The morning of the quarterfinals arrived with a crisp breeze that carried the smell of dew-covered grass and lingering campfire smoke. Village Ainz buzzed with an enthusiasm that felt almost foreign compared to its normally quiet, humble nature.
People filled the center square long before the matches were scheduled to begin—children chattering excitedly, elders kneeling with reverent expectation, and adults claiming seats on barrels and makeshift benches.
Sirius arrived in silence, gliding across the ground with the natural, eerie grace of an undead. His robe swayed lightly with every step, and despite his lack of expression, the entire village straightened in collective awe the moment he appeared.
"Lord Sirius has arrived!" someone shouted. Voices rose and hands folded. All over the space, knees bent.
Sirius raised a hand, calming them instantly. "Rise."
Today was crucial. Not merely for the contest but for his growing understanding of the village's strength—its weaknesses, its potential, its future. The Round of 16 had revealed sparks. Today he would determine which sparks could ignite flame.
He stepped into the crude arena—still made of wood scraps and broken stones, though someone had attempted to decorate it with wilted flowers.
"It seems someone attempted to beautify it," Sirius murmured. "A pity nature does not cooperate."
Mira giggled softly from behind him. "The children tried, my lord."
"Ah. That explains it."
She walked past him with a cheerful bounce, clearly excited for her match. Sirius watched her as she joined the other quarterfinalists—Mira, Aria, and two other villagers: Halden, a stern young man with broad shoulders, and Lulie, the timid girl who accidentally defeated her first-round opponent with a water droplet.
Each of them stood with wildly different levels of confidence.
Sirius addressed the crowd, voice carrying effortlessly. "Quarterfinalists. Step forward."
They obeyed immediately.
"Four matches," Sirius said. "Winners proceed to the semifinals. As always—control your mana."
Some contestants gulped.
"Begin the first match."
The First Quarterfinal was between Mira and Talven. Talven, Mira's opponent, was a thin farmer with a nervous wobble in his legs. He had managed a surprising victory in the previous round by tripping his opponent out of the arena.
Now, facing Mira, he looked seconds away from sprinting into the mountains.
Mira bowed politely. "Let's have a good match."
Talven raised both hands as if surrendering to a bandit. "N-Nope. No match. I forfeit!"
The crowd burst into laughter.
Mira blinked. "Huh?"
Sirius tilted his head. "You surrender without even attempting a spell."
Talven nodded rapidly. "Yes, my lord. I don't want to drown! Or get sliced by water! Or frozen! Or knocked out! I saw what she did yesterday!"
Mira turned bright red. "It wasn't that scary…"
"It was terrifying!" Talven insisted.
Sirius made a thoughtful sound. "Very well. Surrender accepted."
He raised an arm. "Winner: Mira. She advances to the semifinals."
The villagers cheered wildly as Mira covered her face with embarrassment.
Sirius smothered an amused sigh. Her skill was growing rapidly in terms of reputation, and fear was a powerful recognition of strength—though perhaps not the most flattering.
The Second Quarterfinal was between Lulie vs. Halden. Lulie tremblingly stepped into the arena, clutching her skirt. Halden entered with a confidence bordering on arrogance. He was tall, muscular, and carried himself like someone convinced he would be the village's new champion.
"Don't cry when you lose," Halden told her smugly.
"I—I wasn't planning to cry…" Lulie whispered.
Sirius observed them closely. Halden had strength. Lulie had surprisingly stable water mana. This could be interesting.
"Begin," Sirius commanded.
Halden acted instantly.
"Wind crash!"
Wind surged from his palm—a sharp burst that sent dust swirling toward Lulie. She squeaked, raised her hands, and instinctively summoned a water bubble that formed as a protective shield.
Halden frowned. "Not bad. But not enough!"
He thrust both arms forward, generating a larger gale.
Lulie panicked.
"I—I don't want to fight…"
The moment her fear peaked, something in her snapped—not mana strength, but instinct.
Her water bubble expanded.
And exploded outward.
The burst wasn't powerful, but it unleashed a sudden shock of pressure that slammed into Halden's chest. He stumbled backward, arms flailing.
His feet slipped on the mud created from the water burst.
He flipped backward.
