“Ah, the tournament should be over by now shouldn’t it?” The Goddess of Heroes Afa said aloud as she lounged in her throne.

Reaching over to a table next to her she picked up a tablet to read the reports. She excitedly turned on the tablet as she couldn’t wait for the results. Gilles was going to win this tournament and that Spencer Khan kid was going to discover it afterwards. Only for the revelation to be hushed up.

Spencer who would have been severely injured from the tournament would then be targeted by the Coldwater’s and kicked out of the Adventurer’s Guild. Too severely injured to continue taking up any type of mercenary work and with all his remaining money going to his family he would never be seen from again.

As she gleefully watched the award ceremony her smile slowly turned into a frown as she watched who was receiving their reward. It was Spencer Khan and Gilles was nowhere to be seen.

“What the fu-” She screamed.

***

As the award ceremony went underway Duke Coldwater stood in front of the crowd with the trophy in hand. The audience clapped and cheered as the band played the celebratory music.

“We’ve come to the end of the tournament!” The announcer said once the band finished playing, “Here to award the winner of the Wrabuth fifteen and under tournament we have the magnanimous Duke Coldwater!”

The crowd cheered loudly as Duke Coldwater simply stood there and waited, calmly peering through the crowd, Duchess Coldwater waved to the crowd for him. Once the crowd quieted down the announcer continued.

“Now would the champion of this year’s tournament please step up!” The announcer yelled as he beckoned Spencer to approach.

“Oh. Yeah.” Spencer said, seemingly in a daze. Not that anyone could blame him as he had quite the bandage wrapped around his head and was suffering from some sort of concussion. Though all the medical team said he was alright.

As Spencer stood in front of Duke Coldwater, he nervously looked up at the massive man in front of him. Both his usual cheerful demeanour and dazed look disappeared as he simply looked up in awe and intimidation at Duke Coldwater.

Duke Coldwater stared into the soul of the young adventurer, judging him. Spencer stared back unblinkingly unsure what to do. After a long second Duke Coldwater slowly offered the trophy to Spencer.

“You were… above expectations.” Duke Coldwater’s deep voice rumbled out.

“Thank you, Duke Coldwater.” Spencer said quietly as he accepted the trophy, not quite believing what was happening.

“Was that a compliment?” Sable, who stood by the side with the rest of her family, whispered over to her siblings.

“He must have really impressed father.” Bryson said. Compliments were rarely given along his family, let alone to others outside it.

“Thank you, I’m always trying to learn.” Spencer said giving a gracious bow.

“Hmm.” Duke Coldwater grunted.

“Turn to the camera.” One of the photographers said and the two posed for pictures. Spencer had a wide smile on his face and Bryson’s father remained expressionless.

“Bastard.” Gilles spat out as he watched on the sidelines.

“You got unlucky, don’t worry, top thirty-two isn’t bad. Besides you did lose the champion.” Viola said poorly hiding a smile.

Gilles stood there in silence looking ready to explode as he stared daggers at Spencer. Not that he could really do anything about it as he had his wrist tapped and an icebag attached to the back of his neck. Bryson did his best not to laugh.

“He shouldn’t have won.” Gilles complained.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

“Why?” Sable asked looking over.

“Because… because… never mind.” Gilles said frustrated. He couldn’t say that he should have won because he had an enchanted shield that momentarily petrified opponents that was completely against the rules.

Though he really wanted to. Once he discovered that the shield was switched, he smashed the shield to bits. He couldn’t complain outwardly that this occurred because no one could know that he cheated. So he had spent the last hour or so fuming with rage.

Not saying that he doesn’t deserve it. But I do feel bad for him. Bryson thought guiltily. He really didn’t like seeing his brother like this. The fact that he’s so angry that is, not his appearance, Bryson found it to be rather hilarious.

“Hey Bryson.” Viola said tapping his shoulder.

“Yes?”

“Can we talk privately after this?” She asked looking concerned.

“Uh, sure.” Bryson said taken aback.

With a satisfied nod, Viola went back to watching the rewards ceremony. Bryson gave a perplexed glance over to his sister before shrugging and continued to watch the ceremony.

***

“So what did you want to talk about?” Bryson asked Viola.

The award ceremony was done, and many people were already leaving the stadium. The rest of the family was already leaving the stadium and they had a few minutes to themselves.

