“Wow, so many people!!” Carmen was looking at all the participants of the qualifiers going into the building, she was wearing a green tracksuit. “I can’t believe only eight people will be left for tomorrow.”
“Yeah, so many people are part of the Deus Family.” Oswald said. He was wearing a black tracksuit with the Deus Family Coat of Arms and some gloves. “Although four years ago I didn’t qualify for the top 8, I am certain I will this time. This is your first, but I think you will also do good.”
“Oz, I will show you how strong I have gotten.” Carmen proclaimed pointing at Oswald. “As your little sister it is my responsibility to now look after you.”
“You’ll get there eventually, but right now even though I can’t use Magic, you can’t beat me.” Oswald said, patting Carmen’s head. “So, keep improving yourself. Don’t forget you can only use your own achievements to boast about yourself. Don’t do anything reckless.”
“Are you sure you should be talking about not being reckless?” Carmen said. “The guy who stole a Blank Dungeon Pass, sneaked into a dungeon, and got caught.”
“Yeah, don’t do something like me..” Oswald responded, blushing while tapping his cheek. “Although it’s fine to take calculated risks, if you can handle the consequences.”
“If I get to the top 8, can you buy me a 6ft Pia plush toy?” Carmen asked.
“That thing would be taller than you, but I guess I will do it.” Oswald answered.
“You’re the best brother, Oz!!” Carmen hugged Oswald. “If we have to face each other, don’t hold back or else I’ll get mad.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll give the same treatment as any other opponent.” Oswald answered.
“Why is someone like you here?” A fit looking brown haired guy said. “The magicless guy shouldn’t be here. What can you even do against any of us?”
“You …” Carmen tried to walk towards the guy, but Oswald held her back. “Let me go, Oz. He is insulting you.”
“I hope I go against you in the qualifiers.” Oswald said, while having a bored expression. “I should be an easy opponent for you to easily qualify for the top 8.”
“I am glad you’re aware of your purpose. You shall witness the greatness of Joe.” Joe proclaimed. “I’ll drive it into your mind, Oswald, you’re not worthy of the Deus name.”
“I’ll make you suffer if you go against me!!” Carmen yelled while still being held back by Oswald.
“We’ll see about that.” Oswald said while checking Joe’s Mana Flow. “I’ll be heading inside before she causes a scene.”
As Oswald walked into the Battle Facility Building of the Deus Guild, Joe had an expression of contempt. The building was a wide three story building the Deus Guild used for training of the Adventurers in the Deus Guild. They also rented some of the rooms to smaller guilds. Oswald and Carmen walked to the main room. Inside the room they could see many people anxiously waiting for the qualifiers to start. The room had eight battle platforms. Oswald then took a look at the spectator area and saw multiple high ranking Adventurers and executives from the Deus Guild. He noticed that they were paying particular attention to Leon, Selene, Joshua, and Carmen.
Unless Leon or Selene are in my group, I am confident I will win. Oswald thought. But that also means those guys will be paying attention to me. I guess I can’t stay low for too long. I just hope they don’t discover I can use Magic.
“Oz, I don’t like them!” Carmen said. “They despise you, yet they praise me. I don’t want to be around them.”
“Well, it’s to be expected.” Oswald said, looking at Carmen. “We are both children of the current Head of the Family and Duke, so they see me as a failure with no Magic, while they see you as a genius for your amazing talents. I mean I don’t want to be the next Duke, I think either Leon or Selene should be the next Duke. I know you could become one, but from what I can observe you wouldn’t like it.”
“I think you’re right.” Carmen said. “Cousin Leon is a good person. I hope Grandpa Victor sees me perform well.”
“You’ll do great. Grandpa Jose and Grandma Lupe will be coming tomorrow, so be sure to get to the top 8. ” Oswald said, trying to steer away the conversation from Victor. “We have to show them our cool side.”
“ATTENTION EVERYONE!! PLEASE LOOK AT THE CENTER SCREEN LOOK FOR YOUR NAME AND YOUR GROUP!! THEN HEAD TOWARDS THE PLATFORM BELONGING TO YOUR GROUP!!” A female announcer could be heard all around the room.
Oswald and Carmen quickly went to see which group they would be placed in. Oswald scanned for his name and saw he was in group 7, he also saw that Joe was in the same group as him. He continued to see the other participants and noticed Leon was in group 1, Selene was in group 3, Joshua was in group 4. And Carmen was in group 8.
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Joe Deus, so he is also a Deus. I wonder whose son he is because he is not a child from any of my Dad’s first cousins. Oswald thought. In this group only me and him are Deus, the rest are children of the guild’s executives or high ranking adventurers. I guess it is time to make you pay Joe. Group 7 appears to be unremarkable, so I should be going mostly unnoticed.
“I didn’t see anyone that could give you trouble in your group, Carmen.” Oswald said. “Good luck! I know you can win.”
“Thanks!!” Carmen said. “You too, Oz!! If you lose, I will beat you up!”
“Don’t worry.” Oswald said. “I am certain of my victory!”
Both Oswald and Carmen headed towards the platform for their designated teams. Once on the platform, Oswald could see the other 15 participants of group 7, among them Joe was glaring at Oswald.
