Into The Arena

The next day, the Imperium Academy was packed to the brim with outsiders.

Usually, the school was out of bounds to anyone who had no business there, but whenever they hosted a tournament, the gates of the academy were opened to the entire public.

The tournaments hosted by the school weren't just designed for the students' curriculum. It was a form of entertainment for the public that also helped to raise funds for the school.

Spectators who wished to see the tournament had to pay a certain fee to be allowed in each day, with the sole exception of nobles.

They already made large contributions to the school welfare and therefore, they were allowed to see every tournament.

Figures...

Word was sent out to the people, and noble dignitaries were invited from the eight cities of the continent.

Most of them responded, and within days, all the inns in the city of Viridale had been occupied.

It was quite uncommon for a simple first-year tournament. However, this time, every participant in the tournament – except one – was a descendant of a ruling noble.

This heightened the excitement of the spectators, and long before dawn, outsiders had begun trooping into the school, hoping to secure a decent seat in the Imperium Academy's battle arena.

No one dared to miss it.

*****

On the morning of the tournament, I was overwhelmed with an uncontrollable feeling of dread.

When I first learned about the tournament, I felt a bit terrified, but I had quickly overcome it with the hopes that I would gain my magic back before it started.

My natural confidence also had me convinced that I'd find a way to defeat any opponent, even without the use of spells, like I had always done.

But now that it was close… Now that I knew the kind of opponents I would be facing... Every shred of confidence I had in myself slowly dwindled away.

Part of me wanted to stay away from the tournament grounds, but that would risk my chances at the academy, and bring shame on my noble house.

…Shame on my house…

I smiled. Without realising it, I was starting to think like him.

Regardless, I had no choice but to fight in the tournament. So, my fear grew worse.

Miss Fumiko sensed it and tried to lift my spirits.

"I'm sure you've participated in many tournaments in your previous life. This one shouldn't be any harder."

Ever since I arrived at her house, Miss Fumiko had been nothing but kind to me.

I had been unconscious for the last two days, and during that time, she had taken good care of me. She'd changed my clothes, washed my uniform, and prepared a generous meal for me the moment I woke up.

Even more, she had somehow convinced the other teachers that I was ill and received permission from the school to exempt me from classes till I recovered.

I hadn't done anything to deserve this kindness from her, but I appreciated it very much.

"Don't look so discouraged," she said, with an encouraging smile on her face. "They're students… young and naive. You're the Grand Mage…"

"Was," I cut her off.

"Are... You became the grand mage... not because of your magic, but your knowledge. Your mind preserved it, and with it, I believe you'll find a way to defeat your opponents."

She was right.

When I was the Grand Mage, I had found a thousand clever ways to defeat mages and monsters who were way more powerful than I was.

The difference was, I had my powers to rely on when all seemed hopeless. This time, I had to face my foes as a normal human.

As the minutes passed, my dread only deepened.

Then, I recalled his voice.

'The answer is in your heart… listen to it.'

I still didn't understand what he meant, but my magic was never going to return if I just sat here pouting about it all day.

So, I stood up.

"Do you feel better now?" Miss Fumiko asked.

I shook my head. "Magic or not… fearful or not… I've never been one to retreat from a fight."

"You don't have to be fearful. I can help you with a mind spell to ease your worry."

"It's alright. I'll be fine."

I made my way to the front door, while Miss Fumiko slowly trailed behind me.

"Thank you for all your help," I said, making a slight bow to her as a sign of respect.

When I lifted my head up, I found her walking towards me. Then, gently placing her hands on either side of my face, she pressed her lips against mine.

Her action took me by surprise, and my first thought was to break it off, but as the kiss deepened, I felt my initial feelings of dread slowly fade away.

I leaned into it, slowly placing my hands on her waist, but soon afterward, it ended.

"That was for luck," she said, retreating.

For the first time that day, I felt calm.

"Thank you," I replied,

Without another word, she turned around and disappeared into another room.

*****

By the time I arrived at the arena, it was almost filled.

The arena was a massive amphitheatre shaped like a cross when viewed from above.

In the center, there was a wide square-shaped field, filled with earth, surrounded on all sides by tall arena walls, with two gates leading in and out.

Above the four walls of the central field, there were four distinct seating areas, each one reserved for a particular group of people; two for students, tutors, and the other two sections for outsiders; nobles and commonbloods.

Built from the ground up with large stones, it was left open to the sky and lit up by the warm sunlight.

But in the event of extreme weather, a veil would be cast overhead to protect everyone in the arena from discomfort or harm.

It was the first structure in the academy, as the arena was originally built as a religious space where the people of Viridale worshipped Virga, the goddess of nature.

But after the academy was built, its use was converted.

As I approached the large structure, hundreds of people trooped into it, eager to watch the spectacle unfold.

Students from all years brushed past me, some of their faces beaming with confidence, while some were fearful for the candidates whom they supported.

Some recognised me as they passed, and even wished me good luck as they went it.

I wondered if Lucy was among the students who had already gone into the arena. I decided to find her and hopefully talk to her before the tournament begins.

Just when I took another step, I saw them.

The bully squad; Freya Lillith, her sister Ginny, and their third unknown friend.

They were slowly marching toward the arena, their strides more pompous than usual.

And walking right behind them… was Baron Borain.

I silently observed him from a distance, but his gaze met mine, and a cold grin spread across his face.

"Good luck, Stormborn," his eyes seemed to say, but not in a kind way.

Our eyes remained fixed until he turned away and walked into the arena.

"Good luck, Borain," I whispered under my breath, wearing a faint smile. "May the best mage win."