As Wednesday morning dawned, Hikaru’s heart swirled with a blend of apprehension and excitement, eager for the tournament spectacle about to unfold. The previous night, he could only sleep for a wink as anticipation buzzed through his veins, his mind consumed by the forthcoming event and, most importantly, his little sister's performance.

While Loyd bustling about the kitchen, preparing breakfast, his eyes caught sight of Hikaru descending the stairs. With a playful grin, he remarked: “Up bright and early today, huh? Excited for the tournament?”

Lydia, who was setting up the table, also noticed Hikaru and greeted him warmly: “Good morning, sunshine.”

Hikaru returned the greeting, “Morning, guys,” then offered his assistance. “Do you need a hand, Loyd?”

‘Throughout these past few days of my stay, Loyd and Lydia have been tirelessly looking out for me, never asking for anything in return. Maybe it’s because Prince Clay instructed them to, but regardless, I can’t continue to just take advantage of their kindness. What’s more despite their hectic schedule, each of them found the time to teach me martial arts and illusion magic respectively!’ Hikaru thought to himself.

After Hikaru’s offer, Loyd grinned and shook his head. “No need to worry, buddy! I’ve got the kitchen under wraps. Handling your meal is all part of our job, so just kick back and savor your morning.”

Hearing Loyd’s response, Hikaru persisted: “Are you sure? I’d be glad to help out. It’s the least I could do for the hospitality you guys showed me.”

“Come on, Hikaru! Cooking is Loyd’s passion in life!” Lydia interjected, a playful smile dancing on her lips. “Just let him enjoy his hobby,” Lydia chuckled lightly.

After Loyd finished preparing the meal and was ready to eat, they sat down together to enjoy their food, as they usually did.

‘Mmm, as expected, Loyd’s cooking was delicious as always,’ Hikaru thought to himself as he savoured every bite.

Once they were done eating, Hikaru offered to do the dishes, but Lydia stopped him yet again.

“I actually find washing dishes quite relaxing. Why don’t you go relax for a bit while I handle this?” Lydia said while casting a warm smile at Hikaru.

Hikaru didn’t insist this time, knowing it would be pointless. He waited for Lydia to finish washing the dishes before informing her that he would be heading to Bailey University shortly, as she had mentioned wanting to tag along days prior. Hikaru was dressed in his casual attire with the Bailey royal insignia, while Lydia, donning her adventure gear, sported a cape embellished with the same royal insignia.

Before long, Hikaru and Lydia found themselves riding in a carriage together. Hikaru was getting more nervous as they neared the arena within Bailey University. The grandeur and significance of the arena became increasingly evident as the carriage loomed closer. With a nod to the coachman, Lydia directed him to wait nearby as they alighted from the carriage, poised to enter the arena.

Amidst the lively streets leading to the arena's entrances, vendors clamored to set up their stalls along the roadside, enticing passersby with their array of wares. The atmosphere hummed with anticipation as spectators converged upon the two entrances. One gate welcomed the eager crowds of common folk, while the grandest entrance reserved its majesty for nobles and royalty. Additionally, there are two underground entrances exclusively designated for the participants, separate from the two main entrances.

Bailey University holds this kind of event annually to showcase the might of its students to the Bailey’s citizens as well as people from other kingdoms. The majority of spectators are Bailey citizens, given that admission is free for them, while a small percentage of foreigners may also attend by paying the entrance fee. Participating in such tournaments not only offers substantial rewards but also provides significant exposure for the participants. It’s not uncommon for members of the royal family and nobility to consider recruiting participants after witnessing their performances.

The popularity of fighting competitions in Bailey is attributed to the absence of alternative forms of entertainment. However, despite its widespread appeal, Bailey University rarely hosts such events, largely due to concerns over the potential for accidental fatalities among its already limited number of students during the competitions.

Due to their early arrival, they had ample time to explore the stadium after entering. The guards swiftly checked their IDs at the grand entrance, allowing them inside without delay.

After they entered, Lydia reminded Hikaru: “Now that we're inside, feel free to put on the mask if you're worried about being recognized.”

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

Hikaru quickly donned the Oni mask Lydia had given him and replied: “Thanks for the reminder, Lydia.”

Inside the stadium, the betting booths had been open for several days already. Although they arrived early, there was already a long line of people queuing at these booths. This piqued Hikaru’s curiosity, prompting him to head over there and checks them out. Surprisingly, the booths there only displayed the amount of money being waged on each participant instead of their odds.

‘Looks like you can only bet on the overall winner of the tournament, and not on each of the matches. There are eight participants, with Sarya from class 3-A and Teeios from class 4-B being the favorites. The numbers represent their years of study, while the letters denote their respective classes.’ Hikaru thought to himself.

The betting system used at Bailey University was based on the Parimutuel betting system, with a 10% commission to the house. In this system, bets are pooled together, and after the event, the total pool is divided among the winners. The amount each winner receives depends on the size of their wager and the total amount bet on the winning outcome. The house will never lose, as they receive their commissions from the winners regardless of the outcome.

