A/N: Thanks to Anonte for PRing this chp! and the tournament will finally begin starting next chp! hope you all enjoy the chp!

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“I met her when not long after my seventh birthday had passed. I had been playing inside the forest near our dwelling at that time when I ran into a D ranked Grey Boar. Since I had been already learning swordsmanship and magic, by then I was able to defeat it with relative ease. I didn’t even really think of it as a threat at all and even let down my guard a little; which ended up being my mistake.

As the boar rushed at me with the last of his strength, I delivered the final blow with a thrust to his throat. What I hadn’t noticed though was that the surroundings had changed. I was now on a small part of land at the peak of a small hill. With the boar’s body colliding with mine, I was pushed back and started rolling down the hill. At that time, it felt as though it would go on forever but I most likely hit my head on a trunk or rock and thankfully lost my conscious then.

When I finally gained consciousness and opened my eyes, to my great surprise I was now in a room. Thinking that it must have been a dream I tried to get up but my body had throbbed all over and I could sharp pain from my right shoulder, hip, and right knee.

At that moment a girl that looked just like you came in princess, albeit a little more mature as her age was twelve. When I first saw her, I immediately went on guard. Chrystal though, seeing me, just let out a sigh of relief and smiled.

Slowly, so that I wouldn’t be alarmed, she told me about how she had been out to pick some berries when she had found me sprawled out in the forest. At first, she hesitated about whether to see if I had died or not, but her pure heart won over and she came to inspect me.

After noticing that I was still breathing and doing some emergency measures, she picked me up and took me back to her house. It has been two days since then and she had been looking after me that whole time. She also told me about how she had gotten worried when I didn’t wake at first and stayed by my side the whole time.

Hearing about all the effort she put into helping me, a strange feeling appeared in my chest. My heart started to beat more rapidly. For the next week I stayed at her house to recover. During this time, we began to find out more about the other’s situation. I found out that Chrystal was the only one living in the cabin. After hesitatingly asking her why, she told me that her parents had passed away from diseases two years ago and she had lived her alone since then.

After she told me about herself, I also began explaining to her my own life. With every conversation and new knowledge we gained about the other, we slowly grew closer. Hearing that I could do magic, she became interested and I did a few basic ones for her. The look on her face… was priceless. Anyways, a week passed way too quickly and I had finally healed. The time for me to return home and for us to part had arrived.

As we said our farewells and promised to see each tomorrow, I began to leave. I couldn’t help myself as every few steps I turned around to see Chrystal. For some reason, a dread grew inside of me that if I didn’t keep my eyes on her, she would disappear and I would find out this was only a dream.

As you would expect, when I finally got home my parents freaked out. After many hours of anger and sobbing, those two finally calmed down and I explained what happened to them. Hearing about Chrystal and her situation, they immediately wanted to go over to thank her and invite her to our place but I calmed them down and made it so we’d go tomorrow.

The next day when we went to her house, my parents immediately showed their thanks and invited her to our family home. Seeing two adults she had never met thank her and invite her to their home, there was no way Chrystal wouldn’t be at a loss. After she understood what was happening though, she couldn’t help. I believe even up to today that this was probably the first time adults had treated her so well after her parent’s death.

With an apologetic face, she declined my parents offer, saying she wished to stay in the home she and her parents used to live in. Hearing this, my parents simply nodded and looked at her with pity. They instead requested that she join us at dinner in our family every day instead. Even though Chrystal attempted to decline this also my parents were stubborn about this and didn’t relent. After a few more attempts, she just sighed and agreed to the delight of my parents.

For the next four months, I would go to her house to play before going back home with her for dinner. Every moment I spent with her was enjoyable and precious. I know it sounds really foolish to say something like this at our age, but it is how I believe love would feel like.

Unfortunately though, it didn’t last forever as I would have wanted. One day five months later as I was going to her house to play, horns began to play loudly. Hearing those horns, my heart drops and I rush forward. There was only one reason for those horn blows; a raid from another Kingdom, most likely Raxim.

Chrystal’s home was in the forest that was nearest to the border with Raxim. At that moment I prayed to any being that might be listening to me at that time, I constantly begged for her safety. The gods, or whoever was listening, however did not grant me my plea.

As I reached Chrystal’s house, I noticed that the door was opened inwardly at an awkward angle. Using the strength and speed eve I hadn’t known I possessed, I sped through the entrance and scanned the house. The very few furniture inside the house were all thrown onto the ground and broken. At the other end of the house, without noticing me two Soldiers were standing and cursing at each other as they stood over a person who was seeping their blood onto the floor.

It was Chrystal. Seeing her pale complexion due to the loss of blood, I felt as though with just a simple touch she would crumble into dust. The blood was also visibly expanding beneath her. At that I couldn’t comprehend how such a beautiful and lively girl could look so frail and deathly.

Snapping at the sight I rushed at the two Soldiers who still hadn’t noticed me. Using all my skills in swordsmanship and magic along with the element of surprise, I ambushed and killed them before they knew what had happened. Not even paying the Soldiers any mind, I rushed to Chrystal’s side.

From her stomach, a large amount of blood was flowing out. I attempted to stem the flow but Chrystal grabbed my hand and stopped me. When I looked at her face, she simply shakes her head before speaking with difficulty.

“Azrael, I am truly happy to have met you in this life. I had been so lost and lonely after my parents had died before meeting you. These past four months….. truly have been…. some of…. the happiest ...moments...in my life. Thank...you...Azrael.”

