Lord Summoner's Freedom Philosophy: Grimoire of Love
Chapter 225: The Martial Tournament (1) The First Round

Chapter 225: The Martial Tournament (1) The First Round

The sun climbed high, its warm rays painting the tournament grounds with a golden hue. Warriors from every corner gathered here, hungry for victory and the chance to claim the champion’s title. Banners flapped in the breeze, each one bearing the proud insignia of noble houses and renowned martial schools, adding a splash of color to the bustling scene.

Lyan, Tesha, Wilhelmina, Solia, and their companions weaved through the crowd, excitement bubbling in their chests as they absorbed the vibrant atmosphere. The air hummed with anticipation, filled with the mingling scents of sweat, adrenaline, and the tempting aromas wafting from food stalls and vendor carts.

Entering the grounds, they were met with a spectacle of towering arenas and sprawling training fields, alive with the sounds of clashing weapons and cheering spectators. Each corner buzzed with activity, as competitors honed their skills and prepared for the battles ahead.

Wilhelmina’s eyes lit up with recognition as she spotted familiar faces among the throng—nobles and knights she had encountered in her time representing the Credia family. Some offered nods of acknowledgment, while others watched her with a mix of curiosity and admiration.

"It’s been too long since I’ve been to a tournament like this," Wilhelmina remarked, a hint of nostalgia coloring her voice. "But there’s something about the thrill of competition that never fails to excite."

Lyan sensed a hint of sorrow in Wilhelmina’s words, realizing that entering the tournament was a stark reminder of her fallen status from the noble life she once led. With a gentle pat on her back, he offered silent reassurance, a small gesture that seemed to lift her spirits and banish the sadness from her eyes.

Solia beamed at Lyan’s gesture of mindfulness, her own excitement shining brightly. "Absolutely! I can’t wait to see what I’m made of against the best warriors around here!"

Their companions echoed their enthusiasm, eager to prove themselves in the upcoming battles. Yet, amidst the excitement, there lingered an undercurrent of tension—a shared anticipation of the challenges awaiting them.

As the opening ceremonies commenced, the tournament organizers stepped onto the stage to address the eager crowd. They outlined the rules and structure of the competition, detailing the grueling elimination rounds that lay ahead.

"The first round will be particularly intense," the announcer boomed, capturing the attention of the crowd. "Participants will face off in one-on-one combat, with the winners advancing to the next stage."

Lyan and his companions leaned in, their attention fixed on the announcer as he detailed the tournament’s structure. The first round promised to be tough, with a whopping 200 participants all vying for a shot at advancement.

"But wait, there’s more," the announcer’s mischievous tone hinted at a surprise. "In addition to facing each other, contestants will also battle beasts and monsters from the empire’s menagerie—lions, tigers, wolves, goblins, you name it."

A wave of excitement surged through the crowd at the unexpected twist. The thought of confronting wild creatures alongside fellow warriors added a thrilling dimension to the tournament, sending pulses racing and hearts pounding.

With the rules laid bare, the officials gave the signal for the first round to commence. Competitors scattered to their designated arenas, readying themselves for the battles ahead. Lyan and his companions exchanged determined glances, ready to face whatever challenges came their way.

"It’s all good, right? We’ve got this," Lyan’s relaxed tone belied the gravity of the situation, his confidence infectious as they prepared to embark on their journey through the tournament.

As the first round began, the air crackled with anticipation, and the ground trembled under the thunderous roars of the beasts awaiting their challengers. Lyan and his companions stood firm, their eyes scanning the arena for any sign of movement. Their opponents, a mix of seasoned fighters and ambitious newcomers, eyed them with a mixture of respect and determination. Part of them are also nobles and knights from a nobility house, their gazes are specially filled with scorn and underestimate towards Lyan’s group.

(I see. As the number of participants reached about 500, there will be three elimination stage that are going to immediately narrow the number of people at the tournament into 40. With this, the tournament could go with the prelimination stage with an exciting flow for the audience, I guess) (Lyan)

"We need to stick together," Wilhelmina said, her voice steady as she surveyed their surroundings. "Strength in numbers will be our greatest advantage."

"Indeed, that’s the wisest course of action," Affirmed Lyan as he readied his weapons. He’s neither using his huge magic glaive that he fonds of nor the gryphon sword he just obtained from the quest from the world of memories. He’s using a normal sword and a bow on his back.

