(Author note) : sorry for a note on the top but i had to go change the tournament 2nd and first round rule when i realised it didn't make sense. first diff is that there is 160 people who advance form first round and second diff is that the 10 runner up from the 10 groups will have battle royal to determine 6 more people advancing. Yeah those are the major changes. so third round has 16 people and each group on second round has 16 people as well

-Ria POV-

We couldn’t see the other contestant compete from the waiting room. That was the main reason most of the people started forming groups to talk. I wasn’t that good with holding a conversation with people on random things, so I kept to myself. The rest of the eight matches for the first part passed rather quickly. The old man who sat next to me on the first day was also part of the group.

My next match was against a mage. He seemed to be a silver rank adventurer from the bracelet he wore on his wrist. He raised his wand and started chanting a spell. During his chant I had already dashed to his location delivering a punch straight into his abdomen. He fainted with white foam coming out of his mouth. My initial reason for joining was to test my elemental martial arts against actual people. It turns out most people are actually really weak. I had a general idea what it would be like from watching all those matches, but I hadn’t expected it to be this easy. I didn’t even have the opportunity to use elements in my attacks. Its too late to withdraw at this point so I mine as well get this over with.

The rest of my matches were just as boring as I had expected. Eventually it was the final round. I realized something by the time it was the final round. Unlike the other groups with some gold ranks at least most people in my group were silver ranks. The only gold rank in my entire group was the old man who was my opponent in the final. Gold rank should be about the same as Derek party. That would mean in raw strength we should at least be equal while I was in this form. Derek party seem to be among the elite from the gold ranks though, since the gold rank from the other groups were lacking compare to Derek group.

The old man weapon was a double sided spear. As soon as the match started the top of his spear suddenly launched itself towards me. I quickly dodged the spearhead and rushed forward. He had however already switched to the other side of the spear and aimed it towards me. I deflected the spear by hitting the flat part with my fist. The second I had done so, I heard the sound of something flying towards me from behind. The only means I had to evade at the time was by jumping upwards. From the air I saw the spear head he had launched earlier flying back to his weapon by a line made of his mana. He didn’t waste time as he quickly launched it towards me while I was in the air. I aimed upwards with my fist releasing a blast of fire to propel myself back down while dodging him attack at the same time. Once I was on the ground, I propelled myself forward using fire from my feet and delivered a punch straight to his abdomen like I have done in every single match so far. This time however I didn’t hold back using the fire and my full strength the old man was sent flying to the wall. Medics ran out and confirmed he had fainted.

With that I won and earned myself a spot in the third round. According to the rules he had to join the 9 other runner up in the groups and battle for the 6 more spots for the third round. Since I had won I was allowed to join the other 9 winners in the contestant seats to watch the battle royal.

-Svalinn POV-

That copper rank Ria person overwhelmed all her opponent. She even revealed what her affinity was during the finals for her group. If only I could create normal flames as well. She was obviously much to strong for a copper rank, I imagine she trained for a long time before entering the adventurer guild. As she left the platform Astra suddenly approached me. It surprised me and what she said surprised me even further.

She had suddenly asked me to go get acquainted with that Ria person. Astra released a somewhat intimidating aura which had suppressed my urge to decline her request. She didn’t exactly requested it in a nice way, but at least she didn’t threaten me to help her. She wouldn’t answer me when I asked her why she wanted me to approach her but she did ask me to use my real name instead of my title.

The reason she asked me for this favor was a little bit upsetting . She told me it was because I looked young and didn’t seem threatening unlike her. Well at least she knows how scary she looks. The principal was leaving already to go back to the academy so our mission actually ended here for the day. We were only required to protect him while in here and a squad of B ranks would protect him on the way back since the only reason we were required was the fact that he wasn’t allowed to bring anymore than two bodyguard. I didn’t really have a reason to decline and I was a little curious about her interest in this Ria so I accepted her request.

Her only request was to get acquainted and find out where she was from. It didn’t seem harmful to anybody was another reason I decided to comply with her request. I waited for the battle royal to end and stayed at the exit for the participants, it didn’t take long to spot the cloaked person who was short compared to the other contestants. I went ahead and went up to her after she separated from the group.

“Excuse me I’m a fan if it doesn’t trouble you may we talk for a while?”

I picked the only believable method of approaching her I could think of. I had even bought a cloak during the battle royal to hide my military uniform. Since she was wearing a cloak maybe if I wore a cloak as well it would be more believable.

“Eh? I’m sorry but who are you?”

“I’m Amber. I saw your matches it was amazing how you could beat up all those adults with one hit. So if possible could we talk?”

“Oh…. Emm sure why not.”

Step one complete. Now step two is to befriend her and I would be done. We chatted for a while at a table in the adventurer guild. It was the place she brought me to and I had no reason to decline. It was awkward since it was the first time I had ever talked to someone who was cloaked.

“If possible could you show me your face?”

“Oh.. sorry if I appeared rude.” After she said that she removed her hood. She had silver hair and gold eyes which was pretty unusual but it looked nice on her. I couldn’t help but notice that she was a demibeast. Actually I felt like I saw her face before.

It suddenly hit me she looked like that demibeast the principal ordered my brother to find. He was like me an A rank and his title was Gleipner. Should I tell him about it. Well he wasn’t here right now and Astra seemed to know her. If I told the principal about it would she attack me. For now I will keep quiet about it, but I felt as if Astra just dragged me into something troublesome. This mission is truly bad for my heart, problem after problem just because of my current partner.

-Ria POV-

After the tournament ended for the day and the remaining six contestants moving on to the third round was chosen I left the place, intending to return to the inn. My plan was cut short however when a girl with fiery red hair suddenly approached me, claiming to be a fan cause of my wins. She looked to be about 17 or so but her height is much to short. She was only slightly taller than me.

She wanted to talk to me about something so I decided to bring her to the adventurer guild where we sat down on one of the small empty table. She seemed like a nice person as we talked a bit. She looked a little uncomfortable, the reason I found out when she asked me to remove the cloak if possible. I guess talking to someone who was hiding their face could be seen as somewhat uncomfortable. There wasn’t any harm since she seemed like a nice person so I removed the hood showing my face.

After which, we talked a little more before she thanked me and left. I saw her back disappear into the crowd. It was somewhat unexpected but nice that someone had approached me first like Chris from Derek party had. I decided to go do some quest to make some more money before retiring back into the inn for the day.

(Author Note) : If my writing has gotten worst please do tell. I will try harder if it is :/. On a side note i might make a glossary soon cause i'm starting to get confused, even though its my own story :I