“You believe that the faithful will become one with mana after death. As a Pope, you should be faithful yourself, no? So let me grant you your greatest desire, and send you off to your paradise.” - Cin Coperus, before decapitating Pope Eden II, in the year 463 A.C.

“It should have been you.” I awoke with a gasp, hyperventilating. ‘The same dream.’ It was always the same dream. Struggling to get my breathing

under control and calm my pounding heart, I couldn’t help but agree with my father. “No.” I said out loud to myself, shaking my head. “You’re wrong,

and I’m going to prove it.” Climbing out of bed, I looked out the window at the beautiful academy grounds below. “Today, I’ll prove it.”

The day after the Day of Red Cathedrals was one looked upon with excitement and fear. For today was the beginning of the tournament that would give

us our final grades before the start of the three month long summer recess in a week's time. Our written exams had already concluded, so the only

thing left to do was fight. Reaching the cafeteria, I looked in shock at Makus, who had somehow gotten there before me. “Morning slowpoke.” He said

jokingly as I sat down. “Ready for the fight today?” Feeling my mouth dry in anxiety, I poured myself a cup of water before nodding. “Of course I am.” I

said with a voice so confident that I could almost believe it myself. “Can you pass me those eggs?” I asked, changing the subject. Makus snorted.

“Yeah, I sure feel bad for the poor soul that will have to fight a madman like you.” Reina slapped him in the back of the head. “Don’t call him that!”

Makus looked at her. “You’re seriously defending this guy?” Reina nodded. “He’s determined. Don’t insult him by calling him a madman.” Makus stared

at her in exasperation. “He bit me!” “And I’ll do it again if you don’t pass me those eggs.” I said, breaking up their fight. Makus grinned and passed me

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

the eggs as asked. As I began tucking in, I recalled the fight Makus was talking about. I had lost, obviously, but I made sure to make him regret ever

fighting me in the first place. Listening to Reina and Makus bicker, I began to relax. ‘Today I’ll win.’

“First fight, rank 1997 Corin Rivum versus rank 1903 Orbim Malak!” Professor Yent called after picking our names out of a box. I stepped up onto the

raised platform where the fights were taking place. The tournament was split by rank, with every 100 ranks fighting amongst each other. That way, there

was no risk of me fighting against someone in the top 100 ranks. Even then, I had the misfortune to fight against one of the highest ranked people in my

bracket. Orbim stood facing me at the other end of the platform. Focusing mana into my eyes, I stared at his core and guessed its rank based on its

size. ‘Archbishop rank.’ I had a Deacon ranked core. Meaning that Orbim had eight times as much mana as I did. ‘Well fuck.’ I thought, before tightening

my grip on my sword. These matches were fought with blunted weapons in order to reduce risk of fatal injury. They still hurt like a bitch, but at least I

wouldn’t die if he hit me. ‘What a comforting thought.’ Seeing that we were both prepared, Professor Yent counted us down. “3,2,1, start!” Focusing

mana into my legs, I dashed forwards as fast as I could. With my Deacon ranked core, I could fight for at most a minute before I was entirely out of

mana. Meaning that I had to finish this fast if I wanted to win. Orbim also dashed forwards, and we soon met in the middle. Swinging at me horizontally,

I ducked under Orbim’s sword and swung upwards at his chin, aiming to knock him out in one strike. Coated in azure mana, my sword whistled through

the air before slamming into Orbim’s blade with a sharp ringing sound as he brought it back to block. Pushing forwards, he forced me to jump back and

I narrowly dodged his sword thrust aimed at my face. ‘I’ve only got forty seconds left.’ I thought, before charging forwards with a stab of my own. He

blocked it, forcing my blade downwards and to the side before ramming me with his shoulder. Empowered by mana as he was, I was sent flying

backwards by the force of his shove and hastily scrambled to my feet after rolling along the ground. ‘Thirty seconds le-’ Was the last thought I had

before his blade thudded into the side of my skull. There was a flash of light and pain, and then I was whisked away by the darkness of

unconsciousness.

Orbim watched Corin collapse unconscious after hitting him in the head. He let out a sigh of relief. ‘Thank goodness I knocked him out in one strike.

Otherwise that madman would have started trying to bite me.’