"Ring 4, ring 4…" I walk through the leftover crowd.

Clearly, most people were only interested in the official games, dispersing the moment a short break was called. Almost as if the quick matches in between aren't worth their time.

It doesn't really matter to me one way or the other. I've learned not to piss myself under pressure back in Fort Karon and perform to the best of my abilities even when a hundred gazes scrutinize my every movement.

That and performing in front of a large crowd is why I'm even here, the tournaments… Although I expect that to be on a whole other scale.

"There, number 4!" I skip over to the ring with its magic dome pulled down.

An arm grabs me before I can as much as step onto the dirt battleground. It's fast, faster than I can react, and much faster than anything a student should be capable of. It spins me around, slaps a pin in one of my hands and six tiny candles into the other, and gives me another half-twirl.

Wow, not a moment wasted. Who I can only guess to be my opponent is already positioned on the opposite end of the ring, the pin of his chest and candles lined up in a single file behind him. In a sense, his approach is quite clever… In a sheltered, naive, clueless Mage sense.

"Hey there." I greet the lanky boy with dead fish eyes and dirty blonde hair. After a quick look with Mana Perception at all the goodies I just received, I follow up with a question. "Are these all good to go? Do I just need to put the pin on and chant the magic word?"

"Heh, a newbie." He chuckles before the smile on his face freezes. "A strong newbie… a strong first-year newbie. Were you on vacation among orcs before coming here?" His attempt at hiding his nervousness with a joke falls flat. I raise an eyebrow and lift my pin. "Yeah, just put that on and arrange the candles as you'd like." He answers quietly at last.

A convenient arrangement. I've understood the rules to a degree and if I'm not a complete idiot, the loser is the one with no more candles left burning… And that leaves so much room for playing dirty that I find it hard to choose.

After contemplating for some time, I put on the pin and scatter my candles randomly behind my back, keeping one right at my feet.

"I'm good to go." I give a thumbs up.

A moment later the symbols around us breathe in from the lines of mana running across the entire building. The dome slowly begins to rebuild itself from tiny triangles and the twelve candles in the right flicker to life.

"So when do we-" I'm about to ask when three pillars shoot up, right between the two of us.

The first slams back into the ground a moment later, followed by the second – and I can already see magic swirling around my opponent, the sneaky bugger – and the disappearance of the third one marks the start of our match.

Tiny birds of swirling gale rush out from the lanky boy's loose sleeves like a deadly party trick. They scatter and zip across our entire ring. Wings of wind flap unceasingly, carrying the tiny things with unreal agility and on flightpaths entirely unpredictable.

Defending against them would be quite the pain, so I have the earth pass me up the sole candle at my feet and take off guided by the wind. A single candle is all I need, along with a better angle to make this round as swift as I can.

It's my money that is on the line, after all.

No matter how unconventional my approach to the combat may be, I never expected my opponent to basically just freeze up in the middle of the fight. No snap reaction, no backup plan, not even lashing out in panic…

When I stomp the ground and send tremors through our ring, he finally regains some semblance of reason. Uncertainty finally claims his visage as he sends blades of thrashing wind after me, but my attributes and Rhythmic Strides make him rethink all he ever knew once more.

For a Mage, I'm ridiculously fast, and switching up the tempo is yet another trick in combat many amateurs can't even hope to contend with. My flanking maneuver succeeds without any hiccups, and a flick of my wrist is all I need to blow out the candles.

My opponent doesn't even try to fight back.

"What was that?" He mutters, looking across all the grooves and slashes left by his strikes. "This wasn't even a fight… You just ran around and-"

"And you just stood there like a statue." I shrug, already walking away to claim my reward.

"Who are you?" I hear the boy call after me as I return my items. But instead of answering, I only turn my back and wag my finger while leaving him standing.

Because it's cool and mysterious, and he's not worth my time.

Some people are talented and exciting. Others are lucky, but I consider luck a skill despite all the animosity surrounding it. Those who have neither need to work hard and supplement their shortcoming with effort…

This boy walked none of the sacred paths.

Anyway, if this is all it takes to earn some extra pocket money then I'll be eating in those cursed restaurants every day of the week. I had fun, learned almost nothing whatsoever because the match was too short, and probably earned some notoriety.

Few people linger around to watch the ongoing matches but those who do have eyes and mouths all the same. Word will surely spread, for the better or worse.

Finding the halfling turns out to be quite a chore, contrary to the ease with which those short kleptomaniacs wade through any crowd. They have other talents besides trickery and earning coins through unconventional means but those two things they excel at.

