Chapter 170: Two Days Had Passed Since Then
Two days had passed since then. The representative selection matches had naturally concluded successfully, allowing the students to fully identify who they needed to watch out for.
"There seem to be quite a few people we need to be cautious of."
Ashytara said to Ludenberg Lavante.
"Yeah."
"By the way, I never imagined your brother would be that strong."
As she said, Heydel—who was currently using the alias Eil—was outrageously powerful. Both his swordsmanship and physical prowess were utterly different from the Heydel she had known.
"The woman who was with your brother... Illiana, was it?"
"Yeah. Illiana Nadiel, apparently. They say she's from a renowned priest family even in Ortara."
"Her sacred laws did seem incredibly stable. To be that strong just by cloaking herself in priestly sacred laws without using Solem's divine power... that must be proof of Illiana's exceptional skill as a priestess."
"Those two are worth keeping an eye on for now... We saw Eve too. It was surprising to see the bald giant and that Gawin guy teamed up, though."
Ludenberg said to Ashytara with a hint of puzzlement.
"The bald giant... Nadan?"
"Yeah. How did they even end up pairing together?"
"Who knows. I don't know the details, but... they didn't look like they got along, so maybe they wanted to participate in the friendly matches but couldn't find partners and were forced to team up."
"...You think so?"
"Otherwise, it doesn't make sense. Nadan's the type who loves women, so he wouldn't team up with a guy unless he had to, and Gawin doesn't have friends outside his own clique."
"Fair point."
He nodded. It made sense. The absurd saint of Setra, who was always shouting about wanting to play with pretty girls, wasn't the type to voluntarily team up with another man.
"Anyway, Nadan fought really well too. As for Gawin... considering what he did to you, I'd love to downplay his skills, but objectively, he seems stronger than most Innocence students."
"True. If Gawin hadn't faced me in the skill verification at the start of the semester, he probably would've made it into Innocence."
"Anyway, there were a lot of opponents to watch out for. What do you think, Rud?"
"Same as you. Still... I've got countermeasures ready, so it's fine. Eve and Meia... those two need more observation, and we should keep an eye on Heydel and Illiana too, but at least we've faced everyone from Solemnute Adem. Dalia senior and Seia senior included."
"So the real headaches are the ones from other countries, huh."
"Yeah. Especially since the Isaltin royals didn't really show their fighting styles. They just wrapped their fists in divine power and moved exactly like Nadan or Professor Nah Tes—that was it. No clue how they adapt Setra's sacred laws either."
"Ah."
"Anyway, it's a headache, but if we wait a bit longer, something will turn up. Once the friendly matches really get going, the skill levels will match up more, and we'll learn a lot."
"Yeah."
"And during the friendly matches, let's keep training light... and focus on analyzing the other matches, Tara."
"Got it, Rud."
"We'll have to wait until the brackets are out. There's an opening ceremony, right?"
"Yeah, my sister said so. And I guess they'll reveal the brackets then too."
"Ah, so that's when. An opening ceremony, huh... Wonder what it'll be like."
"Probably some kind of event."
"Event or not... you don't think they'll do something like when we first arrived in Ortara and gathered all the priests?"
"Maybe they'll have the representatives from each country do something."
Ludenberg's expression soured at Ashytara's words.
"I just hope it's a simple introduction... but with this scale, probably not."
"Yeah... probably. All the big names from each country are here, after all."
"As long as they don't make us do something stupid."
For some reason, an ominous feeling settled in.
Ominous premonitions always hit the mark, don't they?
Ludenberg and Ashytara stared at the scene before them. The massive arena filled with Ortara's citizens came into view at a glance. This would be the main stage for the friendly matches. Cheers erupted from all around, making the stadium shake.
And in the center of that stadium stood the sixteen students participating in the friendly matches, including Ludenberg and Ashytara. Some stood stiffly, unaccustomed to such a massive crowd. Others were relaxed, clearly at ease. Ludenberg was the former, Ashytara the latter.
It had been a while since she'd seen him tense like this, so Ashytara lightly took his hand and let go.
"You okay?"
"Yeah. Just not used to it."
The emcee for the friendly matches opening ceremony spoke up. First, the Ortara students. The representatives from Ortara National School stepped forward one by one, showing their faces to the citizens. Thunderous cheers followed.
