing through the first round shouldn't be a problem."
Baro smiled confidently.
"Don't worry, sir. I'll qualify."
Fiore added with determination,
"Just tell me how far I should go, and I'll make it there, sir!"
Shion smiled faintly.
"Go as far as you possibly can. Fight until you truly can't go any farther. Fight until you're convinced you've given everything you have. Fight until you can be proud of yourself."
Solan sighed.
"Come on, it's only a tournament that takes place every year. If you lose this time, you can always try again next year."
Shion shook his head.
"That's true. There will always be more opportunities. But we've chosen to become the very best, and that means we must give everything we have."
At that moment, the carriages of the Six Great Families arrived one after another.
Shion observed the family emblems.
The Sano Family bore a symbol of a circle gathering ocean waves at its center in three shades of blue.
The Flair Family displayed blazing flames forming a circle at the bottom while dancing upward in red, orange, and gold.
The Night Family's crest featured a crescent moon within a black circle, with a star at its center.
The Shine Family carried the emblem of a radiant sun.
The Jura Family's symbol was a towering mountain with a white peak rising above a black body.
Finally, the Torano Family, masters of the wind, bore three swirling whirlwinds converging into a single point.
Shion spoke again.
"There's another reason why you should give everything you've got."
Baro immediately understood.
"Even if they're the Six Great Families... I don't want to leave your side, sir."
Fiore nodded.
"You were the one who trained us and looked after us. I don't want someone from the Six Great Families to simply take the credit for all your hard work."
Shion chuckled.
"You've misunderstood."
He continued,
"Yes, they'll probably become interested in you. But what I truly want is to prove that commoners possess talents capable of forcing the nobility to step back."
The two boys' eyes immediately filled with excitement.
Solan, however, remained silent.
Together, they headed toward the grand arena.
...
The nobles arrived one after another and took their seats.
Soon, many of them noticed an unfamiliar woman.
"Who is that lady?"
one noble asked.
Another looked toward the section reserved for Shion's family before answering,
"She must be Lord Lan's mother."
"What?!"
"Did you forget that Lord Lan himself is competing in the tournament? It seems his mother came to represent him."
Meanwhile, Rita Lan shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
"Do I really have to be here?"
Marie, her maid, smiled.
"Yes, my lady. If the young masters—Lord Shion's younger brothers—hadn't become exhausted today, Lady Forite would have come instead."
Rita sighed.
"I feel so uncomfortable... It's like everyone is staring at me."
Marie nodded.
"That's perfectly natural. Lord Shion has become well known among the nobility, so everyone wants to see the woman who raised him."
"..."
Rita sighed helplessly.
"But I barely did anything!"
Marie replied gently,
"No one knows that. Just remain calm. First impressions are very important among the nobles."
Remembering Marie's advice, Rita straightened her posture elegantly, raised her chin slightly, and said,
"Since my son has accomplished so much, then at the very least I should preserve his reputation and avoid embarrassing him as his mother."
The nobles observed her graceful posture and composed demeanor.
Their opinion of her steadily improved, gradually forgetting that she had once been a mere servant.
The one most astonished, however, was the Head of the Jura Family.
'Wasn't this woman acting rather strangely before...?'
He soon noticed several noblewomen already sending invitations toward Rita.
Smiling to himself, he thought,
'Looks like things are about to become interesting.'
The atmosphere soon grew solemn.
King Jord Joul, Crown Princess Jina Joul, and Academy Director Tim Ayr entered the arena.
Everyone immediately stood to greet them.
Once the greetings concluded, the tournament announcer stepped forward.
"Today marks the beginning of the Academy's 450th Annual Tournament, held in honor of Her Highness, Crown Princess Jina Joul."
Everyone clapped and the announcer continued,
"This year promises many extraordinary battles thanks to the remarkable talents participating. Before we begin, allow me to explain this year's tournament format, which changes annually depending on the number of participants."
He unfolded a sheet of paper.
"As expected, we have eighty contestants this year. Therefore, they have been divided into sixteen groups of five.
Each group will battle until only one contestant remains standing. Those sixteen survivors will advance to tomorrow's elimination rounds."
The audience of commoners and students erupted into applause.
The announcer raised his voice once more.
"Now then... before the battles begin, let us enjoy the voice of one of the Kingdom's most beautiful flowers—Sona Torano!"
A young woman in her twenties stepped onto the stage.
She had golden-blonde hair, emerald-green eyes, and an enchanting beauty that captivated everyone present.
Using Sound Magic, Sona began to sing.
Her voice flowed effortlessly, as though it traveled directly from the listeners' ears into their hearts.
The sweetness of her singing intoxicated the audience.
Everyone became spellbound.
Watching from the stands, Pearl Jewel thought,
'Her control over sound surpasses even mine... Should I purchase the Torano Family's sound-control techniques?'
A hand suddenly rested on her shoulder.
"Little one, if you want that technique, I can negotiate its price with the family head."
She knew that her father tried to appear as a lovely caring father so she seized the opportunity.
Pearl's eyes sparkled.
"Really, Father?"
