The second day of the sports festival had finally arrived. By then, the battles were much more vigorous as students grew more eager match after match.

As a result, the chances of qualifying dwindled for the participants, with the less experienced students beginning to be weeded out.

Over time, the sun grew brighter and seemingly forced its way into the arena’s center. It joined the roars of the audiences with its bright rays, signifying a new day had come for the fierce clashes of youth.

Even outside the arena there was a large gathering of guests, watching what seemed to be a magic-imbued bulletin board.

Made by Escuel Co.

“A live scoreboard…” He murmured in amazement. The particles it emitted, glowed in bright neon colors, with each of the three sections of the board, showing something different.

[ Victors:Duels ]

.

[ Victors:Multiples ]

.

[ Upcoming Matches ]

Many of those who were watching with him at that moment were also students. Yet unlike him, they were eagerly waiting for their own duels as they looked to the board with anticipation.

All the while their thoughts were of the competition, Naell’s mind was elsewhere, trying to escape the reality of what was to come.

‘Holographic television might just be possible.’ With that, thoughts of more innovations began to race through his head.

The particles then began to move frantically, twinkling on the board and showing a magical display of color.

As they moved, Naell felt a similar sensation to that of teleportation magic, when brightly lit words appeared and overtook the empty spaces of the board.

“Hey…There it is! Some of the names on the Victors’ board are repeating!”

[ Viola Lumiheal ]

[ Dustar Dipper ]

[ April Cadar ]

[ Trobi Ogle ]

[ Viola Lumiheal ]

[ Dustar Dipper]

They all gawked at the newest victors’ who kept switching and overtaking each other’s names, when a fearsome thought overcame most of them who were soon to participate.

“That fast?! You know what that means?”

“It means they won matches consecutively…incredible.”

“Are the finals even possible…?”

In that instant, a wave of pressure and excitement for some, weighed over the school grounds even more.

Not one person there had questioned that the school was surrounded by a festive mood, but above all, it was impossible to ignore the competitive air.

The tension showed no sign of fading as most students were growing more and more nervous about their own fights.

But unlike them, Naell at the moment, was truly in no way concerned. His thoughts were only of bliss as it blocked out his many woes towards his participation. It was then his new vision of Mundo’s future technology came into view.

‘…Meet the Beryldots---'

“HOOT!”

Yet just that one sound alone brought Naell back to his senses, causing him to sigh. His cue to stop daydreaming in the form of a flabby owl, had arrived unanticipated.

Incredibly, it swooped down with another energetic HOOT, before grabbing onto Naell and dragging him back into the arena.

As they went inside, Naell heard a nearby spectator shout, “Look at him go!”. He and several others were cheering for one of the duels, when Naell realized who exactly they were intently watching.

That very person whose name used to strike fear into his mind, was already about to win his final match in the qualifiers.

“C’mon Andrew!” Shouted Note from one side of the bleachers as he stood with his friends.

They had watched the fight from the very beginning knowing Andrew was confident in his own abilities.

Afterall, who wouldn’t be upon vigorously training for several weeks in a row.

To Andrew, it was now only a matter of attending his duel and winning.

Vertically slashing through the air, an impactful wave ensued from his sword, destroying his opponent's weapon and will to continue.

“...”

All were shocked with his prowess and stamina, yet it was understandable.

“Andrew from 1A-1 will advance to the quarter finals!”

Shouts and cheers then filled the arena as moments ago, the fight seemed to be on a draw.

Similarly to Andrew, his opponent possessed a black aura that exuded raw power.

He had managed to be on par with Andrew's fast and heavy hits; with his choice of a weapon being a heavy sword.

Yet unlike Andrew's Gaviarau, the sword was actually far more intimidating to the crowds.

Its blade was unmistakably fearsome, even when both auras clashed and fought to devour the other.

For a moment, his opponent had managed to push Andrew back and even put him on a defensive stance.

Yet no matter how strong the opponent was, compared to Andrew whose aura was amounting to the likes of a named martial artist’s, it was only a matter of time before his adversary was exhausted.

Andrew's technique was also superior as the longer the fight got, the more he was able to study his opponent, thus truly securing his win.

“Way to go!” Cheered Note and the rest.

“Thanks.” Replied Andrew and Viola who still looked fresh even though they were fighting just moments ago.

Andrew was actually the third among their friends to qualify (with Viola being the second). He did afterall win his 2 matches on the first day, and the final one he needed on the next.

He had actually received numerous duel requests from students, yet he had poured a considerable amount of thought into who he’d fight, as he wished to only duel strong opponents on equal footing as him.

Had it not been for that, it was likely he would have also finished on a whim the day before.

On the other hand, Viola had only fought one battle on the first day, as she wished to enjoy the cultural festival by just hanging out.

