For the first match, Kenji decided that he wouldn't interfere more than necessary. Their next opponents were normal and with a bit of cooperation, it'll be easy for the others.

"Alright, we'll follow your plan."

When Kenji gave them the reason, they readily agreed. Their enemies were too strong so Kenji and Erina had taken care of most of their troubles and they hadn't really leveled up their cooperation much. Sure, they could cooperate in a battle about who to fight and who to assist but in unexpected circumstances, they won't be able to move properly.

"We're now on to the main part of the tournament! This is where all competitors will have to fight several times more than before up to the finals and the winners gain audience with the King himself! Medals of victory are granted, rewards of gold, and Enchanted Gears to each member of the winning team!"

"UOOOO!"

The audience and the competitors roared in excitement.

Even in the capital, Enchanted Gears were rare but not to the same degree as places far from the capital like the Kuroshi Clan. At least one in a hundred soldiers wield an Enchanted Gear and one in a thousand civilians have Enchanted Gears as an heirloom. The royal family has only ten Enchanted Gears that are strong enough to be called national treasures but a lot of normal ones.

A normal Enchanted Gear only has one or two runes carved in it and a high quality one has three or four. Kai's first Enchanted Gear, Superbia had weight manipulation, magnetism, and vibration for three runes. But weight manipulation had two effects within and so it could be counted as four runes. But, weight manipulation was something that everyone sought for in a weapon. It was a national treasure grade.

"An Enchanted Gear?! My family only has one and we're ordered to keep it locked tight!"

Arata shouted, he didn't think that an Enchanted Gear would become the prize.

"I used to have one but I used a certain technique and it broke apart. At first, it was fine but I realized that all the runes were destroyed then when each iota of mana inside dispersed, it cracked apart and broke into several hundred pieces. I was depressed for a few days because of that."

Kenji told the story to Kazuki who had an Enchanted Gear. Haru, as a member of the royal family also had one but using her Enchanted Gear would reveal her identity.

"...What kind of technique would break apart an Enchanted Gear?"

"You don't want to know."

Kazuki shuddered. The only records of Enchanted Gear breaking were once the runes were erased or broken by another Enchanted Gear but he had never heard of a technique actually breaking an Enchanted Gear by itself.

"Now, for the first match, it's Memento Mori! A team where three of the most prominent youths in the kingdom are gathered! The crown prince, Alteria Kazuki, the Snow Princess, Mariko Erina, and the Dark Queen, Kuroshi Yoko!"

'Although there's someone more outrageous over here...' was Kazuki's thought as he looked at Kenji.

"And their competitors are team Cannon! A newly formed team but the members themselves know each other like the back of their hands!"

A fight where a team who has yet to master cooperation against a team who know each other's movements without even talking.

"Everyone, follow my words exactly."

They all nodded, Erina was asked by Kenji to only provide the necessary amount of power so that everyone won't lose seeing as how either of them could defeat them all in a matter of seconds.

Memento Mori and Cannon stood atop the stage facing each other. Cannon's members looked plain other than one person holding a giant mallet and was quite tall compared to the rest of the members. They had three mages, two swordsmen, two spearmen, one shield user, and the one holding a mallet.

In this case, it would be a nine versus seven because Kenji and Erina won't interfere more than necessary. Yoko was strong too but she lacked the strength to take on multiple enemies at once because she was a rogue.

The enemy team split into three groups, one mage, swordsman, spearman; one mage, spearman, and shield user; one mage, swordsman, and mallet.

"Three-man cell, huh?"

"What's that?"

"The smallest military formation."

"Military?!"

Arata jumped up at those words.

"Though I say military, it's not like they're using it correctly. But it is more useful than grouping up and being wiped out all at once. In this case, if they split apart and divide our members, we won't be able to assist our side and in the case that they defeat one of our groups, they'll support the next. As long as you follow my instructions, we'll be fine."

