Author's note:

The last few chapters I've been making quite a lot of mistakes. Both story and grammar wise. I apologize sincerely for that. Thanks to everyone who pointed them out, I will strive to do better in the future!

> Ellie PoV

I glared at Zublos while the crowd was cheering.

He noticed my accusing stare and hung his head in shame.

His so-called disciple period may be over, but he has much to answer for.

The agreement was that he do all his work solo, but we would still lend a hand should he require it.

Me and Kira decided that since he obviously had some ability it would be okay for him if it was simply fighting monsters.

But then Zublos failed a job.

It was some escort mission for a merchant and his goods headed north out of Runetap.

Apparently the client worked for some big-time noble and paid for a Rank B escort commission.

Which Zublos took by himself.

He assumed it would be okay since he’d done similar work before going through the Eagle Forest road we made.

But the degree in difficulty between Rank B and Rank C commissions isn’t just the letter!

They got assaulted by a group of monsters and Zublos had to fend them off by himself.

However, no matter how fast or strong he is, he cannot be in two places at once.

While he did place priority on defending the merchant’s life, the foodstuffs he was transporting were left exposed.

The cargo was destroyed and the commission ended in a failure.

This sort of thing is pretty much exactly what we warned him about.

It should be common sense that protecting two targets at once is impossible for one person.

Zublos promised that, should the need arise, he would ask for backup.

One could argue how it was the client or the guild at fault for accepting a single adventurer as a guard.

However, the responsibility ultimately lies with Kira and me.

First, we had to reimburse the client on behalf of the team.

Then, we got chewed out and received a warning from the guild’s Branch Manager in Runetap.

And finally we got slapped with a hefty fine for letting a disciple take on a job above his station.

But the damage went beyond mere money or a lecture from an angry elf.

Zublos’s lack of judgement betrayed our trust and ruined [Black Flame]’s spotless record.

It was our team’s first failed job, Kira was more upset than I though she would be!

To begin with, all this could have been avoided if he just agreed to Kira’s proposal.

Initially she offered to buy the land on his behalf, but she would have to remain the owner.

In return, Zublos would pay rent and teach that course Kira wanted from him.

He refused saying he wanted to have full control over his stores, including the land they’re built on.

And that's when we revealed the information concerning the Tournament and made that initial agreement.

We could point fingers and deflect responsibility all we want, but the undeniable fact was, knowingly or not, Zublos broke his promise.

So we all sat down and had a heated back-and-forth discussion that somehow ended in the current situation.

Kira would stick to her word and allow Zublos to keep using our team’s name to climb up to Rank B.

However, I would also compete in the tournament with the sole purpose of getting in his way.

If he managed to win, we would accept his apology and forgive him.

If he lost, either to me or somebody else, then he would need to try again next year or find another way.

Now, the tournament has a bunch of rules regarding the use of magic and equipment.

The main goal is to make sure nobody has an unfair advantage.

The secondary goal is to limit casualties.

If I seriously slashed at someone with my regular sword, I’d probably cut through them like butter.

Its sharpness and weight are no joke.

Which is why I’m almost grateful for the steel sword they gave me.

With a normal sword, a serious slash from me would still cause injuries, but would be far less fatal.

Then the medics would actually have time to react and heal the other person before the worst happens.

Since my goal is thoroughly educate that guy, it would be a shame if it ended too soon!

Not to mention all the rest of these people look really strong, so I think I can afford to cut loose like I do against monsters.

Well, something tells me all of the quarterfinalists are monsters in their own right.

I just wish they’d stop staring at me like that.

“EEEHEELIE! EEEHEELIE! EEEHEELIE!” (Crowd)

It’s not my fault the crowd refuses to stop chanting, you know?

* * *

The way the lots were drawn, I wouldn’t face Zublos until the finals.

Assuming we both make it that far.

Zublos aside, these people have spent many years honing their skills.

My own fighting style relies a lot on surprise attacks and misdirection.

Like with the Iron Golems, I have bad compatibility in a straight up fight.

Still, I’ve decided to seal my Telekinesis and Telepathy for the duration of the tournament.

While not technically against the rules, they’re obviously against the spirit of the rules.

Normally I would use every dirty trick in the book to win, but this is honorable combat, not a desperate fight for survival.

How can I properly educate my disciple about responsibility and honesty if I do things like abusing loopholes just to win!?

I agreed to follow the rules, so even if I’m knocked out, it would be because my own strength was lacking.

