[INTER-CLASS EXCHANGE REGULATIONS]

— The Use Of Items To Aid In The Exchange Is Not Accepted.

— The Use Of Familiars Is Not Accepted.

— Killing Of Your Opponent Is Not Accepted.

— Weapons Will Be Provided For Those Who Require Arms For Combat (Martial Artists)

— Participants Are To Fight All-Out, Not Holding Anything Back (Intentional Attempt To Kill Is Exempted)

— Criteria For Victory Is; The Surrender Of The Opponent, The Opponent Going Unconscious, The Incapability Of The Opponent To Fight, Or The Opponent Engaging In Malpractice

— The Winner Is Determined By The Judges.

— Once The Opponent Is Seen To Be Unable To Fight, Participants Are To Refrain From Further Attacks.

— Breaking The Aforementioned Rule Can Make The Participant Liable For Disqualification If Decided So By The Judges.

— Breaking Any Of The Other Aforementioned Rules Can Lead To Automatic Disqualification.

—Mode Of Competition And Other Information Will Be Given By The Moderator.

[END OF INFORMATION]

Everyone seemed to carefully read through the rules, and I was no exception. I didn’t know whether to say they were to my advantage or not, but these rules placed a severe handicap on me—no, a lot of people.‘We can’t use familiars or any external aid! Even weapons are given by the moderators, and that only applies to the Martial Artists.’

The last part didn’t concern me very much, but if I had to fight without external aid, something I had focused on for the past two months, then I was at a major disadvantage.

“Still…”

A smile formed on my face, undaunted by the rules that shone before me. It mattered not how the competition would go. As long as I won, that was the most important thing!

“Now, then… first off, we’ll start with something known as ‘culling’.” The Moderator, Klaus Tallman announced— causing all of us to return our attention to him.

A dreadful silence enveloped the arena instantly. Whatever the man meant by ‘the culling’ truly grabbed everyone by the throat.

No longer did I see any excited expressions from our seniors who knew what the term meant. Only a grim look remained on their faces.

“The Inter-School Exchange aims to bring the best of each Class to clash in an all-out competition. While there is no discrimination on who can or can not participate, there are standards we maintain.”

I slowly began to understand what the moderator was insinuating.

“In essence, to make sure none of our time is wasted, we will be cutting off the excesses and only taking in the best of each Class! Out of those who have decided to participate in the competition… only seven from each class will be allowed to proceed!”

My eyes bulged in response to the verdict.

‘Seven? Already?!’

Noises of protests came from the mouth of everyone. There was no way the students wouldn’t be dissatisfied with Klaus’ words.

Our class alone had 38 members, and the first years were a total of 130! Yet, Klaus was saying only 21 Students would be making it out of the culling!

Granted, not all students would wish to participate in the Inter-Class Exchange, but as first-years who had no idea how the competition worked, I was certain a majority of us would join.

‘Wow, intense right off the bat.’

My eyes slowly moved in the direction of Edward and Anabelle, seeing how they trembled in response to the news. I had no way of knowing if it was a result of excitement or nervousness. I certainly hoped it wouldn’t be the latter, though.“Now, then… as for the means of elimination, we’ll be choosing the fastest way possible—a Battle Royale!”

Yet another protest from the crowd emerged.

For a coordinated competition to resort to this meant they were truly trying to get rid of the dead weight quickly. To conserve time, this was truly the most efficient means.

A game without rules, where a bunch of people was placed in a ring and the last man was left standing… that was what we were in for!

“Out of the seven, in order to make all things even, we will be selecting five Magic-Users, one Martial Artist, and one Scholar! Also, for fairness, the Battle Royale for each department will be held differently and the criteria for victory also differ.”

So far, that sounded fair. I couldn’t imagine a Scholar competing with a Magic-User for the top spot. Also, since Magic-Users were the majority among Ainzlark Academy’s students, it was certainly reasonable that they would hold the highest number of candidates for qualification.

“Now, then, for this Battle Royale, we will be starting with the Third-year students!” Klaus dropped another bombshell.

However, this time, there was silence.

“The First Years are inexperienced in their competition, so we would appreciate it if our Third years gave a demonstration so they know what to expect!”

‘I see… so, to introduce us to how fierce the competition will be, they’re going to be showing us Ainzlark’s final year students.’ I smiled, nodding at the smart choice that was made.

Of course, these third years excluded those who were members of the Elite Ten. None of the Elite students were allowed to compete until the final day of the contest. This also promoted fairness.

“I shall now call upon the participants from the Third Years!”

***************************

Despair and terror were written on the face of the students as they watched the horrid, unbelievable sight.

I would know since I was also there to witness it!

Students pitted against students, no holds barred. The idea that the Inter-School Exchange was a fun game instantly evaporated from my thoughts, as well as that of others. Yes, this wasn’t a game, not in the slightest.

Wounds—severe ones—were inflicted on desperate students, by other students. I had no idea why they would go so far for a contest, but they did.

Bursts of flames and chills of eyes were seen from our seats as the number of fighting students dwindled. From a few dozen, to a score, to a dozen… until, finally, seven remained.

These seven were nearly out of breath, but their eyes remained resolute. There was no doubt about it.

They were the champions of that round!