A storm of emotions brewed within Alden.

At first, he had thought that getting through the Tournament wouldn't be that difficult. He just had to keep to himself, hold his tongue, and appear dignified, if not slightly regal.

…Unfortunately, Zaruk and House Aerithale had run their mouths.

And now, Alistair and Elara had to pay for that.

While Alden did not regret preserving Celeste's honour, it frustrated him how conceited everyone in the private viewing chamber was.

'Why does politics have to be so annoying?'

Alden gnashed his teeth, sensing his temple throb.

He felt indignant, aggrieved, annoyed and helpless.

To make matters worse, this was only the first day. Tomorrow, the Tournament for individual Champions would start - once the proceedings for the Guild Tournament finished. This meant he would have to endure more politicking, not to mention taking extreme care not to offend any more Masters.

He groaned internally.

Alden was astute enough to recognise that these important figures had it out for him the moment he first stepped through the door. They would have mostly likely fabricated some other nonsense to undermine him.

It just turned out that they were content to use Zaruk and House Aerithale for this scheme.

However, even though Alden had a feeling something like this would happen, it hadn't stopped him from hoping things would turn out differently. Unfortunately, for him, his suspicions were correct.

'I need to show them I am not to be messed with.'

The question was… how?

Inwardly, Alden cursed these stuck-up Masters.

Shaking off the dark thoughts which arose every time he recalled the vote against him and his parents, Alden closed his good eye. He remained like that for the rest of the mid-morning bouts, using his Mana Sense to observe the battles below.

As time passed, the clashes seemed to blur, such that he had difficulty remembering each one.

However, three did stand out.

The first was a match between the Ice Wraiths and the Stone Apes. Similar to the Rime Hounds, the latter possessed the ability to transform into simian creatures adorned with stony, scaly skin.

Alden wasn't quite sure how they could metamorphose like that.

Was it a result of their Magic Class? Was it a special Skill?

Was it courtesy of the contract they signed with their Sponsor?

Alden could only guess.

…In any case, it did make for an entertaining fight.

The crowd appreciated it, and to some extent, Alden had too.

The Stone Ape's opponents were not to be outdone. As soon as the battle started, an icy mist had engulfed the grounds of the arena. The sight had caused Alden a little discomfort, his frame unable to forget the memories of fighting within a chilly fog, surrounded by a seemingly endless defiled horde. Love this story? Show your support on M9VLEMPYR.

His phantom twinge aside, the Ice Wraiths moved with remarkable grace, cutting through the mist like a scythe through water. It was as if they were natural predators in their element.

'Probably how they got their name.'

Alden speculated. It did seem likely.

The Stone Apes were unbothered with how smooth their foes flowed through the mist, though.

Their keen simian senses allowed them to discern the approximate location of the Ice Wraiths, even if the accuracy of their perception was hampered slightly by the magical mist. Once they locked onto them, the ground shook as it rose, forming large, interconnected maze-like structures designed to trap each Ice Wraith within.

Thus, the Theatre of War transformed into a playground with both sides vying for the title of predator and shunning the mantle of prey. Inside the earthy labyrinths, the Ice Wraiths sought a way out while the Stone Apes gave chase.

The latter possessed impressive agility, changing directions with ease.

Unfortunately for the Stone Apes, one of their biggest strengths - their simian forms - proved to be their undoing. As a result of the mass of fur which covered their bodies, they had been slow to sense the change in the still-present mist.

Over the course of the fight, each Ice Wraith had methodically released little trickles of icy mana into the surrounding fog, decreasing its temperature. Before the Stone Apes knew it, they had found themselves frozen over, encased in a tomb of ice, appearing like gelid sculptures.

Alden did not miss the satisfied look which briefly flashed across Elder Crystal's features.

The second bout was memorable for a different reason.

It was because he recognised one of the Guilds stepping out to fight.

…After all, they had caused him no shortage of trouble during his Paladin Exam.

In their first fight, the Noble Sisters faced off against the Wild Fang Guild, a group famed for their savage air and appearance - unkempt hair, gruesome scars -, reminiscent of beasts.

The grizzly veterans used metal clubs inscribed with runes, gleaming cleavers, and other menacing weapons. The Nobles wore the same attire, with Toni garbed in a cloak, the Noble Queen outfitted in her impressive armour, and the staff-wielder adorned in her simple, yet practical protective clothing.

At first glance, their strategy appeared the same from back then, too.

However…

It seemed Alden's somewhat brief battle against them had inspired the Nobles, for Toni did not immediately attack. Instead, she stayed where she was, beside her older sister as the staff-wielder took a protective step forward, blocking the first wave of attacks.

…Including the two which had barreled towards her sisters, behind their backs.

This naturally resulted in the staff-wielder becoming the prime target of the Wild Fang Guild, and Alden couldn't help but feel it was calculated. Indeed, his instincts were correct, as the youngest Noble attracted the attention of the Wild Fang's, giving her sisters enough of an opening to strike.

And Asterons did they make use of that.

The cloaked figure disappeared in her customary fashion without any trace, while the Noble Queen took a single step. That step, however, was deceptive. In an instant, she was past her opponent, requiring only two blows, one to disarm, and one to eliminate.

Toni also took care of her quarry similarly, and the remaining Wild Fang only lasted a moment, before the Noble Sisters quickly eliminated them. Watching the battle from afar, in the outsider's perspective made Alden appreciate their acumen that much more.

The Nobles didn't even give their opponents a chance to showcase their prowess.

Truly, they were terrifying… and he had elbowed one of them in the stomach.

Alden tried not to shiver. That said, he did not regret it.

Toni deserved it.

Probably…

The last bout involved the Shing's and the Stone Scarabs, mainly because of the former's fighting style. The latter had attempted to throw them off by abruptly dislodging the earth around them, but the Shing's remained calm, quickly drawing their blades.

That rapid motion created a 'shing' sound which vibrated across the arena, causing the Stone Scarabs to stagger. Another quick draw, and they found themselves somehow on their knees.

A moment later, the Shing's pressed their blades against their necks.

… And that was how, the Shing's - composed of FireShing, SaffierShing, and EmphaticShing - blitzed through their opponents.