Sitting down next to my ruler, I crossed my legs and watched the battle between these two rivals.
* * *
The arena was almost completely silent save for the sounds of battle. Kari was sure that all the people sitting in the stands were just as shocked as she was—no, they were probably even more shocked.
Kari was not watching the battle between the two Nevarian Spiritualists, which was reaching its conclusion. Her attention was focused on the young man sitting several meters from the battle. He was resting with his chin on his right hand. He seemed almost bored.
“What… just happened?” Geirolf asked.
“That Eryk Veiger beat those two Spiritualists so quickly,” Mykkel muttered with breathless astonishment. “What’s more, that weapon of his is strange. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“It’s called a ruler.” Earland was frowning as he studied the weapon. “However, I’ve never seen a ruler that can separate into multiple pieces like that. I’m also not sure how he is able to control each segment with such finesse.”
“He’s using the lightning element,” their mother said. Kari turned her gaze away from Eryk to look at her mom, who was studying the boy she loved with an intense frown. “It seems that boy is able to chain those eleven segments together using lightning as a magnetic force. He then controls the ruler as though it were a dragon’s tail, allowing it to swing around and attack his opponents from a distance. His control over his own Spiritual Power is nearly perfect too.”
“The lightning element? But how?!” asked a shocked Geirolf. “He didn’t use a single form of movement to channel his Spiritual Power. This is far beyond what he did during his Honor Duel against Albert. What he just did is impossible. What’s more, he was using lightning! I thought he had a water affinity!”
“You say it is impossible, yet you cannot deny what you have seen,” Earland said. “That boy is somehow able to control the elements without the need to use Spiritual Techniques. It also looks like he has a dual-affinity. That is very rare but not unheard of.”
“That’s not possible,” Geirolf moaned, but he didn’t say anything else as he leaned back in his chair. He looked like a petulant child who was trying to deny a truth he’d just learned.
“Mother?” Kari asked as her mother’s eyes narrowed further.
“Something about this boy’s Spiritual Power feels very familiar for some reason,” her mother murmured. “Am I imagining it?”
Kari bit her lip as she heard her mother’s words. Indeed, Eryk’s power was very familiar. Her mother might not be able to figure out from where, but Kari had already realized that his Spiritual Power was the same one she’d felt that night almost three months ago.
As she wondered whether or not she should say something, the two Nevarian Spiritualists ran out of Spiritual Power at the same time, causing Rainer to declare Eryk Veiger as the winner.
* * *
“The winner of the second preliminary round is Eryk Veiger!” Rainer announced. However, there were no cheers after his words ended. Everyone was too busy staring at me. I assumed they were in shock.
I gazed at the people in the stands, all of whom looked like they didn’t know how to take my victory. They were probably stunned by my weapon. The Dragon’s Tail Ruler was not a weapon people would recognize. The exoticness of the weapon and method of attacking that it used probably left everyone present speechless. Even Valence, Kari’s blood father, was looking at me like I was a puzzle he couldn’t solve.
With a sigh, I stood up and grabbed the ruler, pulling it from the ground and setting it on my shoulder. The two Spiritualists I defeated had already been taken away. The Nevarian Spiritualists who’d battled against each other in what amounted to a double knockout had also been helped out of the arena. I was the only one left.
I turned around and walked away. However, I paused when the sound of someone clapping reached my ears. Blinking several times, I looked up toward the balcony where the Astralia Royal Family was sitting. Kari and Empress Hilda were both clapping. Kari’s three brothers hesitated for a moment, but then two of them also began clapping while the youngest of the three crossed his arms and frowned.
Once the Empress started clapping, the rest of the people in the stands reacted. Like a tidal wave, the commoners, nobles, and wealthy merchants all began to clap and cheer. It wasn’t long before the entire Colosseum appeared to have come alive.
This had never happened in my previous life. I wasn’t sure what to do. I scratched the back of my neck awkwardly as I gazed at the sea of people, then I slowly raised the ruler above my head as though declaring my victory. The people seemed to approve. Their roars became even louder, nearly causing my eardrums to burst.
Feeling more than a little embarrassed, I took my leave and wandered back into the hallway. I followed the hall to the waiting room. When I entered, it was to discover everyone present staring at me like I had suddenly sprouted a head from my backside. I glanced at these people with a frown. I could see why Fay didn’t appreciate it when they stared at her. Even Dante was giving me a strange look.
“Eryk.” Fay stepped out from the crowd. There was a pleased smile on her face. “Congratulations on your victory. It looks like you won fairly easily.”
I couldn’t keep the pleased grin from my face. “Well, those two I fought weren’t bad, but they weren’t the best either.”
While I wanted to act humble, if I had to be honest, those two Spiritualists hadn’t been very good by my standards. They had only reached the First State of Spiritualism. Granted, that seemed to be where most people in Nevaria were stuck at, but that old man Fay faced had at least reached the Second State. Had he been younger and Fay not capable of using the Flash Step, I daresay she would have lost.
