340: End Year Tournament - V

End Year Tournament - V

The second day progressed with Asher observing all the matches, looking for any signs of something unusual.

Given the many changes, Asher aimed to detect any new variables that might arise.

It was clear that this life was vastly different from the one he'd known before. Even if things were unfolding as Asher hoped, he couldn't forget the warning the System had given him.

Upon reaching Level 35, Asher found that the System regained some of its functionalities.

The first thing the System clarified to Asher was the current influence of his fate on others, and theirs on him.

[ Host can go against a person with higher fate, but due to their high 'fate' a high change in variability might occur ]

[ This variability will happen as Fate will always try to follow the predestined path ]

Asher had somewhat guessed that it will happen knowing how things went during the Heist.

He knew that the two artifacts that he stole from the Vault were extremely important, and due to the fact he was changing something that was close to someone else's fate, he faced against a great threat like Louis Rothschild.

He had navigated similar challenges in his past life. Even when everything seemed to be under his control, unpredictable factors could emerge, complicating his plans.

Back then, Asher hadn't paid it much heed since he felt powerful enough to disregard such disturbances and face any adversary.

'Not much has changed,' Asher reflected, rising from his seat.

Reflecting on the day's events, other than Alyssa's victory and a few other nuances, the duels remained largely unchanged.

However, one notable difference was the tournament's pacing.

"Tomorrow the Duels between the Rankers will start," Damian said looking at Asher.

"I wonder if we will go against each other," Damian wondered.

The matchups for the Top 50 were arranged in secret. Students would only be informed of their turn two minutes before their match commenced.

Lucas and Livia eagerly anticipated watching all three of their companions.

"Nate will be here tomorrow, so you both can join him," Damian told Lucas and Livia.

Most of the Elite Families and their representatives would be present tomorrow. This meant that Arthur and Sylvie would also be attending.

"Okay," Lucas responded.

He was already aware of Nate's arrival. A few weeks earlier, Nate had grumbled to Lucas about how he was being forced out of his room to watch a tournament.

Lucas followed Asher, planning to sleep on Asher's floor, while Livia went with Amelia and Damian to the Outer Sector.

In one of the Hargrave Mansions:

"We can't deploy any more of our people," said the man with a mask, standing before a woman in a red dress.

"Are you suggesting you'll reject the request of the very individual who assisted your organization?" Casie retorted, the air growing heavy with her killing intent.

She swirled her wine, eyes fixed on the masked man.

"Two SS Rank Hunters were eliminated without a fighting chance," the man declared.

"You must recognize who has the capability to exterminate SS Rank Hunters without giving them a moment to flee," the masked man said to Casie.

The edge of the glass began to crack, with tiny shards dropping into the wine.

Of course, Casie was aware of the few individuals capable of such an act – only an SSS Rank Hunter. However, she hadn't anticipated the rumors to be unfounded.

It was widely believed that Nathaniel Greville was in secluded training when Casie had used her connections to target the twins.

"There's a new rumor," the masked man stated, facing Casie without flinching.

"The Greville Twins are said to be joining the Grandus Twins at World Academy." Upon hearing this, the glass in Casie's hand shattered.

Her killing intent surged, causing the man in the room to grow apprehensive.

They represented a major criminal organization, and Casie was one of their VIP clients. She received utmost priority due to her lineage as the daughter of Xarax Hargrave.

Normally, they wouldn't dare to target someone from the Greville Family. However, Casie wasn't the sole high-paying client seeking this outcome. Several individuals had the same objective, and their collective greed had persuaded the organization to challenge the Greville Family.

Yet the result was disastrous: their elite hunters were exterminated without even the opportunity to flee.

The underworld was once again confronted with the formidable might of the Greville Family.

"Abort the mission," Casie instructed. The man bowed in acknowledgment and vanished.

"End Year Tournament, was it?" Casie murmured.

It was the Next Day Morning, and the Start of the Third Day of End Year Tournament.

