We remained to watch matches and analyze them until mid-afternoon, when the last one concluded.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I hope from the bottom of my heart that you’ve enjoyed the team battles of the first round, but the show is far from over! After a short, one-hour break, the individuals’ tournament will open. Trust me folks, you don’t want to miss it! Gallio Verus, signing off!” the commentator said, leaving us with projections showing highlights from the tournament along with a score table for the group stage.
Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
Group 4
Gallic Shield-Brothers
2
Romellus Legionnaires
2
Tameryian Suns
2
Kengir Unbroken
1
Castillian Matadors
0
Frankish Lances
0
Tyrian Torrents
0
Aragonese Roses
2
Ionian Warforged
2
Brittania Knights
0
Ionian Hoplites
1
Tyrian Patrons
0
Sicilian Stars
0
Tameryian Gale
2
Kengir Bulls
1
Germanic Titans
1
The Major clapped twice, grabbing our attention.
“Now that the first round is over, I’d like to hear your thoughts. Which teams should you watch out for?” she asked.
Netos, the commoner team’s archer, spoke up first.
“Everyone in Group 2 is a nasty opponent. We barely eked out a win against the Knights, but the Lances and the Legionnaires were downright scary. I don’t know what’s harder to deal with – an unstoppable cavalry lance charge or an immovable legionnaire testudo.” He sighed.
Durreg went next.
“I am keeping my eye on the Kengir Unbroken. Unlike the Bulls, they have both solid teamwork and plenty of skill. I didn’t think a port town’s city could be so strong; maybe the Revenge of the Abyss strengthened them, or maybe dissatisfied Academy students are in their ranks?”
Nishem threw in her own two coppers after that.
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“All those teams are strong, but not overwhelmingly so. Instead of them, I think we need to focus on the Ionian Warforged. An entire team of support mages and clerics strengthening a single warrior… It’ll be a struggle to fend those monstrous attacks off, let alone take him down.”
Everyone began pitching in with their own ideas until Asten chimed in with his own opinion.
“We have to watch out for all of the teams. We may have to fight any of them to win the tournament, and complacency will only get us failure. Taking an enemy lightly is the greatest threat to our victory.”
The Major nodded at Asten, agreeing with his point.
“Asten is right – there is no single team you have to watch out for. You must take them all seriously or they will pull the rug from under you. Now, for the next 30 minutes, you will be exchanging pointers on your performance in the first round. After that, you’re free to register in the individuals’ tournament if you choose to. If you don’t wish to participate, you may have the rest of the day off; regardless, I want you all back in your rooms by curfew. If you need anything from me, you can find me in our accommodations.” She said, turning for the door as we saluted her before getting to it.
***
We did as the Major asked, mostly discussing what the commoner team did well and what they didn’t, particularly since there was little to say about my match with the Torrents. When we were done, we split into two groups: those who wanted to enter the individuals’ tournament, namely myself, Durreg, Nico, and Asten, and those who didn’t, which was everyone else – though their reasons varied.
Astekhu, Aui, and Nishem said they were unsuited for one-on-one combat, while Nuhem, Netos, and Nekthu didn’t like their odds at winning and wanted to save their energy for the team tournament. Aptera and Tor didn’t say why they didn’t join, but I imagine the two had similar reasons, being better at subtlety than fighting.
As we headed down the aisles to exit the coliseum, I struck up a conversation with the other three.
“Why’d you guys decide to sign up for the individuals’ tournament? I am going since it looks fun.” I said, which wasn’t technically a lie.
Durreg put both hands behind his head.
“I don’t know, if I am here to compete, might as well go all the way. It’ll be a good learning experience either way.”
Nico’s brows furrowed in thought but didn’t take long to answer.
“I am still not entirely familiar with everything I can do since becoming an elemental. Pushing myself in the individuals’ tournament will give me the chance to get comfortable with my abilities and improve my performance in the team tournament.”
Asten waited for Nico to finish before he went ahead.
