After settling into the new mansion, Jude read the letter that had been given to Ellie.  Once he was finished, he turned to Ellie.

“I’m not sure if this is supposed to be a threat or a welcoming gift,” Jude said indicating the letter.

“What does it say?” Ellie asked.

“I recently got a title called when we subdued the Arkess Aquifers.  But apparently, any conqueror title is considered taboo.  The letter is telling me that they are going to omit this one title when they make announcements, because of my new found relationship with the Court of Wizards.”  Jude had already explained the whole day’s events to Ellie.

Ellie was currently working on Jude’s clothes, upgrading them with the mithril glyphs that she had been working on earlier that day.

She looked up from her work and said, “So they are telling you they are helping you as a benefit of being in their group, but at the same time using it as a threat?  They must really want that .  What is it, that makes it so desirable?”

“I’m not sure either.  The two that I already have aren’t too remarkable.” Jude replied.  But after thinking about it, he continued. “But maybe there is something about them.  I did learn Meditation very quickly by using the first stone.”

“Or maybe there is something about this next stone piece that is more impressive than the others,” Ellie added in.

Switching the conversation, Ellie said, “Take out your staff, I think I have a way to add that other glyph you wanted for the core.”

***

For once, Jude decided to sleep in.  He felt it was well deserved since he had worked with Ellie late into the night.  Besides, the bed was just too comfortable.  Since coming to this world, Jude had not slept in such a comfortable bed; it was very thick, made from some sort of feather and then it was enchanted to maintain the perfect temperature.

Jude had heard stories, where someone would be forced to sleep in harsh conditions, would only be able to sleep in those conditions even after given a good bed.  But Jude was not like that.  Even after sleeping roughly for a month before getting out of the Arkess Aquifers and another month of sleeping outside or in terrible inns, Jude had not lost his ability to sleep in a comfortable bed.

If anything it was the exact opposite.  He didn’t want to get out of bed.

He was worried that the posh life was slowly degrading his work ethic, but couldn’t be bothered to think it over to carefully and instead turned over in bed.

He did, however, analyze the bed and took careful note on how it was made and enchanted.

This would be very important in the future!

Then someone burst into the room destroying the lovely feeling of sleep.

“You’re still in bed?!” Ellie shouted. “It’s already 10 sleepy head, how long are you going to sleep for?”

Jude rolled away from her, “Oh come on; I never sleep in!”

“I know, that is what is so strange!” Ellie said exasperatedly.  “Now get out of bed and let’s go eat some brunch.”

The two ate brunch in the back garden surrounded by flowers and tall neatly cut hedges.  The competition wasn’t until noon, so they leisurely eat and talked about random things.

Near the end, Jude pulled out his beloved staff.  Ellie had worked in the wood glyph with amazing ability.  He didn’t know how she did it, but it looked like all six glyphs where perfectly in balance with each other.  But even more impressive was that it hadn’t destabilized the internal structure of Jude’s spell circuitry. Ellie was truly worthy of being called a Divine Smith.

All that was left was to integrate the new glyph in with circuitry, but this would take far too much time to do before the competition.  But Jude was not concerned about this, the other five glyphs were fully functional, and that was more than enough to take care of the competition.

At this time, Jude cast the illusion magic once again on his staff to keep it from being too eye catching.  The black staff with the giant pearl orb on top and the five elements orbiting it slowly changed into a deep blue staff with mist and water flowing around it the pearl.

When he finished, he noticed that Ellie was staring daggers at him, “What is wrong?”

“What is wrong?!” Ellie sounded angry, “You transformed the beautiful staff we both worked on into… into… THAT!”

“It’s just an illusion spell.  It hasn’t actually changed.” Jude was pretty sure that Ellie would recognize that it was an illusion.

“That is not what I’m talking about.  We spent nearly a month working on just this staff alone, and the result was beautiful.  Why are you covering it up?”

“I’m doing it for our protection.  I let that Jorgan fellow know a few things about our other items and he’s already flabbergasted.  If they see the full visual effect of my staff, my life might be in danger over it.  I’ve already experience the nonsensical nature of these people.”

“What are you worried about?  Your staff is a soul bound weapon from a dungeon.  There is no way they can steal it or even kill you for it.  All they can do is drool over it.” Ellie complained.

“I know what you speak is true and I agree with you.  But these people are not rational, just take that Serena or Morcheron for example.  Not to mention the Court of Wizards breathing down my back.”

“But isn’t this why we are setting up our escape route?  What do you need to worry about?”

“Okay, how about this.  I promise to reveal the full glory of the staff before the end of the competition.”

“That’s more like it!  It's a shame that I won’t be there to see the expressions on their faces when you do.”

“Sorry about that.”

“No, our escape is more important.”

With their plans being arranged, they both left the mansion.

