The Brackets Are Revealed
Three days passed in the blink of an eye. Of course, to the excited spectators looking forward to watching the Glory Tournament, those three days must have felt endlessly long... but not for Ludenberg Lavante, who was actually participating in it.
Over the past three days, aside from touring the Solem Church during his first break, he had done nothing but rest comfortably. It had been quite a while since he'd had such a leisurely time, so he savored the rare laziness that washed over him. And what fueled that laziness? Ashytara Solenute. There was no way he could rebel against her.
Under her thorough supervision, he rested more comfortably than ever—honestly, to the point of boredom. Thanks to that, Ludenberg's physical condition was at its peak right now. Sitting in the waiting room, he observed the students around him.
Their expressions varied wildly. Some brimmed with anticipation, while others looked pale and rigid from excessive tension. They were all sitting here waiting for one thing: the brackets.
Depending on who their opponent was, they could climb the ranks smoothly—or it could all end in an instant if they drew the wrong matchup. And what they hoped for most was simple: neither Ludenberg nor Dalia Retiu in their bracket.
A few students even clasped their hands together, bowing their heads in prayer. "Please, almighty Six Gods. Almighty Six Gods. Almighty Six Gods..."
Especially the first-year Innocence students participating in the Glory Tournament for the first time—they clearly wanted no part of Ludenberg. And who could blame them? Over the past semester, he'd shown the first-years far too much.
To them, he was an insurmountable wall, one they'd never overcome even in death. That was the Ludenberg they saw.
Of course, even avoiding Ludenberg was no guarantee. Everyone in this room was among the top of their years—no pushovers here.
In the end, all they could do was pray to the Six Gods. Praying for a "relatively" easy opponent.
The problem? They weren't the only ones praying. Some second- and third-years, crushed last year by powerhouse contenders, were vowing to go even further this time.
None of that concerned Ludenberg, though. His eyes were fixed on just two people: Dalia Retiu and Eden Asta. No one else piqued his interest.
He waited calmly for his opponent to be revealed, while the other students' gazes drifted toward him—eyes closed in serene quiet. Feeling their extreme wariness directed at him, Ludenberg couldn't help but smile in satisfaction.
The fact that his actions, his achievements, had made these elite students so cautious... it proved he hadn't been wrong after all.
With a pleased heart, he awaited the brackets. And at last, they appeared in the waiting room of the thirty-two students.
"This isn't bad at all." One student nodded in satisfaction.
"Yes!" Another let out an excited cheer.
But for every good draw...
"...Ah. I'm screwed."
...there was one whose face crumpled instantly.
Evelyn Ansis, the girl with dark green hair, stared at the brackets with grim eyes. "Of all people, Ludenberg. I'm done for."
"No need to state the obvious."
Granias, Evelyn's friend sitting beside her, replied indifferently.
"Hey, you got a good matchup."
"Good my ass. I just didn't draw Ludenberg."
"...Fair enough?"
"Look."
"Ah. Dalia senior..."
"Does this look like a good bracket to you?"
Evelyn shook her head at Granias's sullen expression.
"Anyway, what's the criteria for these brackets?"
"Random."
"...Random?"
"Yeah. They say luck is part of skill."
"Oh..."
"Speaking of, I wonder how Jerome and Brian did."
At that moment, Jerome and Brian—who'd been eavesdropping—chimed in.
"We're screwed too."
"Really?"
"We're rookies to begin with. Making it to the second round is a miracle."
"True..."
"Just accept it. The win goes to whoever's meant to take it."
Their eyes flicked toward Ludenberg.
"Eden's gotten seriously strong this time. What do you think?"
"Any chance? He got wrecked in that friendly match."
"True, but... that white light was no joke."
"Not sure what holy relic it is, but it was plenty threatening. And Eden's no slouch either."
"He's been keeping his head down lately, no weird antics."
"Mm. Yeah."
"I'm not in Eden's bracket, at least. You?"
"No idea. Looks like he's only matched against upperclassmen."
"Why me...?"
