Chapter 141
Translator: penny
Chapter: 141
Chapter Title: Mulrat Contio Preliminaries
Chapter 141
4
Whoosh!
Ethan's fist pushed the air aside.
The refined power tore through the air, producing a sharp sound.
A punch so fast and powerful it was unbelievable that it came from a mere fist.
Jin tilted his head just enough—a paper-thin margin—to dodge the attack flying in at close range.
It was an assault that could have made him reflexively close his eyes, but Jin stared straight at Ethan and thrust out the arm he'd kept pressed to his torso.
Twisting his muscles to maximize power at point-blank range, the strike headed straight for Ethan's side.
It lacked the buildup for acceleration, but even so, it was a blow that could easily snap bones if it landed.
Of course it was dangerous if it hit.
Just before it connected, Ethan grabbed Jin's wrist, forcibly blocking it.
Then he folded his opposite arm and swung his elbow like a sword.
The elbow and knee were the strongest swords the human body could produce.
A powerful strike, and dangerous for it.
It was an attack fueled by the will to bring the opponent down.
But Ethan's blow never reached Jin.
Before it could, Jin twisted his captured hand in reverse, seizing Ethan's fist instead.
Then he stepped on Ethan's knee and leaped into the air.
Twisting his body like a nimble spider, Jin grabbed Ethan's arm.
Just as he was about to wrench the held arm, Ethan swung his arm wide with great force.
Jin rolled across the ground to escape being slammed down, then immediately regained his stance.
"You've improved quite a bit in a short time."
The skirmish of just over twenty seconds ground to a halt.
Only then did Jin relax his shoulders, light a cigarette, and speak.
Drenched in sweat, Ethan beamed brightly and nodded.
"It's all thanks to Master's guidance!"
"These little tricks can be taught by anyone with some skill. It's more that your talent is exceptional. Sure, it might be frustrating not being able to use a weapon right now, but endure it. Reading the flow of battle and grasping your opponent's breathing come first. You can pick up a weapon later."
"I believe in you, Master!"
Even through the grueling training that would wear down soldiers, Ethan smiled cheerfully.
Jin chuckled at the sight, then tucked the lit cigarette back into his pack untouched.
"Come at me again."
"Then I'll learn another lesson!"
Ethan's blue eyes flashed like a beast's, and with agility unfitting his massive frame, he closed in on Jin.
Despite the pressure like a charging bear, Jin wiped the annoyed look from his face and responded fluidly.
Every exchanging fist carried real power.
Strikes, grapples, feints—everything.
In the midst of linkages that read the next move decently well, Jin clicked his tongue and shouted.
"Your foot's open."
The moment Ethan reflexively glanced down, Jin's fist slammed into his solar plexus.
"Your upper body's sloppy!"
Choking sensation shattered Ethan's balance.
Even as he forced his arms up into a guard, Jin's swinging leg struck Ethan's shin.
The bone-rattling impact sent Ethan tumbling across the ground.
Jin crouched in front of the groaning Ethan from the two consecutive hits and lit another cigarette.
"Believing every word your enemy says in battle is idiotic. Throwing sand in their eyes or shaking their mental with trash talk is basic. Got it? On the battlefield, the ones pretending to be noble die first."
"I'll keep that in mind…!"
"Grasping flow and breathing is all to counter these tricks. If you want to fight elegantly, gain the skill for it first. For now, fight dirty to win."
Ethan sprang right back up and nodded vigorously.
His silver hair soaked with sweat and poking his eyes, but his enthusiasm didn't wane.
If anything, the more he was knocked down, the fiercer he rose, clenching both fists tight.
"I'll etch that lesson into my heart and show results at the Mulrat Contio!"
"Good. It'll be tough without a shield, but handle it yourself."
"I'll do my best!"
Jin chuckled at Ethan, who bowed deeply with his odd speech.
"Well… your talent is outstanding, that's for sure. In a few years, there might not be ten people on the continent who can match you. But don't get arrogant. I'll be watching closely how far you go in this Mulrat Contio."