I still had overwhelming victories in the preliminaries though.

Seven out of my eight opponents surrendered after the first round.

I instantly got inside their guard and subdued them with CQC before they could do anything.

Seeing the huge gap, they all wisely gave up to spare themselves the pain.

The last guy was different though.

He was one of Brand’s people - a legionnaire using tournament-provided plate armor, greatshield and one-handed axe.

Those legionnaires are good!

He successfully warded off my first attack and kept parrying my sword swings!

Well, he had no room to strike back so I just kept attacking until he got pushed out of bounds.

In the end it was still a one-sided victory, huh?

“Mrs Quasse! Are your preparations ready?” (Arena staff)

I double check the regulation gear I was provided with.

The light half-plate armor was firmly strapped to my chest and legs.

Not as good as my regular gear, but it still covers the vitals without limiting movement.

I’ve also replaced my grappling hooks with steel bracers.

My gloves were apparently within regulation though, which is good.

The Durasteel-reinforced knuckles means I can punch at plate armor without worrying!

The head and face are exposed, but a helmet would limit my field of vision.

And finally, a short sword to replace my Tritanium blade.

“Yes! I’m all set!” (Ellie)

“Good, then follow me, your fight is about to start!” (Arena staff)

I follow the staff member as he guides me from the dressing room to the arena floor.

We stop at the gates leading to the outside and he gives some sort of signal to the announcer.

“And now for the first fight of the day - Roel Denka the [Sword Master] vs Ellie mil Quasse the [Dragonbane]!” (Announcer)

It seems my opponent is also ready, so we both walk out from opposite sides of the arena.

The crowd erupts in cheers while clearly looking forward to it.

Well, the whole point of this tournament is to reinvigorate the populace after the depressing 13th month, so this much is expected.

I wave to the rest of my family watching over me from the VIP box.

I asked Nano to cut off all communication unless it’s an emergency - I need to focus on my opponent.

Speaking of that guy, as expected he’s focused more on speed than power.

O

Lightly armored much like myself and sporting a longsword in each hand while his tail is coiled firmly around a rapier.

It may seem a bit silly, but his stance has no blind spots and that tail stabs at you from irregular angles like a scorpion.

We keep walking under the cheering crowd until we stand right in front of each other.

An arena official acting as a referee walks up and starts explaining.

“To begin with - no killing blows. If your opponent dies for any reason, you will be disqualified and possibly arrested." (Referee)

This is a gathering of the nation’s strongest fighters, so it’s not like any of us would die that easily.

But if that were to happen, the world would surely lose a talented individual.

”Your aim is to incapacitate your opponent or force them to surrender. You may use the whole arena. If the fight lasts more than 30 minutes, you will enter sudden death and the victor will be decided by the next blow. Other than magic, anything else goes. Do you both understand?” (Referee)

“Yes.” (Ellie)

“Understood.” (Roel)

“Very well. Go to your positions and assume your stances.” (Referee)

We nod walk back to the marked spots in the sandy ground, some 20 meters apart.

Roel brandishes his weapons and assumes a stance standing sideways, with his left shoulder forward.

All three of his swords point intently at me.

As for me, my shortsword is still sheathed behind my waist.

Holding it right now would only get in my way, you see.

I go down on all fours, tilting my body forward while raising my butt slightly.

“It would appear both fighters are ready! Roel has assumed an intimidating stance while Ellie is taking an odd crouching position on all fours!” (Announcer)

Play-by-play, huh?

Come to think of it, the announcer is much louder than normal.

Normally he just shouts, but it seems this time he’s going to use a voice-amplification magic tool.

“And now for the moment you’ve all been waiting for! Contestants!” (Announcer)

I re-focus my attention and coil my legs and elbows like a spring.

“Let the match… Begin!” (Announcer)

I launch myself forward at once!

Those weapons of his are no use if I manage to slip inside his guard and pin him down.

But this distance needs to disappear immediately.

Looks like he’s seen through my intentions, he lowers his stance and prepares to meet my charge head on!

{Ellie! Kira collapsed! She’s not waking up!}

“Move!” (Ellie)

“Guh!” (Roel)

I shove him to the side with Telekinesis and keep running towards the stands!

“Ellie has blown Roel back and is… running away? She’s clambering onto the wall and into the VIP seats...” (Announcer)

I see our family - they’re all gathered around her!