Like elves and poetry, dwarves and woodworking surprisingly, beastmen and the art of species, and humans and… Humans can… be very good at making sweets, maybe?

Hard to say to be fair. Humans can give birth to both the most talented and incapable specimens at the same time.

I finally catch a glimpse of money changing hands just when the crowd is starting to get on my nerves. My new halfling acquaintance is in the middle of doing business, counting coins and doing his weird business magic that Savant won't ever be able to decipher.

I clear my throat when he finishes his business. "So… how much?" Repressing my grin is a futile effort.

"Ah, it's you." For some unfathomable reason, his mood seems quite a bit more uncaught and unprofessional compared to our previous meeting. "Wait a moment…" He turns a few pages in his tiny book. "Twelve seconds, what a joke…"

"So?" I allow some melody to sneak into my tone.

"Eight." He says and hands me a light pouch. "And from now on you're barred from betting on anything but the winner regarding your own matches."

I open my loot bag and find eight intricate coins gleaming in the color of Midas. That's almost two months' worth of my allowance. Our allowance rather but Marta just had to be petty and drag Val into our old deal…

That old hag and everyone else aside, I'm rich. Not truly but with this much I can afford almost anything my heart desires as long as I remain reasonable. And I earned it myself, sort of.

But if I were to put all of this up for another match and let's say… double it. That'd be sixteen gold. That's a lot more than eight, a lot more sweets, a lot more fluffy towels, and a lot more expensive mana ink…

Val in nurturing a newborn spirit and here I am raising my newfound gambling addiction. To each their own I guess.

"Now then, when is my next game?" I ask eagerly.

***

"And with that, the semi-finals are concluded! But don't go anywhere, we'll be back shortly with a show you've all been waiting for!"

The echoing voice of the announcer marks the end of something popular and the beginning of something exciting. For me at least.

I've played six matches already. Yes, played, I can't call this anything else other than some lofty game for quick money. Betting on my triumph paid significantly less handsomely, but I did just quadruple my fortune after which the bookies decided to deny me service.

"Maybe I should lose a few matches on purpose…" I watch against a wall as the mass of bodies begins to move like a tide.

This time, however, a lot fewer vacate their spots. It seems they're still hungry for some entertainment even during the break.

Sadly I've already decided to pull back a little and observe. All the excitement and opportunities made me forget why I came here in the first place and lunch should be coming around in an hour or two. But what is it exactly I'm looking for…

Instead of fishing for a quick match with the troupe of insidious halflings, I simply make my way around to the rings. Until now it was a game of small fish in a small pond. Perhaps now that the excitement among both the crowd and avid enjoyers of the game is reaching new levels the more experienced individuals will show their faces.

After all, talent comes with the heavy responsibility to put on a great show.

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Many more of the professional candle dancers linger around this time, almost as if trying to save face after dropping out so close to the finish line. What stands out right away, however, is that none of them look like they've just fought a serious battle. Protective barriers or not, Val and I usually look ragged and dirty at the very least.

"There, it's her." The words alone fail to draw my attention but paired with that distinct feel of someone staring at the back of my neck, I simply can't ignore it.

This type of instinct is something vital for our line of work. Even though I'm not exactly in the business quite yet.

A quick glance reveals a face I've happened to observe a number of times already as she dominated her opponents. The woman of the people…

"Her face is unfamiliar… Are you saying none of you were able to put down a newbie?" The contempt in her voice is apparent as she scoffs at one of the kids I wiped the floor with.

Was he my third, or perhaps first opponent? They were all the same in my eyes.

"Can I help you?" I prevent the upcoming pointless staredown.

"Indeed." The girl with eyes and hair decides to approach me. She's easily a head taller, which irks me a little but something about her is also different from the rest here. "I believe there has been a mistake regarding the silent ventures among us students. I'd like you to return some of the funds."

Oho, I knew the odds on some of my matches were simply far too steep.

"And do tell me, why would I do that?" I grin as things are getting a little exciting. "Was there perhaps some sort of agreement I should've been aware of?"

"Nothing of your concern." She stops right in my face and literally looks down on me. Unlike the standard female uniform, she's wearing black pants and has a half cape on her right shoulder, imposing and quite militaristic in looks. "Now, if you'd be so kind…" Her words sound like a demand rather than a request.

She's really testing me… and Val isn't even around to be the voice of reason. But biting the bait would draw so much attention and I really don't feel like dealing with people today. I can't even name a single thing I can get out of this.

My pride no longer holds the reigns, I'm no longer a stupid kid.

