The first wave of fame had been from the merchant coalition tournament in the first city. But the second wave came from two far larger tournaments in places of real significance.
The first of the larger cities was the capital of the Pelican Kingdom, whose ruler had built a massive coliseum shaped like an open beak. It could hold over a hundred thousand spectators and was usually reserved for royal events or century milestones.
Now it hosted Cattaleya.
The moment she stepped inside, half the audience rose to their feet. The remaining half followed out of instinct before even understanding why.
Her first opponent in this tournament was a high ranked winner from previous years, known for defeating thirteen people in one day. His muscles rippled like rolling steel and his reputation was so deeply ingrained in the region that children used to practice martial arts while chanting his name.
He lasted twenty nine seconds.
