Four day has passed since the incident in the tournament involving the opening and Geheim Nisubelschatt. Today, the awaited tournament will finally resume.
The total of participants are divided into 4 group.
From a total of 500 participants, some are disqualified and some decided to retire from it because that single incident with Geheim. Now, the participants left are just 240.
In a group, it'll be 60 member in total.
The first round of battle is one vs. one style with point system.
Each participant are given 30 points in the beginning.
They'll face each other and gain point.
Each can only face the same participants once. If they didn't accept the challenge, it'll be counted as retreating.
The participants in waiting can also challenged the one in the stage.
With a total of 59 match per participant, they'll accumulated the point based on win lose and retreat.
Each win earn 2 point. While losing will cost them 5 point. Retreating will cost them 3 point.
The match will be chosen by participants themselves. One participants will enter the stage and choose their opponent or retreating.
If the participants won the battle and wishes to continue, he can call for the next opponent.
Until about 40 participants reach 0 point or retiring from the tournament, rounds of matches will continue.
The point of this round is to keep yourself from hitting 0 point.
20 participant will proceed to the next round in total of 80 for all group.
The battle will be held in the stage, with highest magic recovery artifacts. There, any battle scales and wound inflicted will be healed after the end of the match. Physically.
And thus concluded the rules for the first round of this tournament. It seems Lucille and Geheim is in group A. Jeanne in group B. Darius in group D with Rena.
But what people most likely to anticipate the group A battle. As they wanted to see Geheim in action. Yes. After what he did in the opening, he has became the strongest candidates to win this year tournament. A black horse that came out of nowhere. Many people has started to made him their favorites. With many expectations.
"AND SO, HERE WE ARE AGAIN, ONCE AGAIN, RESUME THE TOURNAMENT OF THE ARIA OF MAGIC SWORD! THE FIRST ROUND WILL BE A ONE-ON-ONE MATCH WITH POINT! THERE WILL BE FOUR GROUP IN TOTAL! EIGHTY PARTICIPANT WILL BE CHOSEN TO PROCEED INTO THE NEXT ROUND! EACH PARTICIPANT WILL HAVE 30 POINTS AT THE START OF EACH GROUP ROUND! AND-"
The announcer are explaining the rules while people are busy filling up the seats. Even after the incident, the number of audience didn't fall down at all. Instead, now, there's even people begging the committee to sell more ticket to watch the tournament. Seats that used for one person are now being used by two. And each one are trying to find a good place to see the participants in action.
Today is where group A will be having their match and sorted out 20 participants to join next round. More and more people are swarming to the audience seats. Even the emperor is here today. Everyone is anticipating Geheim's performance. What kind of stunts will he show us next? Is what people all around was expecting to know.
And while the announcer getting busy to entertain the audience, group A participants arrived in their resting area one after another.
When Geheim and Lucille arrived, all the other are looking at them with nervousness and uneasiness. Why not, they know of how strong is Geheim from the opening while Lucille is someone he picked. The rumors has been spreading to reach their ears as well that Geheim is training Lucille. The reason are unknown but the rumor said that Sanctia family is the one responsible for it. Some rumor even say that Geheim is Lucille's fiancée. Though in reality he just picked Lucille because his plan to slowly show his might has failed.
Geheim is glancing at Lucille's leg right now. He know that even without she told him, that she secretly trained acceleration magic.
"Come here."
Geheim told her to come close at him. While fidgeting for awhile, she finally took a step forward. He used healing magic to her and she's a bit surprised.
"So, you know?"
"There's nothing in this world I don't know about. Call it wisdom."
If someone else said it, maybe Lucille will laugh it off and see it as a joke. But the person who said it is someone who know even the knowledge that the empire didn't know. Maybe even this world didn't know of it. But, actually, Geheim said those just for a joke. He's joking…
He may know a lot that people of this world didn't, but it's an exaggeration to say he know it all. He said those word on a whim because he wanted to leave the feeling of a mysterious man who's know it all. Yes. It's a part of his play as a mysterious man clad in black.