And also the day where most people were excited to see the matches, and even those that have come to watch them.

And also the mana barriers were placed as the today many powerful hunters would gather to watch the tournament, and many Important figures would be coming here.

The sound of people chatting with each other stopped as at the Center Area where Farnus and others were sitting many Portals opened up and two new guests arrived.

"Is that the Chairman of World Association?" One of students said out loud.

"And it's the Seat Holder of Hargrave Family," All of them got excited.

Xarax looked around, and he looked very imposing because of his big stature but Osbert calmly walked to seat maintaining his elegance.

"Is Nathaniel Greville not attending?" Xarax asked as he looked at Alfred.

"Who knows," Alfred replied with a smile.

His question made everyone think about the possibility that Nathan was in secluded training, with the very Mana Gem that he had received if front of them.

Osbert was the most affected by this question but he didn't show it at all.

The commentator started explaining things about the Tournament but these people were busy conversing with each other.

And in the VIP Section, Arthur and Sylvie entered with Helena sitting with them.

She wanted spend this time quietly.

The twins were already at the room, and Nate was in this VIP Room as well following behind David Seymour and his mother.

While all the participants were given a seperate room to wait until they were called.

The previous duels were made after considering the choice that were given to the students.

They were given the range or a place that they wanted or they think they deserved, and all the duels were matched considering that, and their own performance.

That's why some of the Rankers fought students Ranked in 30's and even 20's because that's how the match ups were made.

But the match ups today was done solely by the World Academy.1

"It seems quite a lot of people are here," Helena said as she sat on her seat.

She could sense the presence of many SS Rank Hunters, and strong ones at that and it meant a lot of people from other Elite Families had come to watch this Tournament.

This was the first time when so many people gathered to watch the End Year Tournament, and part of the reason was because of how many talented kids were in this generation.

The first match began and the start happened with students coming one by one as each duel was announced.

The start was slow, but slowly the ranks were decreasing and soon the First Year were around the 30th Mark, and it meant the Rankers of the First Year would soon fight.

Lucas was just waiting for Asher, while the others were enjoying the match.

"And the Next Duel if from the Rank 2 Leonard Tarvian vs Rank 11 Harris Kenley," The Commentator announced.

"It seems your Son is next," Xarax looked at Osbert.

Leonard walked on the stage and he attracted a lot of people to him, as the crowd started cheering for him.

Leonard lowered his sword as he looked at Harris who was ready to fight as well.

The duel started as both of their swords clashed with each other, and both of them were Rank B Hunters but Harris had just hit Rank B-.

The difference between them was obvious, as Leonard kept deflecting all of Harris attacks.

"You are too slow," Leonard muttered with a smile.

Harris got agitated by Leonard's taunt, and he tried to push him back, but Leonard slided Harris's sword downwards by rotating his hand a bit.

"It seems he learned a lot from you, especially your Sword Art," Xarax said.

Leonard's sword style consisted a lot of defensive techniques, and it was perfect to tire out any opponent.

It was the same Sword Art that Osbert used, but there was a different between Osbert and Leonard.

While Osbert had an affinity with Fire, but Leonard didn't and he changed this Sword Art to suit him.

Something, that made Osbert realize how talented his son was.

A smile appeared on Osbert's face as he looked at Leonard.

'It seem he had hidden it well,' Osbert thought.

Seeing how he was fighting, Osbert knew that his son has improved enough to hide his bloodline ability.

A lot of people didn't knew what exactly was Osbert's Bloodline ability, but Osbert was careful enough to make sure to teach Leonard how to hide it as well.

*Clang*

Leonard deflected Harris's sword and aimed his sword at his neck with a smile on his face.

"I lost," Harris surrendered as the Referee announced the end of the Duel.

"It was a good match," Leonard said as he left the stage.

"He is so good!!" People in the Crowd started cheering for Leonard.

"And he was so respectful as well," Another one said.

pqdm.com