An hour passes as I sit down observing all of the competition.
(I wonder what would happen if I actually won? Can I just turn down the offer to meet the princess like that? I feel like I'd probably be run out of the kingdom by worshippers or something.)
While I'm thinking, I see someone walking my way. It's the instructor and he's holding a paper.
"Here are your results."
He hands me the piece of paper and walks away.
(Ok let's see here.)
The paper has a chart. There are 6 colors. White, Light Green, Dark Green, Red, Dark Red, and Black.
From weakest to strongest is the brightness of the colors. The darkest color is the highest stage.
I look down to see my name and an arrow pointing down.
"Your magic power has been evaluated. You are at the Dark Red stage."
(Dark Red. That's the second to the highest stage. With the rest of my in-game powers, I should be at the Black stage. But wait, didn't the ball turn black? Whatever.)
As I sit there looking at the paper, a voice rings out through the room.
"Please, all competitors come to the waiting room."
(So it's starting.)
I follow everyone else into the waiting room and sit down in the far corner of the room. I look over to see someone walking up to me with anotherpaper in hand. They hand it to me and I take a look at it.
"Annual Gratsudale Tournament Rules:"
"Rule 1. In the first round, magic, special skills, or enhancements are prohibited. After round one, you are free to use it as you wish."
"Rule 2. The only way to win is for your opponent to forfeit or are rendered unable to continue."
"Rule 3. Once you are considered the victor, put away your weapon and head to the back until you are permitted to receive your weapon."
"If you break a rule, you will be immediately disqualified from the tournament or taken into custody depending on the situation."
(That's great. No magic or enhancements. I can't even use my flash step. This will be harder than I thought. Especially if I'm facing strong swordsman or someone with high defense. I've only been training with Jincheng for a bit so I'm not all that experienced in swordsmanship.)
As I look over the paper, the same voice rings throughout the room.
"Ryuki Tetsuyo and Vario Vladismo, please enter the room to your left."
I look at Vario as he does the same but he has a very nasty look.
"Hope you can take embarrassment well because I'm going to make you a laughing stock in this kingdom! Hahahaha!"
"Good joke but how about you not talk, your voice makes me want to die."
We both enter the room and there are two different sides with different magic circles. I take the one to the left while Vario takes the one to the right. I place both my feet on it and the circle immediately activates, transporting me to a room. Inside of the room, different types of weapons surround it.
(I'm guessing those are the others weapons. Some of them look expensive while the others, not so much.)
I stand around for a while until I see another magic portal. The man from earlier appears and hands me my sword. After, he leaves.
(Alright, here we go. Big crowd. I can do a big crowds.)
I walk up to the door and look outside of it through the peep hole.
(This arena is way bigger than I thought.)
I look around to see thousands upon thousands of people sitting down above the fighting area.
(I wonder where Jincheng and Valerie are.)
As I'm looking around the voice once again rings throughout the room.
"Contestants, you may now come out."
I open the door and walk out after taking a deep breath. On the other side, Vario walks out wearing armor and carrying a sword.
"Hope you're ready!"
"Now! May the first round of the Annual Gratsudale Tournament begin!"
I stand completely still, watching Vario, observing him to see if he's going to make the first attack.
"Alright if you won't move, then I will!"
He sprints towards me and I don't move an inch. Once he reaches me, he swings his sword from his left causing me to block the strike to my right. But that leaves an opening for him and he throws a kick at my open side causing me to get knocked back a little. The crowd cheers as Vario smirks.
"Nice one, but now it's my turn.", I say dashing at him while swinging continuously. He manages to block all of the strikes. I jump back a good distance.
(He's going to just keep blocking. I need to outsmart him.)
I dash at him again with my sword up as if I'm getting ready to swing. He prepares to block again but instead of going for a straight attack, I jump over him and slash his back but it had no effect.
"Ha! Did you think you could get through my armor with that? Man, you are stupid!"
(I'll need another plan. His armor leaves his belly, neck, and face exposed, but his form protects those weak spots. I just need to break him down.)
"You look like you're going to forfeit."
"How about you stop talking and fight so I can end this match already."
"Hahaha! Big talk, but let's hear you talk after I kick your ass!"
Our swords clash, both of us trying to overpower one another. Finally we both let go but instantly, in sync, go for another strike. I go for a kick to his side to catch him off guard but he avoids it and goes for another strike. I dodge and point my sword in a lancing position and throw numerous jabs. He blocks most of them but I manage to land one right on his cheek.
"Heh, so you actually managed to scratch me? A little better than I expected."
He wipes the blood off of his cheek and we clash swords again, continuously slashing at each other without making any progress other than putting on a show. The crowd certainly enjoys it as the noise they're making is loud enough for another country to hear.
"Since the crowd is all riled up now, how about I get a little serious?"
"Get serious all you like, it won't help you!"
"Well then, don't blink."
In an immediate instance, I cover the distance from me and Vario, not leaving him any time to react. I launch a full-on onslaught of strikes while he struggles to catch up. Numerous cuts form around the openings of his body as he has a hard time defending every spot. I take advantage of all of the spots that his guard leaves open, striking in short instances so he doesn't have a chance to recover. Slowly, his defense breaks down as he gets more frustrated at the advantage I hold against him.
"Grnngh."
"Gotcha."
I pop his sword out of his hand and using the blunt of my sword, I swing it like a baseball bat right upside his head. He flies back, tumbling, before hitting the ground with a thud.
(Homerun.)