Some male participants are getting ill feel with their lovey-dovey acts while the girls are murmuring with red cheek. He has gained popularity even for female, as well. He's hiding his face right now but anyone can see from a part of his face that he's someone really charming and handsome. Those feels has caught eye of many female but most of them gave up because he's engaged with Lucille from Sanctia dukedom.
Well, not for all people. There's a lot of noble with higher standing than Sanctia dukedom in this empire, and many of them has told their daughter to impress him.
Especially on time like right now. He's sitting with perfect posture and manner, with such a nobleness feels with him. One can say he's on par with the emperor about mannerism. A high noble with charm and a difficult vibe to get close with. Like he's a beings not from this world. That's unreachable for them in their lifetime. But his attitude toward Lucille has changed their view about him a little. He can be really caring if he want, is what they thought of. But this also make them feel that the rumor about him being her fiancée is true.
And while both are busy with each other, chitchatting about the acceleration magic he teach her yesterday, the tournament is starting.
*****
A roar of cheers heard from outside. Indicating the start of this tournament that has been anticipated more than any other tournament before.
Why not, the man called Geheim Nisubelschatt suddenly appeared out of nowhere and cause such a ruckus in the opening. It's a total uncontrollable uproar that day. Even his majesty is said to have been caught inside that grand scale magic he used there. None of the two, of Gustav or Edel could react before he used the magic. I wonder what kind of magic did he use back then. For a grand wizard, I am appointed as the researcher for magic development and improvement. But never did I see or heard of someone who could use such a grand scale magic that could inflicted such fear toward their enemies. As a researcher, he's highly piqued my interest. Who is he? The Black Magic Swordsman of the Holy Leginalf Empire? I can't tell for sure. He did look exactly like how that swordsman is described in books and information I have gathered.
Oh? Seems like the tournament finally start. Now, now… Calm down and concentrate.
"You're being too serious, Raust."
"Your majesty."
I lowed my head when I look at the presence that speak those word, as he's the emperor before my friend. I have known him when he's just a prince. That age where he's not a crown prince is the joy I had with him. He didn't care much about the blood battle to take the throne and even befriended a bookworms nerdy man like me. Then he suddenly appointed as a crown prince by the late emperor Otto the Second (オットー・セカンド). Even after that, he still looked at me like normal. For me, it's a blessing to have someone like him as my friend. Our position is so much differs in position and standing and yet he still looked and acted like I'm his friend. Nothing changed. For that, I respected him. But I don't like his cheekiness and guts. An emperor that hunt monsters and beasts in wild while accompanied by two guard? He is. An emperor who would kill for people and used all his strength to the people, even opposing the noble with high position? He is. As much as I know, he always make enemies of anyone he sees as a threat and didn't really care of the aftermath. I like him for that, but also hate him for it.
He didn't hesitate to use anything he could to accomplish what he wanted. He's a man that I loathed, yet respected at the same time.
"You're making a weird face, Raust. I'm not into those."
"What?! You…"
"Ahahaha! I'm just joking. Now, now. Relax."
"…"
That's why I hate him.
"It seems like you're in good mood, your majesty."
"Oya? Duke Sanctia. Are you here to see your daughter fiancé's in action?"
"Whatever you mean by that?"
Duke Sanctia responded it with a smile. For me, it looks like he's trying to hide something. He'll never talk about Geheim with us that easily, is that what I get from his face. So you're going to play like that, huh?
"I'm sure everyone here want to know something about him. Don't you think so? Why don't you share a bit with us?"
You… Really? You asked that to him? Emperor Jules, don't you see he's refusing to talk just now with that intimidating eye??
"I wonder. I'm sure I myself want to know more about him as well."
Thus the duke answered with another smile. He's not gonna let anything slip out of his mouth, huh. Now I'm sure that Geheim Nisubelschatt is someone with position and standing high enough for him to act like this. What a surprise. Now I'm sure if he said that he's the Black Magic Swordsman, then I would believe it. Meanwhile, in the arena. The first participant has stepped inside. He's a tall and fit guy. But he used scabbard. I assumed he's a speed type from his appearance.
He then shout out the name of person he wanted to challenge.
"Charlotte Niel!"
Hm…? Niel? Is it from Niella Kingdom?
"Ohh, its Haven and Niel. Both were studying in first year at the academy."
