[Raul PoV]
Several days passed, and the qualifying rounds for the third-year students concluded. All students had also just finished their final exams yesterday. Now, all that remains is the year-end main tournament.
Today, nobles and other military officials will arrive at the academy to enjoy the event. If the Emperor isn't too busy, he sometimes attends to observe the potential of the academy's younger generations.
Let's take a moment to analyze and predict which participants are likely to become champions in this tournament. Honestly, I'm not entirely confident in winning the tournament given the draft drawing I handed over to Instructor Tevaz—provided, of course, I don't intend to use my Nature Mana and Profound Codex.
This tournament consists of duels where students face each other in direct combat. I could likely defeat a hundred people if I were free to utilize the environment and choose the battleground, much like during the first stage survival exam. What I did back then was a guerrilla tactic, typically used when one's forces are significantly outnumbered. That is why I was able to dismantle a student alliance of nearly 150 people, leaving only a few remaining by the time the exam ended.
A tournament duel is different; there is no place to hide, no room to run, and no environment to exploit for combat. According to the drawing table I gave the instructor, there is a high probability I will eventually face Valeria or Vlad, Elena, and Alisha.
Against Valeria, I still stand a chance if she hasn't acquired new magic since the survival exam. If I face Vlad, his blood manipulation magic will certainly be troublesome. A single mistake against that psychopathic prince, and it's over. Fighting Elena would be the most challenging in the left bracket where I am positioned. Only she is capable of matching me in close-quarters combat. Currently, I have no counter for her except for memorizing her attack patterns.
As for Princess Alisha... it's a guaranteed loss if I don't use my Nature Mana. She is essentially Elena, but the mage version. I don't yet have a counter to defeat her in direct combat either. My only advantage over them is my knowledge regarding the participants' abilities.
Currently, I am standing not far from the academy gate. Hundreds of students are present to welcome the arriving nobles and military officials. Not long after, the gates began to open, revealing a line of carriages rolling into the academy grounds. Crests of various noble houses were visible on several carriages, indicating which families were inside.
"Isn't that the Jimena family crest? The most powerful noble family in the south of the Empire!?"
"Look, look! Isn't that General Fran de Cataluna? The knight nicknamed the Wyvern Slayer!?"
The students began to grow excited seeing the high-ranking nobles in attendance. It signaled that this tournament would be a crucial stage for participants to catch the eye of the nobility for future recruitment. However, among the many nobles entering, there was no sign of the Emperor this time. It seems he is preoccupied with the issues discussed with his children a few days ago.
Once the nobles have rested from their journey, there will be a welcoming party in the main hall followed by the official opening and the match drawings for tomorrow.
.
.
.
In the evening, we gathered in the academy's main hall to celebrate the arrival of the nobles and military officials. Some tournament participants were currently conversing with their families, such as Scarlett and Geralt, who were with their father. Senior Emilia, my future opponent, was also seen talking with her father in a corner of the hall.
The sound of dance music began to fill the room. The nobles present with their wives moved to the center of the hall to enjoy the dance. Not wanting to be left out, the academy students also sought partners for this once-a-year event. Among them was a pair consisting of a blonde woman and a black-haired man walking side by side toward the center.
Those present looked on in awe at the beauty of the nation's princess and the handsome foreign prince. They looked as well-matched as a stunning painting. Princess Elena held the arm of the Prince, who led her like a perfect gentleman. Upon reaching the center of the hall, they began to dance with movements that were relaxed yet elegant.
"..."
Suddenly, Prince Vlad glanced in my direction while dancing with Elena. Our eyes met; he then gave me a mocking smile before pulling Elena closer and placing his hand on her waist. The Princess looked surprised and uncomfortable with Vlad's strange behavior, yet she remained professional as an Imperial Princess in the public eye.
I tried to suppress a laugh at Prince Vlad's childish attempt to provoke me. I suppose he thinks I have romantic feelings for Elena. It seems he truly intends to target her to gain influence within the Empire. That was why he made such a psychological warfare gesture—to declare that he would take Elena away from my influence.
