This was the mountain behind Keito Institute, a peaceful place. Renji sat cross-legged next to the flowing water. Now, he listened to the murmurs of the stream and naturally entered into the meditative trance. All the near-by Earth and Wind Essences began shining, making everything within ten meters clear around him. Earth and Wind Essences flowed into his body through his limbs, nourishing his flesh, bones, and organs. Gradually and unstoppably, his strength grew stronger and stronger. A large part of the refined essences afterward settled down in the 'central dantian' located in the center of his chest.
"Splash, splash." The water swirled, murmuring constantly as it traversed its path. Next to him, a little Umbramouse named Echo chewed on a wild duck. The scene was as peaceful as a painting. Here it was very quiet, but in the Keito Institute, chaos ensued. All the thousands of students, many magi, and even important figures from the outside world such as proposers of business were gathered at the Institute, waiting to witness the various battles of the yearly tournament.
The annual tournament was the most raucous week of the year at Keito Institute. There was a show to be seen in every battle. Earth balls, flashes of lightning, and blades of wind – each battle between mere first graders was a magnificent sight. Compared to this, the third and fourth graders' battles were even further astonishing. Supportive spells and area-of-effect spells combined, creating storms of destruction over the grounds. From spells like 'Shardstorm' one had the spectacle of dozens, even a hundred large stones hurled at opponents, while lighting forked and forked down mercilessly.
It was even more horrific for the students in fifth and sixth grade. There were flashing spells throughout the sky, and there seemed to be endless explosions. The students who were watching went into rapture, and the energy in the compound skyrocketed to a fever pitch because the place was jam-packed with virtually everyone from the institute.
The annual competition was in play for over a month and was the liveliest season that buzzed around the Keito Institute. These days Renji watched the quarreling team of fifth and sixth graders only occasionally; much of his free time after school went into individual training.
"This tournament actually requires us not to kill our opponents. How is this a real competition when our hands and feet are tied?" Due to Kaiya Tanaka's influence, Renji began to look with derision upon this competition.
"Renji, what you need to do now is to train well and accumulate strength. For the experience in battle, you need to be a fifth-ranked magus and then enter the Mountain of Magical Monsters to pursue genuine life and death experiences," Kaiya Tanaka said.
Hua Dali Hotel was the highest-grade hotel inside Keito Institute. Yori invited the four bros from dorm 1875 for a sumptuous feast. The first floor of Huadeli Hotel was as slick as a mirror, beautiful waitresses standing aside to serve guests. As for the students that could afford for this place, generally, they had a strong economic background. A casual meal could cost dozens gold coins here, something that Renji would never afford by himself.
The annual tournament had just concluded, so it was the topic of students' discussion around the hotel. The customers here are all youngsters, except one table where four children sat.
"I'm still pissed when I think about this year's competition. I was really close to the semi-finals! Maybe even in the top three," Ryūji grumbled, still dissatisfied. Ryūji was the youngest among them, and the proudest.
Yori laughed. "It was such a pity. I was unable to believe Rand pulling one over.
Giichi chuckled but said nothing. He was the outgoing type and seldom drew anybody's ire.
"Rand? I recall the name. You told me he was among those entrants, whose results were specific to elemental affinity and spiritual essence, right?" Renji tried to recall the name.
Giichi nodded. "Exactly. He has a very high talent. His spiritual essence was already at the level of a second-rank magus before training. All we had to do was accumulate enough Magic force. For someone of a second-rank magus power, it wasn't very hard to win in the first-grade tournament.
"Talent alone? Can he be able to compare to our Institute's number one genius, Hikari?" Yori quirked his lips. "I look down on Rand. He is first-grade champion, so what. I couldn't even imagine how shameless will he be if winning the fifth or sixth-grade tournaments in the future."
That only further proved the point: the stronger the magus, the harder the advancement. Which was why the majority of the student population at Keito Institute happened to be high-level Magi. The greater the grade, the higher the competition would become.
Ryūji nodded. "I don't like him either. With that kind of poilt face, our school's number one genius, the third grader Hikari, won the third-grade tournament. That's a big difference compared to him. And Rand isn't even the strongest amongst us first graders anyway."
"Right. Third bro, you didn't take part. If you had, hmph…" Yori said, evoking their nickname base on seniority.
"Hey, what are you guys saying?" Renji and Yori turned their heads and saw four people coming down the second floor. The head of these four was a golden-haired youth at his top, glaring at the others of Renji's group.
Yori said loudly, "Ah, it's Rand. Haven't you heard what we were talking about?"
Renji couldn't help but chuckle at Yori's haughty manner. "Harumph. Don't think I haven't heard, Rand," he said scoldingly, and the brown-haired teen standing beside Rand sneered. "Don't bother yourself, Rand, with these four. Ryūji, didn't you have your fill of victory when you are beaten at the tourney?" Ryūji glared at the brown-haired teen. "And who are you? A fluke doesn't make a winner. Why be arrogant?
The face of the brown-haired youth cooled. Giichi smiled diplomatically. "Rand, it was wrong of us to discuss you so casually. Let's just drop it."
"Shut your mouth, Giichi. This is none of your business," Rand snapped. He turned to Yori. "Yori, I remember seeing you at the bar of the Fragrant Elm. Your arrogance annoyed me then and now you dare to be arrogant in front of me again. If you have the capability, go ahead and take it out on me. Are you not afraid?"
Rand laughed in derision. Yori was angry and he knew that he was not as powerful as Rand.
Many eyes in the hotel focused on the argument. High-level students and magi watched on curiously.
"I recognize that golden haired kid. His name is Rand. I heard he won first-grade tournament. I expect he will achieve further on," observed one.
"That brown haired kid beside him is Rickson. Third among the first graders. Rand's group is definitely stronger. This should be interesting," added another.
Hearing the compliment boosted Rand's ego. He sneered at Renji more than ever, along with others. "Huh. Juice? Are you kidding me, man? I am, like, literally feeling sorry for you, Yori. Here I am, winning, bros drinking wine to victory when you're still chugging down juice."
Rand's non-stop teasing served to work up a frown on Renji's forehead. "Rand, we're here for lunch. Go away", Renji's voice evened with a cold glare. He would have butchered them right on the spot if he were training and these beasts showed up at his place of concentration,
"Oh, and this one". Rand's eyes turned towards Renji. "I see, a character like you exists in Yori's dorm".
Renji's cold eyes gradually sharpened. He shot forth in high speed. Rand widely opened his eyes in surprise. "You—!"
Without giving Rand time, Renji grabbed Rand's chest and lifted him relatively easily with his physical strength. "Wha, uh, uh…" Rand's voice stopped, his eyes filled with fear.
Renji coldly looked at Rand, and that bloodthirsty nature couched within him began to be unleashed, although he suppressed the impulse. "This is Keito Institute. I can't kill someone without reason."
The three students next to Rand were paralyzed with fear. "F*ck off!" Renji tossed Rand to the floor with a force like a dumpling, his patience worn off.