Fay shook her head. “You say that, but those two are Freystein and Freya. They are a pair of mercenaries who offer their services to anyone willing to pay their price. I’ve heard that when the two of them fight together, they are able to battle on even grounds with a B-Rank Demon Beast.”
“You don’t say…” I frowned. I honestly didn’t think their power was that great, but I was also aware that my own thoughts on power were a little skewed these days. “Anyway, the next fight should be happening soon. Let’s find a good spot to watch it from.”
“Okay.”
As Fay and I walked over to the window, I looked around the room and found Grant glaring at me with eyes full of malice. He was standing beside another man who looked a lot like him. However, most of my attention was on Grant. I was almost 100% certain he was the one who hired those two to take me out. That said, it wasn’t like I had any evidence to support this.
Giving the man a broad smile, I secretly enjoyed the way his face turned puce, before I turned my attention back to Fay and began explaining the concept behind the Dragon’s Tail Ruler when she asked about it.
* * *
There were a total of fourteen more battles that took place that day. Fourteen victors emerged from these preliminary matches. Those sixteen Spiritualists stood with Fay and me on the arena floor as Rainer, Valence, and Dante stood before us.
All of the battles had been fairly intense, with more than one requiring a group of Spiritualists with the earth element to help repair the damage done to the arena floor. Even I had been shocked by some of the battles that had taken place. A few of the people who battled had already reached the Second State of Spiritualism. I had no idea there were Spiritualists who were that powerful within Nevaria.
“You sixteen contenders who have emerged victorious from the preliminary rounds will be battling tomorrow for the glory that comes with winning the Spiritualist Grand Tournament,” Rainer said as everyone remained silent. Even the audience was not speaking. “Each of you has proven your worth, showcased your power, and earned the right to compete. I hope none of you will give us a disappointing display tomorrow.”
As the man spoke, I glanced at Grant several meters to my left. The man didn’t
seem to notice I was staring at him. However, someone else seemed to because I felt a slight pressure on my skull, the kind that came from a person with malicious intentions. I looked around for a moment and discovered an older man who looked slightly similar to Grant giving me a hard stare. I didn’t know him, but since they looked so much alike, I assumed this man was Grant’s older brother or maybe a cousin. The Leucht Family was said to be fairly large.
“Before we bring this preliminary round to a close, I would like to explain how the battles tomorrow will work,” Rainer said, causing me to look away from the older man drilling holes into my head and stare at him. Rainer had his hands clasped behind his back as he looked us over. “The first round of matches will be selected at random. There is no telling who your opponent will be until tomorrow. After the first round of matches ends, the victor of those matches will battle next. The winner of round one will battle the winner of round two, while the winners of the third and fourth rounds will battle each other, and so on. This will continue on for each round until one of you emerges victorious.”
Rainer’s explanation was fairly straightforward. Everyone nodded to signify they understood. This caused Rainer and Dante to smile, though Valence remained stone-faced.
“This concludes the preliminary round of the Spiritualist Grand Tournament.” Rainer looked at each one of us in turn. “I recommend you all get a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow, you will fight in the most grueling match ups against each other. You’ll want to be well-rested.”
With those words, the first day of the Spiritualist Grand Tournament came to an end. The many spectators in the stands stood up and exited via a series of archways. Meanwhile, the Spiritualists who were competing in the tournament walked through the doorway several meters off.
As Fay and I were taking our leave with the others, Grant walked up to us.
“Don’t get too comfortable.” He shoved his shoulder against me as he walked by. “You might have emerged victorious during the preliminary rounds, but there are still a lot of battles ahead of you. You had better hope you don’t meet me in the tournament. Otherwise, I will make sure you understand what it means to suffer from a fate worse than death.”
I didn’t say anything in response to his words. Words meant nothing. Action was the only thing that mattered in a tournament. If he and I faced each other in combat, I would break him in body, mind, and spirit.
“That man is such a pig,” Fay muttered as Grant walked off with the man who looked like his older brother. “He and Torgny are both pigs.”
“Are they brothers?” I asked.
“I think they are cousins,” Fay said, tilting her head. “Torgny actually participated in the Spiritualist Grand Tournament last year as well. I remember seeing some of his battles. He is a very ruthless fighter and has a bad habit of crippling his opponents. He didn’t win the tournament last year, but some people say that was because he’d been disqualified after destroying one of his opponent’s Spiritual Pathways. Some people had been certain he would have won if that hadn’t happened.”
“He sounds like a wild beast,” I said.
“That’s exactly what he is.” Fay nodded several times as we entered the hallway and walked toward the exit. “Were it not for the fact that he needs to hold back, lest he be disqualified again, I am certain everyone who fought against him during the preliminaries this time would have been permanently crippled.”
Recalling the battle that Torgny had been involved in, I could see what Fay meant. The man’s attacks had been completely ruthless. He had wielded his massive battle axe like it was nothing. Each swing of his axe had unleashed a powerful Spiritual Technique that swept over his opponents like a firestorm. He was a fire user. However, I had sensed an indelible darkness within his flames.
“He might have a dual affinity,” I muttered.
