There's a huge building in Dahlia where people can enter as long as they have the permission. It's a building for the academy students but the public can enter as long as they have the ticket. It's the Arena.
Usually, this place was for students for when they're training. But today, this place was used for a special occasion. It's for the competition between fellow students of the same grade.
For today, the first day, it's for the first-year students. And the second day would be for the second-year students. But for the third day, it would be for the third and fourth-year students. It's because students at that year would not care about ranking anymore so they just finished the battle quickly because pretty much the ranking wouldn't change at all. So they happened in one day because it's done quickly.
And because of that, people are more excited to watch the first day of the competition more than the other days. Even so, not all battles were done today. Because there were too many students so there were preliminary matches in the previous day behind closed door. It's to make public watch only the most entertaining part.
So for the first-year, the strong ones would fight. And those who failed didn't have to come but they can still watch.
Such was the case for Pearl, the girl who was good at healing and support. She lost right away but it was understandable because she was not a fighter. So she's sitting on the audience seat to cheer for her friends.
"Pearl, cheer for me! I'll try my best to keep winning," another girl said that to Pearl. She's Lola. Together, they're the two girls in Roland's party.
Only Pearl couldn't pass the preliminary but it was a predictable outcome.
Lola left and Pearl was waiting for the match to finally start only to be shocked when she felt evil walking nearby. Her judgment talent allowed her to judge whether someone was evil or not. But sometimes, it didn't judge well enough and she made a horrible mistake because of it.
And the one who made her experienced her own mistake was the one walking near her. She looked to the side and saw Miroslav walking down the stairs with Julian to get to where they were seated. And they're right in front of her.
"Will Nelly fight today?" Julian asked excitedly.
"She should. She's the one buying the tickets. With my money. Here some popcorn for you. Eat so you don't talk too much. Don't eat them all in one go. They will be gone before you know it. I'm sure," Miroslav said.
Pearl had encountered Miroslav a few times after the incident. But she was too embarrassed to look at him in the eye so she kept her head down. Now he's right in front of her. Just smelling the nice smell of fresh popcorn.
"Excuse me, what is that? Where can I get them?" some guy sitting in front of Miroslav couldn't help but want to get some popcorn as well.
"I don't share food with strangers. I won't sell it either. You can only fight this kid for it if you want," Miroslav said.
"Fight a kid!? Are you crazy?"
"I won't share mine. But this kid has his. You can try your best to get him to give you. If you're the one fighting the kid, you're the crazy one," Miroslav said.
And then Pearl noticed the slight kindness for the man Miroslav was talking with changed into evil. After learning that her judgment wasn't always correct, she realized that people always have different sides to them that even with her judgment talent she couldn't find at all.
The man didn't bother fighting for a bit of food and Miroslav just continued eating his share of popcorn. Julian was also enjoying the popcorn delightfully which made even Pearl interested in what they're eating but she didn't dare to ask them.
Finally the competition started. Everyone fought well until it's Anne's turn. She entered the ring with a spear in her hands.
"Miro, you taught Nelly, Melly, and Anne, right? Do you Anne can win this match?" Julian asked.
"It shouldn't be hard for the three of them to won their first few matches. Unless they're facing each other or some really good opponent they shouldn't lose easily."
As Miroslav said to Julian, Anne won rather easily.
Pearl was originally confused during classes because Cornelia, Melly, and Anne shown great improvement in the last few days. Now she's thinking if it's all because of the man in front of her.
Cornelia and Melly also won their first match. The three smoothly reached the quarter-final. They're already in the top 8 of the students.
And the first match of the quarter-final is between Melly and Anne. It's unfortunate for them because each of them had the strength to reach semi-final but one of them had to fall here.
"Miro, who would win?" Julian asked. He's out of popcorn already so he took some from Miroslav's bowl.
Pearl was also interested in hearing Miroslav's analysis about the match knowing that both fighters were taught something by Miroslav.
Pearl was shocked at how much stronger Anne was with her spear and how quicker Melly was with her kicks. And since they're all because of one person's teaching, she's also curious.
"It depends on how they fight. If Anne can keep Melly away and maintain their distance, she will win. That's the only way for Anne to win though. For Melly, once the gap is shortened, everything will be easy," Miroslav said.
"Miro, you taught both of them but is Melly your favorite?" Julian asked innocently.
"It's not because of that. I taught both of them. But I know more about kicking than spearmanship. That's why I taught Melly more," Miroslav said.
'Wait, he taught both of them? No, all three of them? And he knew about kicking more than spearmanship? What does that mean? Is his talent in kicking? But he has a sword on his waist. What is his talent?'
Pearl thought curiously about the man in front of him. Meanwhile, Miroslav was completely aware that Pearl was behind him. He just didn't care. At least he believed that Pearl wouldn't be someone who would attack him out of nowhere.
Miroslav's reason for coming to the Arena was not to cheer any of the girls he taught. He's there to look for potential candidates for his clan. He wanted to look for people who were not in the game but could be good enough if he teaches them.
The battle started. And Anne rushed toward Melly with her spear. That alone made Miroslav aware of the final outcome for this battle.
"That's a stupid move by Anne. She's too impatient. Though thanks to this I have more things to teach her," Miroslav said.
Not keeping her distance was a mistake for Anne to perform. But it was understandable for Miroslav who was aware that she lacked real battle experience.
Although the match looked exciting for everyone watching, Miroslav was already aware of the victor. He wanted to grab some popcorn from his bowl but it's already empty because of Julian who had his mouth full of it after emptying his bowl.
"No more snacks for you," Miroslav said.
"Then between the three, who's the strongest?" Julian asked as if he didn't do anything wrong.
"Your sister. Those two are fighters but your sister is a mage. The only way for her to lose against any of those two is if she's stupid and let them get too close. I think she will win the competition and ranked first easily," Miroslav said.
Hearing that analysis from Miroslav, Pearl sneered. It's because she's sure that the winner would be Roland. Roland's talents were much greater than anyone in his grade. Whether it's swordsmanship or magic, he's good in anything.
Anne was still impatient to win the match and when she let down her guard, Melly kicked her.
Melly's leg moved up and Anne thought that it would be a high kick to the head. But Melly remembered Miroslav teaching. To not rise her feet right away and only raised her knee first when kicking.
And once her knee was up, Melly's foot followed but it's toward a trajectory no one other than Miroslav expected. It's a mid-kick aimed at Anne's torso instead of her head.
And Melly's kick hit Anne's side solidly. It's a powerful kick that Anne couldn't block in time.
"Maybe I should teach them how to block attacks next time. But that's only if they still want to learn from me," Miroslav said to himself. And Pearl couldn't hear it because she's paying attention to the match that went according to his prediction correctly.
The victor was decided. Melly proceeded to the semi-final while Anne lost the match. She's in the top 8 but she could place higher if she didn't meet Melly.
Pearl became more confused at the man sitting in front of her. Just what kind of talent did he have to be able to teach three girls with three different talents?
All three of them reached quarter-final and they all won completely one-sided on their matches before.
It's like a whole different world she doesn't understand at all.