They split apart into groups, Kei and Date with Haru. Erina with Kazuki and Arata. Kenji with Umi and Yoko.

"Haru's team will take the one with the sword and spear. Erina's team will take the one with the mallet. My team will take the last one."

They nodded and ran to take their respective enemies.

Haru shot an arrow from her bow while running. The enemy mage produced a wall of earth to counter it.

"Kei, destroy that."

Kenji's voice could be heard even though he was so far.

"Haaaa!"

Kei jumped up and sliced down with his sword. The wall of earth cracked but it was still there.

"Haru!"

"Yes!"

Haru shot two arrows, the first arrow stuck to the crack and opened it further while the second arrow pierced through the back of the first one.

"[Wind Drill]!"

The second arrow spun even though it had already hit the wall and a giant hole had been pierced through.

"Date!"

Date who was still hesitating flinched at Kenji's words and ran towards the enemy.

"Kei, boost!"

Date yelled at Kei who nodded and placed his hands in front of him. Date stepped onto his palm and Kei roared as he threw Date over the wall.

The arrow from before had reached the enemies but was blocked by the swordsman. Date used the opportunity provided by the arrow to attack the swordsman, Haru shot another arrow through the hole to provide support. Kei climbed the wall and intercepted the spearman who was about to attack Date.

"[Earth Spikes]!"

Several pieces of earth formed in front of her and shot out, just like [Icicles].

"[Wind Arrow Volley]!"

Haru's hands blurred and the wind around her rampaged. The number of arrows that were shot from her bow matched the amount of [Earth Spikes]. The arrows and [Earth Spikes] cancelled each other out.

"[Flame Slash]!"

Kei's sword burned fiercely as he slashed upwards. The enemy spearman blocked it with the body of his spear but the flames destroyed it after a few seconds of blocking.

"Haaa!"

Kei slashed down on the spearman, the enemy screamed in pain as his wound was seared immediately after getting slashed. Kei showed no mercy and kicked the opponent's wound on the chest; incapacitating him.

"Kei, leap left."

Kenji's voice surprised Kei but he followed his instructions and leapt to the left. Nearly a second after Kei leapt, a spike of stone raised itself from the floor; giving Kei cold sweat.

"Date, create some steam."

Date was also surprised by the sudden voice in his head but did as told.

"[Wave]! Kei!"

Kei nodded.

"[Fireball]!"

PPPPSSSSHHHHHH

The water was burned quickly by the fire and steam was created, Date's opponent was forced to retreat due to the heat.

"Haru, now."

"[Whirlwind]!"

Haru swiped her arm and next thing the spearman and mage knew, the steam gathered around in a funnel of wind. They screamed as the heat from the steam burned them and the wind had cut their bodies.

"Now!"

Date and Kei ran forward just as the [Whirlwind] disappeared and slashed the opponents with their swords. With that, all three people were out.

"...That was telepathy, wasn't it?"

Date asked Kei with rough breathing.

"Yeah... I can't believe he actually has that skill."

But how?

Haru furrowed her brows.

Kenji was incapable of using telepathy due to certain circumstances, only Kai was able to use it.

Haru looked at Kenji's fighting figure; he had helped them finish their battle first. Normally, the three of them should go and help the two teams that are still fighting but Kenji's instructions told them that this is also a form of training.

Haru then focused her gaze on Erina's team.

"Your Highness, swing thrice with each attack using wind."

"Yes!"

Kazuki did as Erina instructed and created three blades of wind by slashing.

"Arata, the one holding the mallet will be kept at bay will block those three wind blades and you'll use that opportunity to separate the swordsman and I'll take care of the mage's spells."

Just as Erina predicted, the one holding the mallet had to block the blades of wind with his giant mallet. Arata leaped in that time to knock back the swordsman using his shield and the spear in his other hand to force the swordsman to block.

The mage had bad affinity with Erina. The mage used water to support and attack but Erina easily countered her by freezing the water enough that a single light blow to it would break it apart.