"Sorry, I don't think I can help." I flash an innocent smile. "Maybe it's best I leave."

The girl's gaze goes flat as I give her a cutesy wave and turn on my heels. The number of eyes on us already makes me uncomfortable, but at least this makes finding my way through the wall of people easier. This is her home turf, her crowd, her show, I know how to pick my fights.

But at the same time, to turn down a challenge and retreat… Maybe I've grown soft.

"Double or nothing."

The sweet words – obviously another bait and quite a cheap one at that – cease all kinds of movement. I've already earned my fair share, and nothing good will come out of pushing my luck or patience here. Deep down, I'm well aware of all that, but my legs aren't so cooperative.

"Or are you going to weasel your way out of this? It's no shame to admit if you have no confidence in your skills…" She keeps taunting, although the last few words weren't even necessary.

"You're on, bitch!" I bare teeth, feeling a little too murderous for these innocent games.

A victorious, mocking crests her face. "How brash… Not that I've expected anything more from your kind."

"You can stop the shit-talking. I don't want to hurt you properly, so let's just get on with it." I sigh, smiling tiredly, feeling defeated already. "Prepare your purse, I'm gonna make this quick."

"That's my line, junior." She hands her cape to one of her puppets and receives her pin.

[Mage lvl 152]

Quite imposing, and indeed a second-year student judging by her bracelet, far too high leveled for her age. Mage, aligned with the light and earth elements, methodical and composed… Quite skilled. She's not an opponent I'd carelessly face in a serious duel. In a serious duel, that is…

However, I'm perhaps even more suited to hunt down Mages than even assassins or sharpshooters.

I know what the bratty girl is capable of; I've observed enough of her matches by now. She relies on earth magic to create a battleground to her liking, and then she overwhelms her opponent with light, playing for speed and quantity. Strictly speaking, she's more suited for mid-range combat, just like me… But we're not the same.

The crowd parts, and the local bigshot confidently strides into the ring, the people looking at her with awe and admiration. She receives a pin in exchange for her cape, and the air almost visibly shifts around her as she attaches it to her chest. This is her turf, her playground, and the overflowing confidence from her slender form makes sure everyone is aware of that fact.

"Show off…" I mutter and follow her lead.

Let's just say my arrival is much less of a spectacle. Someone hands me a pin and the six candles, and nobody even as much as whispers a word of excitement. I'm clearly the underdog without any avid supporters… I'm fine with that actually.

"So, no rules, the loser pays thirty-two gold, and no hard feelings if I accidentally break your arm or something, right?" I roll my eyes, placing my candles snugly at my feet.

"If we were outside the Academy, I'd have your tongue carved out for your insolence, girl." Despite the poisonous words my opponent's gaze is full of amusement and a tinge of cruel excitement. "I am Yvonne, daughter of Azural and the one who'll teach you some manners."

Oh c'mon… Why couldn't you just be peasant Yvonne, daughter of a random potter instead? Why does it have to be the child of the only noble family Martha said not to mess around with? While the Fist might be the greatest force in Granhall, the city and the entire region itself belong to the Azural Duchy.

"Uh-hum, I'm Elyssia, a pleasure…" I chew on my lips a little. "So, no hard feelings when I beat you, right?" I repeat the question just to make sure.

"You're more than welcome to try." Yvonne rolls her shoulder

I'll take that as an affirmative response.

This ring is just as restricting as all the others with the dome raised, stopping me from taking to the air or relying on any rapid maneuvering. A tight space created for a battle of control and wits. Or overwhelming firepower…

The three pillars emerge in the center, and Mana Perception takes hold of my vision.

I've noticed that most of the local veterans seem to disregard the timer and usually begin preparing their attacks long before the battle commences. Part of the no-rules style of combat Yvonne is eagerly exercising.

And I'm no different.

Around her gather three concentrated spots of light while earth mana seeps through the ground, crawling my way and establishing a grasp over our battlefield. A little excessive but I'm also an avid fan of fighting for victory over honor.

I really tried to de-escalate, I was ready to walk away, to yield Gods damn it…. Now we won't play nice, and she can only blame herself.

Three, two, one… Action.

I haven't been idle while that bitch was busy setting up the stage to her own advantage. Sparks of brilliance collapse in a single point and erupt forth in a searing ray, aiming not for me but to slice and dice my cute candles.

But a small arcane barrier prepared well in advance is more than enough to stop the light. I've fought August one too many times, I know the element is fast but brings little firepower to the table.