(It would be foolish for me to use my ace weapons here, after all. I might accidently kill people with those ones) (Lyan)

The group nodded in agreement in response towards Wilhelmina’s words, forming a tight circle as they braced themselves for the onslaught to come. Their hearts pounded in unison, their breaths coming in measured anticipation as the beasts prowled around them, their primal instincts on full display.

With a sudden roar, the first wave of opponents charged forward, their weapons gleaming in the sunlight as they closed in on Lyan and his companions. Solia, ever the agile warrior, leaped into action, her sword flashing as she deftly parried their blows.

"Watch out for the goblins!" Tesha shouted, her eyes darting to the creatures scurrying toward them with malicious intent. "They’re still ugly but quite fast and cunning here!"

Lyan chuckled in Tesha’s words and tone that doesn’t match her age, "Looks like they’ve been ’trained’ by the empire as well. Watch out!"

Lyan nodded, his mind already calculating their next move as he dodged a swipe from a ferocious tiger. With a quick motion, his sword thrusts with a terrifying speed, accurately at the heart of the tiger.

Meanwhile, Wilhelmina stood her ground, her sword gleaming as she struck and slash with precision and grace. Her movements were fluid and calculated, each strike finding its mark as she danced through the chaos with practiced ease.

The arena erupted into chaos as the battle raged on, a cacophony of shouts and clashes filling the air. Lyan and his companions fought with a fierce determination, their skills complementing each other perfectly as they faced down their opponents.

But the real challenge came when the beasts entered the fray, their primal fury adding an unpredictable element to the fight. Wolves snarled and snapped at their heels, while tigers prowled in the shadows, their eyes gleaming with hunger.

"We need to focus on the beasts," Lyan shouted above the din, his voice commanding as he directed their efforts toward the most dangerous adversaries. "Take them down one by one."

With renewed determination, the group shifted their attention to the wild creatures, their weapons flashing as they launched a coordinated assault. Solia’s spear sliced through the air with deadly accuracy while supporting the others with her bow, while Wilhelmina’s sword slashes true, felling beast after beast with each precise blow.

Tesha, her eyes alight with determination, jumped from left to right with her magnificent agiity as she skillfully use her knives to kill the goblins and the wolves. With each coordinated strike, the beasts faltered, their ranks thinning under the relentless assault of Lyan and his companions.

But as the dust settled and the last of the creatures lay defeated, a new challenge emerged from the chaos. Amidst the chaos of battle, a group of rival participants seized the opportunity to strike, their weapons gleaming in the fading light as they closed in on Lyan and his companions.

"Watch out! We’ve got company!" Solia shouted, her voice ringing out above the din of battle as she readied her blade for another round of combat.

Lyan’s mind raced as he assessed the situation, his instincts sharpened by years of training and experience. With a swift motion, he conjured a protective barrier around his allies, deflecting the first wave of attacks as they regrouped for the coming onslaught.

Wilhelmina’s spear whirled through the air, striking with deadly precision as she fended off their attackers with expert skill. Her movements were fluid and graceful, a testament to her years of disciplined training and unwavering resolve.

But the enemy was relentless, their numbers overwhelming as they pressed forward with a ferocity born of desperation. With each passing moment, the battle grew more intense, the clash of steel and the roar of magic echoing through the arena.

In the midst of the chaos, Tesha sprung into action, her eyes shining with resolve as she notice Lyan’s eyes that seems to be praising her work. She moved with incredible speed, wielding her knives with precision as she darted between adversaries. With each flash of her blades, foes fell before her, unable to match her agility and skill.

Meanwhile, Solia and Wilhelmina fought side by side, their movements fluid and synchronized. Solia’s spear led the charge, while Wilhelmina’s sword provided support, creating a formidable duo. Together, they executed a flawless attack strategy, targeting their enemies with calculated precision.

As Tesha’s blades and the coordinated assault of Solia and Wilhelmina converged on the enemy, their ranks began to crumble. Faced with the relentless onslaught, the opponent group grew desperate, their defenses weakening with each passing moment. Despite their frantic attempts to hold their ground, they were no match for the combined might of the trio, and soon their forces began to dwindle.

"Come on, we’ll take you on," (Wilhelmina)