" You would like to challenge him during the annual tournament you say?" asked Kyle clearly surprised by James's answer.

" If senior Sean agrees to it then yes" replied James with a firm look on his face.

" Hahaha, did you guys hear that? This little shit wants to challenge me in the annual competition! " said Sean with a mocking expression loudly. His voice captured the attention of almost everyone present at the party.

Luke eyes James as he sipped in his drink. Watching James getting in trouble gave him a sort of pleasure which he couldn't describe why. The other nobles under him eyed James as well.

" My dear junior, I hope you know that to issue a challenge to a senior in the competition, you first need to reach top 4 in your band" said Sean.

" I do know this and I am confident in reaching it. "

" My my we have on one cocky little kid amongst us. Forget reaching the end of the band, you really think you can beat me just because we both are the same cultivation stages? " taunted Sean.

" I don't know, but I am not hesitant to find out. I wonder if senior is though"

" I see, looks like the junior HAS grown hair down there! As your senior I accept the challenge."

" But how do I know that you will challenge me? What guarantee is there that you might back out in the end? "

" I won't back it you have my word. "

" Word means jack kid. Let's make a bet then! What do you say senior Kyle? "

" Hmm well since it has come to this then I think a bet will be the best way to guarantee the match " replied Kyle.

" So what does senior wants as a stake then? " asked James nervously.

" Hmm, I don't expect you to have anything worth much on you so we will use money. I hope this junior is not a beggar? " replied Sean as he continued to mock James.

" Senior does not have to worry about it. Will a bet of 250 gold be sufficient? "

Everybody around was taken aback listening to the amount. It wad a huge amount considering the student has been in the academy only for a year.

To be able to bet so high and so easily, this junior seemed quite confident in his strength through the others.

" Hmm not bad! Let's do this then. If you fail to challenge due to any reason, you will pay me 250 gold and if you challenge me and lose, you lose your money. However, IF by a miracle you win I'll pay you 250." said Sean. He never expected for James to have this amount of wealth in a year alone.

" I am fine with it. I agree" replied James as he nodded his head in agreement.

" Wait! The junior is at a disadvantage here! I think considering how confident Sean is and the gap between them, Sean should give at least two times the reward. " chimed in Ritz.

He wanted Sean to back out of the challenge, if that was not possible then make it difficult for him.

' Dam this Ritz ' thought Sean. If he backed out now he would be the laughing stock of his class. He didn't wasn't to show any weakness.

" Not a problem! " said Sean confidently.

" Well then now that it's settled, let's get back to partying people! The year is gonna end soon! " said Kyle as he shouted enthusiastically, passing drinks and taking pictures with the others.

The party vibe was back on as people enjoyed themselves. Sean had shown a confident expression but deep inside he was held hatred for Ritz and James.

A simple prank to teach rough up juniors turned into a tournament challenge with high stakes not only monetary but in terms of respect as well. He looked at James with a sinister expression and said,

" I'll let you go scot-free today. But I'll beat you till your teeth drops in the annual tournament. "

James paid no heed to his words. There was nothing to fear now and so he started enjoying the party instead.

" Are you confident in handling Sean, James? " asked Ritz through a qi transmission.

" I don't know, but I must challenge myself and my capabilities to improve. " said James.

" Haha you have a very good attitude towards cultivation. I am sure you will go places. Come lets have a drink! "

They sipped in two Virgin mojitos and met and chatted with others. The clock struck 12 signaling the beginning of a new year and the crowd partied till dawn.

James and Gus had already left earlier to catch some sleep. They had already said their goodbyes thanking the seniors and left for their rooms.

As James hit the bed, all that he could think was about the challenge. He wanted to win, beating a senior a year ahead of him.

He set an alarm and closed his eyes drifting off to sleep. He needed the rest as he won't have himself get one till the tournament day.

There was a little over a month to prepare. James had decided to now synchronize his two techniques, Wind Enforcer and Gale Slash. He didn't have the time for a third and didn't want to spend his money trying to learn a low level technique.

Classes had began again and a new batch of 1st years came in. James got a new set of classes which were basically advanced versions of his previous class.

He had informed instructor Dave about his achievements in his techniques and had told him about the challenge as well. With a revised training program from the instructor James trained with sincerity and diligence.

He spent most of his time practicing his battle skills and trying to synergize his techniques.

Days turned into months and finally the tournament day approached. Gus was the only other person during this time to have broken through to the mid stage Azure realm while James had improved quite a bit as well.

They both left for the coliseum which was decorated with red flags around its exterior. Many people lined up outside the entry gates while the students came in through a back door to report in on time.

The Annual Tournament of the Sky Blaze Martial Academy was considered a big affair not only in the academy but in the kingdom as well.

The academy allowed the public to enter the academy grounds and watch the tournament. Tickets were sold at sky high prices and then sold again at even more ludicrous prices in black by the public.

Each year they were sold out in seconds on the online portal. There was tight security placed around and inside the academy. The teachers took in roles to monitor areas as well. People lined up outside the gates and after entry were collected and sent to the coliseum on large hover discs.

Food stalls adorned the grounds outside the coliseum and shouts could be heard inside. An invisible barrier was placed on the perimeter of the stage to avoid any contact between the audience and the participant.

The event was attended by the royal family and various distinguished guests belonging to powerful factions in the kingdom. Many envoys of other kingdoms came to view it as well.

The matches were even broadcasted to show the prowess of the cultivators of the academy to the entire kingdom. People could watch it on TV or through VR headsets getting an even better view and feel of the event.

Betting was also conducted within the coliseum grounds by the academy itself. The viewers and even students could bet on matches by placing it through their comm watches during the competition.

Today the galleries were full and all the students were lined up on the stage looking above at a raised platform located in the galleries.

It was a large platform with a golden throne in the middle and two silver thrones by its side. The king was seated on the golden throne while his wife was seated on his right. The headmaster of the academy was seated to his left on the other silver throne.

Beside the platform on each side was a special box known as the vip box which was packed with various important guests and envoys.

The king Emmanuel the Fifth was a Carmine level expert who was widely revered by the citizens. As he stood up the entire coliseum went silent. With a loud and clear voice reaching out to every corner he said,

" I am honored to be present here amongst all of you, my citizens, distinguished guests and most of important of all these students who are the hope of this kingdom! "

" I hope today you grace us with a show that will shock not only us but the empires around us. Show them your talent! Show them your might! Give them a sight that they remember for their entire lives! "

" I declare the Annual Tournament open! "

The crowd broke into a round of applause and cheers filling the coliseum in an uproar. The king took his seat, discussing with the headmaster.

A student walked up the stairs near the raised platform where a cauldron was placed. He lit the cauldron and another round of applause resounded in the coliseum.

" Man I bet the king says the same thing every year in the opening ceremony. Even then it got me fired up! " whispered Gus who stood beside James and the others on stage.

" Haha, as far as I've watched it's mostly the same, but hearing it now makes my blood boil in excitement! " said James. He looked up at the bright flames and muttered, " And so it begins ".

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Notes - Here is today's chapter! I am really very sorry I didn't post 1 on yesterday but it seems I really can't write daily. On some days I just don't happen to click with it and am unable to write. I hope the readers forgive me. This is the reason why I won't from now promise a daily release as I don't like giving false promises. However, the novel will still receive constant releases so you all don't have to worry:) I will update it as much as I can and try to write a chap daily. I will most likely post a chapter tomorrow!

Just completed this one. If you find any mistakes do comment and tell:) thanks and enjoy!