Ch.29Chapter 29: Entrance Exam (6)

# Tournament Day

The academy was in absolute chaos.

So this was what they had been preparing for so meticulously over the past few days.

“Come get your delicious skewers for just 5 copper!”

“Place your bets on the winner! Test your judgment!”

Street vendors had set up stalls everywhere.

Even outsiders could be seen engaged in heated debates.

“The champion will obviously be the Sword Saint’s disciple!”

“Nonsense!! Several disciples of the Seven Heroes have enrolled this year! The days of the Sword Saint’s supremacy are long gone!”

“Don’t underestimate the other races! Have you ever seen the beast folk!? Their massive build! Their strength! No ordinary person would even think of challenging them!”

With diverse crowds coming and going, the event was transforming into a grand festival atmosphere.

Though the tournament would last only three days, it was one of the largest events in the Imperial Capital, naturally drawing tremendous public interest.

“I heard the Imperial Princess has enrolled this year too?”

“Indeed! The Emperor’s beloved youngest princess! They say her talent with the sword is extraordinary, so she’s definitely one to watch!”

“This entrance tournament is going to be quite a spectacle!”

From the Imperial Princess to disciples of the Seven Heroes, those hailed as geniuses, and even other races—there was no hotter topic in the Imperial Capital at this moment.

Even the Emperor relaxed regulations during this period to allow citizens to enjoy the festivities.

Excessive control was deliberately avoided.

Even unofficial gambling was permitted to take place openly.

However, with the massive crowds, security forces were increased to maintain public order.

After all, what’s a fighting competition without some betting?

That’s why the academy itself offered a sanitized version called “winner prediction games,” allowing people to gamble small amounts.

This was relatively wholesome compared to unofficial gambling.

The truth is, even betting just 10 copper makes people more engaged and passionate about cheering—there’s nothing better for heating up the atmosphere.

Viktor, Robin, and Balt were heading toward the tournament arena when Balt remarked with admiration:

“As expected of the Empire. So lively.”

He harbored hopes that Gerungtu might one day flourish like this too.

Viktor and Robin’s reactions were similar.

“Wow… I’ve never seen so many people gathered in one place before, brother.”

“Indeed, this is truly the Imperial Capital. It’s amazing to see so many people enjoying a festival together.”

Having left the dormitory early, Balt’s group had the leisure to buy and enjoy food from the street vendors.

“Mmm! This is delicious!”

“This too! Isn’t it amazing, brother?”

Tournament participants wore standardized attire, which made Balt’s group quite noticeable.

Even without the uniforms, Balt’s massive build would have drawn attention anyway.

People whispered as they passed by.

“W-who is that? A participant? How can a person be that huge?”

A quick-witted man spotted Balt and shouted:

“A barbarian! I heard rumors that a barbarian prince enrolled this year! That must be him!”

“Then are those beside him his barbarian guards?”

“Of course! A prince naturally would have escorts, wouldn’t he?!”

“But they’re wearing participant uniforms too…”

Just like that, Robin and Viktor were demoted to Balt’s bodyguards.

“Wow, walking with Brother Balt gets me labeled as a bodyguard… I’m actually quite big myself where I come from.”

“Haha, it can’t be helped. Balt is truly enormous.”

Being good-natured, the two laughed off the bystanders’ comments.

“Ahem, have you considered that you both possess physiques that wouldn’t be out of place in Gerungtu?”

Balt’s words brightened Robin and Viktor’s faces.

“Hmm! That does make me feel better!”

Though most would be offended at being called barbarians, Viktor and Robin seemed pleased.

“We should get going now.”

“Let’s go! It’s time to demonstrate the greatness of muscle!”

***

The massive colosseum-like arena.

The enormous Grovint Academy had two battle arenas.

I had wondered why they needed two such large arenas, but apparently they were necessary for combat events held periodically.

This year alone, there were about 2,000 new students.

Even as a tournament, over a thousand matches would need to be held.

Participants had to win three preliminary matches today and three tomorrow, with the round of 16 beginning the day after tomorrow, marking the start of the main tournament.

Each arena could accommodate 50 matches simultaneously, meaning 100 matches could be held at once.

Though the schedule was tight, preliminary matches ended quickly due to ring-out rules and time limits.

Two hundred participants at a time for ten rounds already made 1,000 matches. Repeat that three times, and the day would be over.

Opponents were randomly assigned.

No one knew who they would face in advance.

The idea was that in real combat, you never know when, where, or against whom you’ll fight.

At most, you’d learn your opponent’s name just before the match began.

Balt and Robin were assigned to Arena 1, while Viktor would compete in Arena 2.

“Brother! Good luck to you! Robin too! I believe you won’t fall in the preliminaries!”

“Don’t worry, Viktor. See you in the main tournament.”

“Hahaha! Right! See you later!”

