Overwhelming Firepower

The first day of the tournament ended, and surprisingly, there was no need for judges as no match lasted the whole ten minutes.

When the first day ended, it was already five in the afternoon. The audience left the coliseum with a buzz of conversation.

They talked about the matches that caught their interest. Of course, the most talked-about matches were the ones with heirs of the ducal households. Aside from them, the other talk was about Eisen’s match.

”Did you understand what Mireya Aeromont did? She just walked to the opponent, who kept on missing his attacks.”

”Elyra’s move was so fast that I’m sure I just blinked and the match ended.”

”Evander just stood there, did nothing, and won.”

”So the rumors about Lucen Thornehart had some truth in them. He really was quite strong.”

”I didn’t see it clearly, but someone said that Eisen simply threw a small rock at his opponent.”

Raina, who was listening to the conversations among the leaving audiences she was trying to hear if someone was talking about her match, but no one were talking about it.

Raina’s ears twitched every time someone mentioned a name, but hers never came up. A flush crept up her neck as she clenched her fist.

’Was I really that boring to watch?’ she thought bitterly.

’Damn it. Was my match too normal compared to theirs? I should’ve tried to end the match in a single strike or something... No, it’s not my fault, my opponent was too weak so that I could showcase my abilities. The next match, I’ll make sure people remember my name.’

As she walked out of the coliseum with the crowd, she clenched her fist. ’Next time, surely.’

***

Most of the taverns, houses, and every other available space were filled to the brim with people.

The Royal Academy Tournament was the biggest event held in Norvaegard. Merchant groups used this opportunity to get close to promising students, often recruiting commoners from the Academy as guards or aides.

Of course, the Royal Academy didn’t just produce warriors, but scholars and future merchants. Most who graduated from the Royal Academy become successful later, which is why getting to know them before that happens was the best way to make a connection.

There were also those who failed to become anything despite graduating from the Academy, and there were also those who did were not even able to graduate, but even then, these people, despite failing, were a cut above most of the ordinary citizens.

***

The bards already had new songs dedicated to the favorites to win. Most of them were about the heirs of the ducal households, but surprisingly, there were quite a few about the commoner named Eisen.

His name was being spoken of in many taverns. Eisen the Rockflinger, Eisen the Unseen Blade, and even Eisen the Flicker of Stone.

His nicknames were making Lucen chuckle when he overheard them from a group of drunken patrons on his way back to the estate.

Lucen could also hear his name alongside the other ducal heirs being talked about, and each retelling of their matches became more and more exaggerated.

The state of Caelhart right now was different from the last time he came to this city. Even though he was sure that there were quite a few backdoor dealings going on right now, it was true that every citizen, from the nobles to the commoners, were excited.

***

By the time Lucen left the coliseum, the sun was no longer there, and the moonlight shone with the flickering stars in the night sky.

The cheers from earlier still echoed faintly behind him as vendors shouted, carriages rattled over cobblestones, and children ran with paper flags bearing the crest of the Academy. The entire capital seemed alive, feeding on the thrill of the matches.

Lucen made his way through the bustling streets quietly, his coat collar raised against the cool evening breeze. The smell of roasted meat and ale filled the air as laughter echoed from every direction.

He even saw some street food being sold. Seeing this scene reminded him of a few festivals he had gone to back in his past life.

”How about we go eat a few of what they’re selling?” Lucen suddenly said.

”Hoh, are you perhaps getting into a festive mood, young lord?” Sir Thalos asked.

”Then let’s get going and eat!” Thrall spoke excitedly.

”Can I just go to wherever we’ll be staying?” Daniel said, sounding dejected.

”Sorry to tell you, but if you go by yourself, the knights who guard the estate will capture you, and most likely torture you,” Lucen answered.

”I’m good with that,” Daniel responded instantly, and was about to leave, but Harlik grabbed hold of him.

”We’re supposed to be the little leader’s bodyguards. How are you going to guard him if you’re not here?”

Lucen couldn’t help but chuckle as the group blended into the lively crowd. The market streets were glowing with the blue light from the mana lamps.

Performers were scattered about, bards, sword dancers, and even a few kids pretending to be knights.

Lucen’s group bought a few skewered meats and started eating while watching the performers. Thrall was holding the most and was eating it in such a way that made it look like he was going to eat the skewer as well.

On the other hand, Milos was also enjoying the festival mood, but he was still on alert, doing his job as a guard a bit more seriously than the others.

”Hey, Lucen, did you notice that guy Eisen used a simple telekinesis spell to win that match?” Robert suddenly spoke excitedly, while taking a bite of the meat in his hand.

”Yeah,” Lucen responded while also taking a bite of the skewered meat. The flavor wasn’t much, but it was grilled nicely.

”Even though that was surprising, what was even more surprising was when I tried to probe him, I sensed that he was just a first circle mage.”

This time, Lucen was actually surprised to hear what Robert said. Eisen, who had shown great skill and had mana that Lucen sensed from him to be vast, was just at the first circle?

Seeing Lucen’s reaction made Robert smile mischievously. ”I’m betting you didn’t notice that, but you did notice how vast his mana supply was.”

”... Yeah... How can that be? Aren’t circles added up to increase the storage of mana that the body could handle, and it’s also proof that one’s understanding of their mana has become better?”

”Well, that just means that kid Eisen is something special. His mana circle was different from a normal mage, the same as yours. Just like how your mana is like an exploding fire, his mana was like a boundless sea.”

When Lucen heard Robert’s explanation, he started to wonder. ’Does that mean, Eisen has some sort of special class?... Wait, the same as me, and a character that good that isn’t a named character... Is he perhaps a reincarnator as well or a transmigrator?’

The possibility unsettled him more than he wanted to admit. Until now, he believed he was the only anomaly in this world, a fragment of another life that moved into this one. But if Eisen was like him, then he was a bigger variable than he could imagine.

’I need to confirm if Eisen is a transmigrator or a reincarnator like me.’

Lucen’s gaze lifted toward the night sky, where the moon hung above the glowing city. Its pale light shimmered against his crimson eyes.

’Because if he is... Then that means I’m not the only one rewriting this world’s fate. Still, if he is from the same world I was before, and he saw the things I made, he would also think I’m a reincarnator or transmigrator and seek me out or at least look at me curiously, but he hasn’t shown any such interest from what I’ve seen of him. So either I’m overthinking this, and he’s just a normal citizen of this world, or he’s something else entirely.’

”Hello, Lucen, did you hear me?” Lucen suddenly heard Robert’s voice and looked at him, confused.

”Huh, did you say something?”

”You suddenly became quiet. Did hearing about Eisen shock you that much?”

”... Yeah, a little,” Lucen admitted.

”Whoa, to think even the little leader gets worried,” Harlik spoke, genuinely surprised.

”Young lord, there’s nothing to worry about. Just trust your training and do your best.” Sir Thalos said reassuringly.

Lucen smiled, he was sure that they were misunderstanding what he was worried about. Most likely, they thought he was worried about how skilled and powerful Eisen was, which was not what bothered him.

”Of course, I’m not worried about that. Like I said to my Father, I’ll be sure to bring back the victory.” Lucen declared. ”Now, how about we try the other food?”

”Yes! Thanks, little leader!” Thrall said excitedly.

Lucen’s group continued to eat and enjoy the festive mood. Once they had tried almost all the street food, they headed to the Thornehart estate to rest.