The younger classes had done a good job in setting the mood for the 10th graders.

The 6th grader’s competition was dominated by two girls. Amelia Aslanov, eliminated 20 classmates in the first round alone, managing to not lose a single duel and ultimately tying with Madeleine Weiss in the final round.

This was a surprise for many who had failed to get the pamphlets being distributed prior to the start of each grade’s competition.

To facilitate the identification of students by the crowd, the Academy distributed pamphlets with each student’s photos, their ranking, classes, and celestial beasts. Despite being based on the information of the previous academic year, this information helped to quantify the students’ talent as well as to identify their growth.

Based on the pamphlets' information alone, there was an insurmountable disparity in strength between the 2 girls and the rest of the class. While Madeleine was a new student and thus her pamphlet only had her name and her epic-ranked celestial beast, Amelia was level 6 and also had an epic-ranked celestial beast.

Comparing them to the armed forces of human countries, their strength was about that of an army vice-captain, the second person in command of a five-person unit.

The 9th grade’s competition was also very interesting.

As the final round began, only two of the ten finalists wanted to challenge an opponent for the second time, and both fights were brilliant.

The crowd, however, was already anticipating the main event. The 10th graders were about to come on stage to begin their competition.

Five out of the fifty five students stood out based on the previous year.

Eowyn Orion of Durandal, with his Lightning Wyvern, being level 11 a year ago.

Eleonora Relvis of Solaris with her Griffin companion, who, in addition to being the same level as Eowyn, was ranked in the top 3 in the previous year’s competition.

Caroline Housia, a commoner known for receiving a full scholarship for her strength and her unusual celestial companion, an Aqua Halberd, one of the only 13 Halberds known to act as a celestial beast.

Eidan Moore, a student that did not try very hard but always managed to achieve top 5. Despite his non-effort and weird personality, in 9th grade he was level 13, higher than the other three.

Lastly was Enzo, the boy Spade had seen in the advanced class for Physical Combat 101. Both him an Enzo had grown up in the academy, but their talents were night and day.

Enzo was always near the top. Spade was always near the bottom.

Laurel Alf Spiritus, a mage-class student with her spirit called Alitura Nymph was not on this list.

Her result in this competition was obvious—

She was going to win.

She had done so every year since 6th grade. Her level last year was 19. This would put her at the same level as a squad vice-leader, the second in command of a unit composed of ten magic knights.

Needless to say that the presence of a commoner among these “great talents” left many surprised, both positively and negatively. Everyone knew about the usual discrimination and elitism that took place in every country, where those occupying higher social classes were seen in a more favorable light.

The academy, as an institution chiefly concerned with finding and nurturing talent, did not mind being often seen in a bad light for sheltering and giving equal importance to those of lower socioeconomic classes.The director always made everyone feel welcome.

Besides these stars, there were many students who had joined the academy in the beginning of the year, and consequently, their strength was unknown to the outside audience.

…

Meanwhile, in the VIP area:

‘What is this powerful mana?!’ The 11th Saint of humanity could not believe what he was sensing, immediately looking to a seating area on the west side of the colosseum.

He sensed someone in the audience whose power seemed to be as unfathomable as his own. Not only that, but this aura seemed familiar to him.

As he looked in the direction of this known aura, he saw someone of his age.

‘What are you doing here old friend?’ he sighed inwardly in a nostalgic and melancholic way.

Behind that straw hat he looked at, was a man known by all as Sylverius W. Mithus, another super talented magic swordsman who also from Lusitania.

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Sylverius was known for mysteriously turning rogue, now being a wanted man in all countries where the light shined.

His strength was, in all likelihood, on par with that of a saint. This made him an impossible target for most knights and guilds.

Sylverius in turn looked back at his once best friend, smiling in a kind and friendly way.

Weiss in turn gave back a look and a smile, tacitly pretending to not know the man with whom he was making eye contact.

This was the best call, as it would be impossible for him to capture Sylverius without destroying everything in a 3 kilometer radius.

For now, all that he could do was wait and watch, not that Marcellus Weiss had any intention of engaging in a mortal battle with his childhood friend. Especially because he knew…

He knew why his friend had done what he did and how Sylverius was still the same man as before.

In the tunnel leading to the center of the colosseum:

The 10th graders chatted to each other while they awaited the end of the 9th graders’ award ceremony.