Ahh, I guessed right, then. A prodigy and princess of Niella, one of the children with promising future. She has yet to have a match with Jeanne. But some say her ability is on par with her. But in the end, it's just rumors.
The two young figure are exchanging strikes is always refreshing to see. They're preparing themselves for the future of this Empire. What a good child. In this match, because both used light sword (rapier for Niel and daggers for Haven), the battle will be about speed and stamina. From the situation it looks like Niel is in a pinch. While Haven is aggressively mixing one after another strikes. But soon, it'll be clear enough. Niel has spared her stamina and choose to move at the minimum, avoiding large movement that will cause her stamina to deplete quick. While Haven too repulsive. He keep on using those big movement to pin her down, never realizing that it was her tactic. Then, she finally started to attack. The tired Haven is being pushed back on defensive.
"Snow Spear!"
Niel shout. A C class intermediate snow magic. She's good.
"She used the Royal Battle Sword Dance Art, isn't she?"
"Yes. Though it's not as beautiful as Jeanne, it is the same art."
I answered the emperor question immediately.
"Lately it has become even more popular in capital. Before it was only popular in this empire because Ester, Maiden of Victory, used it. Now, because of Jeanne, it has become more popular in the capital. But just this sword arts are likely impossible for them to win against Geheim isn't it, Duke Sanctia?"
"Hm… I wonder. I never seen him in a sword battle before, after all…"
You mostly met him for official matters, huh? Is that what you mean? Duke Sanctia know Geheim, now I'm sure…
*****
I don't know what I do to that grand wizard. Did I incidentally get on his bad side or what? He keep trying to ask me about that Geheim Nisubelschatt that's said to defeat my daughter Jeanne and Gustav's son. A lot of people also said that he's my daughter Lucille's fiancée, but I don't know about him at all. So what the hell is that? Who's started the blaming all this to me? If I found him, he wont leave this world peacefully…
As a duke, I must stay composed regardless the situation. Even like this one. So I just responding his question with a cold business smile and say I don't know anything.
"I wonder why you would let him become Lucille's fiancée…"
Again. What the hell is wrong with this guy? He's getting on my nerves.
"Whatever do you mean by that?"
"No, it's not like I'm saying Lucille isn't a beauty. She is. In term of talent, however, I can say that Jeanne's the better. Considering his position and status in the Holy Leginalf Empire, don't you think it's rude to pair him with your second daughter?"
"SHUT THE F*CK UP YOU GODDAMN OLD MAN! HOW DO YOU EXPECT ME TO ANSWER THAT IF I DON'T KNOW SH*T!"
I can't really say that to him, didn't I? Not even if the emperor isn't present. Calm down, and swallow up all your anger, Duke Sanctia! You are a grown-up full fledged noble. Don't make yourself get caught up by his flow.
"I don't really understand what you say, Grand Wizard, Raust-sama."
Okay, that's good enough. I can see he made a click with his mouth. I guess I succeeded in getting away. Nice job, myself. Now, I do wonder who Geheim is. He said someone from the Holy Leginalf Empire? Isn't that place bigger and stronger than our? What he's doing here? I wish I can ask my daughter Lucille about it. But it won't be easy at all… As she grow up, I always neglected her. I know its wrong, but that's how I raised my family. So they can get independent. Often do I have a business trip and wanting to go with her but Jeanne always say that she won't speak to me anymore if I brought Lucille. Hahh… Becoming a father is really hard… I wish I get back to when I'm young and free…
***
The first match is over by the win of Niel. The crowd are high from the match.
Now, she's going to challenge someone. She smiled and raised her sword, then called the name of the participant she wanted to challenge.
"SO WHO WILL BE THE NEXT ONE TO COME TO THE STAGE?!"
"GEHEIM NISUBELSCHATT! COME DOWN HERE!"
Niel shout the name in loud voice and all the crowd are going crazy as his name called. The black horse is coming into the match this quick? Ohh yes!
All attention is now at the entrance. From there, once again, a loud noise of footstep are heard.
Katsu. Katsu. Katsu. Katsu. Katsu.
When the man clad in black out of the entrance, the audience are going high and nuts with cheering. It almost felt as the ground is shaking from it. Niel glared at him.
