I Refused To Be Reincarnated
Chapter 512: The Tournament Begins

Chapter 512: The Tournament Begins

Fortunately, their gazes didn’t linger on him for long. Instead, the blue-haired woman’s cape fluttered with her grand welcoming gesture as her voice thundered with mana.

"In the Jadevale’s kingdom name, I welcome everyone to Saphir Springs for this inter-academy tournament’s edition. I’m Alice, and I will oversee the competition with Knight Mathias."

Her eyes took two crescent-shaped forms, contracting with the menacing words she spoke next.

"Before anyone has strange ideas, let me tell you that I’m an adept and won’t tolerate any misconduct. So, by all means, try to climb over my head to see the result."

As the other kids trembled, he grinned at her confidence and listened to her speech.

"You’re the cream of the crop among your peers, this decade’s top sixty-four students and the nine magic academies’ representatives. Yet, only one will rise above the rest to claim the champion’s title."

The public whistled and cheered in excitement as Alice’s eyes narrowed.

"Fight with everything you have. Show everyone that you are the absolute best and... shatter your adversaries’ pride! Send them packing and crying in the shadows while you bask in glory!"

Everyone frowned at her reddening face and trembling fist as Mathias slapped the helmet covering his face in frustration and gripped Alice’s arm.

With a soft movement, he pulled her back before she started with her maniac laugh and sighed.

"Win seven matches to earn the first place prize prepared by King Leon in person. Before you ask, yes, the rumors are true. It’s a complete skeleton that once belonged to a fierce, mythical tier-six warrior."

Surprised gasps echoed from everyone after hearing the confirmation. But Adam’s eyes sparkled like two stars at its description.

He had mana covered with Gaston’s eye, Durgrim’s hands, Triton’s tendons, the Heart of Mana, and the unfound mana circuit. Therefore, he welcomed the brawler characteristics of the bones with open arms and an eager soul.

As the whispers turned louder and louder, enlivening the arena with excited yells, Thomas clapped his hands to calm everyone down and continued.

"You’ll fight once in the morning and once in the evening, meaning the competition will last four days, with the last one reserved for the grand final. Alice will cast a spell to select your adversaries randomly to avoid any cheating attempts. So, without further ado, let the tournament begin. Good luck to you all, promising seedlings!"

Instantly, the most confident students roared by him, asserting dominance over the others with powerful statements and reeling the public.

"The Academy of Elemental Arts will end up first, as always. You can all give up!"

"Oh yeah? We’ll show this year that the Academy of Summoning isn’t bound to the second place. This year, we’ll dethrone you!"

"Humph. No one would beat the Academy of Transformation if not for the rules. Count yourselves lucky I can’t squash you under my paws!"

Amused by their snorts, crossed arms and forceful shouts, he pondered for a second.

Then, his lips curled into a taunting smile as his voice thundered in their ears.

"Go play with your wands and spells in shady backyards because the first place is mine! I wonder how you’ll look when College of Alchemy and Transmutation, the eternal last, tramples over your pride."

Everyone turned to frown at his arrogant declaration, muttering curses as Alice held her sides and exploded into boisterous laughter.

"That’s a champion’s demeanor. I’ll watch you, brat!"

Meanwhile, Mathias rolled his eyes at her and whispered.

"You can’t show favoritism, troublemaker! Cast your spell and move down the arena!"

Pulling her tongue out playfully, she raised her palm and muttered her spell’s incantation.

Mana hummed on the stage as the sunlight reflected on the ice strings condensing from the air. With incredible precision, they assembled like threads to form a set of sixty-four names.

With another mutter, dark smoke rose and encased the names, giving them a threatening sheen as they hovered before Alice’s grinning figure.

Then, she swiped her hand, causing the wind to howl as the names blurred and spun randomly. Each time one collided with another, she stomped the ground and muttered her third spell.

Fresh grass pierced the ground around the arena’s slabs, reflecting the two fighters’ names in a grand show of magical mastery.

The public watched in awe as his lips curled into a bright smile and his eyes sparkled.

’I’ll give her ten out of ten for style.’

A moment later, grass filled the ground, and his first adversary’s name appeared.

’Paul? Why does this name ring a bell? Oh! It’s the same name Lucius gave to a kid back in the village.’

Memories of the naming ceremony filled him with nostalgia as he wondered if the kid really became a baker.

While he revelled in them, Paul walked to him, smiled and outstretched his hand.

"I’m from the academy of light magic. Let’s have a nice match."

He nodded, shaking his hand but disappointed it wasn’t one of those white tigers who dared belittle his achievements.

’I hope they’ll win, or I’ll miss the chance to show them who’s not shining.’

Simultaneously, Mathias’ voice reverberated as he pointed at a row of seats surrounding the arena platform.

"We’ll use the drawing order. Those who aren’t fighting, please sit on the side and wait for your turn."

With an inner snicker and ignoring Paul’s fake sportsmanship, he grumbled on and sat.

’It’s so annoying to wait for my turn. They should just let us fight it out in a battle royal or even better!’

His eyes sparkled at the timesaving idea as it rumbled in his mind.

’If I could fight them simultaneously, forget about four days. I’ll end the tournament in four minutes.’

As his chuckles drew weird glances from the waiting competitors, the two first fighters glared at each other before Alice roared.

"Start!"

Without much interest, he watched their academy uniforms flutter and heard their voices echo ancient language for half a minute before their spells condensed.

Despite the crackling flames surrounding the first competitors and the howling gale taking an eagle form behind the second, he rolled his eyes.

’So slow!’