“Our purpose in coming to the Republic is to both build relations and project strength. It’s only natural that I participate in the individuals’ tournament as well – if we earn a dominant performance in the team tournament and have multiple Tameryians among the top-ranking fighters, then that would serve our mission here. Winning both would be ideal, however, and that’s what I’ll be aiming for.”
Huh.
“Well, there’s only one problem with your plan; I am going to get first place, and I am not a Tameryian. Sooner or later people will figure out I am a Dragon, so it won’t count as strongly in your favor.” I said.
“What are you guys talking about? The two of you are welcome to fight over second place, but I am gonna be the one on top!” Durreg said at me with an infuriatingly smug smirk.
“Tough words for a mere turtle, but the world outside of your shell is a dangerous one, cousin!”
“At least I am not a glorified mana generator. What are you going to do, try and tickle me with your spells?”
“You wanna go, you pebble-brained dirt-muncher?!”
“Do your worst, you walking elemental identity crisis!”
“By the gods, save it for the abyss-damned tournament!” Nico yelled at us.
***
Soon, we joined a line at one of the many sign-up tables spread throughout Romellus.
“Sooooo, how’s this gonna work?” I asked.
“We sign up for the tournament, then we get to fighting. Since there are too many fights for the coliseum to handle, fights will be held throughout the various arenas of the city. Only the highest-ranking fighters on the leaderboard will be fighting in the coliseum. At the end of the week, the top 64 fighters on the leaderboard will qualify for the knockout stage.” Asten said.
Huh.
“I am assuming you just keep winning to climb the leaderboards?” I asked, getting a nod from Nico.
“I see. It makes sense why people can join at any time before the qualifiers end.” Durreg said.
I looked around to see if I recognized anyone, but I didn’t. The vast majority of people signing up were commoners, some even Rank F mundane humans. I wasn’t sure why they were entering, but it wasn’t my place to question it.
Eventually, it was finally our turn to sign up for the tournament. The clerk greeted us and recorded our names before giving us each an enchanted card, much like that of the adventurer’s guild.
“This card will display your current rank, when and where your next fight will be, and directions to the arena in case you need them. If you lose it, please notify a tournament official promptly to get the old one deactivated and a replacement issue. Your rank is determined by a hidden point-based system, where you gain and lose points based on your win record. Losing or winning matches in a row will have a more dramatic effect on your points, and thus, your rank. Good luck!” he said, already preparing to greet the next person in line.
I took a look at the number on my card and whistled.
“#253,915 is quite the rank.” I chuckled.
“We’ll just have to win and climb the ranks. Based on what the official said, it won’t take too long for us to move up the ladder.” Nico said.
“My card says I am due to fight in thirty minutes at an Arena G-35; where have you been assigned?” Durreg asked.
“F-21”
“G-12”
“H-28”
We all read out our arena numbers, and it seemed that none of us were even close to each other.
“Well, I suppose I’ll see you in one of the higher-ranked arenas.” Durreg said, already heading off for his assigned arena.
“Farewell. We’ll meet again soon.” Asten said, heading off for his own arena.
“Take care, Kiara. Don’t get lost!” Nico waved as she took her leave.
I took a look at my card, and it seemed that my match was scheduled in thirty minutes as well.
“Time to go. I wonder how long it’ll take till we’re all back together again…” I wondered as I followed the glowing line on the enchanted map guiding me to my destination.
***
“Victory to Kiara Azoth!” the referee announced.
The slightly disappointed woman stepped off the arena after shaking hands with me. At this point, I was starting to feel bad fighting mundane humans, but I wasn’t in charge of the match-making system.
My card vibrated in my pocket, and I took it out to see the update.
“#97,153. Not bad. Hmm?”
My next match was being held in a different arena, and once again the time was set at thirty minutes.
“So, the schedule accounts for the time spent moving between arenas. Interesting… Better go through them as quickly as possible then.” I mumbled, leaving behind me an arena filled with sighs of relief.