Tournament

The morning dawned softly, sunlight streaming through the window as birds chirped harmoniously outside, filling the air with a gentle, fresh energy.

The morning seemed quite ordinary.

It was for most outside the academy, but for those inside its gates, the day was far from ordinary.

It was like a fire had been lit.

Students, beasts, and men could be seen moving all around.

The students, in particular, appeared to be quite excited, but that was to be expected considering what day it was.

For today and the next two days, the academy will host a tournament for Master Grade students.

It has always been this way.

Every year, the academy holds two tournaments.

The first tournament is held three months after the enrollment of new students.

And the other, at the end of the year.

These tournaments serve as opportunities for students to showcase what they have learned in their time in the academy.

And so for the three days, lessons would be halted across all grades.

The seniors were also expected to watch over this year's new talents.

However, this tournament isn't as simple as just proving oneself.

One's performance can also affect one's standing.

Those from lower-ranked families can prove that they can be talented allies or pawns.

Who knows, maybe in the future they might be recruited by higher-ranked nobles, which would benefit their families, and their families might rise in ranking.

For example, when the Bloodfang was annihilated, another family took its place, and the head became an Archduke.

The head of that family apparently had a good relationship with the king and was a part of his faction when he was the second prince before ascending the throne.

But because the Bloodfang family head had always held the position of Archduke even before he came to power, his friend had to be content with the position of a Duke.

But when Thrain's father planned to assassinate the crown prince, it provided the perfect opportunity for the Darkmere House to rise over the corpses of the Bloodfangs.

However, most of the students are just in it for the fun and the prizes.

"So, what do you think are the prizes for this tournament? How many academy points?" A Master Grade dragon student asked his fellow student as they walked across the academy grounds.

"I don't know, but from what I heard from the seniors, it is worth competing for. It's a good thing I signed up for it." Another student replied with excitement.

"I don't know about you guys, but I am just excited I get a chance to fight. My fists are itching for a good battle." A red-haired student with a muscular physique said.

Each person had their own motivations for participating.

As for why the academy holds these tournaments, it is to boost the academy's prestige across all other towns in outer Valdoria, especially the end-of-year tournament.

However, it was still uncertain whether Jarek would still be here by then.

The man in question stood in front of a massive colosseum with a big sign that read 'Myriad Arena.'

The colosseum was bound to be filled with a lot of spectators, students, and outsiders alike.

It is only during these two events that the academy gates are open to the outside world.

Those who are allowed entry are limited. There are certain requirements or criteria one has to fulfil.

Jarek was here, of course, to participate.

And the reason for his participation was the prizes.

From what he had heard from the conversations of the upperclassmen, there were a lot of points to be gained.

With many points, he could find himself a good weapon.

When Jarek was introduced to the academy's point system, he couldn't help but find the concept eerily similar to that of a popular novel he read in his past life.

The Myriad Dao Academy runs on a point system, where you can use them to buy certain products and enjoy some services.

The products include weapons, materials, and spirit stones.

As for the services provided, the Training Hall is a good example of this.

Students can spend academy points to use the Training Hall to train.

But Jarek had personally never enjoyed this service.

He had spent most of the points the academy provided for them in the first month to buy the two Adamantium swords that he and Eira use.

He then spent the rest of his points on spirit stones to keep up the facade of a normal cultivator.

Even though he didn't need spirit stones, he still had to give others the impression that he did.

And considering the large amount he exchanged his points for, it added another layer of disguise aimed at the academy.

It gave the impression that he was desperate for spirit stones and, at the same time, provided a reasonable explanation for his progression.

This would make them lower their guard, believing in the influence they thought they had on him.

This would then give him more time to grow.

If Jarek had a falling out with the academy right now, he was sure he would die.

This academy has hundreds of peak Empyreans, and he could only deal with a few of them at once.

'Will they make a move?' He wondered.

Jarek was now in an underground chamber just below the audience's seating area.

After fifteen minutes, an announcer took to the stage and spoke in a voice that everyone could hear.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to this grand fighting tournament. We are truly honored by your presence today—thank you for coming to witness what promises to be an incredible display of skill, strength, and spirit!"

"Now, let me explain how our selection process works. First, each of our competitors has been assigned a unique number—think of it as their personal identifier." He said as he held up a blank card, showing it to the audience.

"These cards are placed into a box, which is shuffled thoroughly to ensure randomness. Next, we will draw two cards from the box—each bearing a number—and those two fighters will be pitted against each other in a fierce battle. After that, the remaining fighters will be paired again, and the process continues—drawing, fighting, and eliminating—until everyone has fought their opponent." The announcer gestures expansively.

"And in the case where only one card remains, that participant gets a free pass to fight in the second round. Now, once the battles are fought, we will shuffle the remaining contenders' numbered cards once more and repeat the process. This will continue until only two participants remain—leading us to the ultimate showdown!" 

"What are the prizes for this tournament? Those who manage to reach the top ten positions will receive the following rewards. Tenth place will receive 5,000 academy points, ninth place— 10,000 points... sixth place—40,000 points. Fifth place will be awarded with 50,000 points. Fourth place—100,000 and third place will get 100,000 points. And now, the top three." He then intensifies his tone, building anticipation.

"Third place will receive a rank 2 Medium Grade weapon and will receive any rank 2 Medium Grade material. Second place will get a rank 2 Medium Grade weapon, a rank 3 Medium Grade material, and two Medium Grade Law diagrams of their choice. And finally, first place will receive a rank 3 Medium Grade weapon, three rank 3 Medium Grade materials, and three Medium Grade law diagrams." As soon as the announcer finished talking, he paused, giving the audience the chance to process what he just said.

When the audience heard this, some couldn't help but curse themselves for their foolish decision not to participate. 

"F**k me! I should have registered to participate in this tournament yesterday. Why was I so stupid?!"

"What about me? A senior destroyed my dagger last week for bumping into him. It was very expensive. Now I have to buy a new one, but I don't have any points. If I just had my dagger, even fifth place would be possible for yours truly. At least you had the option to choose." Another student said this with regret, mocking his fellow student and friend.

"Bullsh*t! Who are you fooling? You are not even that skilled with the dagger as you are with the shadow element. Stop making excuses." Another female student called him out on his lie.

Seeing that he wasn't fooling anyone, he turned to ask with a disdainful gaze, "And why are you yourself not participating, Lara? What's your excuse?" 

"W-well, you see ..."