n

n

nThe first round of the tournament had finished and the third-year students were taken to the medical bay. Once everyone was healed up, they asked the ten winning students from each year to meet back out on the arena.

nCurrently standing in the arena form the second-year students were Gary, Slyvia, Dan, Martha, Monk, Kyle, Ian, Ray, Badger and Sloth. They looked at each other and smiled. Each of them had managed to keep their promise with each other and made it through to the next round.

nStanding on the other side were the third-year students. Jack, Cherry, Harry, Jasmine were the ones that the others recognised. The others where Geo, Nay, Violet and Aqua. The last person hadn't arrived on the field yet but was the second rank student named Killer.

nWilfred was stood in the centre with a holographic display behind him.

n

"Unfortunately, Killer can't make it due to personal matters but we are here today to congratulate these twenty fine students. The best of the best at Avrion academy!

"

nThe crowd cheered even louder than they had done before. Each and every one of the students had displayed an amazing level of skill. The audience thought that these were the best and strongest students they had seen at Avrion before and they hadn't even witnessed the top five of each year fight yet.

nMany of the people in the audience were nobles and they were sure to send their sons and daughters to Avrion academy as soon as they could.

nWilfred cleared his throat before he continued speaking.

n

"For the next round, we have a surprise for you all. The second-year students have exceeded our expectations and have been the best we have seen since the start of Avrion academy. We have decided to change things from the usual routine of past tournaments. Behold!

"

nWilfred pointed to a large holographic display behind him. Then a bracket sheet had appeared with each and every one of the student's names and who their opponent was that they were facing.

nThe holographic screen Displayed this:

nMartha vs Cherry

nGary Vs Harry

nMonk Vs Jasmine

nIan Vs Geo

nKyle VS Nay

nDan Vs Arthur

nRay Vs Killer

nBadger Vs violet

nSloth Vs Aqua

nSlyvia VS Jack

nThe second-year students' eyes looked like they were about pop out of their skull.

n

"We have decided to have the second-year students face off against the third-year students. The winners of each fight will earn a place in the Avrion academy team to the All kingdom tournament.

nRay had known about this beforehand. While Wilfred and Ray were talking, Wilfred had informed of his plans to Ray. Wilfred managed to convince Ray to stay in the tournament. Wilfred couldn't explain why but simply said it had something to do with Pureblood. This got Ray interested and, in the end, he decided to take part.

nGary was pleased he would get the chance to face Harry. Ever since their encounter in the training room, Gary wanted to fight Harry more than anyone else. And as if someone could hear his wishes, he was granted this fight. If he had known that Harry had once beaten Ray, Gary would have been even more excited.

nSlyvia, on the other hand, was the most concerned. She currently had to face the strongest person at the academy, Jack. Slyvia had never been confident in her one on one skills. She knew she had a tough battle ahead of her.

nSlyvia felt like she currently had the whole world on her shoulders. She looked into the crowd and she could see her 5 older siblings looking at her back. She needed to prove to her family that she wasn't worthless just because she didn't have magic.

nMonk was going up against Jasmine. Monk knew Jasmine's skills well she was exceptionally good at using the black sash skills. Before he knew about Jasmine, Monk took pride in being the best at learning the black sash skills.

nIf Monk wanted to get better, he knew he needed to beat her.

nRay wasn't too concerned. He knew whoever he would be facing, he would most likely defeat with ease. He had more Ki than ever now. After absorbing the ten students he had an additional 21 mana points in his mana pool. When he had ten, he was able to defeat an intermediate beast in one shot.

n

"The First match will begin tomorrow at midday. Please enjoy your time in the city and everyone get a good rest.

"

nThe joyous mood between Ray's group was quickly replaced with seriousness. Everyone had their opponent on their mind. The walk back to the dorm was near enough silent.

nWhen the group eventually reached the academy, everyone started to split off in sperate directions, saying they needed to train. In the end, Ray was the only one left in the room.

nRay went to lie down and rest on his bed. When he put his hand under his pillow to get some sleep, he felt a piece of paper. He pulled out the piece of paper which read:

nMeet me at the arena at 9:00

nRay started to wonder who had left the message. He could only think that it had to be someone from the academy. Then one thought came to his mind, Pureblood.

nPerhaps this was a trap set up by them. Although Wilfred had told Ray to come to him if anything like this happened, Ray chose not to. Ray wasn't afraid though. Ray estimated that his current strength was probably on par with anyone they could hire as a bodyguard for him.

nIt was nearly time for the meeting at 9:00 PM. There were guards stationed outside the arena but it was easy for Ray to avoid detection and sneak in. When he finally arrived at the arena, the field was completely empty.

nThe guards were only stationed on the outside, there was not a soul inside. Ray eventually went down to the centre of the arena and waited.

nThen a voice was heard.

n

"I finally get to speak to you?

" He said.

nAs Ray turned around. He recognised it was Jack, the number one ranked student in the academy.

n