And the Competition Begins... Part I

I woke up and arrived at the stadium quite early. For the last few days, I had to lay a little low. And before I realized, the day of my match had arrived.

'I knew it was big, but what is this!!!? '

The Heart Stadium was big, like really big. It could be even compared to a small town.

But the more shocking fact is that this stadium can change by itself. And today, it was in the form of hundreds of small battle grounds.

Right now I was waiting in one such ground for like half an hour. It was getting really suffocating as there are more than hundreds of other guys in this same small ground.

Just as my boredom threatened to consume me up, a voice echoed through the stadium.

"Cough! So, my dear ladies and gentlemen from all the races across the globe. I know you have been waiting for quite a long time now. But don't worry, because without speaking much, I hereby announce the beginning of the fifth preliminary round of the 8th Blood Legacy Competition."

'Fifth? From what I know today's the third day. So I guess there's two rounds everyday. And there are about hundreds of small stadiums like this. Just how many are here to participate?'

"The Rules are simple. If a person surrenders or passes out, he or she will be disqualified. And of course, you may get killed too. So if you are afraid of it, you better surrender now. No one can be blamed for killing you, because killing is legal here on these grounds. Of course, we can heal you even if you lose an arm or a leg. But we can't do anything if you're dead."

'I knew it would turn out to be something like this. But still, it was quite ruthless. It's something like a brawl among hundreds of people in a small cage'

"The last one remaining on every battlefield can advance forward. So let's start today's match".

Hooonk!

Just as the guy using sound amplifying magic finished his words, a loud horn was heard and everyone on my ground started taking out their weapons.

Some were reluctant, some were excited, a few laughed mocking others but almost all of them were scared. They could die any moment here and nobody would even remember them.

I have already killed people. Although it was not a good experience, I don't plan on avoiding it if I have no choice. Of course, 'if I have no choice', that is.

But...

'Why are they this weak?'

I could see some people fighting among themselves. They were so slow and on top of that, numerous openings could be seen.

I sighed in relief at the sight and a spear appeared in my hands from the ring. It was a really dull spear with no shine. Someone might even doubt if it can cut a goblin.

It was the first spear that I used while training with Rowan. Of course, I changed my weapons many times in those four years.

Suddenly, I ran forward to a guy who was laughing as he sliced his opponents. He saw me and raised his sword but before he could think of anything, I thrust my spear in his arm and jumping up I kicked his face with my knee.

I didn't stop there as I thrust my spear again into his palm.

"Aaaaarghhh"

'The guys with healing skills can heal him up. As long as I don't kill them, I have no reason to hold back.'

He dropped his sword and began shouting with tears in his eyes.

He wasn't dead, but I don't think he would stand again even if he could.

I looked back and saw I was surrounded by six other guys who were a little scared to face the person lying on the ground now. The one I just beat.

''No, if you guys can't even face him, how can you face me? Didn't you see I just beat the shit out of him? "

"S-shut up! You just attacked him from behind."

'They're so scared. I actually pity them.'

"Okay. Don't blame me, saying I didn't warn you before."

I dashed forward and pierced my spear right into one's stomach. Just as he was about to vomit some blood, I punched him in his face. One of his incisors fell out.

'Teeth can also be attached by a healer... right?'

The others backed off a little and looked around but there was nowhere they could run on this small battlefield.

"I-I surrender"

"Me-me too"

'Hah? These cowards'.

I ignored them and rushed to others that looked a little strong. I approached one after another as fast as I could. Some surrendered, and others lost their consciousness, and I... I prevented myself from killing anyone.

Soon only four people remained on the battlefield.

"Hey! Grey hair"

It was a girl that just killed one of her opponents even after he passed out just because he sounded a little arrogant.

Her smile looked really wicked and prideful and even now she was thinking that she could finish me off any moment.

"How about we team up and -"

Crash!

And before she could finish, I ran towards her in no time, and next, it was my fist connecting to her face.

'I really want to break a few teeth this time.'

Unfortunately, it didn't happen. I thrust my spear into her feet and as she staggered and fell on one of her knees, I jumped up and side-kicked her face really hard while I was still in the air.

She passed out right there.

I gripped my spear tightly and quickly dashed to the other guys.

***

[Your understanding of 'Beginner's Spearmanship' has reached 100%]

['Beginner's Spearmanship' has upgraded to 'Intermediate Spearmanship']

At the same time, the same voice using sound amplifying magic could be heard.