5
"…So you trained right up until just before the preliminaries?"
In Esterro Academy's auditorium.
The auditorium, fitted with a temporary arena for the Mulrat Contio preliminaries, saw Ethan—the last to arrive—scratching his sweat-matted silver hair.
"I was just loosening up, but when I came to, the prelims were about to start! Man, I thought I was late!"
"You idiot, your brain isn't muscle too, is it?"
Louis's face hardened at the overly bright reaction.
Ethan just shook his head, having no real retort.
Honestly, Ethan's brain did seem a bit muscular.
But for now, preliminaries first.
The square arena in the auditorium was already in the thick of prelim matches.
Esterro Academy could field eight participants.
With eight from each academy, totaling thirty-two students for the Mulrat Contio.
That aside.
There were a lot of familiar faces among the entrants.
Leon, pushing to get stronger; Noel, who'd longed for the Mulrat Contio; Ethan, who'd received an assignment from Jin; and Louis, joining for job prospects.
Kyriakos had entered too.
No idea why.
At least last year's champion, Cain, wasn't participating. That was a relief.
If Cain had joined, one finals spot would've been gone already.
"Entrant number 33, student Theo Agrit. Please proceed to ring 7."
My name was called right on cue.
After some casual cheers with the group, I climbed into ring 7.
With so many people in the prelims, they used the simplest format.
Win all three prelim matches, and you're in the finals.
Consecutive bouts with changing opponents—could be tough.
I wasn't confident about losing……
Honestly, after fighting for my life so many times.
Safety gear in student fights at this point……
Finals would be hard in other ways, but prelims I could handle even half-assed.
I briefly bowed to my opponent across from me.
Amiri Rate. He'd been a third-year on the entrant list.
Probably here for the same reason as Louis.
No intention of going easy, though.
As Amiri Rate charged, swinging his longsword, I swung Deathwise to meet him.
Clang!
A heavy sound rang out, and Amiri Rate's sword flew sky-high.
I'd used just a bit of Deathwise's centrifugal force, but the skill gap was obvious.
He sensed it too—Amiri Rate's face stiffened.
Keeping a moderate distance, he couldn't easily press the attack, just eyeing me.
"If you don't come, I will."
Even then, Amiri Rate wouldn't advance.
In the end, I approached him slowly.
Of course, the outcome had been decided long ago.
6
"Entrant number 33, Theo Agrit wins."
I sheathed Deathwise at the judge's call.
My final opponent, Scoville Elliot, clicked his tongue as he left the ring.
A notable second-year in his own right, but not that tough.
Prelims ended easily, as expected.
Save energy when it's easy—perfect.
Glancing around leisurely, I spotted Leon just finishing his match, exchanging "good fight" pleasantries.
Having gone 3-0 with a relaxed expression, he met my eyes, so I nodded to signal my advancement too.
Looking further, Noel, Louis, and Kyriakos had passed prelims easily as well.
Finally, Ethan was in the middle of his match.
No shield—his signature weapon—and fighting barehanded, blocking attacks.
They were trading punches, but at a glance, Ethan seemed at a disadvantage.
At that moment, Ethan's blue eyes flashed fiercely.
Simultaneously, his shortest-range punch nailed the opponent's opening.
Ethan's fist thudded heavily into the side left exposed from chaining attacks.
Not stopping there, the opponent flew out of the ring.
He staggered, trying to hold on, but toppled forward.
Win was clear to anyone watching.
"Entrant number 18, Ethan Mertezacker wins."
Ethan thrust his fist triumphantly toward the sky.
And with that, Ethan secured his finals spot.
"That's all the finalists decided, Headmaster."
Ken Schultz rose from his seat right then.
Me, Leon, Ethan, Noel, Louis, and Kyriakos.
Plus two nameless third-years—that completed Esterro Academy's finalists.
Somehow, everyone but those two were familiar faces.
"First, congratulations to all our finalists."
The auditorium doors burst open, and Headmaster Taylor entered.