The same can't be said about the tremors crawling through the ground, clawing their way across the entire ring like a wave of stone. I retaliate with a burst of lightning, branching out everywhere and claiming the air, but it gets blocked by the wall coming my way,

Yvonne's output is tremendous and something I cannot compete with. The entire battlefield is changing right in front of my eyes; walls and spikes grow wildly, and the gameboard as a whole is recreated to my disadvantage.

My initial hope was to observe the girl abusing her advantage in speed, offered by light magic, but sadly, she doesn't seem too keen on playing face-to-face. Yet another wasted opportunity to learn… Now it's only my money on the line.

A lot of money.

Before the wave of thrashing stones can reach me I stop and vie for control over our battleground, trying only a little while arcs begin to dance my fingers. I have to remind myself that the goal is not to kill, or maim, or bring destruction… it's six flimsy candles.

There's no need to go overboard.

So I create just a little plasma. Just enough of the strange material seething, blue and spewing ungodly amounts of heat, to form a halo above me. Like an angel of calamity…

I extend my shield of arcane just in case – losing to a minor mistake after bringing out the big toys would be embarrassing – and dictate the dance of Solaire's breath with my arms with a savage smile.

"Come out, come out wherever you are…" I hum, and my ring of plasma lashes out, demolishing a portion of the rock wall. "Or don't… It's gonna be more fun this way."

Despite seemingly not falling for my taunts, I notice a tiny disturbance in the mana to my left. Not even the mana itself, but rather its composition, the shade of the air, and near-invisible waves of… lightning magic, similar to when I use magnetism.

Like waves from a pebble on the otherwise calm water surface, except this pond is already chaotic and full of deadly waves. But it's there, I'm certain of it.

Before jumping at my hunch, however, I tap the earth and lower my remaining candles into deep holes to keep them protected. Relatively protected. Good enough to allow me to go wild and let the halo show its true nature.

So I unleash carnage and calamity, heat, and devastating shockwaves.

Yvonne has a considerable advantage over me when it comes to defense and speed. I can't compete with light when it comes to swiftness and can't beat her in a battle of brute force for control over the earth mana either. So, unlike my usual style, I'll rely on pure, overwhelming firepower.

Explosion after explosion besieges the stone bulwark while I drown the entire modestly sized dome in suffocating heat.

But I don't have to wait long for the haughty noble girl to show her face. When I swing my arm for the fifth time, burning the volatile trail of devastating mana down the stone formations begin to move.

Rocks in an ever-growing mass hurl themselves at me, begging for attention but also overwhelming my solar halo. Each time a large boulder clashes with the plasma my control wavers and some of it I lose. Quantity is something I can't contend with, and Yvonne's follow only worsens my situation.

A burst of indiscriminate radiance claims my vision like a star dropped into the building. Although my physical eyes are blind and sting like hell, Mana Perception still warns me of the approaching danger.

The rocks have come to life, gathering into limbs and crawling across the seething remnants of my rampage. Atop the unsightly golem of many gnarly limbs stands Yvonne. Light magic swarms around her and the entire arena is drawn to her command, like an army of the arcane, but in my eyes, that is just another beast to be slain.

"I knew it." She speaks instead of striking me when I'm already on the back foot. "It's you, isn't it, the cheat who tamed the arcane. How shameless."

"Says the girl born with a silver spoon up her ass. Do you know how much us common folk work for what you take for granted?" I rebuke, a little annoyed.

I would've picked wealth and comfort over this curse if somebody ever offered me the choice.

"You see this?" She raises her voice, addressing not me but everyone watching our duel. "Centuries of knowledge, work of our forefathers and geniuses of many generations, blood, sweat, and toil all ridiculed by this charlatan." Yvonne raises the stakes. "She hoards all the wisdom earned through what brought suffering to all and keeps it close to her chest. Our efforts to study, discover, and improve are all nothing but laughingstock to she who already has all the answers."

"No, that's not true!" I shout, but my voice gets drowned out.

Yvonne's oratory skills are considerable and the opinion of the crowd is already unmoveable. In the momentary lull of our heated battle voices of anger and frustration rise from the masses, demanding justice and wishing for my downfall.

Sometimes it's not the truth that people want to hear… Often, convenient words and arguments that serve their interests are believed and supported even before they're understood.

"It's not like that…" I mutter, feeling the stinging eyes on my skin and the oppressing weight of hatred from every side.

"So why don't you fight me like everyone else, relying only on what you've truly earned?" Yvonne's voice cuts through the buzz of the crowd. "Fight me like a Mage! No Blessing… just you and me!"

Uh, this is bad. She's playing extra dirty…

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