“It’s about me leaving. I got to talk to Sable while you were gone, but not you.” Viola said.

“Ah yeah, that.” Bryson said having forgotten about the matter due to everything that occurred in through the day. Now that he was reminded it left a sour taste in his mouth.

“Bry, I’ll be honest. I didn’t want to mention it because… well I didn’t want to give my goodbyes.” Viola admitted.

“So you thought just silently disappearing would be better?”

“No you brat.” Viola scoffed, “I just didn’t want the rest of my time here to be about me leaving soon.”

“Come on, you’re acting like we would be weeping as you leave.”

“I didn’t say that. I’m not that special.” Viola said, “But I do know that beneath that moody exterior there’s a big ol’ baby inside there.” She said as she pinched his cheek playfully.

“Shut up.” Bryson said swatting her hand away.

“Seriously though, I’m going to miss you. Also that whole target on your back seriously concerns me, and in a week I won’t be able to do anything.” She said.

“You’ve done plenty, I can deal with whatever comes up, besides nothing of note has happened lately.” Bryson said.

“That armour is different.” Viola recalled the suit of armour they got from the outskirts town Alrak. It was weird, sometimes Viola could’ve sworn that thing was alive at times. Thought maybe it was just because that thing creeped her out a bit.

“It’s just a weird piece of tech.” Bryson assured, “I doubt there’s anything insidious about it.”

“Either way I feel guilty leaving you alone.”

“I won’t be alone and I can take care of myself.”

“I’ll have a week to verify it.” Viola said smiling at him. As they continued to walk down the halls they ran into this year's champion, Spencer Khan.

“Oh hey!” Spencer said excitedly seeing them.

“Spencer congratulations.” Viola said.

“Thanks.” He said happily before looking apologetic, “Is your brother alright? I got wild and hit him pretty hard.”

“He’ll live.” Bryson assured.

“That’s a relief.” Spencer said looking more relaxed, “So did you see all my fights?”

“Yes, you were impressive.” Viola praised.

“Really?”

“You showed great skill. I look forward to seeing you compete again. I hope you’re adventuring days will be successful.” Viola said with a kind smile.

“Oh, uh well, if you have some time-” Spencer began and stopped as Viola turned and left.

“Oh. Bye!” Spencer said wistfully.

“Not bad Khan, not bad at all.” Bryson said nodding his head a little as he followed his sister. As they turned the corner and left Spencer behind Bryson found a pair of hands grab his shoulder.

“Hey Bryson!” Lottie said gleefully poking her head over his shoulder.

Bryson nearly jumped out of his skin. Angrily he pulled away from her grasp and turned to face her, “What are you doing?!” He growled.

“Sorry.” Lottie said playfully putting her hands behind her back. Lila approached behind her with the shield in her hands.

“Sorry about that.” Lila said equally amused.

“What is she even still doing here?” Bryson grumbled.

“I’m taking her home, if that’s alright.” Lila asked.

“That works for me. Don’t need to deal with the two of you anymore.” Bryson said.

“Oh before we go! What about this!” Lottie asked taking the shield from her sister and handing it to Bryson.

“Hmm.” Bryson thought as he studied the shield once more. It was a valuable shield, but he couldn’t exactly take it home. Still, it would be a shame to let it go to waste.

“Keep it.” Bryson said handing it back to Lottie.

“Really?” Lottie asked wide-eyed.

“I don’t need it.” Bryson said shrugging.

“Awesome.” Lottie said as she hugged it tightly to her chest.

“Seriously? You’re more excited about that shield than when you got your first Communicator.” Lila said.

“That’s cause Bryson gave it to me.” She said with a grin, “He never does nice things.”

“Just don’t misuse that shield. Even an idiot with the slightest amount of mana in them can use that thing.” Bryson said.

“Don’t worry I won’t.” Lottie promised as Bryson turned and left the two. He headed back to his sister who was already at the exit talking to her servant, Carly.

***

“Oh my ME! How did this happen!” Afa shrieked as she watched the ceremony take place.

“This no-named nobody won?” Afa complained, “I need to get rid of him.” She said as she thought of a solution. After a couple minutes of pondering something came to mind. A cruel smile appeared on her face once more, “Yes that should work.”