Evelyn could only pout miserably at that. Not only upperclassmen, but her bracket included Ludenberg too.
The human duels divided the thirty-two into eight groups of four, with each fighting the others once. To avoid elimination, a student needed at least two sacred flames by the end.
In other words, Evelyn's odds of reaching the third round had plummeted. She knew Ludenberg wouldn't hold back—he'd crush everyone mercilessly.
Gazing at the impassive Ludenberg, she made a plea. "Hey, Ludenberg?"
"What."
"Could you... go easy on me, just a little...?"
"Sorry, no can do. Doesn't make sense."
"...Yeah, fair."
Ludenberg politely turned her down. He wanted overwhelming victory—no loose ends.
"How far do you want to go?"
"Champion."
He answered Evelyn's question simply.
"You could totally do it."
"'Could' isn't enough. I have to win it all."
"Some reason you must?"
"Yes."
"What?"
"Don't really want to say. Personal."
"Ah, sorry."
"No need. Anyway, can't go easy on you."
"I know. Just kidding. Give it your all."
"Will do."
Right on cue, Ashytara's voice rang out, calling the students to the arena. "Everyone, it's time. Head to the arena."
"Yes!"
Ashytara now was the saintess and imperial princess leading the Glory Tournament for Solem's Flame Faction. No higher-year dared use casual speech with her. Merit-based or not, that only applied inside Solemnute Adem.
Following her order, the students entered the arena.
Roooar!
The endless roar of cheers. The crowd's fervor tensed even the calmest students. Tension hung visibly on their faces as Ashytara stood before the sacred flames and addressed them.
"You've all checked the human duel brackets, yes?"
"Yes!"
"Then, let the second round of the Glory Tournament—human duels—begin!"
Whoosh!
At her declaration, flames erupted from the massive brazier behind her.
* * *
Ludenberg eyed Evelyn before him. Word was she'd trained to the brink of death with her older sister, an imperial knight. Her aura was indeed fiercer than before.
"Good luck."
"You too."
Evelyn held a sword Ludenberg hadn't seen before. Its sharply honed green blade gleamed as a gale instantly swirled around it.
"That sword..."
"One of my family's heirlooms. It was always meant for me, but I wasn't worthy until now."
"Worthy?"
"Yeah. To enter the Glory Tournament or achieve equivalent feats. Lucky I made it here."
"Feels extraordinary."
"Right? Blew my mind too. Your sword looks no ordinary blade either."
"It's not."
"Anyway, full power. Better watch out."
"I never let my guard down, no matter the opponent."
They took stances, glaring at each other. The referee's start signal dropped—and Evelyn wrapped her body in divine power, pouring it into her blade.
A fierce storm of divine power engulfed her sword, lightening her body like the wind. Her foot struck the ground.
Silent steps rode the breeze toward Ludenberg.
But... he saw it all clearly. His brutal training under his father and Leven had honed his dynamic vision to unmatched levels. Unless she transcended perception, she'd be caught.
Ludenberg swung Liberra at the approaching Evelyn. She'd moved first, yet his later strike was faster.
"This is ridiculous...!"
Grumbling, Evelyn raised her storm-wreathed blade vertically to meet it.
Claaaang!
Black steel clashed with green gale, booming thunderously... and a storm whipped through the arena, sand veiling the spectators' view.
"...What happened?"
Murmurs rose everywhere.
How much time passed? The dust finally cleared, revealing Ludenberg and Evelyn plainly.
Her strike was superb—one that should've shredded any foe. Yet Ludenberg, facing it head-on, stood unscathed. Not a scratch.
Evelyn, meanwhile, had been repelled. Her sword held, but she'd tumbled far away.
"Damn... you're filthy strong. I lose."
"Good fight."
"Fight? No contest. At least the sword didn't break. Whew."
Evelyn admitted defeat readily, sighing in relief. She'd longed for this blade ages. If it'd shattered pathetically, she'd have been devastated.
Considering it a win that it held, she followed the rules and handed Ludenberg her sacred flame from the arena wall.