It was only natural. A friendly match of this scale hadn't happened in quite some time. Since these were competitions between nations, the Ortaran citizens filling most of the stands had no choice but to cheer for their own.
Gail Glitter and his priestess Halona Tidal. Eil—no, Heydel—and Illiana. And the other two pairs. As Ortara's representatives, the stadium erupted in cheers that threatened to bring the roof down. It was hard to believe this was the same nation that had allowed the Salvation Cult to infiltrate just recently.
'No, maybe that's why. Nothing beats a festival to forget scandals.'
Next, the emcee called out the Solemnute Adem students, forcing him to step forward. His name had been called.
Ludenberg Lavante, Ashytara Solenute. Eden Asta, Mion Altis. Nadan Tes, Gawin Greta. Dalia Retiu, Seia Shahain. As the four pairs advanced, the crowd gave a warm cheer—less than for the Ortara students, but still substantial. The story of how Solemnute had helped Ortara during the Salvation Cult's schemes was already well-known.
Then, the students from the other nations were called one by one. The Ortaran citizens couldn't hide their amazement each time. Many of the participants held remarkably high status. Abaran's saintess, Isaltin's royals, Solemnute's imperial princess, and even Lavante's heir, whom even Ortara revered.
With such a dazzling lineup of elites, it was only natural for the Ortaran crowd to be in a frenzy.
Once all sixteen pairs had been named, Ludenberg started to relax, figuring nothing more would happen.
"They won't make us do anything else now, right?"
"Probably? But I can't say for sure. No point keeping us out here if there's nothing else."
Ludenberg glanced at the emcee. The man was still excitedly chattering away. Listening closely, it seemed he was now drawing up the brackets on the spot.
"They didn't prepare the brackets in advance? Making them right here?"
"Looks like it. Probably to avoid any suspicions of rigging."
"Wonder how they're deciding them to make such a fuss..."
"We'll see soon enough."
The emcee then called a name very familiar to Ludenberg: Sione Solenute.
'Sione sis? She shows up at a lot of events... Well, given her status.'
The emcee greeted Sione with utmost respect and introduced her to the Ortaran crowd. Gasps of awe naturally rose from the stands. The heir to Solemnute's throne had come in person for the friendly matches.
Sione then approached a box in the center of the arena. She drew papers from it one by one, calling out the names written on them in order. With each name, the brackets filled in, until all sixteen pairs knew their opponents.
Ludenberg looked at his assigned foes. A familiar face entered his view: Gail Glitter and his priestess, Halona Tidal.
"Feels a bit early to meet, but whatever. Looking forward to it."
"Same."
As Gail bantered, Ludenberg gave a light nod.
"Looking forward to it. You beat Gail last time, right?"
"Yes."
"It might be different this time. Can't compare to before. There's a huge gap between Gail with divine power and without."
Ludenberg nodded. He'd seen firsthand what Gail could do when cloaked in Halona's divine power recently.
But he replied to Halona all the same.
"Even so, the result won't change."
"Oh? Is that right?"
"Yes. Just as you have Gail, I have Ashytara."
As he spoke, Ashytara, standing beside him, lightly took his hand.
"Ah, you two seem close. I'll be watching. Hope it's a good match."
Halona smiled.
Fortunately, once the brackets were set, the emcee dismissed the students from the arena. Ludenberg, who had worried about some pointless spectacle, finally let out a sigh of relief.
"Phew."
"Hated it that much?"
"Yeah."
Ludenberg nodded with a smile at Ashytara, who was looking at him.
"Because of the crowd?"
"No. Just worried that emcee would make us do something. You know, like in regular tournaments where they ask all sorts of questions about your opponent."
"Yeah, usually. But with the tight schedule, they probably skipped the small stuff."
"Good thing. Anyway... first opponent isn't a pushover."
"Gail Glitter?"
"Yeah. You saw him last time. Fights really well."
"Seemed strong, but not as threatening as some others."
"Right. Guess we got one of the easier ones... The others must be sweating."
"Yeah. No easy matchups anywhere."
"Let's give it our all, Tara. We came this far—would be great to win it all, right?"
"Yeah!"
"First match is tomorrow... Only a day left, but I noted some things from when Gail had divine power last time. Let's analyze that mainly, Tara."
"Got it."
Without delay, the two headed to the training grounds.