At midnight, we gathered in the lobby for the bracket posting. All sixteen team captains. Plus officials, guards, and too many spectators to watch the listing.

The tournament organizer who is an elderly woman with stern eyes, activated a magical projection.

"The 73rd Continental Inter-Academy Tournament bracket is now official. Matches begin tomorrow at 1 PM. Round one consists of eight matches. Winners advance to quarterfinals the following day. Questions?"

Nobody had any questions.

I studied the bracket.

ROUND ONE:

1. Ravana (Astral Haven) vs. Tempest (Stormwatch)

2. Celestius (Astral Haven) vs. Blackwater (Crimson Spire)

3. Nightwhisper (Shadowgrove) vs. Cipher (Mystholm)

4. Steelheart (Ironheart) vs. Riverbound (Crimson Spire)

5. Ashford (Astral Haven backup) vs. Stormcaller (Stormwatch)

6. Brightwing (Mystholm) vs. Frostmarch (Shadowgrove)

7. Ironside (Ironheart backup) vs. Wavecrest (Crimson Spire backup)

8. Lightseeker (Stormwatch backup) vs. Deepwood (Shadowgrove backup)

First match. Us against Lyra's team. The woman who'd just joined our resistance network.

"Convenient?" Lucille muttered.

"Suspicious," I corrected.

Victoria appeared at my elbow. "Its not that suspicious, it was arranged. I have friends on the tournament committee. Made sure your first match was against someone who won't try to kill you."

"But it's still a real match," Lyra said, joining us. "I'm not throwing the fight, my team deserves to compete fairly."

"I wouldn't want you to," I said. "We win on merit or not at all."

"Good." She extended a hand. "May the best team win."

I shook it. "Tomorrow afternoon then, first match."

"First of many," she said. "If we both survive this tournament."

"When," I corrected. "When we survive."

She smiled grimly. "I like that."

The crowd began dispersing. As we headed back to our floor, I noticed Adrian lingering near the bracket, staring at his match assignment.

"Blackwater's good," I said, stopping beside him. "Crimson Spire's captain, he's a naval combat specialist."

"I know. I've studied the other teams." He didn't look at me. "Hadeon, what Aria....said about me being at a crossroads. I know you intentionally forwarded the prophecy to me..."

Of course I did, if I want to make him my tool then I have to break him thoroughly. Shake him and let him doubt everything.

I smiled. "What about it?"

"Is it true? Do you actually think we could work together? After everything we've done?"

Work together? More like work for me. But of course I could not say something like that.

"I don't know, maybe? If you're willing to actually question what you've been told. To think for yourself instead of following destiny. To accept that being the hero doesn't automatically make you right."

"And if I can't do that?"

"Then we stay enemies. We fight when our paths cross. And eventually, one of us loses everything." I met his eyes. "But I'd prefer another version."

"That would require trusting you."

"And me trusting you. Which is terrifying for both of us." I smiled slightly. "But Felix trusted me. My faction trusts me. Victoria, Kaeel, Cipher, Lyra, they're all trusting me to do something impossible. What's one more impossible thing?"

Adrian was quiet for a long moment. Then: "I'll think about it. That's all I can promise."

"That's enough for now then."

He walked away. Leaving me wondering if I'd just recruited my greatest tool or set myself up somehow.

The System chimed softly.

```

[ARRIVAL AT SILVERCREST: COMPLETE]

[INTELLIGENCE GATHERED: Extensive]

[ALLIANCES FORMED: Multiple]

[ENEMIES IDENTIFIED: Partial]

[TOURNAMENT STATUS:]

Round 1 Opponent: Lyra Tempest (Stormwatch)

Difficulty: Medium-High

Outcome Probability: 65% victory chance

Alliance Status: Will fight fairly but not lethally

[KNOWN THREATS:]

- League operatives identified

- Ruins Academy attack proves League will kill openly

- Baron monitoring from shadows

- Council watching Adrian's behavior

[NEW ALLIES:]

- Victoria Steelheart (Cycle survivor)

- Kaeel Nightwhisper (Cycle survivor)

- Cipher (researcher, Mystholm)

- Aria (probability seer, Mystholm)

- Lyra Tempest (family records, Stormwatch)

- Adrian Celestius (tentative, uncertain, critical)

[CURRENT VILLAIN SCORE: 75,000]

[RANK: A+ rank]

----

I stared at the system thoughtfully and then returned to my room, lay down fully clothed with sword within reach. Even in a place like this I can't let my guard down.

I thought about what has happened. From the time that Felix died to now. From the time I came to this world. Things had progressed so fast that I am honestly carving for some little peace but it seems the very world is against my idea.

The Council and the League. The Resistance. And who knew what other organizations are out there?

And somehow...they all want a piece of me while they don't tell me what they actually wanted from me. And this tournament as well where the real battle wasn't in the arena.

It was in the shadows. Where the League waited. Where the Baron plotted and where the Council pulled strings.

Tomorrow, I'd see if I could survive the tournament itself.

I closed my eyes.

☆☆▪︎▪︎☆☆

The arena was louder than I'd expected.

Ten thousand spectators packed the Silvercrest Grand Colosseum, their voices creating a constant roar that vibrated through the stone beneath my feet. Magical amplification crystals carried commentary to every seat. Betting booths lined the outer walls and street vendors sold everything from team pennants to enchanted viewing lenses.

This wasn't just a tournament.

It was a spectacle as well and everyone was there for the entertainment.

"Nervous?" Seraphina asked, adjusting her armor straps.

"Terrified," I admitted. "You?"

"Always." She smiled slightly. "Anyone who isn't nervous before real combat is either lying or stupid."

We stood in the preparation room beneath the main arena. Our match was first. Lyra's Stormwatch team versus mine.

The other three matches of the morning block would follow. Adrian versus Blackwater, Nightwhisper versus Cipher, and Steelheart versus Riverbound.

Eight teams fighting today with four advancing later.

"Five minutes," an official called through the door.

I turned to my team. "Final check. Everyone ready?"

Lucille tested her daggers and poison vials secured at her belt. "Ready."

Seraphina flexed her shoulders, holy blade gleaming. "Ready."

Ravenna closed her grimoire, void smoke dissipating from her fingers. "Ready."

Marcus adjusted the enchantment focus on his staff, defensive arrays glowing faintly. "As ready as I'll ever be."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.