Hah! I'll let you have your fun for now before I crush you in the duel arena. It's like a death row inmate being given the most delicious meal in the world before his execution.
"Why are you laughing to yourself like that?"
I suddenly heard a woman's voice and footsteps coming from my right. Turning toward the voice, I saw a beautiful woman with hair as grey as a fairytale Snow Princess walking toward me.
"Ah, Princess Alisha. I'm just enjoying the calm before the storm," I replied meaningfully. "Tomorrow, the students will fight in the year-end main tournament."
"Are you confident in your abilities?" Princess Alisha asked.
"I think I can at least reach the quarter-finals," I answered half-jokingly. "Want to bet?"
Upon hearing my words, Princess Alisha smiled charmingly at me.
"Hee~ I like betting, and I've never lost, you know," she replied with a small laugh. "What's the wager?"
"Between the two of us, whoever is eliminated first has to treat the winner to a tour around the capital when the holidays arrive," I offered. "Do you dare?"
Princess Alisha laughed mischievously again. "Fufufu~ You're quite the smooth talker, aren't you, Raul? Is this a tactic to ask your future wife out on a date?"
I'm certain any man in this world would be considered lucky to date a woman as beautiful as Alisha. However, my goal was simply to get closer to her to dig for more information regarding Duke Alvaro's deal with the Slavic Tsardom. There was nothing romantic about it. I also happen to know that Princess Alisha and her personal servant, Leon, are in love with each other. Thus, there is no room for me in her heart.
"Fine, I accept your challenge," she replied, looking enthusiastic. "I want to see how Raul de Garcia, who is famously 'kind' to an courtesan, treats me on a date."
Ughhh... she's still bringing up that incident from our first meeting.
"Princess Alisha, why do you say that as if you're already certain of your victory?" I asked.
She then smiled broadly and said, "That's because I am very strong."
***
[Emilia PoV]
Who is that woman talking to him?
Currently, I am watching the man I most desire to defeat in this tournament. If I can beat him, the Student Council will rescind their decision to cut the budget of the Lancer Club I lead. However, if I lose, we are not permitted to protest or oppose the decision.
"Hey Emilia, why are you daydreaming like that?"
I heard a familiar voice beside me. Turning to my side, I saw a middle-aged man with the same hair color as mine. He is my father—Marquis Fran de Cataluna—a Military General of the Aragon Empire.
"No, Father, it's just that there is someone I really want to defeat," I replied.
"Hoo~ You're quite motivated, it seems," he said, looking pleased. "Fine, I will watch your performance tomorrow, Emilia."
—Dong!
As my father and I were talking, the sound of a loud gong filled the room. Shortly after, the dance music stopped, revealing an old man walking toward the podium of the main hall.
"Pardon the interruption, ladies and gentlemen," he said politely. "As the Headmaster of this academy, I am very grateful to the nobles and military officials present for this annual tournament."
The nobles in attendance began to stand as they heard the Headmaster's greeting.
"In the tournament taking place tomorrow, we will see the best of the best from this academy fight to show their skills to us all," the Headmaster said in a booming voice. "We will witness the strength and capabilities of our younger generation. Therefore, I—as the Headmaster of Grunbelt Academy—hereby declare the commencement of the year-end main tournament!"
The sound of applause erupted from everyone after the Headmaster finished his speech.
"Let us perform the drawing of participants to determine the matches for the first round tomorrow!" the Headmaster exclaimed.
Not long after, someone brought a slip of paper and handed it to him.
"The first match will begin with Renald de Girona versus Femto Dacia!"
The Headmaster began to read out each participant's opponent for the first round.
"Valeria de Artagnan versus Prince Vlad mel Dracus!"
Valeria... she will be a very difficult opponent for the Prince. However, the result remains unpredictable as we know nothing about the Prince's abilities.
"Raul de Garcia versus Emilia de Cataluna!"
Hearing the Headmaster's words just now, my heart was filled with immense joy. I can fight that man directly in the first round.
I will defeat him and make him regret having underestimated us—the members of the Lancer Club!