In the dormitories of Yribdeinos,

Arx: "It's finally the day, huh?"

He headed to the school boards.

Arx: "Hmm, it looks like I'm against 266 participants. It's time..."

...

Announcer: "Ladies and gentlemen! This is the moment you've all been waiting for! But above anything else, let us greet our school head, Mr. Ptachrisch Hertazhutre!"

Ptachrisch: "Greetings, esteemed participants! Today marks the commencement of the Blade Selection, a testament to your skill, determination, and resilience. As you embark on this journey, remember that the challenges you face will test not only your strength but also your wit and spirit. The path ahead will be arduous, but I have every confidence that each of you is capable of rising to the occasion. Whether you stand among the victors or not, know that your efforts are commendable, and your presence here is a testament to your dedication to the art of combat. May luck favour you all."

(A round of applause commences)

Announcer: "This selection will have 3 phases. Now then, let me explain the first phase."

Announcer: "In the first phase, contestants will be taught how to summon their familiars. Familiars, reflections of the summoner's nature and power, are summoned by drawing a specific magic circle with the summoner's own blood and performing a chant.

Announer: "Once summoned, contestants will be teleported to the middle of the Verdant Veil, a dense forest far from Yribdeinos. There, they must navigate through the difficult terrain with the help of their familiars and acquire flags of certain colors. Each colour corresponds to a certain point value, and contestants must accumulate at least 20 points to proceed to the next phase."

Ptachrisch: "You will be given an empty scroll where you will draw the magic circle."

...

Empty scrolls were distributed to the contestants.

...

"I wonder how this year's contestants will do. The previous year was very upsetting."

"Indeed, they only managed to summon some common dungeon and field monsters."

Announcer: "We will watch every contestant's move through a screen, Mr. Ptachrisch will cast a large-scale projection magic. He'll also be the one to teleport every contestant. For now, they will summon each of their familiars. They can also perform the summoning after teleportation."

...

Left and right, each contestants summoned their familiars, raising the excitement within the crowd.

Within Agryz, Familiars are mystical beings summoned to aid their masters in various endeavors. These creatures reflect the summoner's nature, power, and affinity, ranging from elemental spirits to mythical beasts. The process of summoning a familiar involves drawing a specific magic circle with the summoner's own blood and performing an incantation.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Once summoned, familiars form a bond with their summoner, granting them unique abilities and enhancing their combat prowess. Familiars can vary in strength and rarity, from common dungeon monsters to rare, powerful entities, and play a crucial role in the summoner's journey, providing both protection and companionship.

...

Ptachrisch: "It appears that all contestants are ready. Now then, let the Blade Selection begin!"

The crowd erupted in cheers, their excitement echoing throughout the arena. As shouts of anticipation echoed throughout the arena, a massive glowing magic circle appeared beneath the contestants, teleporting them the next moment.

...

Aleria: "Ah... it's been a while since I last stepped in here."

Rheylieanne: "Hm? You've been here before?"

Aleria: "Father used to take us here for training."

Rheylieanne: "Such as?"

Aleria: "Expose ourselves to the rich mana this forest has, at the same time, catch some field monsters and cook them for meal."

...

Rheylieanne: "Aleria, guard me for a bit. I'll perform the summoning."

Aleria: "Get behind me."

Rheylieanne: "By blood and spirit, I call upon thee. Reveal thy form and bind with me."

The air shimmered with energy, and the magic circle pulsed. Leaves and branches swayed as a gust of wind swirled around her. A bright light enveloped the area, and within it, a majestic wind spirit took shape. Its translucent form glowed with hues of blue and green, and its eyes shone with serene power.

The bond formed instantly, and the spirit bowed slightly, acknowledging Rheylieanne as its summoner.

Rheylieanne: "A wind spirit..."

Aleria: "Im amazed. You should give it a name."

Rheylieanne: "I'll do that once this first phase is done. Perform your summoning, and I will be guarding you."

Aleria: "Thanks, but no need."

Rheylieanne: "Huh? Why?"

Aleria: "I've already formed a bond with a familiar when I was little."

Rheylieanne: "The Azarkeys truly live up on their name. Then, I will head north. Let's meet up here after we've gathered enough points."

Aleria: "Alright. Let me warn you, though, this forest may have no danger, but be careful, especially when you spot my brother."

Rheylieanne: "Why?"

Aleria: "You're no match for him. He's mine to face against."

Rheylieanne: "I'll keep that in mind."

...

Arx: "How nostalgic... to think I'd return here."

In the meantime...

Announcer: "Ladies and gentlemen, an extraordinary sight! One of the rising first years, Rheylieanne has successfully summoned a wind spirit! This is truly remarkable!"

The audience gasped in awe, their excitement palpable as they witnessed the rare and majestic summoning. Murmurs of astonishment spread through the crowd, and applause soon erupted, celebrating Rheylieanne's impressive feat.

Announcer: "Now then, let us explain another way to gain points! Students, if you are able to knock another contestant unconscious, you'll receive all the points they've gotten. Meaning to say, they will lose all their points and will have to start again."

The audience buzzed with excitement at this revelation, the added challenge heightening the anticipation of the competition. Cheers and murmurs filled the air, as everyone eagerly awaited the unfolding action.

Announcer: "I forgot to mention, if you knock out another contestant without any points, then you'll gain yourself 5 points! However, if you were to take another contestant's life, you'll be disqualified and will be expelled. You may resort to any kind of tactics, whether using a boost scroll or by traps."

...

Arx: "So they're just planning to minimize the number of contestants right in the beginning."

In the shadows of the trees surrounding Arx, a figure lurks, eyes glares and calculating.

???: "(If I can knock him out, then I would gain points.)"

The figure takes a small peek.

???: "I'll pretend to be friendly and approach him. I'll make my move the moment he lets his guard down."

He then slowly revealed himself.

???: "Hey-!"

Before he could finish, Arx was nowhere to be found.

???: "(He's gone?! Where could he have gone?!)"

He looked in every direction, seeing only trees and bushes.

???: "What in the world..."

"Up here."

Startled, he looked behind him and froze at what he saw.

???: "Huh."

Before he could say another word, his consciousness faded in an instant.

...

Announcer: "Everyone, we have witnessed the first person to gain a point! The Newcomer of Yribdeinos, Arx Von Azarkey!"

The crowd erupted in cheers.

...

Aleria: "He's already ahead, I should get moving already."

She bit her thumb, placing it down as blood trickled down the ground.

Aleria: "Come forth, Algeronte."

Before her, a glowing light emitted from the ground, turning it into a deep blue pond. Fishes swirled around as something leapt in the air, revealing a panther, its limbs as thick as tree trunks surrounding Aleria, a Sea Phantom.

Meanwhile, on Arx's side...

Arx: "Hey... I know there's more of you guys hiding. Come out."

After hearing his call, six more contestants revealed themselves behind the trees.

Arx: (Six of them, with familiars too.)

"You should really give up now. There's six of us against you," one of the contestants declared.

(Hm? He doesn't have a familiar with him, could it be...?! Looks like you failed to summon a familiar.)

He scoffed.

Arx: "Including your familiars, that's twelve against one. Doesn't matter, I've faced more than your numbers anyway."

"Hah! You still don't know your place! Just give up. You didn't even succeed in summoning a familiar!"

Arx: (Three of them are carrying swords; they're either Sword Mages or just Swordsmen. The remaining three, wands; they're mages.)

He let out a sigh of relief.

Arx: "Come at me."

...