And fell straight out of the ring.
The crowd gasped.
Then erupted. "She did it!"
"Lulie won!"
"That's water talent! Real talent!"
Halden sat up from the dirt, dazed. "W…what happened…?"
But it was too late. Sirius raised his voice. "Winner: Lulie." The timid girl nearly fainted in relief.
The third match was the one Sirius anticipated the most. Aria stepped into the arena calm as ever, her eyes sharp. Brent, the muscular man from the first round, shot her a nervous glance.
Sirius clasped his hands behind his back.
"I wish to see the limits of her control," he murmured.
Brent took a deep breath. "Alright, Miss Aria. No hard feelings."
"Of course," she said. "But don't hold back."
"Begin," Sirius announced.
Brent stomped forward.
"Wind hammer!"
A compressed blast of wind surged toward Aria, more forceful than his previous spells. Dirt scattered across the arena, and several villagers ducked instinctively.
Aria raised her hand.
The air warped faintly.
A small rune, blurry but present, glowed before her palm.
"Echo veil."
The wind blast hit the invisible barrier.
Instead of blocking or absorbing it, the veil fractured the spell, breaking it into harmless pockets of dispersed mana.
Brent's eyes widened. "Wait…"
Aria extended her fingers and the fractured energy particles coalesced into a thin, needle-like stream.
She flicked her wrist.
The needle shot forward.
Brent's body stiffened.
Then his legs buckled and he collapsed face-first into the dirt, unconscious before he hit the ground.
Thud!
Silence filled the square for a second or two.
"WHOOAAA!"
"Aria's amazing!"
"She defeated him with no effort!"
"That was magic! Real magic!" Even the children stood frozen in awe.
Sirius felt a flicker of genuine interest. "…A mana fracture technique," he whispered. "Unrefined but functional. It's like she's forming spells beyond her level."
He only knew of this from the memories he inherited and even with that, he couldn't learn it.
This was no village amateur.
She was a prodigy. One who could reshape mana, not simply release it.
Aria bowed respectfully to the crowd and exited the arena.
The last match was far less memorable.
Two villagers, Duran and Filka, did their best to win their ruler's attention too.
Duran summoned shaky sparks of lightning; Filka countered with small gusts of wind. At one point, both lost control and accidentally electrocuted a chicken that had wandered too close.
The audience screamed.
The chicken survived but barely.
In the end, Duran managed to make a final spark that knocked Filka unconscious, securing his place in the semifinals.
Sirius nodded. "Winner: Duran."
When all four matches concluded, the crowd buzzed with speculation. People flocked around Mira and Aria, each group loudly insisting that their favorite would become Ainz's future champion.
Sirius stood calmly, arms crossed, evaluating everything he had seen.
Mira possessed: Flowing control. Natural instinct. High precision. She was also reliable, calm, and very much adaptable.
Aria on the other hand, had a Complex spell structure. She also had a knack for creative casting and very high intellect. From his perspective, she was careful, strategic, and preferred subtlety.
The other two, Lulie and Duran were decent but nowhere near the ladies.
Sirius exhaled quietly. These four were the foundation of Ainz's future strength. With proper training, they could form the village's first true mage force.
He stepped forward, raising his hand.
The crowd hushed immediately.
"Quarterfinals are complete," Sirius declared, voice cold and clear. "Prepare yourselves for the next stage."
He pointed toward the four qualifiers, who stood in a nervous row.
"Mira."
"Yes, Lord Sirius!" she said with a bright smile.
"Aria."
Aria bowed silently.
"Lulie."
"Y-yes, my lord," she squeaked.
"Duran."
"Honored, my lord," he replied firmly.
Sirius let his gaze sweep across them.
"These four," he announced, "advance to the semifinals."
The crowd roared.
Mira covered her mouth in surprise. Aria allowed herself a small, satisfied nod. Lulie nearly fainted but Duran raised his fist triumphantly.
Sirius lowered his hand.
"Rest. Train. Tomorrow… the final tests will begin."
Because now, he thought silently, the real contest would begin, not simply of talent, but of potential.
Who would rise?
Who would falter?
Who would become the cornerstone of Ainz's future strength?
And, more importantly, which of them would become truly useful to him?