Thunderous Cheers and Swift Triumph
A tremendous roar of cheers echoed through the air, just like at yesterday's opening ceremony. Countless spectators filled the stands. Ludenberg Lavante and Ashytara Solenute gazed at Gail Glitter and Halona Tidal standing before them. This was the opening match of the friendship tournament finals: Ludenberg and Ashytara versus Gail and Halona.
Instead of yesterday's lively announcer, a stern-looking referee watched them intently from outside the arena.
"Remember what this guy said yesterday?" Gail glanced sideways at Halona with a relaxed demeanor as he addressed Ludenberg and Ashytara.
"Something about how today would be different?"
"Yeah. Just like he said. Today will be different."
"No." Ludenberg shook his head at Gail's confident attitude. "It won't be any different from last time."
"Haha! We'll see about that once we get started. You two ready?"
Ludenberg glanced briefly at Ashytara. She met his eyes and nodded—we're fully prepared.
"Yeah."
"Good." Gail flashed a broad, easy grin and turned to the referee. Judging that both sides were ready, the referee promptly signaled the start of the first friendship match.
Ludenberg raised his sword. He hadn't let his guard down; the display Gail and Halona had put on during yesterday's Ortara visit had been impressive. Ashytara wasted no time, immediately enveloping her cross greatsword in flames.
Halona, watching them, channeled her divine power into Gail the moment the match began. Red lightning crashed down, settling into his body. Red haze swirled around him once more, strengthening his physique just like before.
Halona then summoned the spirits of her ancestors to protect herself. They heeded the promising priestess's call without refusal, manifesting as spectral forms around her. They positioned themselves like an iron wall in front of her.
Halona shot Ludenberg and Ashytara a confident look. This should keep Gail from worrying about me. She gave no further orders to the ancestral spirits; they just needed to shield her. Then, Gail would surely handle the rest. Having synced with him for so long, her trust in Gail was absolute.
Gail trusted Halona's divine power and saint laws in return. He eyed Ludenberg—the one who'd beaten him before—then hefted his massive iron spear.
I need to end this quick. Take him out first, and victory's likely. Halona's buffs won't last forever. Settle it fast.
Gail assumed his stance and charged at Ludenberg.
Krunch! The arena floor shattered, leaving clear imprints of his feet. Following the reckless charge came a precise, lightning-fast thrust. Without divine power last time, Ludenberg had read it—but now? It would be different.
Or so Gail thought.
But that notion shattered in an instant.
Clang!
Gail's spear clashed against Ludenberg's sword. I know I'm stronger now—so why? A chill of doubt raced down his spine, instantly followed by a searing sense of peril.
The moment Gail sensed danger, Ludenberg swung his blade with unwavering resolve. He too wanted to end it swiftly, denying potential future opponents time to analyze him.
His strike arced toward Gail's spear.
Clang!
Metal clashed again, deciding victory and defeat. A faint smile tugged at Ludenberg's lips; dismay clouded Gail's.
The instant Ludenberg showed his true power, Gail realized he couldn't surpass him.
"You... went easy on me last time."
"You weren't at full strength either."
"Haha. You were leagues above me. A real monster."
With those words, the divine power-infused spear in Gail's hands snapped in two.
"We lose."
While Ludenberg pinned Gail's foot, Ashytara faced Halona, shielded by multiple ancestral spirits. It looked tough to break through at a glance.
Having erected a wall of shields, Halona began preparing a saint law. How much divine power does she have? Sharing with her partner and still deploying something this big—she must be the top first-year theology student.
But hesitation wasn't an option. Ashytara poured more divine power into her cross greatsword. The already scorching heat intensified, whipping up a blistering gale that began melting the arena floor.
Halona couldn't help but flinch at the sight. Setting aside her first time seeing Solem's flames, that ferocity would surely overwhelm her defenses quickly. No wonder Gail had warned her it wouldn't be easy.
Gritting her teeth, Halona unleashed her saint law as Ashytara cloaked herself in flames. Red lightning rained from the sky toward her.
