After looking at me, Freya turned back to Thalia.
She placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Are you sure it was Eren?" Her voice was concerned. Worried.
"Did you see the right name? Or did you mistake the name of your opponent?"
Thalia shook her head. "I'm pretty sure that was what I was told."
Freya sighed.
Her eyes went dead. Hollow. Like someone who had just witnessed a tragedy.
"You are done for."
Thalia looked confused. Concerned. "Why... why are you saying it like that?"
Freya raised her hand. Pointed directly at me.
"Because I'm afraid that Eren guy... is him."
All three of them turned to look at me.
And what was I doing?
Teasing them, of course.
I made a gesture with my hands. On one hand, I formed a circle with my thumb and index finger. With the other hand, I extended my middle finger and slowly pushed it through the hole.
In and out. In and out.
They wouldn't understand the meaning. This world didn't have such vulgar gestures.
But damn, it looked cool though.
Silence.
For about a minute straight.
Nobody moved. Nobody spoke. They just stared at me with various expressions of horror, confusion, and disgust.
Before any of them could do something—
"Team number 106 and team number 107."
An announcement echoed across the grounds.
"Kindly come forward and proceed to the Pre-combat Inspection within five minutes."
Thalia twitched.
Her body looked like its soul had already departed.
"It's my turn. My team is number 106." Her voice was hollow.
My eyes glowed with excitement. "Oh! That means it's my turn as well!"
I looked around for my other bag. It was sitting at a distance.
I walked over. Reached inside. And pulled out my new weapon.
A battle axe.
Newly forged. Far superior to the previous one I had trained with back home.
Now that I had the support of the Baroness, it was easy to assert authority over the local blacksmith. I had commissioned a custom weapon specifically for this competition.
The weight felt perfect in my hands. The balance was immaculate.
I held it firmly. Walked past Thalia.
Then stopped. "Let's go, partner."
That was the breaking point.
All three girls lashed out at me simultaneously.
Thalia's voice was filled with anger.
"What do you think you're doing with that axe?!"
Freya stepped forward. "Eren, please understand. This is not a joke."
Her tone was serious. Pleading.
"This competition can change your entire future. You're risking that with your playfulness."
She gestured at Thalia. "Not only your future. But hers too."
Thalia raised her hand. "It's okay, Freya. I don't need any support."
She turned toward me. Eyes burning. "Just don't come in my way."
Her voice was filled with anger. But beneath that anger, I could hear something else.
Pain.
Then Celestine chimped in as well.
She pushed her way to the front. Stood directly in my face. Pouting.
"You lied to me again, Goonman!"
She puffed her cheeks. "Or should I say... Eren?"
I raised my hands apologetically.
"I hope this doesn't affect our business arrangement, right?"
---
After some time.
After some cute moments with the girls which were explaining, apologizing, and reassuring them that I wasn't completely insane, I made my way to the inspection box.
The officials there examined my axe thoroughly.
And looked at me with deep suspicion.
I understood why.
It was rare to bring a weapon like this to the competition.
Some participants had brought weapons before. Mostly long-range options like bows or crossbows. But even those were considered inefficient by the judges.
The general consensus was that weapons degraded the purity of the competition. This event was supposed to test a summoner's ability to command and analyze—the real battle was meant to be between summons led by masters, not summon and masters.
Also main reason people don't use weapon anymore was due to the battle efficiency as it was really hard to fight from the shadows while analyzing and commanding.
And here I was. With a massive battle axe.
But I would change that stereotype today.
After what felt like a lifetime of inspection, they finally let me through.
Now I stood in the arena.
In front of me were two girls.
My opponents.
One was a shorty.
The other had long legs. But she was a fool for not showing that beauty to the world. Her outfit covered everything.
If those legs had been exposed, I might have fumbled just looking at them. They would have actually stood a chance against me.
Their loss.
Then the announcement began.
"Attention, all participants and spectators."
The voice was crisp. Professional. Commanding.
"You are kindly requested to maintain silence as the rules of this competition are explained."
A pause.
"First and foremost, I request all gathered participants, enrolled students, and visiting spectators to maintain proper decorum throughout the proceedings."
The voice hardened slightly.
"Any acts of violence outside the designated combat zones will not be tolerated. Strict disciplinary action will be taken against violators, up to and including permanent disqualification and expulsion from Azuredel."
I looked around.
The crowd was gathering. Filling the stands.
Even though this was Arena 16, one of the smaller venues and one among the dozens of them still spectators were pouring in.
Most of them were students from the academy. Here to enjoy their holiday and if serious would be here for analyzing purpose.
Others were fellow participants waiting for their own matches. Or random individuals who had shown up to enjoy the fights.
Or to place bets.
That last group was the reason I had been so stingy with my gold.
This island was famous for its betting culture.
The matches from every arena were being broadcast across the world. Well, not everywhere. Only to locations where the academy had placed their magical viewing orbs.
High nobles possessed these orbs. They used them to analyze promising students. To recruit talent or for their own amusement.
And of course, to bet their easy money away.
Some major cities also had public orbs set up in the streets. Entertainment for the masses.
I looked toward the betting box.
Celestine stood there. Still visibly angry at me.
Beside her was another orb. Smaller. Its sole purpose was to record audio and transmit it to a receiver.
That receiver was the bookie.
He administered bets based on which noble placed how much through the communication orbs.
This system meant only the highest nobility could place remote bets. Everyone else had to be physically present.
It was the perfect nexus for me to earn the money I needed for my upgrades.
I looked at the glowing runic orbs positioned around the stage. Recording everything.
I murmured under my breath.
"Watch me."
The announcer continued.
"I trust most of you are familiar with the rules, but allow me to reiterate for clarity."
A large magical screen flickered to life behind him.
"The combat flow and phase structure are displayed on the projected screens. Please review them at your convenience."
He cleared his throat.
"Now, regarding the Double Duel format. I assume you understand the reasoning behind it, so I shall be brief."
He gestured broadly.
"The primary purpose is to reduce the total number of matches. However, the main objective is to evaluate your ability to function as part of a team or conversely, your capability to face a coordinated enemy."
He paused.
"If you are eliminated before reaching the top fifty teams, do not lose hope. The selection metrics do not work so simply."
He smiled slightly.
"Even eliminated participants may receive invitations to the academy based on their performance. Conversely, even those who reach the top fifty may still face disqualification."
His expression turned serious.
"Everything depends on your individual performance. Your mentality. Your adaptability. In essence, these duels are a showcase of who you are alongside the power you possess."
He raised his hand.
"With that said, let us begin the very first match of Arena 16!"
He pointed at us "Are you ready?!"
The crowd roared.
As if the question had been directed at them.
But my focus was elsewhere.
The three girls on my side of the arena were completely focused. Ignoring the cheers. Channeling their energy.
They pulled their summons.
Beside Thalia, a figure materialized in a cascade of emerald light.
Another hot chick.
An elf. But different from Thalia. This one looked almost like a fairy. Delicate features. Ethereal presence. With characteristics that reminded me of a druid. Nature energy radiating from her form.
On the opposite side, the two girls summoned their own spirits as well.
Three summons total materialized before them.
Seeing the stage being set, I called mine. "Marcus!"
I grinned.
"Show up your ass, bitch!"
Crimson energy swirled before me.
The Shamed General materialized. His Armor was gleaming. Sword at the ready.
He looked at me. As if waiting.
I smiled. A devilish grin spreading across my face.
"Don't mess up the act we prepared."