24th of December...The day of Christmas is closing and even better all day on the 24th the whole tournament being held in the middle of none other then our own Rodeo academy's huge tournament stadium. It is said that the stadium is capable of holding about a million people with private seats given to by flying mages. Those private seats will be given to the 8 councillors.

The stadium also changes construction depending on the match type which will be decided by lucky draws. That's right, there are various types of matches we will be competing in unlike the battle royale where we didn't do jack shit in. This is where our hardwork will be tested at. Not to mention, we can damage as much as we want, so we don't need to hold back as the mages will immediately heal someone if there is a serious injury or in case of people they have magic barriers which protect the whole stadium.

"So...We will be fighting in such a huge stadium..." Ricardo says as his eyes widen. "Hey there, I know I ain't that great but your like my soothing sunscreen." Richard is trying to hit on girls. I sigh. Like that kind of line would work with ladies. "Hey kid, are you nervous?" Mr. Daniel keeps his hand on my head and asks. "Not at all, in fact, I am all pumped up to take down any of those academies that come in my way." I say. "That's right...Rodeo academy is not only the academy with it's squads here but there are other academies too. Other academies who have been through this stage. So careful kid, it's going to be a tough journey up-ahead." Mr. Daniel says with a smile. "I know sir but we are more then ready for the tournament." I say that but...If we get to fight Cyan's brother in the first round we are totally screwed.

Through what I know, during the first two rounds, another lottery draw will be used and the 8 councillors will pick up the random fighters then. So, if through that lottery draw by any chance we get him...We are going to be in deep trouble. Not only that...But then there is that mysterious girl Amy who I met the other day...

"ALRIGHT! WE ARE READY TO GO!" Damien surely seems pumped. "Don't be so confident." It's Cyan, it seems Jian and his squad has arrived too. "So it's your squad against mine huh Jian?" Mr. Daniel says with a smile of a rival. "My squad will against your's Caster." Jian says. "DON'T COUNT ME OUT!" Behind us Bruno and his squad arrives. "That is correct, we will defeat the both of you!" Sean who is along with them says. I smile. "We shall see." I say. "WHO COMES ON THE TOP!"

"The kids have grown by quite a bit." Jian says. "Also, Caster, we need to speak in private." Jian continues. "Is it about..." Jian interrupts Caster. "Not here." Jian says and leaves. Caster follows.

"Hmm?" I turn behind and watch Jian and Mr. Daniel leave together along with Bruno who follows them. I wonder what that is all about. "HEY! LET'S GET IN HENRY!" Sophie calls me all the way from near the entrance. When did she reach there?

We all begin making our way into the stadium. It's full packed like we are watching some kind of huge festival or an event occur. Well technically this is a huge event but man to see about million people come and join us. It has a completely different feel from the qualifier. The qualifier...It just felt so...Empty.

The announcer is near a huge transparent television in the air. We are obviously a running a little late because why not. My other teammates are in the locker room preparing themselves while I am here outside watching all this occur.

"...WITH THAT WE WELCOME YOU TO THE ACADEMIC TOURNAMENT WHICH IS HELD EVERY SINGLE YEAR ON THE DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS AND THE FINAL'S WILL OBVIOUSLY BE PLAYED ON CHRISTMAS EVE!" The announcer announces.

"So, your here too?" Cyan arrives behind me. "Yeah, just thought take a look at the layout and the structure of the ground. The Tournament stage structure might change but not the ground." I say. "Aren't you revealing a little too much of your plans to an opponent?" Cyan asks me. "Not really, this is quite normal for me, I always look for advantages and disadvantages." I say.

"Well...Damn, you must be quite an intelligent one then huh?" Sean comes from my left. "It's the first thing in the basic knight books." I say. Sean sighs. "You know, at the beginning, I never thought that I would like a newbie like you...But back then when you put your life on the line for me and Ms. Tamie. I begun to think that I was a jerk after all." Sean smiles. "That doesn't mean that me and that fire idiot won't go heads in again. His my rival after all." Sean says looking at the sky. I smile. "A rival who use to bully?" I chuckle. "Hey now, it wasn't my fault he was restrained by magic the other day." Sean says as he pouts. "Sean just likes to fight with Jacob nothing much." Cyan chuckles. "THAT'S NOT THE CASE!" Sean screams. "Then why get so angry." Cyan smirks.