***

Crowds filled the coliseum leaving only standing room.  This competition only happened once every ten years, so crowds filled the area to the maximum and then some.

Jude stood in line with the other competitors on the arena floor.  In front of them were four broad areas for duels, each about the size of a tennis court.  They were constructed with the same white block cubes that they dueled on the previous night.  Past these platforms was the large podium that stuck out from the rest of the coliseum seating, this was where the judges sat.

Behind many of the competitors were standard bearers displaying the house colors of the contestants.  Morcheron, Serena, and Jorgan all had standard bearers, and only a few people like Jude and Valice did not.

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Jorgan and Jude would occasionally to each other, not only keeping their conversation private, but the distance between the two wasn’t suitable for regular conversation.  Morcheron had his own group of cronies who he was talking to and surprisingly Serena was quiet.

Jude glanced at Valice, but she was the furthest away from him, and he couldn’t figure out what she was up to.

What concerned Jude the most was Serena, for once she was finally quiet and not making trouble for him.  Strangely, she was also excited about something.  This excitement was what made Jude nervous.

Finally, things began to move as Yorik stood up and quieted the people down.

“Before the competition begins there is an important announcement that needs to be made.  You all well know that the situation with our king these last years has not been good.  Not only has there been no heir, but the king is old and has been on his death bed.  But now the king…”

Yorik paused, and the people listening all drew in a slight breath.  Could it be that the king finally died?  What would become of Geonar and Riwa?  If the king was dead, then great chaos was about to ensue.  There was no president or law currently stated for what would happen.  Many people had put a lot of effort into taking over the kingdom after the king's death.  The four dukes and even the Court of Wizards all wanted to take over the kingdom.

“The king has made a full recovery,” Yorik said to the surprise of everyone. “At this time the king is presiding over the fighter’s competition in the Black Coliseum.”

Yorik continued speaking as Jude to Jorgan, “Is there a special reason why the king would go to the fighter’s competition rather than the wizards?”

“You don’t know?” Jorgan replied shocked, “The titled class for Warriors and most fighters is ‘King.’  Wizards and other magical classes can’t obtain the titled class of King unless they were already born with it.”

“So the king is a Warrior?” Jude asked.

“That’s right.  Although I don’t know what is advanced or elite class is, his base class is Warrior.”

After being silent for a bit, Jorgan continued, “Wizards are often lauded as being the most dominant class, so legends have it that to curb a wizard’s desire for power they are not allowed to become the king.  But I always found this legend silly, for if it were true that Wizards were the most powerful class then we would always win the Elitist competition.  Yet we do not.”

“So you think that the classes are equal?” Jude asked.

“No of course not,” Jorgan replied. “They all have their weaknesses and strengths.  But for one class to be above all, it would need to be above all in every aspect.  Wizards are typically good at long range combat and poor at close range.  While we do excel at causing damage in a fight, we are comparatively weak in regards to defense.  The only defense we are not weak against is other magic.  This is why wizards seem to be the best class. 

“The whole spirit of the Elitist Competition is to find those individuals that are truly the best.  It doesn’t matter what class you are Wizard, Healer, Warrior, or Rogue.  As long as you have strength, you can be one of the elite.  Perhaps I’ve said too much.”

While they were talking, Yorik wrapped up his announcement and began the scheduled event.

“Now it is time for our award ceremony for the preliminary competition!  All of our contestants worked bitterly to achieve their score and based on those scores we have come up with a ranking.  Our Kingdom of Riwa is generous and will give our contestants rewards fitting for their achievements.

“Frist we will start with number 32.  While he did not win his last round, he still achieved some merit…”

“Is this one you?” Serena to him in a mocking tone.

“32?! I didn’t know you would score so low,” Morcheron laughed as he also sent Jude a message.

Jude hadn’t realized that the blocking had already expired.  With barely a thought, he sent a bit of mana through the circuits and blocked the two of them yet again.

This time neither of them looked surprised from their actions. Rather they looked pleased with themselves.  He wondered where all this pride came from.  Was it nature or nurture?

The awards continued to be announced all the way from 32 to 22, then from 22 to 12.  The farther along it went, the more and more Morcheron wondered where Jude would end up.  By the time it hit 12, he was shocked.  He had suspected that the top 12 would only contain those from the Core City of Geonar.  But he had yet to see Jude step forward.  He was now regretting that he didn’t investigate this nobody commoner.  He still didn’t even know Jude’s name.

Serena, on the other hand, seemed to completely forget about Jude after her first whisper.  There were a couple of people from the Core City who had not participated in the competition this year.  This allowed her to receive the twelve place.  She had not worked at all to earn her points, yet she still had received full marks of 4,500 points.  But based on her attitude, she fully thought she deserved them if nothing more than her living in the Core City.  If anything, she was a little disappointed that she didn’t get bonus points for having the last name of Ganish.