With that, Viktor headed off to Arena 2, while Balt and Robin made their way to Arena 1.

They had prepared as thoroughly as possible.

Now all that remained was to prove how far they could go.

***

“Greetings, citizens of the Halkin Empire!! The day has finally arrived! The Academy Tournaaaament, where the Empire’s finest talents engage in fierce battles!!!!”

The fact that they had an announcer amplifying his voice with magic showed just how serious this event was.

“Woooooaaaaaahhhhh!!!”

Thunderous cheers shook the arena.

It was a massive colosseum with fifty fighting rings.

Despite this, the announcer’s voice reached even those in the farthest corners clearly.

It seemed to be a complex sound magic that incorporated more than just amplification.

‘Amazing, that’s magic for you.’

This was the remarkable thing about magic—it wasn’t just useful in combat.

Balt was watching the arena through a large crystal ball in the participants’ waiting room.

“The greatest batch of entrants in history! Disciples of the Seven Heroes! Princes and princesses of other races! And countless geniuses from across the continent! It couldn’t be more spectacular! The Grovint Entrance Tournament begins NOW!!”

Boom-boom-boom-boom—

“Pam-pam-pam-pa pam-para-bam-pa pam-pa-pa!”

Following the announcer’s declaration, the Imperial Orchestra appeared, further elevating the festive atmosphere.

The stands were completely packed.

Rumors circulated that people were paying hefty sums for black market tickets to this tournament.

Robin, watching the crystal ball with Balt, said:

“It’s finally starting!”

Robin’s heart was racing too, it seemed.

“Yes, indeed.”

“Then I’ll go prepare. Balt, I’m up next.”

Balt’s turn would come right after.

“Good luck, Robin.”

***

“Winner of Ring 14! Robin Ash!”

“Waaaaaaah!! Bow God! Bow God! Bow God!”

Robin’s popularity was incredible.

The judges at each ring, who had profiles of the participants, informed the audience about their backgrounds.

“Kyaaaah! He’s so handsome!!”

Robin did have quite a handsome face, muscles aside.

Having comfortably won his first match, Robin returned to the waiting room and bumped fists with Balt.

“Impressive, as expected of the Bow God’s disciple.”

“Haha, it was nothing.”

The Bow God specialized in powerful archery, but he also practiced an interesting martial art.

Not only did he shoot arrows, but he also used his enormous bow as a weapon in close combat—what could be called close-quarters archery.

It was called Strike Bow Technique.

Indeed, it would be a waste to use those massive muscles only for drawing a bow.

His performance of using arrows and a huge longbow as melee weapons was enough to captivate the audience.

People cheer for the unusual, after all.

Robin, surprisingly, had quite the entertainer’s flair.

Thanks to this, Robin won his first match easily without even drawing his bowstring.

Next was Balt’s turn.

“Good luck, Balt. I’m not worried at all.”

***

“Next combatants! The absolute ruler of the savage south! Son of Kwan! Balt Gerungtu!”

“Waaaah!! Barbarian! Barbarian! Barbarian! Barbarian!”

Though “barbarian” was normally an unpleasant term, in this moment it didn’t sound offensive.

“His opponent! The conqueror from the west! Fourth son of the Grat Kingdom! The youngest son of the sword art family! Jerry Grat!”

“Grat! Grat! Grat!”

Though Balt had never heard of it, the Grat Kingdom was famous for its sword style that utilized an imposingly aggressive greatsword.

As expected of someone who used a greatsword, Jerry had fairly developed muscles.

“Hmph! Barbarian! I’ll show the audience that your size is just for show!”

Jerry confidently took his stance.

It was a peculiar stance with his greatsword resting on his shoulder and one hand extended forward.

In contrast, Balt stood straight with his arms crossed, his bulging muscles creating an intimidating presence.

“Fighters! Ready! Begin!”

With the judge’s signal, Jerry charged forward at high speed and swung his greatsword at Balt.

But Balt didn’t move an inch.

‘What’s with this guy? Not even dodging? Does he want to die?’

Jerry was a 3rd-tier Aura user who could wield an Aura Sword.

That represented quite an impressive achievement.

The barbarian before him might look impressive, but Jerry could sense only 1st circle mana from him.

‘Not my responsibility!’

While deliberately killing an opponent in this tournament would result in punishment, exemptions were often made for unavoidable situations.

Such incidents were necessary for realistic combat training.

That’s why fatalities sometimes occurred.

Perhaps because of his prejudice against barbarians, Jerry’s attack became even more reckless.

Had his opponent been a child of a neighboring kingdom, Jerry would have surely pulled back his sword, but against a barbarian? Why bother?

He figured the skilled healers present would prevent death anyway.

Even a severed arm could be reattached and healed quickly if treated immediately.

So as his sword came down toward Balt’s shoulder—

Clang!

With tremendous recoil, Jerry’s greatsword bounced off.

“W-what!?”