Ch. 68
The Winkan Festival, hosted by Elan, featured a wide array of competitions, but the most popular event by far was the martial arts tournament.
People were drawn to the thrill of blood-spattered combat.
They gathered to watch warriors flaunt their strength and reveled in the display.
There were many types of martial arts tournaments: one specifically for gladiators, and a brutal adult tournament with no regard for rank or profession, where contestants fought for their lives.
The winners of these tournaments gained both fame and massive prize money. Some were even scouted to serve as guards for noble families.
Basically, the bloodier and more brutal the tournament, the more popular it was.
—The winner has been decided!
Yet curiously, the most popular event of all was the so-called refined tournament, “Cuiponcobe,” where killing was forbidden, and even causing life-threatening injuries would lead to immediate disqualification.
It was the tournament I was participating in.
—Victory goes to Miss Geenie Crowell of Drike Academy, the only Spirit Mage in this year’s competition! No one expected her to hold her own this well in the beginning!
Most of the participants were minors, and the battles were hardly intense. Still, this tournament drew the most attention because it was the only one the Emperor personally watched—and the winner received a prize in the Emperor’s name.
It also helped that the tournament was a showdown between each nation’s most prized prodigies, turning the matches into national pride battles.
Furthermore, champions of Cuiponcobe historically went on to wield significant influence.
To exaggerate, winning Cuiponcobe could elevate a nation’s prestige as much as winning a war.
That’s why this otherwise tame tournament held such appeal.
—Miss Crowell! A word on your victory?
“My thoughts…”
—You’ve made it to the finals! How do you feel? Is your goal to win it all? What’s your secret to those one-hit knockouts?
The host, dressed in a flamboyant hat, shoved a staff enchanted with amplification magic in my face and fired off questions nonstop.
Instead of answering, I glanced around the circular coliseum.
It was roughly the size of a soccer field, packed to the brim with spectators.
There were even people standing to watch. I could also see the more relaxed noble seating and the Emperor’s viewing box.
—Miss Crowell? Any comments?
I scowled in response to the host’s persistent urging.
There were too many people here. I felt like a zoo monkey on display. I never liked being a spectacle.
“Sorry, I’m not good with crowds.”
—You don’t seem like it…
“I’ve got nothing to say, so can I go now?”
The only reason I was doing something so against my nature was because of Ash.
That idiot who shoved a debt on me and then ran off.
Just wait until I get my hands on you.
—Wait, just one more question! Everyone’s dying to know.
“What is it?”
I snapped, eager to retreat to the waiting room and rest.
The host exaggerated a big smile and waggled his eyebrows, probably thinking it was charming. It wasn’t.
—Your next opponent in the finals is the highly anticipated contender from Winted Academy, Rashamu Fedri. Thoughts?
“Thoughts?”
—Do you think you’ll beat him in under 10 seconds too?
I’d won every match so far in under 10 seconds.
Not because I was overwhelmingly strong, but because my internal injuries hadn’t fully healed, so I couldn’t afford a prolonged fight.
Every time I used mana, searing pain tore through my gut and head. I had no choice but to rely on swift, precise, and downright dirty tactics.
Instead of fighting my opponents head-on, I went with something less honorable—chucking them out of the ring.
I’d summon Undine, wrap their heads in water, and toss them clean out of the arena.
Luckily, Cuiponcobe rules counted ring-outs as losses.
“Argh! What is this?!”
“Blub…”
Those who’d never fought a Spirit Mage were easy prey.
Mages, once trapped in water, couldn’t chant spells, making them the easiest targets. And as for speedy brawler-types, some managed to dodge my water spheres.
In that case, I’d just wait until they got close, then have them step into the water I’d already spread near me. It’d snare their ankles and drag them straight out of bounds.
You couldn’t slash water, so once they were caught, they were helpless.
Because Spirit Mages controlled the spirits of nature itself, they could manipulate nature with far more precision than normal mages, which allowed for techniques like that.
Somehow, my quick-finisher style had become my signature.
“Who’s that supposed to be?”
Rashamu? That’s a weird name.
When I asked, the host looked totally flustered.
Think, genius. How would I know who your country’s celebrity is?
—You don’t know?
“I don’t.”
—He’s the second son of Duke Fedri, Elan’s most famous Swordmaster! Also the younger brother of Rovenin Fedri! Really, you don’t know him?
“I know of Swordmaster Duke Fedri. He comes up in nobility genealogy class. He’s on the exam too.”
—And Rashamu?
“I said I don’t know. I’ve at least heard of Rovenin Fedri.”
Rovenin Fedri was famous even among prodigies.
If you attended an academy, there was no way you hadn’t heard of him.
I smiled sweetly and added,
“Do I have to know his younger brother too?”
Something did come to mind.
The Fedri family was a renowned swordsmanship house with the most champions in this tournament’s history.
Their influence was so strong it nearly rivaled that of the royal family.
—But he’s your next opponent. He’s a top contender… Have you never once considered Rashamu a rival?
“How could I? I don’t even know the guy.”
—So you’re saying you’re confident you’ll win again?
“I don’t care who I’m up against. Just like before, I’m going to throw them out in one move and win the tournament. I answered, so can I go now?”
That look—he clearly thought I was an arrogant brat. I could see it all over his face.
—H-ha! Thank you for the answer. Now then, let’s quickly move on to the next match. Coming up is the semifinal round of the Youth Division!
Finally freed, I didn’t look back and headed straight for Drike Academy’s waiting room beneath the stands.
—
“You did great, Geenie!”
Instructor Iritho handed me a glass of green juice, good for internal injuries. It tasted absolutely vile—but it worked.
“Here, you must be exhausted. Sit down here.”
“Need anything else?”
“Geenie! Eat this!”
As expected, everyone from the academy’s delegation to the knights suddenly started being overly kind to me, and it felt a bit strange.
They offered me the best seats to view the arena, fanned me when I looked hot, and generally tried to keep me in good spirits.
It wasn’t a kind of hospitality I was used to. It was a little uncomfortable—but for now, I decided to enjoy it arrogantly.
“Excuse me, then.”
I plopped down in the best seat available and sipped the green juice through a straw.
The taste was so bad it made me want to gag, but if I didn’t drink it, I’d definitely end up vomiting for real—so I forced it down.
Damn this crappy internal injury.
[Master! Great work!]
[My stomach hurts.]
[That’s because you’re using mana even though you’re injured! You’re in pain because you forced it. Continuing to use mana is just stupid.]
[Did you just call me stupid?]
[Huh? Absolutely not. Do you have proof?]
[You little brat… after all I’ve done for you…]
Rai was the only one I could complain to about being in pain, but at the moment, he was locked inside a tiny birdcage courtesy of Instructor Iritho.
She had suggested leaving him at the inn, but when I insisted on bringing him, she somehow found that cage and brought it out.
I guess she was nervous I’d take Rai into the arena with me.
As if I’d bring a snake into the arena.
‘Well, I would’ve if they hadn’t caught me.’
I hugged the birdcage with Rai inside and watched the matches from the sidelines.
