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nI woke up at 6:00 am this morning, instead of putting on the standard uniform like every other day, today was different. Usually, when inside the academy, the students were only allowed to wear the school uniform with training equipment. The training equipment weapons were mostly made out of wood, this way we wouldn't seriously injure ourselves when sparing. The only time we were allowed to use our beast gear was on missions or when hunting.

nI had successfully dyed all my current equipment red with black outline. My fanged boar chest piece. My newly acquired shoulder guard and my boots which were only regular, nothing special. My gauntlets were already red so there was no need to dye them.

nToday everyone taking part in the tournament was to wear the best gear they owned and this included using real weapons this time. The tournament was taking place at the sports arena in the city. It was around a 20-minute walk from the academy.

nAlthough the city was filled with mostly knights, it didn't stop everyone from participating in regular activities. The city had an arena where they would often host sporting events or team games. This was where all the students were to gather today.

nIn the dorms everyone seemed nervous, some putting on their gear backwords. Some just sat there deep in thought. This event seemed like a big deal to them but to me, it didn't really matter that much.

nWhile the rest was still getting ready, I decided to leave the room and get a head start on everyone. I didn't get to see the city as much because my schedule would be so jam-packed all the time.

nWhile walking through the city the atmosphere was different than usual. The whole city felt alive, less tense. Usually, the knights were always serious and on guard but today it felt more like a festival. Another big difference was the people inside the city.

nAvrion was filled with mostly just knights with the few merchants here and there. Today there were people from all different cities who had come to visit. Once a year Avrion would open its gates to the surrounding cities for the tournament. Many nobles would look for talented knights to recruit into their own army or even use as guards.

nNot everyone at Avrion wanted to become a knight and fight on the frontlines against the shadow plague. But due to the high prestige that Avrion academy had, many people sent their sons and daughters to train here.

nFinally, I had reached the arena. Outside was jam-packed with people waiting to enter. The starting event didn't start till nine so it was impressive to already see this many people waiting outside. Luckily there was a separate entrance for participants. Outside the participant's entrance, many parents had come today to visit their child and whished them good luck before letting them head inside.

nAs I walked past the crowd of people waiting to get inside, I could hear the remarks they made about me.

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"They really allowed a redhead to enter the competition.

"

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"Even his gear is red, does he want to curse the whole city.

"

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"I hear the academy has allowed other redheads to enter the competition as well.

"

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"Oh how Avrion academy has fallen, Perhaps I should have sent my son to another academy this year.

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nThe comments use to bother me a bit when I was younger but I was used to it by now. It had been a while since I had gotten this type of treatment. Ever since my match with Sebastion, I didn't hear a word from the other students. Well, at least not to my face.

nI continued on inside and followed the signs to the waiting area for contestants. The signs lead me to an underground stairway and eventually to a huge set of double doors. When I entered my eyes were met with a huge hall. The hall was as big as the dining hall at Avrion academy. The only difference was there were no chairs and tables.

nThe hall was currently half-filled with contestants. In total, they would be around 350 contestants competing in this tournament. Some contestants were practising inside the hall or checking their equipment.

nOthers had formed groups and were chatting casually. It was a mix of 2nd and 3rd-year students and the difference in equipment was dramatic. It was obvious that the third years had an advantage in this tournament. Every year so far, a third-year student had come out as a winner. It was an expected result.

nIn truth, the tournament was a way to show 2nd-year students that they had a long way to go. To keep them from getting lazy.

nMy roommates still hadn't arrived and even though I spotted Harry and Jasmine around I didn't bother to go over and say hi. I wouldn't exactly say we were friends. I decided to go to an empty space in a room and practice meditating.

nAfter an hour had passed the room was beginning to fill up. The double doors opened and recognisable faces walked through.

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"Hey, there's Ray

" Kyle pointed.

nThe entire group had come over to discuss the tournament.

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"How did you get a space like this to yourself,

" Kyle asked.

nEven though the room was full, for some reason the space I had gone to when I first arrived never got filled. people avoided me like the plague.

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"I think people are just avoiding me.

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"You're like a human replant. We should start taking you to restaurants with us.

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nEveryone had just decided to ignore Kyles remark.

nMartha broke the silence by saying

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"I heard the first round is going to be a battle royal style fight.

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nSlyvia nodded

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"Yes, Usually they split the rounds into two groups. 2nd-year students first and then the third-year students. The last ten students go through to the knockout stages which are one on one.

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"There are ten spots? that's great! we can all go through together,

" Monk smiled.

nMartha then looked a little sad.

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"But, that means we might end up going against each other after that,

"

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"We can deal with that when the time comes, we want to prove ourselves right. Then it's something we have to do. We all know there are no personal feelings behind it.

" Dan said.

nEveryone nodded in agreement.

nThen Slyvia put her hand out in the middle.

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"Then let's promise to get in the top ten spots together.

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nEveryone then put their hand in the middle on top of Slyvia's.

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"Together

"

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"1 2 3 Hurrah

" We all shouted.

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