Saying that with a smile on her face, in my arms she passed away from this life. Even though I knew that she had passed away, seeing her like this with her eyes closed and a peaceful face made it seem as if she was only sleeping. I could feel warm tears trickling down my face as I clutched her into a tight embrace and mourned her passing.”

After Azrael had finished his tale, he finally started looking at the people in the patio. Zer had a stiff expression on his face as though he was holding something back. Whether it was fury or sadness, Azrael couldn’t tell. Winston on the other hand couldn’t hide the horror and anger in his face from the tale. On top of the table both his hands were clenched tightly into fists and were turning red from the pressure.

Han Byul, on the other hand, held both of her hands over her mouth and eyes opened wide in shock. Seeing something glisten at the corner of her eyes, Azrael could tell she was attempting to hold back her tears. As he tried to think up a way to break the atmosphere, a sudden bang came from the other side of the table as Winston slammed his fist into the table and stood up.

“Th...Those Raxim bastards!! Az just give me a couple of days I’ll gather all the men that my family could muster and we’ll go kill them!!”

Hearing Winston’s outburst, Azrael couldn’t help but smile at his friend’s outrage for him. Zer, the calm and cold one, nodded his head in approval towards Winston’s word. Azrael felt grateful seeing his two friends gets so angry in his stead.

“Winston, Zer. I really am moved by how angry you are for me, but please calm down. I have already revenged Chrystal by slaying her killers. Even though Raxim Kingdom did call for the raid, it’s not like other nations haven’t raided them or they specifically ordered for her death. Anyways, Princess Han Byul, it seems as if I have ruined the mood with my story. I apologize.”

“...No no. I’m the one who asked you to speak of such an unpleasant memory. I should be the one apologizing to you..”

Hearing that, Azrael gives Han Byul a smile before excusing himself.

“I apologize princess but I will have to excuse myself as I have some matters to attend still. Winston, Zer you two stay. Haha don’t worry about me guys, i’ll be fine.”

Seeing the two stand up, Azrael waved them down and has them stay. With a bow to the princess, he exited the patio and began heading back to his room.

‘.....Uuu master. Even though I had already seen your memories before, hearing you speak of it really moves me, Chunyong. Those damn humans dared to cause you so much pain…. If I could have been there at that time...’

‘Chunyong, just your words are enough for me my friend…. Anyways Samjoko, it didn’t seem like Han Byul reacted as if she remembered those events, did she?’

‘I apologize to say this master but I’m afraid she didn’t recognize anything as you spoke...’

One of the main reasons Azrael had gone in such depth even though the story was changed here and there was because he wanted to test whether Han Byul really didn’t retain any memories of their past life. So he had asked Samjoko to pay close attention to her as he spoke. Even though it was a shame she didn’t, it didn’t bother Azrael too much.

‘Oh well. So what if she doesn’t remember? As long as I do it will be fine. I just need to make her fall in love with me again. Samjoko! Chunyong! Bonghwang! I once again would like to say I’m relying on you three and hope you all help me well!

‘’’Yes master!’’’

Nodding his head in approval, Azrael took his spear out of the room and headed to the forest to train.

‘I only have two more weeks! I know that even if I do make Han Byul fall in love with me, she is still a princess. The king would never let her marry a no one like me. I must become strong and make myself famous. This tournament will only be the first step!’

With those words in his mind, Azrael steeled himself once again and focused solely on delivering a perfect slash. After going over the movements in his mind multiple times, he tensed the muscles in his body and moved forward to attack!

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“Hello everyone! This is Kevin Lenister, here to broadcast to you all the tournament, which will determine who will represent our great Sinara Academy! Beside me is one of the very few Advance elemental course students, Rialesta Kian! Thank you for joining me in today in broadcasting Rialesta!”

“Ho ho ho, it’s nothing at all Kevin. I actually came back from training to watch this tournament after all. Ah… this brings back memories of when I was a representative…”

“Could you please explain to us your experience last year? “

“Of course.. Last year, our Sinara Academy had to…”

As the announcers spoke, Azrael began to make his final preparations for his first match. Inside the corridor, he confirmed once more that he had prepared as much as he could. Content, Azrael started to relax and focus his mind when someone came up from behind him and slapped him in his shoulder.

Turning around, he saw Winston with a large grin on his face and Zer following behind.

“Yo Az! You ready?”

“Hey Winst, Zer. You two didn’t have to come here you know…”

“What are you talking about Az! Of course we’d come here and cheer you on! Especially since you are in the first match of the whole tournament!”

“...Winst, He’ll be fine. Az has finally readjusted to the spear. His talent indeed is more suited for that weapon. It’s hard for me to stay even with him in wins and losses during spars now without magic… Just thinking about when he does..”

Saying that, Zer shakes his head. Even though he was happy for Azrael, he was also frustrated because it felt like Azrael was going ahead of him. He was very competitive after all. Still, being competitive in spars and being friends with Azrael were two totally separate things. He knew how to discern the two.

“Alright they’re introducing your opponent man. You should get ready to go out there. Good luck!”

Winston slapped Azrael in the shoulder and gave him two thumbs up. Zer who was still leaning against the wall just gave him a nod. Having become familiar with Zer’s personality and thinking process, he knew what Zer wanted to convey.

“And now ladies and gentlemen! The next contestant is a freshmen, who along with Zer Aiur, has been taking the school by storm! Azrael Celeste!”

Hearing the cheers from the crowd, Azrael slowly moves toward the light at the end of the corridor. He raised his right hand up in a fist to show his appreciation to Zer and Winston. With his head held high, Azrael headed toward the stage to begin his fight.