But the bolts scattered against the encircling blaze, unable to penetrate.
The density's different. Dismay settled on Halona's face. Even after buffing Gail and her spirits, her divine power couldn't match the purity Ashytara had concentrated solely on herself.
Fully empowered, Ashytara charged the ancestral spirits around Halona. The ground bubbled and melted in her wake.
Halona desperately tried to block with the spirits, but the blazing greatsword crushed their forms, scattering them.
The already devastating swordsmanship, fused with Solem's flames, became a storm of devastation.
"Wha—...!"
It didn't take long for the violent fiery tempest to pulverize the spirits. Ashytara dismantled them completely, then rushed Halona.
Halona tried to prepare a protective saint law, but facing Ashytara before it finished, she lost the will to fight.
"...We lose."
Contrary to expectations of a fierce battle, Ludenberg and Ashytara dispatched Gail and Halona with overwhelming ease. The first match of the friendship tournament ended somewhat anticlimactically.
"Damn, you're brutally strong."
"You were impressive too."
Ludenberg smiled in response to Gail's words. Gail laughed cheerfully, accepting defeat.
Ashytara sheathed her greatsword and helped Halona to her feet, grasping her hand.
"Terrifying, Your Highness the Solenute princess."
"You were amazing too. I could never handle divine power that precisely divided."
"Well, your density overwhelmed us. But your partner was something else. First time I've seen Gail go down that easily even with my buffs."
"Rud's incredible, isn't he?"
"Since you won, go all the way to champions. Won't be easy, of course."
"We'll give it our best."
The two women shared a light smile before returning to their partners.
"Good work, Tara."
"You too."
As Ludenberg and Ashytara descended from the arena, they bumped fists.
After the first match and watching the other students' bouts, Ludenberg returned to his lodging. Sudden drowsiness hit him, and he collapsed onto the bed.
Then, he opened his eyes again. The space where he always met Raha unfolded before him.
Right... she said the second trial was coming soon. He realized why she'd summoned him.
"Hey. Been a while."
"...Yeah."
"I need to speed up the trials a bit."
"The second one?"
"Yeah. The thing targeting you is regaining strength bit by bit."
"Prisper?"
"Right. The Salvation Cult kidnapping Ortara kids this time? That's part of it."
"...What?"
"Prisper's gathering vessels for herself."
"Vessels?"
"Yeah. More precisely, sturdy bodies to house her soul. Their activity in Ortara ties into that."
"Ortara warriors have strong bodies...?"
"Exactly. You should stay vigilant too. The moment Prisper finds you, every Salvation Cult member will go mad trying to kidnap you."
"Why me?"
"Your body has innate talent. Think normal people could endure the trials I set? Ones linked to Liberatus? Most couldn't last."
"..."
"Anyway, enough chit-chat... Today’s just a taste of the second trial. No physical or mental strain. Ready to begin?"
"Yeah."
Ludenberg nodded at Raha's words.
"Oh, Ludenberg. The second trial might not tax your body as much as the first. But..."
"But?"
"It could shatter your mind just as badly. Everyone around Liberatus there will shift to fit your situation. The story's Liberatus's, but the people you'll meet are from your world. You'll experience it from Liberatus's perspective. Steel yourself, and remember."
"Remember what?"
"Everything there is just an illusion."
"...I'll keep that in mind."
"I hope you overcome this one too."
Raha smiled faintly and snapped her fingers. Ludenberg's vision faded to black.
The second trial had begun.
Ludenberg realized he was lying in a bedroom the moment he opened his eyes. Soft sunlight streamed through the window. A gentle, comforting fragrance wafted to his nose—inhaling it alone brought a sense of happiness. He wasn't sure what it was, but it perfectly captured a refreshing, joyful morning.
This is... the trial.
"Awake?"
A sudden voice. A familiar one. No, more than familiar lately—he heard it every day.
Ludenberg turned to see the source. Right beside where he lay: Ashytara.