In their case, they would overpower the enemy before long.

Haru's eyes traveled towards Kenji to see how his team was doing.

Yoko was moving at a blinding speed around the shield user. She was rotating around the shield user as if she was attached to the shield user using rope. The shield user didn't dare spin around because he'll become disadvantaged if he loses focus.

But that hesitation caused him a lot of wounds, they were tiny wounds but Yoko still fought using poison. Little by little, the shield user was staggering and it was only a matter of time before he fell.

Kenji was blocking the spearman yet made no move to attack at all.

"[Fire Spear]!"

The spearman's spear ignited but Kenji used narrow movement to dodge it without being grazed and delivered a counter with a small punch to the opponent's chin. With that simple attack, the spearman lost consciousness for an instant but it was fatal.

When the spearman came to, he was knocked away because water just slammed into him at a large amount, he couldn't put up a defense in time and was sent towards the mage who also had fire.

With two opponents down, Yoko stopped attacking but had her body in a crouch with daggers on both hands.

"[Dark Cyclone]."

Darkness burst from under the shield user and it formed a funnel, it took the opponent into the air and cut him in several places for a few seconds before he fell down; unconscious. It looked like it was related to wind but it was pure darkness, the rotation was only possible because Yoko used her speed to manipulate the flow of wind. She continued to use Akane's [Fast Movement].

It was nearly the same time as Yoko's delayed attack happened, Erina's team had completed their fight with all three enemies frozen.

"...Didn't you agree to not interfere more than necessary?"

"...I felt like it."

Erina said so as she removed her eyes from Kenji. None of them took serious injuries but everyone who did close combat except Kenji, took grazes and other minor wounds. Umi healed them all and everyone decided to rest. They were still going to fight more battles today and the days after that.

This was also part of the competition, endurance. Of course, this allowed foul play about injuring the competitors outside the competition. It was illegal and if it was proven, the competitors who had committed the offense will be disqualified. This also included indirect injuries like hiring some people to roughen them up a bit just before the match.

"I told everyone that we should practice fighting as a team, the three-man cell is also included as a team but we have yet to fight with all of us at once for real. Our strength is higher compared to our enemies but there are still some with equal or slightly lower strength than us in the competition. Although we can't really polish our cooperation with weak enemies, we can at least get a feel of it. As you all know, I used telepathy during our battle, I can serve as a medium for all of us to communicate."

With his words, Haru tilted her head but didn't question him in front of everyone. Inquiring secrets was rude but Haru already knew Kenji's secret; that didn't mean she could reveal it to everyone though.

"I may not look like it but I'm actually used to instructing people during battles. I won't answer any questions like how I have telepathy or where I got my experience until after we win the tournament. Of course, that means that if we lose then I'll keep my secrets to the grave."

Everyone was curious about how he got his knowledge and strength, they were slowly inquiring since yesterday so when they heard that, they decided to win at all costs. Training physically was important, but knowledge was equally as important. Power without the knowledge to utilize it is like a sword being held by an infant.

Without anyone noticing, Kenji became everyone's teacher. They listened to him and in turn, he gave them lessons and tips during battle and breaks. It was quite the bizarre relationship seeing as how Kenji was the same age as most of them and Kazuki was almost five years older.

"Our fight schedules are already set, none of our opponents today are outstanding, at best they're at the level of Cannon whom we had just faced."

"...When did you have time to check the schedule?"

Arata asked.

Kenji had been with them since earlier. He had never left the group yet actually reviewed the schedule for the whole day without anyone's knowledge.

Ignoring Arata, Kenji's eyes traveled through the audience and stopped after a few seconds of scanning.

"...Though it's not going to be so smooth sailing in the final few matches..."

"Hm? Did you say something?"

Arata inquired after hearing Kenji's mumble.

"No, it's nothing. Now..."

Kenji began instructing them about the available strategies for a group such as them who has little knowledge about fighting together.