I smile and look towards the sky as Cyan and Sean argued. This is the moment that I have been waiting for...The top 16 of the tournament. The only obstacle that remains is to somehow pass the first round and if possible win this tournament home to us.

"Hey Henry..." Cyan calls out for me. "Do you think that at my level...I will be able to defeat my brother?" Cyan asks. "If your asking an honest answer...No!" I say without any hesitation. Cyan's eyes widen. "Hey, you have no chill man...Why you have to be like that-" Cyan interrupts Sean. "Then why train me..." Cyan's voice begins to crack like she is about to cry. I sigh. "Because you have the potential to beat him...Remember this Cyan, if you even make him use his magic today against you, you have won because...You just took a huge step forward and became really strong." I say with a smile. Cyan looks at me and smiles. "I guess so..." Cyan looks away.

"And now for the councillors to arrive, in an order of strong to weak they arrive, the first one will be, the strongest race and that will the Elven queen, Vasteria Nightelf!" The announcer announces.

A beautiful woman whose dressed up with a green skimpy dress with a huge robe which goes down to her brown booths takes her seat on one of the 8 chairs in the air above us. She has pointy ears like a rabbit, holds a dagger near her waist and just a bow on her back. The crowd cheers on as the Elven queen arrives and sighs. Why do I have a feeling that Richard just died due to loss of blood after seeing Vasteria?

"Next one on the is one of the races who accels not only in hand to hand combat but also healing magic. It's none other then councillor Oki, the goddess of the cat-people!" The announcer announces.

A short person almost as short as a 7 year old is seated on the second seat. She is wearing a red yukata with some colourful flowers on it. She also seems to be having two cat years which keep on twitching and a tail which she seems to be...Licking? That is such a weird scene to see. Not only me but Cyan and Sean agree too.

The next one after the cat god was our human race, councillor Cao Ping in his casual changpao. He looks at me and grins. I have no idea what that means.

The next race who ranks after the human race is the dwarves. Their council member is Freego Maria, his an old guy with some weird gadgets hanging along his face and body. It will be fun to see what his students are capable of doing.

Then we got the dragonmen, they are called the dragonmen because their skin is as hard as that of the dragon, their councillor is Donna, a green scaled dragonman whose tales I have heard a lot. He is supposed to be one the physically strongest beings to be alive in this world. Basically, through what I know, Donna took on some dark guilds and the dark guild tried to use some kind of dark magic on him but it didn't work and normal weapons do not work against him making him basically invulnerable to a lot of attacks. You just have to be generally stronger then the green scaled man who has a huge sword like an Orc carries on his back.

There is the Demi-humans then, the council member who represents the Demi-humans seems to be wearing quite a noblesque clothing which suit his huge body and his skin seems to be just like that of Rina...Could he also have the dragon form like Rina too?

And then finally, the Orcs, they are considered the weakest race as of right now hence why they are given the 8th place in the council and Yima represents them.

"Huh?!" My eyes meet with Yima's as the announcer is done announcing. Her eyes spark with stars. What is the meaning of this? "HENRY!!!!" She screams hugs me. "Yeah, it's me Yima..." I say. "WOH! THIS HOT ORC COUNCILLOR KNOWS YOU?!" Sean looks dazed. Why do I feel a killing intent from somewhere? "HENRYYYY!!!! WHEN DID YOU BECOME SUCH A PLAYBOY?!" (An angry Richard watching the action from the locker room)

"Where's father Henry?!" Yima looks excited. "Well, why don't you ask our human councillor...His the one who can answer it properly." I say. "Oh I see...I hope to see you fight well Henry, I will be rooting for you!" Obviously no Orcs are participating as they do not have an academy nor are any Orcs attending any academies. So Yima will be watching me. I sigh.

"Huh? What happened to Cyan?" I look at Cyan whose all red and fallen on the ground. "I think I have an idea..." Sean says and picks up Cyan. He begins to walk inside. "You better be ready Henry...I will be coming for you and I will be winning against you." I smile. "Sure thing!" I say with a smile. In few minutes, the tournament shall begin and our fates with that will either be crushed or just turn on us with a victory who knows. Only time will tell.