"Okay. That was really quick! The winner of Arena No. 8 is Marcel Mistmer."

'Hmm... Looks like I finished the quickest. I guess that's it then.'

I planned to go and meet the stamp guy from that day and ask about my next schedule before leaving.

But just as I was about to leave the small battlefield, I heard another announcement.

"We have our second winner. The winner of Arena No. 17 is Sylas Zyair".

'.... Strange name'

***

Sitting in the audience, among the few people that came today, there were two women spectating Arena No. 8.

"Is he the one you talked about, Bella?"

"Yes, yes! Don't tell me you brought me here just to see him fight, Guild Master. W-well, not that I want to complain." The lovely receptionist of the Adventurers' Guild exclaimed.

"Why? Do you like him?"

"W-w-what? No! He's a good friend. He's really handsome but not my type, really. I prefer someone a little more... umm... stable?"

Bella denied with a red face shaking her head vigorously.

"Sometimes I find his deep golden eyes a little scary to be honest."

She said the last line in a low voice.

The Guild Master laughed loudly swaying her auburn long hair and her deep brown eyes seemed quite intimidating all the time.

"But why did you really come here for, Guild Master?"

"Hmm....Let's say I wanted to know a little more about the great King".

Bella stared at her as if she had no idea what the Guild Master was talking about.

***

"Thank you sir, please visit again. "

'Shut up! I don't want to visit here ever again. My money... '

I just bought a spear and a sword from this weapon shop. Recently, I heard some rumours saying that they got some of the best products here.

Which was indeed true but of course I need to work as an adventurer for three more years to buy one decent sword from here.

Just as I entered, I saw an A grade sword with a price tag of '500 golds' below it and I started regretting my decision to visit here.

'Who even earns that much money?'

After some deep thinking, I finally bought the two items.

[Fluid of Despair]

Grade C

Type: Weapon

Skills: Iron Will (2-Star), Stretch(3-Star)

[Star of Lightning]

Grade C

Type: Weapon

Skills: Lightning Wave(3-Star)

The sword 'Fluid of Despair' was a one handed sabre that cost me 65 golds. It also had a 3-star skill. The only reason its price was lower than the others was that the skills here are really hard to control for a novice-swordsman.

The skill 'Iron Will' can increase the weight of the sword up to several kilograms. Whereas, 'Stretch' allows you to adjust the size of the sword between two to three feet as per the user.

In other words, it was a very flexible sword.

The spear, 'Star of Lightning' on the other hand, cost me 72 golds. Its skill 'Lightning Wave' can create a wave of lightning from a distance. Weaker enemies like goblins may even be paralyzed while dealing a great amount of damage.

It was a great skill for hunting monsters who're more in numbers. So, I just couldn't ignore it.

Anyway, now I was left with only 13 gold coins. All my expenses I gathered for four months dissappeared in a second.

'Hah... Let's not think about it. I think it was a good buy. Yes, a good buy.'

The stamp guy said my next match was in three days.

I didn't even know what to do in order to prepare for my next match except for training my mana manipulation all the time. I didn't even have a training ground here.

'Sigh! I miss the Elven forest... No! What the hell am I thinking!? I shouldn't forget all the sufferings that damned forest gave me.'

***

Three days later, Heart Stadium

"Umm...princess, which matches do you want to watch today? "

"Please call me by my name when we're outside, Isabella! For how many years we've been friends now. And it doesn't matter to me. Most of these matches are so boring." The Princess complained while sitting on the audience seat.

"I heard that is because it's still early into the competition. The matches will be more intense towards the end." Isabelle tried reassuring her.

"Yeah, yeah... What about you, Penelope? Which match do you want to watch first?"

"Hmm... I heard that Darcy got her match today. Let's go watch her"

Both Isabelle and the princess were a little shocked after hearing her.

"Darcy? You mean that Darcy belonging to Baron Edberg's house?"

"Yes..."

Darcy was someone they knew since childhood.

Though they had known Darcy since childhood, they weren't close. Still, watching someone familiar adds an interesting twist.

And all of them knew… Darcy was strong.

"And who's her opponent? I feel sorry for that unlucky person." The Princess asked.

Penelope, who was holding a catalogue in her hands replied after reading through the words in it while narrowing her eyes.

"Umm.... It says it's someone named Marcel Mistmer. "