If I want to win I must manage my Mana. Oswald thought. I think I finally got what Mrs. Hashimoto meant. I must use less Mana while thinking of the Magic. I guess I have no time to practice, but it should be the same concept as making the same Magic stronger.
Oswald started to spread out his Mana throughout his body trying to cast a strength self-buff while using ten percent of the Mana he usually uses for the buff. After a few seconds he felt the weaker buff took effect.
I feel this buff is only eight percent of the usual, yet I am using ten percent of the Mana. Oswald thought. Not as effective, but this should help me save on Mana while also making me a bit stronger.
“ATTENTION EVERYONE!! THE QUALIFIERS ARE ABOUT TO BEGIN!! LET ME EXPLAIN TO YOU HOW THEY WILL WORK!! THERE ARE 16 PARTICIPANTS ON EACH PLATFORM! EACH PLATFORM WILL CONDUCT A FREE FOR ALL FIGHT! THE LAST ONE STANDING WILL BECOME PART OF THE TOP 8 WHO WILL PARTICIPATE ON THE PUBLIC TOURNAMENT TOMORROW! YOU LOSE EITHER BY FALLING FROM THE PLATFORM OR BY BEING KNOCKED OUT! I WISH ALL YOU THE BEST!! COMMENCE!” The female announcer instructed.
Oswald could feel people charging up their Magic all around him, yet nothing was aimed at him. He was grateful for keeping up his magicless identity as no one saw him as a threat. He looks as the others attack each other with their Magic. He occasionally dodges the stray Magic coming his way. He feels as if he was worried for nothing. He just focuses on staying out of the way in order to save energy and win a spot on the Top 8.
If I win like this, I am less likely to get attention. Oswald thought. It’s been a couple of minutes and some people are already out. From what I can see I will have to fight Joe to get the spot. This is boring, but this is the price to pay for staying low. I guess I’ll practice by applying a weakened speed buff on myself to practice this new technique and to dodge these stary attacks easier.
Oswald continued to just move around the platform while dodging and blocking the attacks coming toward him. Since no attacks were directed towards him, Oswald was having an easy time just staying out people’s way as they eliminated each other. After thirty minutes everyone else, but Joe and Oswald had been eliminated from group 7. Oswald was standing with a bored expression, while Joe was glaring at him.
“You fucker!!” Joe yelled, panting. “This isn’t fair!! Everyone was targeting me!”
“That’s not my problem!” Oswald said while yawning. “Ready for this one on one fight.”
“You’re not worthy of being a Deus, you coward.” Joe said. “I’ll show you the power of a true Deus.”
“So are you attacking first or am I throwing the first attack?” Oswald asked.
“YOOUUUUUU!!” Joe yelled as he ran towards Oswald. Oswald could see Joe was charging up a fire punch as he approached him. Judging from Joe’s Mana Flow Oswald could see this attack would be a powerful one.
Perfect! Oswald thought. I can test out my progress on Armor Ascension.
Oswald quickly concentrated his Mana on his hands and he activated his Magic. He could feel that he could defend against Joe’s attack without taking any damage, but his gloves would get damaged. Joe threw his fire punch at Oswald and Oswald responded by throwing back at Joe a punch. Their fists were interlocked and Oswald could feel his gloves were about to get burned and would reveal the faint glow of Armor Ascension, so he used his free hand to punch Joe on the stomach. Joe staggered back clenching his stomach. And Oswald deactivated Armor Ascension.
“Damn it!” Joe glared at Oswald as he composed himself. “HAHAHAHAHA! I can’t believe I might lose just because no one even paid attention to a loser like you!”
“That’s on you guys.” Oswald said. “All of you targeted each other because you didn’t see me as a threat, so I am not tired unlike you. I guess it’s time to finish this!”
Oswald rushed towards Joe and threw a punch, Joe blocked the punch with his arms. Oswald continued to throw punches and could tell they were starting to hurt Joe. Joe started to step back after blocking each punch. Without realizing it, Joe was now a couple of feet away from the end of the platform. Oswald took this opportunity to give Joe a powerful kick. The kick send Joe back and before he could react he lost his footing and fell from the platform.
“FUUCCCKKKK!!” Tears could be seen rolling down Joe’s cheek. “If only I wasn’t this tired!”
“WE HAVE ALL THE WINNERS FROM EACH GROUP!!! GROUP ONE LEON DEUS, GROUP TWO RODOLFO IGNIS, GROUP THREE SELENE DEUS, GROUP FOUR JOSHUA DEUS, GROUP FIVE ELLIE ROMANI, GROUP SIX HINAKO SHIJOU, GROUP SEVEN OSWALD DEUS, AND GROUP EIGHT CARMEN DEUS!! CONGRATULATION TO THE EIGHT OF YOU!!! FOLKS LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THESE FINE WARRIORS FACE EACH OTHER TOMORROW!!” The female announcer enthusiastically said.
I hope I don’t have to face either Leon or Selene right away. Oswald thought. I’ll worry about tomorrow’s problems tomorrow for now I’ll practice my new technique. I am going to need to conserve Mana in tomorrow’s fights.