“This will be a walk in the park, whoever is nervous doesn’t deserve to be here” exclaimed Martin in his usually-smug tone.

“Nah bro, you look like you studied everyone’s abilities ay” Sebas, one of the boys near him countered jokingly.

“By the way, where is Lucca? He should be here by now…” enquired a third boy.

“Knowing him, he mistook the entrance hour for the ending time and is still waiting in the waiting room across the street. Yulian, we should go get him quickly” Sebas added.

“Me, study? No way. Studying is for losers.” Martin said even louder tone so that everyone could hear.

...

‘Lies.’ Spade thought while sitting on the ground with his back against the wall.

‘There is no way that guy does not prepare for an event like this.’

“Ha ha ha, Martin is so funny! Only he would say something like that in a moment like this” a familiar voice sounded as a person sat besides Spade.

“He insists on saying these things just to annoy others. I understand people who get mad, but I don't. It’s just funny” continued Julius, looking at the ceiling with a smile.

Spade looked to his right side.

Over the last year, Julius had become one of Spade's closest friends. Perhaps “friends” was too strong a word. But compared to others like Martin and Eowyn, Spade did not have any problem talking to Julius.

In fact, you could put it the opposite way. Julius had no problem talking with anyone. Or alone for that matter.

Spade envied his charisma and eccentricity, but thinking about how annoyed some people were at Julius, the envy was not too great.

The tunnel was getting increasingly hot and loud. As Lucca was brought by the other boys from Martin’s group, it only got worse.

The ‘popular’ boys’ group was too loud.

In the middle of this chaotic environment, a student made her way to the side of the tunnel opposing Spade’s. She dodged all of her peers’ attention and sat quietly looking at the ground not far from her feet.

Spade looked at her.

The more Spade learned about Laurel, the greater his sense of wonder was. From what he had heard, she was kind, strong, not ugly, and everyone seemed to like her.

‘Why would such a person try to live isolated from everyone whenever they could?’

As the noise continued Ms. Rias came into the tunnel to tell the class that they would be entering in 10 minutes. It was time to go to the bathroom and get ready.

Spade got up, trying to go to the bathroom before a disorganized line of last-minute bathroom-goers magically appeared .

He was too late.

“Ouch!”

“Sorry Spade didn’t see you there. Hey Laurel! Do you want to go to the bathroom together?” said Caroline in her usually high-pitched and naive tone.

In addition to being too late to use the bathroom before his classmates, who had anticipated the tragedy before him, Spade also had his left foot stepped on by Caroline.

“Talk about getting off on the wrong foot.” Julius said finding it hard to contain his laugh.

Spade did not laugh.

Before he could curse at her, Spade reminded himself that this was the way Caroline was. She did not mean it. She was just clumsy.

“Sure.” Laurel got up and followed her friend.

Best friend, a status Caroline bragged about to everyone. Spade had never heard Laurel say the same. But it was not as if he was much of an expert when it came to friendships.

Unlike Julius, Laurel seemed to be conservative when using words, never saying more than needed to be said. Spade was very curious about her.

Looking to his right side Spade asked Julius a question.

Julius immediately understood where the question was coming from.

“Well, the reason why Laurel is far from others, not talking to them is because, to put it simply, she has no friends—or rather, she chooses not to have friends.” He answered.

Spade grew more interested. Although he also struggled with friendships, it was not out of choice. This was the reason why apart from Julius, Spade would only talk to other two or three people at most.

“Being fairly close to her, all I can say is that she has good reasons for being this way. She doesn't want me to tell others about her background so…” said Julius.

Spade made his way towards the bathroom. He did not know whether what he had heard was true, but Julius was not the type of guy to lie.

The moment to enter the stage approached.

Most of the 10th grade boys were in a big circle together, laughing, making inappropriate jokes and challenges regarding the upcoming tournament. Some bets even took place.

They always did, because according to students like Martin “they ain’t prohibited if teachers don’t find out about them”.

The girls separated themselves into various small groups, a testament of the enmity that existed between some of them, albeit it was usually invisible to outsiders.

As the drums sounded to announce the end of the 9th graders’ competition, Ms. Rias entered the tunnel. She did not waste a single second, telling the students to form a line.

The order of the line was determined by the 10th grade teachers.

Spade suspected that the main criteria was the performance in the last year’s tournament seeing as Laurel was the first and he was the last.

Two minutes later, the line of students following Laurel and being trailed by Spade was walking into the arena.