Yet when she fought that morning, she quickly defeated her enemies using her [ sunlight ] , a move that in itself made her quite famous. The spell was something only a few light mages could pull off; one of which was her teacher, the renowned Andrea Sunheart.

No matter who her opponent was, they either failed against the rays that were as fast as light, or its properties that pierced like the edge of a blade.

For a moment the protagonist’s party celebrated, yet immediately they stopped and smiled wryly. Afterall, not all of them were having a good time, or more appropriately, some didn’t even get the chance to have a good time.

There sat Namiku and Rinca, faces downcasted, and unable to grasp how on Mundo they would fight.

Both of them were actually having a hard time finding opponents. It was because of their status that most nobles would shy away from challenging them.

As for the adventurers, they were also afraid as their family was quite prominent. Not to mention, having a father who was called the King of the Easterside Empire and the Duke of Arigare would unsurprisingly intimidate anyone.

That was why they were quite dejected. Much like Andrew, they had spent a lot of time and effort preparing for it. Their friends could only cheer them on as they proceeded to say,

"Don't give up!"

"But no one is challenging us!" Loudly cried Namiku who had enough of the unfair treatment.

Rinca, on the other hand, just went on silently looking to the floor. The atmosphere around her seemed odd. She then faced them with a smile that was far from her icy one. To them, it was like the winter around her finally passed onto spring.

They all doubted themselves as they tried to think of ways to console her. The Rinca they were seeing that day was the exact opposite of her usual self; a gaze of warmth, with a “princess-like” ambiance.

Even Namiku stopped her shenanigans and admired the miracle that was happening. Yet since Rinca was their friend, they could only cry in regret as they cheered her up.

“No… I’m fine, don't worry.” Said Rinca, making them more regretful.

“But you have to wake up cousin, this is not you!” Note said with a tone that often annoyed her, yet instead, she smiled and replied,

“Thank you for cheering me up, but I’m really okay.”

“...”

As they were about to give up and accept the new Rinca with open arms, a new challenger appeared.

Hooting and flying towards them with both of his talons attached to a young man’s sleeve, was a chubby owl.

• Hey, HOOT! •

“Hey Owly, Naell.” Greeted Andrew, and the rest of them, except Namiku and Rinca who just nodded at his presence.

As Owly let go of Naell, the young master of Beryldot immediately glared at the whistling bird, before brushing off and fixing the new creases on his shoulders. He then immediately smiled and said,

“Good day to you all as well.”

Note with a grin came closer to Naell. He then said as he put his hands up to his mouth, pretending to whisper yet all of them could still hear,

“Owly isn’t dragging you because you’re trying to escape the duels right?”

Naell faked a smile. Of course he wouldn’t dare sully his name no matter how lazy he was. Yet on the other hand, he couldn’t tell them it was a drag to get to where they were.

"I was preparing myself."

Upon saying those words, Andrew and the rest praised him. They thought it meant he was taking things seriously, a trait befitting a student of Taglagas.

Only Owly shrugged, Naell was indeed readying himself, but not with what they had in mind.

On the other hand, Naell immediately felt that something was amiss between Namiku and Rinca.

For one, Namiku's cheerfulness wasn't present. She was gloomy like how he always was when Owly woke him up.

Meanwhile, Rinca's awkwardness towards him was missing. She even smiled at him, making him pinch his cheeks to see if he was actually asleep.

'Huhhh…I'm not.' He thought with disappointment clear on his face.

Sensing his oddness, Viola came closer to Naell and asked,

"What's wrong?"

He then in return came even closer, startling Viola before asking softly,

"What's wrong with the princess and the young miss?"

Viola laughed and replied with a tease, a slight revenge for getting her flustered.

"Namiku would be mad if she heard that."

"..."

Viola then giggled and explained to him what was going on.

.

.

.

As duel after duel came to an end, new competitors and pairs began appearing at the same lively pace.

For the young master of Beryldot, the level of energy from the battles was truly a drag. It was only a matter of time til he would have to stand on the battle-ridden sand himself.

All he had done in the past moments was mentally prepare for his first fight, yet the thought of the several duels piling up after, made him dread his decision.

‘Did I make a mistake?’

It was Naell’s laziness that decided to only begin fighting on the second day. Thus his first day was the calm he could escape to before his mana-draining storm.

“… is victorious!”

Hearing those words from one corner of the arena, Naell gave one last sigh upon standing up.

• Good luck, HOOT. •

Even Owly gave him a cheer, yet what surprised him the most was Rinca. When their eyes met, Naell realized it truly was far from her normal gaze, regardless they had still ended up flustered.

She then nodded to him and in return he nodded back. It was then Naell suddenly spoke,

“It’s not my place to say this, but try challenging those who are already qualified.”

Both Namiku and Rinca’s eyes widened. Knowing he caught their attention, he added on,

“Aim for the adventurers--- that’s just what I’ve heard.”

Without waiting for any response, he then bowed down to them and made his way to the field.