A little more time passes…
[The next match is in Group B! The match is about to start, so Group B participants, please prepare to enter!!]
Even as the heat of Group A’s match lingered, the priest from Antaine, holding his magical tools, shouted loudly.
His voice echoed throughout the arena, prompting the standing audience to take their seats one by one, while the Group B participants also began to gather in the arena.
Rudell and Leje were also making their way toward the arena.
“Umm…”
“What’s up? Is something wrong?”
Seeing Rudell emitting a low groan, Leje tilted her head in confusion.
“No, it’s that person…”
Rudell’s gaze was fixed on a mysterious figure clad in a robe.
Just moments ago, this enigmatic person had knocked Clejack down with a single attack in Group A’s match.
“Why that person? What’s the issue?”
“No, it feels like I’ve seen them somewhere before.”
Rudell narrowed his eyes at her question.
People tend to give off a unique aura that can be felt.
And Rudell could feel that aura from this individual.
It was definitely a vibe he had encountered somewhere before…
However, no matter how hard he tried to remember, he couldn’t recall anything.
‘There can’t be many people with that kind of ability…’
Clejack was certainly different from the many mediocre fighters Rudell had seen.
While his personality might be whatever, his skills were undeniably formidable.
Yet, this mysterious figure had taken down Clejack so easily.
“Could it be…?”
At that moment, a figure suddenly popped into Rudell’s mind.
The original owner of the place he currently occupied.
And the original protagonist he had met in the story, in the worst possible circumstances.
Iandel Rednum.
No matter how he thought about it, aside from Leje, there was no one else in this world who could possess such skill.
“Rudell!? Where are you going?! The match is about to start!!”
“I need to check something!!”
Seeing Rudell suddenly dash away, Leje’s voice was filled with panic.
But for Rudell, that wasn’t what mattered right now.
If his identity was indeed Iandel, he had no time to casually participate in a preliminary round.
So, Rudell ran toward the Group A participants…
“Damn it…”
But just like smoke, he had vanished long ago.
As Rudell briefly surveyed his surroundings, a low groan escaped his lips.
“What’s up? Is something wrong?”
“No… it’s nothing.”
He shook his head at her worried expression.
He still couldn’t confirm if his identity was truly Iandel.
If there was no way, he could always inquire with the Church to find out his identity.
Whatever it may be, for now, he needed to focus on the preliminary rounds.
“Let’s move quickly.”
Softening his tense expression, Rudell moved along with Leje.
*
[Thank you for waiting so long! Everyone!! Were you bored waiting!?]
“Waahhhh!!”
As Rudell and Leje took to the arena, the booming voice of Antaine’s priest rang out, accompanied by majestic music.
In response, cheers erupted from the audience, and the priest continued to speak.
[The second match of the preliminary rounds to select heroes! Is everyone ready!?]
“Yeeeeeees!!”
[Your voices are too quiet!!]
“YEEEEEEEES!!”
[Alright! With your fiery support! We will begin the Hero Selection Tournament, Preliminary Group B match! Participants, please prepare for the match!!]
With the priest’s voice, the excitement in the audience began to swell, and the Group B participants who had taken their places looked around with nervous expressions.
“Are you scared or something?”
“Impossible.”
Rudell smiled slightly at her question.
As she said, there didn’t seem to be many strong-looking individuals around.
At most, around three or four.
“Just in case, I’m saying this, if you fail, I won’t let it slide.”
“That’s something I should be saying.”
[Are you all ready!? Now, the process to select heroes! The curtain rises on the second match!!]
Simultaneously with the priest’s shout, the bell outside the arena raised a large bell over its head.
That served as a signal, plunging the arena and the audience into silence.
-DINGGGG!!
In the next moment, the loud ringing of the bell filled the arena, signaling the start of the preliminary rounds.
All around the arena, weapons clashed and magic swirled…
“Then! See you in a bit!”
“Got it.”
Watching the scene unfold, Rudell and Leje naturally split ways.
“One down!!”
“Urgh!?”
As Leje rushed toward the nearest man, she swung her sword sheath with no hesitation.
The incredible speed of Leje’s sword sheath struck the man, sending him flying with a whoosh and a gasp.
The man was knocked back and rolled on the ground, while nearby priests carried the unconscious man out of the arena on a stretcher.
[As I speak, we have our first elimination!! That delicate girl just sent a strong man flying! Amazing! She seems to be a strong contender for the solo matches!!]
“Waaaaahhhh!!”
[Ah! Just as I speak, another elimination has occurred…!!]
Cheers erupted from the audience in response to the priest’s comment as he got increasingly enthusiastic to elevate the atmosphere.
After that, Leje swung her sword sheath against anyone who dared to obstruct her path.
Most participants fell, eliminated in a single blow or less…
“Whoa! She’s coming this way!”
“Get away you crazy bastard! I don’t want to be eliminated!!”
Just by her approaching figure, participants began fleeing in fear.
Of course, in front of them stood…
“Tempest Wind.”
“Ahhhhhh!?”
“I’m being blown away!?”
Rudell exuded an aura that could easily belong to a great magician.
With Rudell’s incantation, a powerful swirling wind was conjured before them, and the unfortunate participants caught in it screamed as they flew into the air.
[Amazing! They still look young, but they’ve already reached such a level! There are plenty of strong individuals in Group B!!]
“Damn it!! Target the mage!! She’s gotta be weaker than that powerhouse!!”
It seemed they were considering it far better than facing Leje, the swordswoman, as the remaining participants formed a group and charged at Rudell.
“Just as expected…”
Seeing this scene, Rudell smiled softly.
In hindsight, their choice wasn’t wrong.
A mage carelessly casting spells is definitely the one to be avoided on the battlefield.
However, mages inevitably have a vulnerability during their sequence of actions.
That moment when they’re channeling their spell and gathering magic power.
Experienced and seasoned warriors would naturally seek to exploit that moment against a mage.
In that sense, their choice was the most logical.
But there was something they were overlooking…
“Waaahhhhh!!”
“Ugh!?”
“Ugh!?”
Leje would never simply let that go.
As she blocked Rudell’s path, the participants halted their movements…
“Referee!! This isn’t fair! This is teaming up!!”
“Exactly!!!”
At one participant’s shout, dissatisfaction erupted among them.
But…
[To become a hero, cooperation with allies is also important! There’s no rule against forming teams!]
“And you’re the same! Trying to attack a lone mage as a group isn’t teaming up, is it?”
“Ooooohh!!”
“If you’re mad, then you should form a team too!!”
The priest showed no concern, while Leje shot back at them.
It seemed the audience also thought that wasn’t right, as jeers erupted.
“Damn…!!”
The unexpected backlash made the remaining participants emit low groans.
Their morale was practically shattered.
“Okay, then! Who wants to be eliminated first? Come at me, and I’ll send you flying in one hit!”
With a bold stand, Leje shouted at them.
The overwhelming pressure only the strong could exude.
Seeing her, the group before her began to back away slowly.
“If you don’t come, I’ll come after you!”
The next moment.
Seeing this, Leje grinned and charged at them.