“Kira!” (Ellie)

“Mom! She won’t wake up!” (Lara)

My heart sinks at the sight.

Kira’s lying motionless on the ground.

Ariel is standing besides her, trying to heal her!

“------- [Greater Heal]” (Ariel)

A faint light envelops Kira, but disappears almost instantly.

“It didn’t work?” (Ariel)

“How can it not work!?” (Ellie)

Ariel’s healing magic easily trumps anything else I’ve ever seen!

“This one does not know, Mistress! Something is making the spell disappear before it can do anything!” (Ariel)

I take off my gloves and grab Kira’s wrist.

She’s ice cold, but I can feel a pulse.

“Ellie, here!” (Kelly)

Kelly hands me one of Nano’s stimpacks.

That’s right, if magic doesn’t work, then surely science will!

I take the metal syringe from her and administer it into Kira’s shoulder.

“Is Mom going to be okay!?” (Lara)

“Kelly take the kids away from here!” (Ellie)

“... Alright. Come on girls, give them some space.” (Kelly)

“Contestant Ellie has been disqualified for abandoning the fight! A rather unexpected turn of events!” (Announcer)

I wish that guy would shut up!

“Hnn...” (Kira)

“Kira!” (Ellie)

She opened her eyes!

They swim around aimlessly, as if she doesn’t know where she is!

I grab her shoulders and try to get her attention!

“Kira!” (Ellie)

“... Ellie…” (Kira)

She weakly extends a hand and strokes my cheek.

…

It’s still cold.

“Hey beautiful. Fancy seeing you here…” (Kira)

Why, Kira?

“Thank you... For being here… For finding me… I love you…” (Kira)

Why do you sound so far away?

She’s smiling weakly while her voice gets quieter.

“Kira? Kira don’t leave me!” (Ellie)

Her eyes close and she goes limp.

I shake her gently, but there’s no response.

Just like a cor-

“KIIIRAAA!” (Ellie)

I hug her with all my might.

She’s barely breathing.

{Ellie. You need to remain calm. Think! What would Kira do!?}

Nano’s right!

This is no time to space out!

Okay Ellie, time to prove that Rank A isn’t just for show!

Stimpacks will mend any non-permanent injury almost instantly.

If it were poisons or toxins, they would either be broken down safely or nothing would happen!

Such a thing like a stimpack having a temporary effect doesn’t happen!

On the other hand, Ariel’s spell failed.

The soft light that’s supposed to envelop the body for several seconds instead disappeared instantly.

Therefore, it’s probably better to focus on probable magical causes.

“Ariel, is it a curse?” (Ellie)

“No, Mistress. This one did not feel any foul mana from Mistress Kiressara’s body. Actually, this one did not feel any mana from her.” (Ariel)

No mana?

From the nearly bottomless reserves that Kira has?

I put my hand on Kira’s forehead and try to feel it for myself.

Just like Ariel says, it’s not there.

If anything, I feel a slight sensation as if something is trying to suck my mana through my skin...

What if… I inject my own mana into Kira?

Normally another person’s mana would just flow over you, but we’re basically the same person.

It’s why only we can use something like [Unity].

I grab her cheeks and start pouring mana into Kira’s head like when we’re trying to cast that very same spell.

...

Like pouring water in the desert it just disappears somewhere.

It’s okay, I just have to drown out the desert!

…

…

…

“GASP!” (Kira)

It worked!

Her conciousness is hazy, but it’s there!

Let’s take this opportunity to get her to the med bay right away!

* * *

“Kira…” (Ellie)

I gently stroke her face while she smiles weakly from her bed.

“I’m… sorry… for... worrying you... Ellie…” (Kira)

“Don’t be. We’ll get you better. Nano will find a way.” (Ellie)

“... I know… Nano… always finds... a way.” (Kira)

Nano took a bunch of samples from her to analyze about an hour ago.

It’s impossible to test for everything, so I had him check for something specific first.

Results should be ready soon.

{I have some news.}

See?

A miniature or invisible monster that feeds off mana was my first guess, so I asked Nano to check for that first

Those slimes that roam the fields to the far east are monsters that eat mana to survive, so it was definitely possible.

“So it’s some sort of parasite after all?” (Ellie)

{Well, that is definitely one way of putting it.}

“... What do you mean?” (Ellie)

Act Eight - The Grand Tournament: CANCELLED

New Act Eight - Lineage

{She’s pregnant.}