"The tournament will have three rounds!!" The announcer said, standing in the middle of a jam-packed stadium, the academy is a lot bigger than it might look from outside, especially this stadium which is nothing to scoff about.
Though that was only the case for size, the facilities were not that good with broken seats and dirt everywhere, thankfully as Mike was a participant we were able to enter VIP area, just below the VVIP area reserved for top elites, Dukes and King of the Nation.
"It seems that there are a lot of people participating this time around," Oliver mummers looking at the list of participant on the big board in the centre of the stage.
"I wonder how it will turn out this time around..." He said, looking at his son who has the same blonde hairs as his mother.
"Don't worry father, I will secure a spot in top 10." Mike said with a determined expression as a smile appeared on both Oliver and even Maya's face.
"We know you will, dear." Maya said, running her hand through his hair, making me if that's how a family is like, I wonder if I will have a family as loving as this...
"I should go now," Mike said, as Oliver nods before giving me a look which says follow him.
I know what he want me to do tho, in competition like these, its not uncommon using underhand strategies like poisioning, he want me to protect his son least he fall before the real things started.
"The first round will be a competition of talent!" The announcer said as an orb was brought to stage... I wonder why things related to talent are only orb, why can't it be a VR screen?
Looking at it while standing beside Mike at the entrance of the arena, I saw how a smile appeared on Mike face.
"Haha, with my 3rd rank Soul Core, I'll easily able to enter top 50, let alone top 100," Mike said as I chuckled, if you want to enter second round, you have to be in top 100, and the higher you place, the better academy you can get to.
Not like those who failed in first round will not be able to enter any academy, they will still joins an academy even through it will not be a part of top rank one, or the number one in the capital of Rose Empire.
"You should not grow over confident though," I said looking at him, "The main competition starts from 2nd round." Hearing me, Mike just shrugged off but said nothing.
He never talk to me face to face tho, I wonder the reason, is it because I am better looking? I don't know, not did I bothered to ask after a first few attempts, through I still have to advice him tho.
Least he became overconfident and lost, as of now, he is my only ticket to Rose Empire.
Yes, I have enough money now to travel after hiring a soul warrior, but it doesn't guarantee that I'll be able to enter the Academy.
If he failed tho, I'll leave this place for Rose Empire, how to ilfitrate the academy can be decided later but for now, let's focus on making him win if possible.
'And what is this nagging feeling that something's about to happen?' I asked, with my hand over the gun I got from Jack, a magic gun to be exact.
Imported from another Empire, an Empire famous for its magic technology, USR, United State Republic, the only Democratic Empire.
'I hope I won't have to use this...' I thought, knowing fully well now that this thing can even take a Soldier down if used as a weapon of surprise, maybe thats also a part of reason why 'he' take down Jack before me.
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After that, Names were called at random to the stage so that thier soul core rank with me measured.
The minimum threshold to pass was 2nd rank core, with anything above that could be direct entry, in case the number exceed 100, those who has lowest cultivation in Genral Class will be removed till it's 100.
"3rd Rank Core, Pass."
"2nd rank core, Cultivation at Medium Soldier Level, Pass."
"2nd Rank Core, Cultivation at High Soldier Level, Pass."
"2nd Rank Core, Cultivation at Low Soldier Level, Stand-by."
Even though the competition was going on, there was no apparent excitement in the crowd mainly due to the nature of the first round except a few murmurs here and there whenever a third rank appear.
Pretty soon, it was Mike's turn and his name was called on the stage as he walked with confidence with crown watching him before putting his hand on the orb.
"3rd Rank Soul Core, Pass." The instructor near said, a bit surprised as he never expected this boy with no noble leinage to have this much talent.
How he know he isn't of noble blood, it's because he doesn't have surname of any of the two duke or royal family, but is named Mike Croft.
But anyways, he isn't the only one who has this much talent with no big background so he let him pass as the announcer called another name.
After all, they don't have all day, but have limited time and a lot of contestents to measure.
There were a few people who talked for a bit about another talent appearing, mainly some academies as crowd have almost no intrest before the Second round which is action filled and less formalitic.
"Up next is..." The announcer said, looking at the chit in his hand he randomly picked with wide eyes, "Prince Avender El-sheeran!"
As soon as the name was called, there was a little noise in the stands, as the people who were just waiting around finally look toward the stage after a while.
"Did he said Prince?"
"It's been years since someone from Royalty has participated, a crown prince at that."
"It's already been a generation huh, time does flies fast..."
And then, there was eyes watching the Prince with opportunistic eyes, like Doki...
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A/N:- Damn, 3 days break huh, sorry everyone, had a family emergency, didn't even get to charge my phone for 2 days... It lasted cuz I never got chance to use it for a good while lol.