Dressed sharply in a suit as always, exuding mature charm, he gave us light applause.
Even the prelim losers followed suit, and Taylor turned with a hearty smile.
"With prelims over, no more delays. Let's check the other academies' finalists."
As he spoke, the auditorium doors opened again.
First in were students in restrained red uniforms like military attire.
Thud, thud, thud—their synchronized footsteps shook the hall.
They marched in with perfect discipline, halting in formation.
More impressive in person than in the game, like well-trained soldiers.
"Glasir Academy student representative, Yelga Trubin. To the esteemed Headmaster Taylor Curtis."
The pink-haired girl at the front saluted crisply.
Her firm tone and sharp features made her look more soldier than student.
Makes sense—Glasir Academy's in the southeast, a harsh region.
Friendly petty states border the Federation nearby.
Lots of border skirmishes with the kingdom, so soldiers are stationed there.
Thus, Glasir draws kids of soldiers or those raised around them; most aspire to military careers post-grad.
The academy itself is steeped in that culture—basically an officer school.
They drill practical combat, strategy and tactics, martial arts, with magic focused purely on battle spells.
Phew, glad I'm at Esterro.
If I'd possessed into Glasir, I'd have quit or transferred immediately.
"Ahaha~"
A light laugh suddenly echoed.
With breezy, carefree laughter, students on broomsticks entered the hall.
Circling grandly, they leisurely gathered beside Glasir and stopped.
"Hellooo? I'm Loran Blase from Hecate Academy. Nice to meet youuu."
The drowsy-looking boy with navy-blue hair stepped forward as rep.
Similar height to Noel, but droopy eyes made him seem utterly lazy.
Actually still half-slumped on his broom like a sloth.
Well, typical for Hecate Academy.
In the kingdom's far west—rear lines—no conflicts at all.
They emphasize drawing out students' potential in a free environment.
Beyond teaching how to fish—they make students figure it out themselves.
Hence, it attracts aspiring mages who love free research.
Uniforms are robes, capes, staves—a set.
That made two academies.
As I recalled the last one's name, modest footsteps filled the hall.
All in black clerical robes.
But backed by a soft, radiant white halo.
They entered humbly and quietly, taking seats demurely with gentle smiles.
"Greetings. I'm Ioter from the Astra Church Academy."
The white-haired girl rep clasped hands prayerfully at her chest.
Students buzzed at the name Ioter.
No wonder—it was the current Saintess's name.
The Astra Church's symbol appearing in person shocked everyone.
Ioter herself, eyes sparkling curiously, kept looking around.
As greetings wrapped, a white-haired boy blocked the fidgety girl, ready to bolt.
"I'm Holy Knight Anteros. Pleased to meet you. Saintess, we're in front of others. Best to stay composed…"
His tone was cool, but gentle drops of care slipped out for Ioter.
Makes sense for a Holy Knight's role—supporting the Saintess.
"But Anteros, we're outside!"
"Yes, outside."
"How can I stay composed outside!?"
Ioter was already thrilled by the unfamiliar world.
The Astra Church Academy trains clerics—a seminary.
In the capital Eset, but external contact strictly forbidden for cultivation.
Rare exceptions like Giacomo Zailex or Emilia Pafner get special external permissions, but few.
Most live isolated until assigned to churches post-grad.
As a Saintess trainee, Ioter faces even stricter oversight.
Excited by the outside world? Understandable… but Anteros has it rough.
Still, earning Holy Knight as a student means he's capable— he'll manage.
"We of Esterro Academy welcome all who've traveled far. I hope your lodgings last night were to your liking."
Taylor offered formal warmth with a kindly smile.
Glasir and Hecate are distant—arrived yesterday, probably.
"Gathered by fate, may you all compete splendidly."
Spreading his arms wide, Taylor made the temporary arena vanish in seconds, magic paper flowers scattering through the hall.
Boom! The band struck up trumpets.
With lively march music, Taylor Curtis raised his voice.
"Then, let the Mulrat Contio commence!"