The poor crown prince will be facing Nyssa at his fourth match, which might as well be his last considering how strong Nyssa is.
The tournament starts with two groups. Each group had the same amount of students, with the best of each group facing each other at the finals.
The tournament is also single elimination. Once you lose, you're out. However, just because you lose your first fight, doesn't mean you're instantly getting a terrible score. For example, if you lose your first fight against the eventual winner of the tournament, the chances of your score being high is very possible. Of course, getting eliminated by someone without being able to fight back also means a low score.
The assessment is done by multiple teachers at once. As such, this tournament will take days. The fourth day is the best of eight, where only eight students are left to fight for the top spot. The fifth day is the semifinals, and the sixth day is the finals.
Two more hours until the battle tournament begins, and my first opponent is a guy from class C.
It's a pity, but it seems like my run all the way to the top eight will be a boring one.
The day continued, and the time for the last test began. As always, it will be held at the large dome arena where all huge events of the academy were held.
At the center of the dome, eight small arenas that were formed in a square manner, with the center being completely empty. These eight tiny arenas shall be the battleground for the students to battle against their opponents. This small arena size was necessary to keep the tournament progress efficient, because now there's eight matches happening all at once.
As for how the battles went…
BOOOMMMM!!!!!!!
A powerful explosion came from one of the eight arenas, and the announcer who was at the spectator's seat shouted.
"One shot! Absolute one shot by the Crown Prince of Fiordall himself, Rejulus Fiordall!!" The arena commentator screamed to the speaking device, and everyone at the spectator's seat who were watching turned excited.
Rejulus lifted his fiery fist upwards after the match ended, and the crowd became more excited. He stood there for a while until a referee came up to him.
"Excuse me, your highness. The next match is going to start--"
"Oh, right. Apologies." Reju very quickly steps down from his arena after being told by the referee.
After getting off his arena, Rejulus returned to our group at the spectators seat. As he arrived, the boys from class A cheered his name as if he was the greatest of all time.
"When are you guys' turn?" Rejulus asked as he sat down, and Jonah pointed his finger to one of the eight arenas to the northwest.
"That will be my arena three matches from now." Jonah said while pointing his finger, and Reju whistled.
"Is there anyone fighting soon? Has Nyssa fought yet?" Rejulus asked some more, and Jonah shook his head.
"Nyssa's turn is soon. She's already by the south arena right now."
Our eyes then turned to the south arena where a fight is currently going on. From Jonah's words, it seems like Nyssa's turn is after this match.
Rejulus then turned to other members of class A, to see who else had their turn coming. One of them mentioned that my turn would also arrive, and the crown prince turned to me.
"Two matches after this. Southwest arena." I pointed to the arena next to the one Nyssa is going to fight in, and everyone understood.
Fast forward a little bit, Nyssa's turn came up, and she finished her match in less than three seconds after it began. Just like Rejulus, everyone cheered loudly after Nyssa completely destroyed her opponent, who was a poor girl from class D.
After Nyssa returned, I left the spectator's area to the arena. Nyssa wished me good luck right before I headed out, and I simply congratulated her for passing the first round.
Arriving at the arena, I didn't even realize my turn was up so soon. I almost missed it, and I had to go up to the arena immediately.
"Southwest arena, Lilyanna Valkaria, class A, water origin. Against Felton Fortress, class C, fire origin." From afar, the arena announcer announced the match that will be held at my arena, and everyone cheered when they heard my name.
When you have eight arenas fighting all at once, it's very hard to keep up with all the matches happening. As such, most people only listen to the arena announcer and wait for any interesting names to come up.
And when my name came up, all the attention for sure turned to me. The name 'Valkaria' isn't exactly simple, after all.
"Fire origin…? That poor guy." Behind me, the next student who's going to fight at this southwest arena commented after hearing the announcer, and I can only feel bad as well.
To be pitted against me, a water empire princess from class A, especially when you have the fire origin… that's quite tough.
I walked up the stairs after being allowed to by the referee, and my opposition is nowhere in sight. My gaze then landed at the short thin boy who was still frozen at the bottom of the stairs on his side, looking quite concerned with reality.
"I surrender!!" He suddenly shouted, and everyone facepalmed.
… surprisingly, I'm not that surprised.
"Wow, Lily! You beat your opponent with just your smelly breath!" Jonah commented right after I arrived, and I sat down silently without even replying.
Everyone noticed that my actions seemed odd, and Nyssa specifically tilted her head closer to see my face.
"What's wrong?" Nyssa asked concernedly, and I just shook my head.
"It's.…nothing. I spent so… so much effort trying to become stronger. But, now that I'm this strong…
Why am I… so disappointed?"
I talked exactly what's in my heart, and Nyssa only turned her confused gaze to Jonah next to her. Meanwhile, the son of the holy knight only laughs.
"Nathan would've roasted you to death--"
"Jonah!" Nyssa suddenly shouted, and Jonah quickly realized what's wrong.
"S-Sorry~…" The big guy quickly apologized, but I didn't really care. At this moment, my problems are bigger than simply waiting for Nathan.
"If this goes on… will I ever get a chance to fight anyone?" I complained, but no one can really answer.
And the very next day… the same damn thing happened.
"I surrender!!"
"I surrender as well!!"
Because it was the second day, the second and third rounds of the tournament were held. Everyone is fighting twice today, and out of the two rounds I will be fighting, my two opponents surrendered.
…
"Nathan. This is all your fault." I mumbled after sitting back down at the spectator's seat, and everybody laughed loudly.
Everyone got a chance to use their origins. They all beat their opponents easily. There's even a fiery matchup between Marvolo and Alvin, another member of class A. Everyone else had a fun experience with their tournament.
Except… for me.
"At least you'll be fighting someone familiar in your next round." Rejulus pointed out, and I guess he is right.
Tomorrow, only sixteen students are left. In this best of sixteen, we'll finally be able to see some interesting match ups coming up.
It's Jonah against Reggie as the first match tomorrow. After that, Nyssa against the best student of class B on the second match. Marvolo won the match against Alvin, so he is up against his arch nemesis, Eric.
At the final match of the day, I will be facing my arch nemesis. Clade Holt, my water origin rival whom I've feared since the day the academy began.
It's time to decide who is the best water origin student once and for all.