Doro, Fumiko, and Nero gathered to discuss their abilities. Doro, with a mix of curiosity and concern, initiated the conversation.
"So, what kind of abilities do you guys have?" she asked.
Fumiko and Nero exchanged glances. Nero was the first to speak. "I don't use magic. I've got twelve sword techniques that I can rely on. Plus, I have a beast companion."
Doro's eyes widened in disbelief. "No magic? How do you expect to fight against people who have magic?"
Nero shrugged. "Skill and strategy. Magic isn't everything."
Fumiko nodded in agreement. "I have some special attacks, but I'd rather keep them under wraps for now. Trust me, you'll see when the time comes."
Doro looked skeptical but decided to push on.
Nero leaned in, his expression serious. "Don't worry, Doro. We've got this. We've survived worse."
Before Doro could respond, the voice of the commentator boomed over the arena.
"Welcome to the first round of the tournament! Each team must carry a magic orb, which will stream the event live to viewers who have paid to watch from their homes. The first round will take place in a vast forest. For one week, you must survive against monsters and other teams. Alliances can be formed, but remember, there are no rules against betrayal. The round ends either when seven days are up or when only three teams remain. Good luck to all participants!"
As the teams prepared to enter the forest, Lara, Gill, and Ron from the Royal Academy made their entrance.
The commentator continued, "There will be no provided food or shelter. You must find and prepare your own sustenance. If you can't find food, you can take it from other teams. Remember, you can do whatever it takes to survive. If a team member says they give up, the entire team is out and cannot be harmed further. If you leave the marked area, you're disqualified."
With that, the gates to the forest opened, and over 150 teams entered from various points, ensuring they wouldn't immediately clash.
Every year, the Royal Academy sends its three best students to these tournaments to showcase their superiority. Ron is the third strongest this year, using the air element to win his fights. His air is as sharp as a sword, and he doesn't even need a physical blade. The second strongest is Lara, despite being just twelve years old. She shows immense potential, much like the current Wizard King, who also reached this level at her age. The strongest is Gill, who wields the lightning element.
Lara, Gill, and Ron moved through the forest with confidence. Lara took the lead, her eyes scanning for any threats. As they walked, Gill and Ron discussed their strategy.
"Let's take it easy for now," Gill suggested. "We'll find some food, set up a base, and fortify it. Lara, you can handle any monsters that come our way and show everyone what the Royal Academy is made of."
Lara nodded, her face serious. "Got it. I'll keep us safe."
As they ventured deeper into the forest, a massive wolf lunged at them. Lara reacted instantly, flying into the air and blasting the wolf with a solar beam from her hand. The beast was incinerated on the spot, leaving a cooked carcass behind.
In the Royal Academy viewing room, the audience watched in awe. "That's the power of the Royal Academy," someone muttered, clearly impressed.
Meanwhile, other teams were also making their moves. A group of three—Kyle, Maya, and Trent—decided to form an alliance with another team consisting of Jake, Sam, and Linda.
"We can cover more ground and protect each other," Kyle suggested. "If we work together, we'll have a better chance of surviving the week."
Jake considered the offer and nodded. "Agreed. Let's do it."
As the newly formed alliance moved through the forest, they came across another group of participants who had smuggled a magic orb (the ones that the viewer had, besides the one that can stream) with them. This allowed them to monitor other teams' positions and strategies, giving them a significant advantage. But the newly formed alliance didn't want to fight this soon, so they just ignored them.
Back in the forest, Lara continued to demonstrate her power. She was ambushed by a group of bat-like creatures, but with a quick burst of solar energy from her eyes, she disintegrated them instantly.
"Impressive as always, Lara," Gill said with a grin.
"Thanks," Lara replied, scanning the surroundings for more threats.
The commentator was impressed. "Like every year, it seems that the winner of this tournament will be one of them. What wonderful talent. If she keeps fighting this way, she might earn a place in a top guild despite her age."
This made Ron a little bit jealous.
Elsewhere, Fumiko, Nero, and Doro faced their own challenges. A pack of wild boars charged at them, and they had to defend themselves. Nero drew his sword, executing one of his twelve techniques to fend off the attackers. Fumiko used his agility to dodge and counter, while Doro created a wall of Earth.
"This is tougher than I thought," Doro admitted, panting heavily.
"We can manage it," Nero assured her. "Just stay focused."
As they continued their journey, they stumbled upon a clearing where several teams were already engaged in battle. It was a chaotic scene, with spells flying and swords clashing. Fumiko and Nero exchanged a determined look.
"We need to find a safe place to set up camp," Fumiko suggested.
Nero nodded. "Agreed. Let's move."
They managed to find a secluded spot and began setting up a makeshift shelter in a cave. As they worked, Doro couldn't help but feel a growing sense of camaraderie with her teammates. Despite her initial doubts, she started to believe they had a chance.
Meanwhile, the alliance of Kyle, Maya, Trent, and the other team—Jake, Sam, and Linda—had set up their camp. They fortified their position and started planning their next move. Unbeknownst to Jake and his team, Maya, Trent, and Kyle were plotting their betrayal.
"We'll strike tonight," Maya whispered to Trent. "Once they're asleep, we'll take their supplies and leave."
Trent nodded. "I'll keep watch. Make sure everything goes according to plan."
As night fell, the forest grew eerily silent. The teams settled in for a restless night, knowing the dangers that lurked in the shadows. Lara, Gill, and Ron had fortified their position and were ready for any threat.
Lara took the first watch, her keen eyes scanning the darkness. She spotted a group of slime creatures approaching and quickly dispatched them with a series of precise solar beams.
"Can anyone even harm this team? These slimes are enough to take on minor guilds on their own and she's just number two. Can you believe it? Now I want to see what Gill can do, the number one from the Royal Academy. One thing is clear, no one will even think about making a move on this team," the commentator said to the viewers.
Ron, who had enough of being outshined by Lara, decided to make a move.
Ron's Point of View:
It can't be that Lara, who is only twelve and comes from the Shippai-Suru Clan and is not even a noble like me, has surpassed me. I've always been in the shadow of my brother Gill and now Lara has also surpassed me? This can't be. I should be the strongest. I work the hardest. I am a noble. I will be the next Wizard King! And they say someone like Lara is supposed to be stronger than me? No, I won't accept that. I will now show what I'm capable of. I will show the world that I'm worth much more than her. At school, she's already valued much more than me. But here, I have new cards to play. I will wipe out the first team I see. Completely alone. All three. I will surround them all. Then everyone will think that I am the best or the strongest. That's how it should be. Then I will finally get the respect I deserve. And no one will think anymore that Lara is better than me. And you too, Gill—I will surpass you. But first, I will surpass Lara. Because no matter how strong she is, she can't hold a candle to you either.
End of Ron's Point of View
Doro and Nero have laid down and will be sleeping for the next three hours. Fumiko, however, needs to keep watch for the next three hours, then they will swap. He walks around, scanning the surroundings but finds no one. Returning to their camp, he circles the small cave where his teammates are resting. About fifty meters behind the cave, Ron is lurking, eager to prove his strength. Fumiko senses someone behind the cave and starts making his way toward the presence.
Illustration in the Comments
Chapter 4 Preview:
Fumiko faces many opponents by himself. A team that cheats with a magical orb, an alliance that breaks, a woman who makes her opponents blind and eliminates many teams in the fog, Ron, completely freaking out and Gill who steps into the fray, revealing why he holds the prestigious title of Number 1 at the Royal Academy. All this and more in the next thrilling chapter: Chapter 4: The Mysterious Woman in the Fog.