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Eventually, the argument devolved into the Duke pleading with his daughter not to get the Dutchess involved in this matter. While that was happening, one of the knights who looked to be on the older side took the initiative and escorted me out to rejoin my class in the stands.

As I walked back to rejoin my class, I was still confused about what the fuck was going on, if I followed the Duke’s train of logic, I think he would have had no issue marrying off his daughter to me if I racked up massive amounts of achievements, or become a high ranked army officer, or have my house climb to a higher noble rank.

Wait… what am I thinking? I don’t want to be associated with crazy, especially crazy that I have known for less than a day. What I need to concentrate on is strutting my stuff, winning my tournament matches, getting recognition of my skills from future employers (hopefully the royals) so I can get favorable terms in the future, and lay low. Counterproductive to laying low, I know, but I do what I must.

I rejoin my class to much cheers and back pats as my classmates pester me to show my trophy sword for winning the Swordsmanship Duels for my year.

After my trophy sword made its rounds around the class, I realized something, there was a high chance the Duke was going to do a background check on me and my family and I needed to give them a heads up, so I retrieved my stuff and ran down to the nearest merchant guild to draft a letter.

In that letter, I wrote about the general updates of my life school life and winning the Swordsmanship Duels, but eventually got to the main meat of the issue. I started from when Lavinia publicly proposed to me to when the knight discreetly dismissed me, it was kind of embarrassing, but I also wrote down the excuses I gave the Duke and asked them to play along if they were ever asked. I asked if Emma would mind filling in for my alleged “betrothed” and hoped she would not be too mad at me for roping her into my coverup.

After having the letter sealed and paid for express postage, I made my way back to the Arena to watch the rest of the matches.

That night, I had a hearty dinner and turned in early for the night, I had to get my beauty sleep because tomorrow was going to be a taxing day, tomorrow was the Melee Battles, and from what I know, I am one of the few from my level that is attempting this solo instead of a group.

***

The next day, I ate a light breakfast before we were once again transported to the Arena. Shortly after all the classes were seated the announcement called for the Melee Battles’ participants to gather at the same place we drew lots for the Swordsmanship Duals.

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In that hall, there were multiple booths with tournament staff manning said booths. We were called forth to register and collect the necessary stuff for the event. Soon, we were all registered in our groups of no more than five people each, the solo participants like myself were counted as a group unto ourselves, and we were all also issued the mana shield bracelet used in the Swordsmanship Duals.

When all the participants were processed, a tournament staff walked up on stage to address us, “Good morning, participants. Before you go out there and start the Melee Battle, here are the rules.”

We were then briefed on the cans and cannots of the Melee Battle, and it was mostly similar to the Swordsmanship Duals. In short, no aura and no magic allowed, if the mana shield bracelet activates, you are out, and one of the many roaming umpires would jump in and whisk you away, and for the groups that have more than one participant, even if the group ends up with one participant, it counts as a group victory.

Once the briefing was over, we were led to a room with multiple archway entrances, group by group, we were led down the different hallways that branched off. When it was my turn, I was led onto a stone platform that was around four by four meters.

“Please keep on the platform while waiting, they will rise you up into the Pit soon, after that, just wait for the announcer to start the battle.” the tournament staff informed me as we waited.

While waiting, I could hear the muffled sounds of the announcer hyping the audience, and when the muffled cheering reached a crescendo, the tournament staff said, “Ready yourself, and good luck.” before the platform beneath my feet trembled and started rising.

When I was closing into the roof, the roof, or should I say the Pit’s floor parted to let me rise into the Pit proper, and what I saw around me was definitely not what I saw when I was sitting down with my class an hour or so ago.

What was once just a sandy Pit, now looked the part of the leftovers of a dilapidated ancient ruin, minus the vegetation. It was all half-broken pillars and housing that was built up just enough to use for strategic choke points, but run down enough that it was hard to find any cover to hide.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the Melee Battle part of the tournament where our participants show off their teamwork and battle prowess, let's give it up for the Year 5 contestants!” the announcer said and the crowd went wild.

“Now, before we hand the time over to our king to signal the start of the Melee Battle, we would like to thank the sponsor who created the Ruins map before us, Mystic Masonry, Need something built quick? Let Mystic Masonry craft a space where magic meets architecture. From spellbound walls to invisible defenses, they will bring your vision to life with arcane artistry and precision, for further inquiries for their services, please contact the nearest merchant’s guild house. Now without further ado, Your Majesty.” the announcer said as he directed attention to the king after the ad read I did not expect.

The king was presented with a war horn that he took and blew on to signal the start of the Melee Battle.

The moment the signal sounded I looked around to find a secluded area to wait out most of the battle, only to find that all the surrounding groups were not going at each other, but were in fact starting at me.

This stinks of collusion and I don't like it.