Tournament Privileges

After my battle with Callum, it was Kyra's turn to fight with Caleb. However, Caleb immediately forfeited the match.

"I do not fight women as long as my life is not in danger. It is not because I look down on you, it is because of the code of honor that I live by." Caleb said to Kyra as he walked out of the stage.

Since Callum was knocked unconscious by me in our battle, Caleb won the 3rd place by default. Kyra forfeited her match against me thus making me the overall champion of the duels.

Hector won the battle in the losers' bracket and was given the chance to challenge either Kyra or Caleb for their seat in the main team. Obviously, he chose to fight Kyra.

The battle was a quick one with Hector defeating Kyra by overpowering her. She stood no chance against Hector who was more proficient and more experienced when it came to battles.

Me, Hector and Caleb were part of the main team while Kyra was able to join the back up team.

Duke Lawrence went towards the stage when the duels were over and faced the students watching from the audience.

"Give a round of applause to our main team and the reserves. They fought well in order to secure their positions and they deserve our respect." Duke Lawrence clapped as he scanned each and every one of us that belonged to the team.

The other students followed suit. Although they felt a bit sad from the loss, they still believe that this was the best team that our kingdom could offer.

"Your rewards will be given to you personally once you've been escorted to your respective training rooms, where you will be staying till the day for departure for the tournament has arrived. John, come to my office later. Everyone else, you are dismissed."

"Yes, Your Grace!" Everyone, including me, replied

All of the students left the training grounds and proceeded to walk towards their dorms. As I was walking back towards my own dorm to prepare my belongings, Hector and Caleb called out to me.

"John!" Hector's voice could be heard calling out.

I looked back and walked towards them.

"Yes, Lord Hector?" I replied.

"It's nothing too important… I would just like to extend my congratulations for your victory in the battles. You've really surprised me." Hector praised.

"I've also heard about our many talents, but you've surpassed what I've expected." Caleb chimed in.

"Thank you, Lord Hector, Lord Caleb." I thanked as I bowed.

"No need for honorifics, we are now part of a team fighting for the glory of the Qaviel Kingdom! Hahahaha!" Hector bellowed.

"I, too, believe that honorifics are somewhat unneeded in our situation. It would be better for us to look beyond noble rankings and focus entirely on our cooperation to bring glory to our kingdom." Caleb nodded as he turned to look towards me.

"If that's what you want. Caleb and Hector. I'll be in your care." I smiled as I extended my hand to shake theirs one by one.

"We should take some time to get to know one another. Show our strengths and weaknesses." Caleb recommended.

"I would love to. However, Duke Lawrence had told me to meet him in his office later and I don't know how long that meeting would take." I replied.

"Yes, you are right. You must follow the Duke's commands." Caleb replied.

"Well, then! We could just get together some other time. We'll come by to your training room and see the disparity when compared to ours! Hahahahahaha!" Hector bellowed.

"I'll be looking forward to it!" I smiled.

They joined me as I walked back to my dorm and we bid farewell at the front door. I went towards my room and opened the door.

"John! How'd it go? It's okay that you didn't get into the team. After all, you are still just a first year." Daniel jumped to conclusions.

"Ah, actually… I won and will be transferred to my training room soon…" I said awkwardly.

"It's okay, John. We can just go and have fun outside so you could forget – Wait, what?" Daniel stared at me, his eyes wide open.

"I won… I'll be representing the kingdom for the solo battles…" I gave out an awkward laugh.

"YOU WON?!" Daniel grabbed both of my shoulders and began shaking me.

I freed myself from his grasp. "Yes, I won. Hahahaha…"

Daniel became silent and turned his back on me. He walked towards his bed and sat there staring into nothing.

"You truly are amazing, John…" He murmured.

"I'm not that amazing, really. I just got lucky." I replied as I began to organize the things I needed.

A couple minutes of silence shrouded the room as I prepared my stuff. Daniel sat there silently and once I had my things ready in my suitcase and was ready to go meet Duke Lawrence, I heard Daniel talk.

"Hey John, I won't let you down."

I looked at him surprised. I took my suitcase and brought it out the door. As I was closing the door, I replied.

"I know you won't."

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[Status]

Name: John Colton

Age: 14

Level: 7

Experience: 400/700

HP: 200/200

Mana: 100/100

Strength: 23

Intelligence: 20

Dexterity: 21

Agility: 21

Wisdom: 20

Unspent points: 0

Skills: Identify, Intermediate Magic Focus, Primal Instinct, Indomitable Will, Sword Training - Intermediate, Magic Creation - Beginner, Pain Resistance - Intermediate, Overcome the odds - Beginner, Blue Fire, Body Master - Beginner, Foresight, Thrill of the Fight

Spells: Fireball, Light, Aqua, Wind Slash, Raise Earth, Blind, Fire Bullet, Earth Bullet, Wind Bullet, Water Bullet, Wind Sword, Fire Sword, Earth Sword, Water Sword, Metal Bullet, Lightning, Ice Lance, Heal, Void Step, Void Slash, Wind Arrow Storm

Boons: Wadur's Blessing

Curses: -None-

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I checked my status as I was walking towards Duke Lawrence's office.

'Is killing really the only way I can gain experience and level up?' I sighed as I thought of the work I had to put in just to level up.

I reached Duke Lawrence's office and knocked on the door.

"Come in, John." Duke Lawrence's voice could be heard from behind the door.

I opened the door and entered.

"John, congratulations on your victory. Normally, I'd have the special prize from the King ready here for you, however, His Majesty decided to give you something more that could benefit your talents. Wait a little bit longer and it'll be delivered to you." Duke Lawrence said as he stood up.

"Yes, Your Grace." I replied.

"Aside from that, your training room is ready. As you already know, I will be your teacher up until the day of the tournament. I will mostly be focusing on strengthening your magic focus and proficiency. From what I've seen, you already have the magic focus of an intermediate mage but the proficiency of a beginner. You are able to cast your spells quickly and from what I've gathered, you are able to cast most of your spells without the use of your wand as well."

"Yes, that is true, Your Grace. I only need my wand when I need to cast spells I've yet to master or spells that I've recently created." I replied.

"Well, that's enough for now. Our training begins tomorrow. You will be escorted to your training room. Get your things organized and rest well." Duke Lawrence opened the door of his office and gestured for someone to come.

"She will be the one to escort you, now off you go." He added.

"Yes, Your Grace." I took my suitcase and followed the woman to my training room.

I opened the door and was greeted by a very large space. The ceiling was at least 3 meters high and the space inside was almost half of the training grounds where we had our duels in, and that was just the first room that greeted me. There were different training equipment and there was space in the middle for more practical training.

There was also a kitchen and a dining area to the side of the room. Beside the kitchen more of a resting area. There were seats and a sofa as well as a table in the middle.

'I guess this is basically the living room, where people just chat and have tea.' I thought to myself as I walked towards the room where the lady said the bedroom was.

The bedroom was smaller than the previous room but it was still very luxurious and spacious. It had its own bathroom, small library and work desk. The bed was very big and was covered with smooth expensive sheets and fluffy pillows lining the top of it.

I placed my clothes and personal effects into the closets and drawers and went to take a quick bath before heading to lie on the bed.

'I could get used to this. I hope the training tomorrow isn't gonna be too hard… Well I've been through hell already, how bad could it be.' I thought as I went to sleep.