The break was much needed.

Thanks to the day we all had off, I was finally able to get my thoughts in order. My companions, Edward and Anabelle were released shortly after the Exchange ended for the day, allowing us to walk to our dorms together.

The healing Magic available to Ainzlark Academy had to be impressive to pull off such speedy recovery, especially for Anabelle.

Looking at the girl, it didn’t appear as though she had been injured during her match. In any case, after the Exchange for the day, I decided it was best we all occupied ourselves with personal affairs.

I left Anabelle and Edward to themselves since I couldn’t afford to be distracted by anything. The match before me was that serious.

I felt like if I didn’t give my all… the one who was going to lose would be me!

And so, during the break, I tempered my resolve and harnessed my skills. Going over all I had learned in the previous matches, I prepared myself for the worst.

I couldn’t use my Familiar or any external help. That meant all the potions and magic items I had been developing were rendered obsolete. My use of SPELLCRAFT was also limited since I had three different extremely skilled judges keeping a keen eye on my every action. As much as I wanted to win, I had to keep my focus on the big picture.

It wasn’t time to show what I was fully capable of!

“I’m severely handicapped right now. Still… I will win!” With these words of determination proceeding from my mouth, I anticipated the main rounds of the Finals.

I was going to go first, so I needed to set a good example for everyone. I needed to show both the students and staff that even though someone was deemed to be talentless, with enough study and practice… it was possible to rise to the top!

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

“Welcome, everyone!”

I sat on the seat of the final contestants. We were so few who sat there, making it seem like the seats could be more than they actually were.‘It feels weird without Ana here…’ I tilted my head and found her seated among the Lower-Class audience.

A smile formed on my face as I resolved to win against the one who defeated her.

“The Finals will last for two days! Friday and Saturday!” Klaus announced.

The Hall became quiet in order to listen to our moderator’s words.

“Each match will last as long as the competitors are still willing to fight, and none have gone unconscious. Once it has been determined that a contestant is unable to fight anymore, even if they don’t explicitly quit, then the match should be deemed to be over.”

I felt like Klaus said those words intentionally to prevent any excessive display of pointless violence.

Ultimately, this was an exchange between students. There was no need to turn it into something more gruesome.

“And now, still obeying the rules stated above, we will begin the Finals with our very first match!”

I gulped slowly and prepared myself. Tension filled my heart, and despite my preparations, I still felt uneasy.

“The Magic Division of the First Years will go first… let the two Final contestants step forward.”

I rose from my seat and began moving to the stage.

“Kuzon Midas and Jared Leonard, please climb the stage!”

From the corner of my vision, I spotted Kuzon in his usual casual outfit. His black jacket and trousers contrasted the white outfit he wore underneath.

He had a gold necklace around his neck, mostly covered by the white top he had on and on his hand, I noticed a golden ring. No, not just a ring… but also a watch.

I felt Mana from them, causing me to furrow my brows slightly.

‘Those are… Magic tools!’

Using them was against the rules. Though I had never sensed him using them, it was still against the regulations of the tournament.

I climbed the platform still eyeing the devices he had on and, out of the blue, Kuzon turned his head in my direction.‘Did he notice I was staring at him?!’

A smile played on his face and he shrugged.

“Don’t worry. I’ve never used them once. I don’t intend on using them either… so it’s fine.”

I masked my unease with a smile of mine.

“Oh? And I’m just supposed to rely on your words?”

We both climbed the stage and took our positions opposite each other.

Klaus was standing between the both of us, keenly observing our actions for some reason.

“Alright. You’re all good!” He commented.

Was he trying to see if we brought any external aid with us?

It wasn’t beyond the realm of reason that some people would resort to using all they had in the finals, especially since they would think the wariness of the judges would be thinnest considering no one had violated the rules thus far.

While it was good to use everything in one’s arsenal to win a battle, this was merely an exchange. It was downright foolish to be caught cheating while still in the Academy. Even I, who wanted to win badly, could probably resort to some underhanded means and get away with it, but… for this Exchange, I wanted to see just how far I could go with my base abilities.

I currently possessed five Mana Cores. How much could I achieve with them?

“Excuse me, sir, but isn’t the equipping of Magic items against the rules? Why is he allowed to wear them?” I asked Klaus, pointing at Kuzon.

The moderator sighed almost as soon as the issue was addressed. It seemed he had been expecting me to raise the question.

“We know all about the items, so don’t worry. If we detect that he’s using them, the match will end immediately. Your opponent, Kuzon Midas, has given us clear reasons why he can’t unequip them. I hope you understand.”

I clicked my tongue and nodded.

Kuzon seemed to smile even more in amusement after my inquisition was shot down by the moderator.

In essence, he was being given special treatment.

‘Well, it doesn’t really matter at this point. What I need to do hadn’t changed! I’ll win… no matter what!’

Klaus moved to the edge of the stage and prepared his signal, causing my opponent and me to lock eyes.

“Begin!”