Character : Lilyanna Valkaria, Stake
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The very next day, it's finally time for the round of sixteen.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the skirmish of the sixteen best students of the Ellennoire Academy's first years!"
From the VIP room above the spectator's seat, the arena commentator announced to everyone who were present at the arena. With the tournament coming closer and closer to the end, naturally the amount of enthusiasm coming from the spectators became even higher than before.
The whole arena turned so loud as everybody cheered. Everyone is excited for the upcoming battles, whether they are students from the first year, second year, or third year, or even non-students like teachers or guests.
It's clear to everyone that the current talent level in the first years is much higher than it has ever been, all thanks to the class A students. Everyone has heard about the achievements of the five students who massively contributed during the war with the dark republic, and they all had high expectations of the students of class A.
Eleven out of the sixteen students in the top sixteen are all class A students. For sure, the level of battle that will happen starting from this point will get crazier than before.
"The time has finally come. You ready, Reggie?" Jonah said to his opponent as they waited in the fighter's area right beside the arena, and the short guy only snorted.
Reggie is no longer as thin as in the beginning. Now, his body is very muscular, revealing that he is no longer that cranky kid at the start of the year.
Of course, the one with the largest transformation has got to be Jonah.
"I've been ready since years ago. I was just waiting for you, big bro." Reggie suddenly used that term, and everyone who heard it opened their eyes wide.
"Wow! It's been so many years since you called me that." Jonah said while laughing after hearing it.
"If you win, I'll start calling you big bro again."
"Just like ten years ago?"
"Of course. But, if I win, you'll call me big bro."
"… I'm older than you." Jonah uttered with confusion, but the smirk in Reggie's face showed that he was only joking.
Jonah and Reggie… these two had quite a long history before coming to the academy. From what I've heard, Reggie was meant to be the successor of the Holy Knight title because Jonah was lackluster. However, that has changed ever since the first month of the academy.
Now, Jonah has every right to be at the level of the Holy Knight. Reggie is the one who needs to catch up.
"Now, then!! Let us begin with the very first match of the day! Reggie Vagran versus Jonah Calfman!" From the speaker, the arena announcer has officially started the tournament. And with their names mentioned, both Jonah and Reggie began approaching the arena.
"Reggiee!!! Don't lose to Jonah!!!" From the fighter's seat, Rejulus shouted to support the short guy.
"You got this Reggie!!"
"Prove to him, Reggie!!!"
Not just the crown prince, but everyone else is also cheering for Reggie. Or at least, the loudest ones are.
I would've cheered for Reggie too, and the reason being quite obvious. In this battle, Jonah is the most expected to win it.
The battle experience he gained during the war is priceless. Not just that, Jonah's talent is miles ahead of Reggie, even though Reggie himself wasn't too bad. In the past, Reggie has always been the one to beat Jonah, but that's only because the tall guy wasn't exactly taking it seriously.
Now, Jonah is undoubtedly the strongest earth origin in this academy. And the only ones who can challenge him are others from a different origin.
Jonah turned around with pure confusion because no one was cheering for him. I stayed silent because Jonah was still my friend, but at least one person is always going to be faithful.
"You.
Got.
This."
From her seat, Nyssa formed hand signals to tell Jonah. The arena has gotten so loud that it's impossible for Nyssa's tiny voice to reach Jonah, so she used a method that will for sure allow Jonah to know.
And seeing those hand signs, the tall guy looked like he's about to fall on the floor and cry.
"Aww~, look at you. The cute girlfriend supports the handsome boyfriend as he goes into battle." I joked from the seat right next to Nyssa, and the girl let out a sigh before turning her cold glare to me.
…
"No, wait. Don't say a word. I'm sorry, please--"
"You don't even realize your own situation before mocking me…" Nyssa said with the same cold expression, and I nodded my head many times to her to beg for forgiveness.
Man… had things been different… It is all that guy's fault.
"Now, before the battle begins, it seems that our guest star has a few words to say!" The female announcer suddenly said from the speakers, turning everyone including me confused.
Guest star? Is it Frisena?
"Hello, everyone. I'm Nathan Fiore."
Very quickly, I lifted my shocked face towards the VIP room above the spectators area on our left.
Everybody else from class A also turned widely shocked at that voice speaking from the device, and no one could really utter a word. The crowd turned loud from Nathan's voice, and they all began chanting his name.
Everybody loved him. He is a hero, after all. The child prodigy who saved the continent from the evil headmaster of the academy and the president of the dark republic.
Jonah turned completely frozen from hearing Nathan, and his shocked face was locked to the VIP room on the north of this large dome arena. Reggie was also quite surprised, and he too stopped on the spot.
"Hmm? So, he showed up." Not far from me, Eric muttered with a grin. It seems like he was the only one excited to hear Nathan's voice.
Everybody else… was a little too pissed.
"That motherfucke--"
"Let's beat him up. We can halt the battle for later." I quickly cut off Rejulus's voice, and he nodded firmly in agreement.
The referees heard exactly what we just said, and they were quite surprised. Before they could say anything, the voice from the speaker continued.
"Prince Nathan, do you mind becoming my co-speaker for this occasion?" The announcer said in such a flirty tone, and Nathan only chuckled.
"Of course. When I get invited to be a guest on the announcer, I think this much is what I am supposed to do." Nathan said to inform everyone how he got into this position, and sure enough, he was invited.
"Thank you so much! In that case, Prince Nathan, do you mind telling us a little bit about your classmates, Jonah and Reggie?"
"Naturally! Jonah is… my best friend and my roommate. He's also the son of the Holy Knight of the earth nation, which makes him very expected to one day exceed his father. As for Reggie… he is Jonah's cousin."
"R-Reggie is Jonah's cousin!? I did not know that…"
"Yes. This is a battle between two cousins. However, their story goes so much deeper than that!"
"Please, tell us Prince Nathan!"
And there Nathan goes… he just rambled about somebody else's life story to the public, all while the two people he was talking about are in the arena. Of course, the crowd loves storylines like this, especially when the two main characters are about to have a face off.
"Haha… that asshole." Jonah muttered after realizing Nathan was talking about him and Reggie.
"Looks like our story is now public. Should we make it more spicy?" Reggie suggested after climbing to the arena, and Jonah let out a sigh.
"I hate being in the spotlight. I'll follow your lead, Reggie." Jonah said as he too arrived on the large single arena at the center of this dome, and everyone realized the two are now ready.
"Ah! It seems like the two at the arena are well prepared. But before we began, Prince Nathan, I heard that you have something to announce to everyone?" The female announcer said right before starting the match, and Nathan cleared his throat before speaking again.
"Everyone! This battle tournament has been incredibly spicy so far. It's a pity that I couldn't attend it myself, even though I am, from start to end, a battle enjoyer. However, the tournament will only get better as the battles go on, and I'm here to make it even more amazing by placing a stake!" Nathan announced from the speaker, and everyone turned curious about what he wanted to do.
What the hell is he planning now…?
"One. Wish.
The winner of this final test, the battle tournament, shall earn one free wish that they are free to request. As the Prince of Fiordall, I have a considerable amount of power that I have at my disposal.
Whether it be riches, knowledge, or even my assistance! I shall grant one wish to anyone who is powerful enough to reach it."
… what?