"You. You don't get to think why you'll be called this quick, didn't you?"
"I saw everything from the waiting room before. But you waited for everyone to fight and lacks of strength and stamina before you used that magic, don't you? It won't work this time. Because I will defeat you and your cowardly act!"
Or so she said. Meanwhile, Geheim only stared her with his sharp eye, looking down at her as if she's nothing but air.
"I believe you didn't fight with that mouth of yours, don't you?"
"WHA-?!"
"Let's keep this short and quickly start the battle."
"!!! YO-YOU!"
ZASAAAAAAA!
With all her strength, she push forward her body with the rapier facing forward into Geheim's chest. Anger and fury are felt in her face. Then, just about 1cm and the sword edge will pierce Geheim's heart but… She stopped.
She just stopped from that speed and fast acceleration absurdly. Then, suddenly, land are shaken. Sky is pressing the nearby air as if it's falling. And sun which should've shined brightly earlier has the light becoming dim, and dimmer. All people around are shaking in fear of that. They thought the Armageddon is coming. What is happening?
It's Geheim. He's using a gravity based magic to force the air to get heavier. That's why the air is pressing the ground right now. For people that don't know, it felt as if the heaven is angry. From the audience seats, grand wizard Raust is opening his eyes as wide as he could. He also tried to get himself up from the seats but is pushed back to sit from the heavy pressure he felt in his entire body. This is crazy. Something like this is inhumane! No way a human can generate this kind of pressure.
Cold sweats are dropping, and her body is shivering greatly. This is what Niel condition is, right now. She must've made the heaven angry, is what she thought. Then, she brave herself to look at Geheim in the eye.
"This is it? And you say you'll defeat me?"
Thus Geheim said in deep voice. His voice sounds like its coming from faraway, like it's not a voice from this world.
Then, Geheim made the pressure stronger to her direction and she fell down from the pressure. Crack are seen from the ground as the pressure keep rising. She's screaming in agony and despair, until the announcer told Geheim to stop it. He stopped immediately and the match, once again, is over without him using the sword or being serious…
Seeing this, all the crowds are in shock, but also excited. What will happen if he fight seriously?! What will happen if he used his sword?! They wanted to see it. And soon, screams of cheers are erupting and shake the ground as if it was a gravity magic from Geheim. While in this commotion, one single person is in wonder of his abnormal strength.
"How, how can he have such power?!"
"Raust, I already told you he used grand scale magic like its nothing, isn't it?"
"I know, I know! But, I thought it was just an exaggerated report! This… This man… We cannot let his fury downfall our empire, your majesty! He can doomed us in just a few day if he really wanted it!"
"I understand, Raust. You told me to not to make him an enemy, right?"
"No! That's when I think of him as someone who could only use high tiered magic! This, this is more than that!"
"Raust-sama, you need to calm down. Nobody understand you right now."
"Silence, Duke Sanctia! You don't know how dire our situation is right now!"
"Raust!"
The emperor shout at his name. Edel used a magic so that no one could hear their conversation right now, so nobody sees or heard about a thing they say.
"My apologies for my impulsive attitude, your majesty."
"It's fine. Now, can you explain what do you mean?"
"What that guy just used now, is one of a S Class Ancient Magic that's supposed to be lost from history. A grand scale magic that usually used by dragon before a battle. The name of that magic is, 'Cries of Mother Earth'. It was used twice before and is recorded in the history. Once, is when Elder Dragon, Mephistopheles (メフィストフェレス) are engaging a battle with the Hero of Human, Ares (アレス). The second is when it's used by the Hero of Elves in the Dooms of Magic Era. This magic, is a sort of spell that was used as war cry. The main purpose is to intimidate the enemies."
"You are saying that he could use even such a class of magic?!"
That was Gustav.
"No. I Don think he could use even such, at all. Look at him. He used it like it was nothing at all. But this magic used to be able to be cast if you're either someone with a lot of mana. In the scale of today's mana, it would take about hundreds of priests or priestesses to use it!"
Listening to that explanation, all the noble are sweating like rain. What is a man of this stature, who could made the grand wizard Raust-sama panicked with one move, is doing here?
To be continued…