He smiled.
"Of course. You've done outstanding work this year."
His wife, however, looked at Pearl with obvious displeasure.
Pearl paid her no attention.
"It wasn't that difficult, Father."
He laughed.
"Not difficult? This time you actually recruited a noble."
Pearl replied,
"First, I'm friends with Lord Lan. Second, thanks to him I earned Her Highness's favor, which allowed me to recruit many talented first-year students."
She added once more time although she doesn't like it,
"Because of my connection with Shion, I also managed to recruit the fourth-tier Spirit Mage, Sol Hart.
Even Harry Gill joined because of the rivalry he showed toward Shion."
Her father smiled teasingly.
"It sounds like my little girl has fallen for Lord Lan."
Pearl answered naturally,
"No, it's business."
But inwardly she froze.
'Fallen for him...? I've never thought of him that way... It's true he's handsome... but...'
She couldn't understand the emotions stirring inside her, emotions as turbulent as her ocean-blue eyes whenever Shion's name was mentioned.
A moment later she returned to reality.
Her father was still listening to Sona's mesmerizing performance.
Meanwhile, Pearl's stepmother watched Sona with narrowed eyes, seemingly plotting something.
The singing and various performances continued for several hours.
Finally, the announcer declared,
"And now, after enjoying these wonderful performances, it's finally time for the main event!"
Magic illuminated countless lists across the arena.
The announcer continued,
"Contestants have been distributed according to their overall strength. We don't place all the strongest participants together, nor all the weakest."
"However, even powerful fighters can be overwhelmed by numbers. In theory, even the weakest contestant in a group could become the last one standing."
With a wave of his hand, the first group expanded before everyone's eyes.
"Group One consists of Bart Jo from the Fourth Year, Likon Wu from the Third Year, Lor Wick from the Third Year, Kin Light from the Second Year, and Vern Jura from the First Year."
The announcer exploded in excitement,
"This year's tournament begins with them!"
Five gates opened simultaneously.
Each contestant stepped into the arena.
As always, Kin Light's handsome appearance and charming smile immediately stole the hearts of countless young women.
The male contestants couldn't help feeling jealous.
Only Lor and Vern remained unaffected, since they were girls themselves.
The referee stepped forward.
"Lethal attacks are strictly forbidden. Anyone who intentionally kills an opponent will be disqualified and investigated."
The referee explained the rules for everyone.
"Victory can be achieved by knocking your opponent unconscious, preventing them from moving for ten seconds, or forcing them to surrender."
Looking at the participants, he asked,
"Any questions?"
Silence.
The referee raised his hand.
"Begin!"
Bart immediately charged toward Likon, throwing a powerful punch.
Likon responded by manipulating the earth beneath Bart's feet, disrupting his balance.
But Bart activated his martial technique.
"(Martial March)!"
Aura surged through his body, allowing him to resist the effects of the spell.
At the same moment, Vern cast another earth spell.
"(Earth Collapse)!"
The ground beneath Bart shattered, sending him plunging into a pit.
Without hesitation, Likon followed with another spell.
"(Mud Restraint)!"
The earth beneath Vern softened into thick mud, restricting her movement.
Vern quickly formed another spell.
"(Flying Debris)!"
Broken rocks shot toward Likon.
He calmly countered.
"(Mud Transformation)!"
The incoming debris dissolved harmlessly into mud.
But before he could react—
A fist slammed toward him.
"(Martial Master's Fist)!"
Aura exploded from Bart's punch.
Likon was struck directly and instantly lost consciousness, becoming the first contestant eliminated.
Bart turned toward Vern, who had just regained her footing.
Suddenly, Kin's calm voice echoed across the arena.
"So... only the two of you are left?"
He had already dealt with Lor, whose charm magic had proven completely ineffective against him.
She too had been knocked unconscious.
Kin slowly raised his sword.
"Both of you... against me."
Bart stared at him in disbelief.
"Know your place, kid!"
Kin answered only by activating his technique.
"(Moon Master's Art: Blue Moon)."
Brilliant blue aura enveloped his body as his muscles tightened dramatically.
Then he unleashed another technique.
"(Thousand Radiant Swords: Cutting Barrage)!"
A thousand glowing swords materialized around him.
Unlike the version he had displayed at the beginning of the academy year, this attack now truly contained a thousand blades, each carrying destructive power approaching the fourth level.
The entire arena was illuminated by their dazzling radiance.
Bart and Vern could only stare in shock.
Kin looked at Vern.
"Little lady... surrender before you get hurt."
Without even realizing it, Vern slowly raised her hand.
"I... surrender."
She disappeared from the arena.
Now only Bart remained.
Facing the countless swords before him, he gritted his teeth.
Although he himself had yet to reach the fourth level, he still activated his strongest defensive technique.
"(Martial Master's Defense)!"
Gripping his sword tightly, he charged forward.
At that instant, all one thousand swords surged toward him like a tidal wave crashing upon the shore.
They struck his body simultaneously.
When the attack ended...
Bart was somehow still standing.
But then...
A shocking surprise awaited everyone.