“Excuse me?” Fay turned to look at me.
We had emerged from the Colosseum and were walking down the road. The traffic was heavy. Everyone else was also leaving the Colosseum. I could see numerous heads bobbing across my vision as excited commoners spoke in loud voices. Among the commoners who were walking through the street, a number of carriages were also flashing by, pulled along by four-legged Demon Beasts called Mastodon.
Mastodon—while they looked like frightening monsters covered in fur, with sharp tusks sticking out of their mouths, and bodies several times larger than a human’s—were actually quite docile. They were F-Rank Demon Beasts that grazed on grass. A lot of farms out in the Nevarian countryside bred them and used them for manual labor. Aside from Mastodons, there were also several Mares.
“A dual affinity,” I repeated as I grabbed her hand so we wouldn’t get separated in this crowd. I ignored her embarrassed squeak. “Most people only have a single elemental affinity. For example, your affinity is fire. However, there are sometimes people who have an affinity for more than one element. This is called having a dual affinity. I myself have an affinity for lightning and water.”
“That would explain why you can use healing techniques on top of doing that strange thing you did with your ruler,” Fay murmured.
“Yup.” I smiled, feeling just a little proud. “I actually have an equal affinity for both lightning and water. Most people who have a dual affinity will have a dominant affinity for one element and a minor affinity for another element. This is usually something that happens as a result of training. I know some people who can train to use both equally, but most prefer focusing on a single affinity because it lets them master that element to a larger degree.”
“What about you?” asked Fay.
“I was born with two affinities,” I said, then paused. “Well, I think I was born with two affinities. When I first discovered what my elemental affinities were, the lightning and water elements inside of me were already equally as strong as the other, but I never trained to use them. That’s why I think I am a natural born dual-affinity Spiritualist.”
“That’s really impressive,” Fay said.
I shook my head. “Being able to train a second affinity is more impressive than someone born with two. What I have might be rare, but it doesn’t require any talent or effort on my part.”
“You might think it’s not that impressive, but being born with a rare dual-affinity is a natural talent you were born with,” Fay rejected my opinion with a shake of her head. “It is just as impressive as someone who has trained to use two affinities.”
“I suppose,” I muttered softly. “Thank you.”
Fay blushed just a bit, but the smile on her face was filled with genuine joy. “You are welcome.”
* * *
A man sat on a small throne, elevated by a simple staircase layered in red carpet. He looked old. His face was lined with wrinkles and his short hair was white. Despite his appearance being that of an old man, he sat with his back straight and exuded the intimidating aura of someone not even half his age.
“I’m sure you are aware of why I’m here,” the man kneeling before him said. “After having watched Eryk Veiger in the tournament, you should understand that we cannot allow him to fight against Grant. The boy would stand no chance in single combat against him.”
“Hmm…” The man on the throne released a deep breath through his nose. Smoke poured from his nostrils like a dragon breathing fire. “It is true that this Eryk Veiger is incredibly powerful. I could tell from his battle against Freystein and Freya that he wasn’t going all out. He hides his strength well. Even I cannot see the depths of his abilities.” The man shifted until he was resting his head on his fist. “However, there is no guarantee that he and Grant will meet in the arena.”
“There’s also no guarantee that they won’t either,” the other man responded.
“You are the only one who dares to contradict me like this.” The wizened voice was like the deep rumbling of a rolling ocean. “But you do have a point. It might be better if we eliminate him before the tournament begins tomorrow. I’ve had Skygge keep an ey
e on him for some time now. He has already defeated several Shadows when they tried to sneak into his old residence. I’ll ask Skygge to send something more powerful to defeat him.”
The man below hesitated. “Can we trust Skygge?”
“You doubt his intentions?” The old man chuckled. “You needn’t worry. I do not trust that man as far as I can throw him. However, the two of us currently share the same goals, so we use each other. He will listen to what I say so long as he believes I can give him what he wants.”
“I understand,” the other man said before silently withdrawing.
The old man watched the younger man leave. When the man disappeared from the dark hall, he leaned back on his throne and released a deep breath.
“It is a shame you are not my heir, Torgny. You would have made a far better one than Grant.”
Another moment of silence passed before the old man stood up, his long robes shifting around his feet as he walked down the steps. He would need to speak with Skygge and have him send a group to kill Eryk Veiger. The boy was a complete unknown, and given his relationship with Kari Astralia, he was simply too dangerous to let live.
Chapter 5
Midnight Assault
I glanced at the sky as I walked back home. The stars hadn’t come out yet, but dusk was upon us. A lot of people were already inside of their homes. When I looked at the many houses, I could see lights being emitted from behind the cracks of closed doors and wooden shutters. Nobody had glass windows in this district.
With a small bag in my hand, I increased my pace and reached my house in record time, entered through the door, and slipped off my boots. As I locked the door behind me, the sound of something slithering across the floor reached my ears. It was such a distinct sound that I couldn’t mistake it for anything else.
WIEDERGEBURT: Legend of the Reincarnated Warrior: Volume 4 Page 7