Combat tournament.

Sam walked to the contests area of the arena and looked at the audience. Unlike the other tournaments, the combat tournaments are all going to be held on the same day, one after the other. It is possible only in the Gambler academy though.

Because the number of people who participate in the combat tournament is the lowest in all of the academy realm. Even though Gambler academy has one of the highest number of students if not the highest.

Sam looked around at the contestants.

There are only thirty people in the second grade along with him. Five people will be selected out of it as candidates. Most of them would be at peak stage and rarely some late stage ones. In the Gambler academy, with so few candidates, it is more likely for the late stage ones to slip up if there are no strong peak stage candidates.

That, and the fact that people who do specialize in combat in the academy are way too good.

Take Ling Tian for example, he was former student who was specialized in combat and he smashed Theron left and right. Sam observed the candidates as he awaited the start of the tournament.

"How are you doing?

" Crow came and asked Sam.

"I am good. How are you feeling? You and I are the only ones in the Middle stage of the Divine Plane Initiation. Are you nervous?

"

"No, not really. This is one of the times when I don't have to hold back. I am confident in getting third place at least.

"

"Really? I counted fifteen peak stage guys. I thought they would take us down. After all, we are in the middle-stage only.

"

"Well, that is the best part of the inter academy tournament. Only in the freshman tournament there are significant restrictions. Here, you can use all kinds of tricks. As long as you don't play extremely dirty, like using some high level artefacts, or some kind of cheap tricks like the cubes the flaming skulls used before, you can do pretty much whatever you want.

You can use your inscriptions, formations, pre-made inscription scrolls, some special enhanced weaponry, even some artefacts of low level.

"

"I heard that too, so are you confident in your cards that much?

"

"You will see.

"

Crow walked away.

No one else talked or greeted Sam. Even though the Gambler academy has accepted him even with all the troubles that he brought, the students are still a bit resistant of him. After all, he did make their lives a bit miserable.

And if the part of Sam's alleged collaboration with the hub is true, which most of them believe, then the current resistance or even more opposition is completely understandable and in fact could be considered expected.

Soon, it is time for the tournament to commence and it starts with the usual courtesy announcement of rules.

Surprisingly, Ling Tian stepped into the arena. He scratched his head awkwardly and started speaking.

"Alright everyone, calm down and take your seats.

I am Ling Tian, an elder in the academy. I am in charge of the combat tournaments this time. We are starting with the Solo Combat tournament. There are only thirty candidates this time and five of them will be selected to be sent to the finals tournament.

They represent our academy, so we need to sort out the best of the best.

We are starting with the second grade first.

The rules of the second grade are simple.

We are going ahead with a basic tournament style. Two students will enter the arena and battle. One wins and moves to the next round. Since, there are only thirty people, the second round will have an extra person.

For that reason, one of you will have move past that round and go to the third round directly.

That person will be decided based on the votes of the audience. They will vote the winners of the first round, based on their performance and whoever gets the most votes will move to the third round.

The tournament will be fast paced and we expect you to move fast. Don't waste too much time, because I have two other grades to evaluate today.

Thank you for cooperation in advance.

So, for the first fight will be between Rashma and Drake.

"

The announcement sound like it was read from a script. He didn't sound the least bit enthusiastic

Drake who is actually the only at the middle stage jumped into the arena and surprisingly his opponent is actually a peak stage candidate. And according to Sam's information from the hub, she is not really well known in the academy. She had an average first grade experience, without any involvement in the tournaments or competitions.

Ever since the second grade started, she spent most of the time out doing missions and she kept her mission completion rate private. Apparently, they could do that.

He didn't really have much information on her, except that she is interested in art and took a lot of auxiliary art classes in the academy.

She painted, sculpted and did music and overall, she tried any artistic thing there is. And the most notable thing is that… she sucks.

She cannot hold a brush, she cannot carve a rock and she cannot play a string instrument without breaking it.

Sam is really curious about how she will do.

Ling Tian walked to the area where the participants are standing and stood there. Sam walked to him and asked.

"Why did you pair peak stage kids with the middle stage one?

"

"I already said it. This is a fast paced tournament and I don't want to drag it out by making it easy for the kids. Now, there are only three middle stage kids in the second grade. You, Drake and Crow. You are my primary targets followed by the late-stage ones.

Three of the fifteen will face against you and the other two. While the remaining twelve will face against the late stage kids.

All the people that should eliminated sooner or later in the tournament will be eliminated in the first round. Things will be easier for me and the spectators.

"

Sam nodded in understanding.

"You don't think this is unfair do you?

"

"Not really. I actually appreciate the efficiency.

"

Both of them stopped talking and looked in the arena. Drake took out his spear and flames started spreading out of his body. A spear user with fire element. Not a bad combination, but depends on how he uses it. Meanwhile, Rashma stood there nonchalantly with her hands in the pockets of her pants.

She had long curly hair that had too much volume and her eyes had that sharp glint.

Ling Tian examined them from there and nodded.

"Fight.

"

The fight began.

*BOOM*

Drake lunged with a trial of flames as he appeared right in front of Rashma. His body levitating in the air as he thrust his spear downwards towards her head.

Rashma had a faint smile as she reacted. She jumped up, took her hands from the pocket. She had some gloves that threw out a reflective glint from the flames. They were shiny. She held the spear shaft with one hand and slammed her other palm straight into his face.

Then she locked both of her legs around Drake's waist before abruptly falling down in that weird position.

*BAM*

Drake fell on the ground with both of his legs forward. Maybe he instinctively moved them to make them sure they don't break in a weird angle.

But still, he took some real damage.

Rashma sat close to him, still on those legs. If not for the agonized expression of Drake and the legs that are pressing on him from the back, one could even assume that it's a bit intimate.

She twisted the spear, making Drake's grip loosen a bit, before she used her other that was originally on his face to deliver a chop on his shoulder.

The spear came off his hands and she threw it away.

Before, she slid back on his legs a bit to create enough room between them. Then her gloves shined a bit more before a few knuckle spikes came out of it. Then she started pounding on his face.

"ARGHHH…*BAM*

"

Not even a scream is coming out of his mouth completely. Just hit after hit, landed on him and whenever he tried to use his hands, she threw a chop at the shoulder, pushing back down. He couldn't even get the words of forfeit out of his mouth.

"I think, that's enough. Why don't you stop it?

" Sam said to Ling Tian.

"Nah, rules are rules. Either he is knocked out or surrendered I wouldn't interfere. Of course, unless he is on verge of death.

"

At that moment

*PACK*

She threw an uppercut and his neck whipped.

"That neck definitely sounds broken. You better stop it or his death is on you.

" Sam warned Ling Tian

"What do you care?

" Ling Tian grumbled and stopped the fight.