‘Hmm, seeing Masaki from Class 5-A in fourth place has me feeling a bit uneasy,’ Hikaru mused, his thoughts racing.

Lydia’s gentle nudge interrupted his contemplation. “What’s on your mind all of a sudden?” she inquired, concern evident in her voice. Taken aback, Hikaru responded: “Just feeling a bit anxious about Masaki, that’s all.”

“Don’t worry, there is a Healing Formation installed near the arena. As long as her opponent’s attack isn’t an instant kill, your sister should be fine,” Lydia reassured Hikaru.

“Yes, you’re right, Lydia. Let’s find some seats,” Hikaru said, stepping away from the booth and leading the way toward the section of the spectator area for the aristocrats.

The spectator area is split into three sections, each offering a unique vantage point. Down below, the first section caters to the common folk, providing a close-up view of the action. Ascending higher, the second section caters to aristocrats and their entourages, boasting more luxurious seating and a commanding view of the arena. At the summit sits a regal box, reserved solely for royalty, offering a majestic panorama of the entire spectacle below.

Below the spectator area, the fighting arena is constructed five meters lower than the front-row spectator seats to minimize the risk of injury to the audience. Within this arena, there are two entrances located on the opposite side of each other, providing access for the participants from the outside underground entrances to enter. In the center of the fighting arena, a new stone platform has been erected to create a ring with an area of 100 square meters.

As the competition neared, more and more spectators arrived and found their seats. Soon, about 80% of the seats were occupied, particularly in the common folks area. Similar to other public fighting tournaments, this event took place during the day, specifically in the afternoon. This was to ensure the presence of ample natural daylight, providing excellent visibility for both spectators and participants.

The competition commenced as the principal of Bailey University delivered her opening speech from the platform. The university students, including all the participants, lined up in a standby position, listening attentively to her words. The principal began by expressing gratitude to the participants, attendees, and, finally, Prince Clay, who graced them with his presence in the royal seating box.

As Prince Clay greeted the audience with a wave, Hikaru was taken aback. “Lydia, I didn’t know Prince Clay would be here with us. Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Hikaru asked.

Lydia shrugged her shoulders and said: “Don't ask me, I also didn't know!”

The principal then continued her speech, highlighting the significance of the competition, emphasizing fair play and sportsmanship, and outlining the rules and regulations, including the prohibition against killing your opponent, which would result in automatic disqualification. After concluding her speech, she proceeded to explain the tournament format, outlining the matchups of the battles. The tournament then entered a brief recess to allow the participants to prepare themselves for their battles.

‘So the first match is between the favored winner, a female high elf named Sarya from class 3-A, and a male frostfolk named Goun from class 6-A. Masaki will be in the third match -’ Hikaru mused to himself.

As Hikaru was contemplating, Lydia called him and said: “Hikaru, one of Prince Clay’s aides just came by. Seems like the prince want to meet with you.”

Hikaru was taken aback. “Really? Wonder what it’s about. Okay, I’ll head there immediately.” Hikaru got up and headed there, with Lydia following closely.

Hikaru knocked on the door and entered the Royal Seating Box with Lydia after hearing Clay's invitation. Hikaru then offered a respectful bow to Clay before exchanging greetings.

“Ah, Hikaru, it’s good to see you. Please, take a seat.” Clay gestured for Hikaru to join him, offering a chair strategically positioned to afford a sweeping view of the entire arena.

“Thank you, Your Highness. Is everything alright? Sorry, but I haven’t heard from Kaito yet…” Hikaru expressed his gratitude as he took his seat, but couldn't help but inquire about Clay's intentions.

“Ooh, don’t worry about Kaito! How’s the Purple Walnut? Do you like your new accommodation?” Clay asked.

“The house Your Highness provided me was perfect, and both Lydia and Loyd have been really helpful to me,” Hikaru replied, feeling a pang of guilt about the lack of progress in his mission.

Not long after, the tournament continued as both Sarya and Goun entered the ring. They stood about eight meters apart from each other, with the referee positioned between them.

As the first fight was about to commence, Clay turned to Hikaru and said: “Let’s not talk about work today. I’m here to enjoy the tournament. So, who do you think will win the first match? Sarya, the female high elf, or Goun, the male frostfolk?” Clay inquired, asking Hikaru's opinion in a friendly manner.

Hikaru thought for a moment before replying: “I don’t know much about either of them, but Goun seems like an experienced fighter. He has been studying at Bailey University for six years, so I would probably choose him.”

“Sounds like you don’t know much about High Elves. Goun may appear older, giving the impression of more experience, but you can’t judge a High Elf by their appearance,” Clay grinned and said. “High Elves possess a passive innate ability that halts their aging process as long as they are surrounded by plants. They are not permitted to venture outside until they reach a certain age. So, she might just be the oldest person in this entire arena. I would undoubtedly bet on her to win the tournament solely because of her extended lifespan, which inevitably grants her more experience.”

Hikaru was taken aback by the revelation about High Elves. ‘No wonder Sarya is the betting favorite!’ he marveled to himself.

After hearing Clay’s response, Hikaru fell silent, his attention captured by the impending start of the first match, mere seconds away.