Being the only daughter of Duke Ganish should have some reward, she thought.

After her name was called out, she stepped forward distinguishing herself out of the line.

Yorik announced, “For the great work that Serena Ganish has done for the Kingdom of Riwa she has received the twelfth place.  Her rewards are 200 platinum, Aqua Barrier Scroll and Shining Gold Thread, which can immediately enchant any garment.”

A round of applause was heard along with a few cheers and one brave but unknown person shouting, “I love you, Serena!”

The ceremony continued with Jude showing an almost bored expression.  It wasn’t long before Jorgan was up.

“Fourth place is one of our own prestigious and talented youngsters.  His contributions to fire magic and protecting the northern front are now wide and far.  He dealt the killing blow to a Nether Panther that had crossed the border.   His list of deeds is too long to account fully, so I will just say his name and everyone will recognize him, Jorgan Tillian!”

The crowd clapped, and Jorgan stepped forward.

“Jorgan for your fourth place, you will be rewarded 500 platinum, the Spear of Tranquility, and the Key of Knowledge, with this key you will become a full member of the Court of Wizards once you have become an Archmage!”

Jorgan accepted his rewards and stepped back.

Jorgan to Jude, “What a fake bunch of aristocrats!”

“What’s wrong?” Jude asked.

“These rewards are completely useless.  I got the 4th ranking, but I didn’t even get as good of rewards as Serena at the 12th ranking.”

“I don’t know about the two items you got, but the 500 platinum is a small fortune.”

“The money is not half bad, but does anyone who lives in the Core City really have to worry about money?”

Jude had to admit that the money probably meant nothing to these nobles, “Then what about the other items?”

“They sound good right?  The Spear of Tranquility has an amazing ability to lull people to sleep, but the problem with it is that it’s a spear.  Most items that lull people to sleep are inconspicuous. Otherwise, they would resist the sleep effect.  If someone is coming at you with a spear, you are going to resist any sort of sleepiness right?  But even if you wanted to sneak up on someone, a spear is hard to keep hidden; it’s just too big!   The item is complete trash.

“Then there is the Key of Knowledge.   This item is merely a token.  Anyone who lives in the Core City and reaches Archmage can join the Court of Wizards.  It’s like giving me something I already have!”

“Why are they bias against you?” Jude asked.

“It is a long story. Basically, my family is in decline, and the wolves are seeking to devour it.”

“So what you are saying is for me not to get my hopes up because they will give me the same trash like you?” Jude chuckled as he asked.

“You’re first place. I have a hard time seeing them do that.  Besides, can’t you create items better than what they are offering?”

Their conversation was cut short as the second place was being announced by Yorik, “Now for our second place, is a person that we all know and love.  He is the rising star of Geonar, and many consider him to be the leader of this generation.

“He is Morcheron!  His great deed includes surveying the oceans and classifying the monstrous creatures therein.  Many know that the sea is one of the most significant danger areas known to man.  Only the brave can become sailors, and even they do not venture out into deep waters. But Morcheron disregards the risk for the betterment of mankind!

“Morcheron, for you great deeds and in second place, you receive 1000 platinum, Essence of Water and the Cloudmire Robe!”

“What?!” Jorgan furiously whispered. “Sorry, Jude looks like I was wrong. I’m pretty sure they not only gave Morcheron the first place prize but that it was tailored just for him.  Essence of Water can be used to craft powerful water based items, but it can also be used to boost your own power in the element of water permanently.  The robe is a Legendary item that is related to water.  Morcheron specializes in water based magic, so it is a perfect fit for him.”

Jude didn’t reply and just waited patiently for his own turn.

Yorik continued with the ceremony after giving Morcheron a few more verbal praises.  When the crowd finally calmed down after a furious round of clapping and cheering Yorik announcement the first place winner, “Lastly we have our first place winner.  He is someone who is of humble origins but never let this keep him down.  His performance through all the trials was spectacular.  Not only did he gain a perfect score in all the tests, he even attained enough bonus points to reach the maximum score possible!

“Jude, please stand forward!  Your rewards are 750 platinum, the Azure Rake, and Bronze Clippers.”

At this point, Yorik’s voice trailed down to a whisper.  Even he was surprised at the result of the reward.  The whole arena became strangely quiet and was only broken by the laughter of a girl.

Serena didn’t say anything but looked at Jude with utter contempt.  Without even saying words her message was quite clear.

Yorik seemed quite embarrassed, but before he could say more, an aide presented the items to Jude.

Jude accepted them with a smile and gave a slight bow towards Yorik and the judges.

Then he said in a loud voice, “I thank you kindly for this generous gift.  The rake will come in quite handy as I sweep clean the trash from this arena.”

As he said the words he looked directly at Serena, his intent and meaning were quite clear to her.