Page 130 - NS 2024

The tournament typically starts off with a free for all, a max of 100 individuals are free to join and an open brawl will take place. The goal is to throw 50 individuals out of the platform. Leaving 50 contestants left, they will write down their names and they will be paired in twos, these are the one on one fights. That will call for 25 different duels and contestants that win their battle will move on to the next round until the final battle, determining the top victor. Contestants are allowed to use weapons, magic, or hand to hand combat; mixed methods are also allowed. There will be no killing, if your fight results in the death of another you will be charged with murder and imprisoned. Each fight has a time limit of 15 minutes, if both fighters still remain points will be determined by how many hits were landed. Any injuries will be properly treated after the fight by the medcore. The tournament will go on for 4 days. The winner will gain the title of strongest warrior and may get eligibility to gain a spot in the royal knights lineup.
The first two days went smoothly, many of the weaker opponents falling out of the ranking. Mizuki was enjoying herself, and had felt a hint of pride with every win. She had no reason to use any magic and she mainly won through means of basic combat. Until day three of the contest arrived, her opponent was a bit more formidable. She was up against a guy who was really good at weaponry and excelled in magic. Mizuki was doing well holding her own but when her opponent swung his sword with a wave of fire as she was at the edge of the platform, Mizuki reflexively used a spell she recently had learned while shifting her balance to the side to wrap around behind him. The spell left a trail of black spider lilies as she moved and an obsidian-colored smoke with a hint of purple seemed to integrate itself into his body. Her opponent's fire went out in mere seconds and even though he was in a position to return to a solid stance, he instead lost consciousness and fell to the ground as blood ran from his eyes. Mizuki stood there baffled, unsure of what she did, she learned the spell but never fully asked about its abilities. The referee called the match and medics came to aid her opponent. The medics called for emergency action as his pulse was faint and Mizuki was called off the platform in urgency by her father and taken back to the castle.
In the castle Mizuki and her father sat in a room alone, her father wearing a worried expression. Once they were sure there was no one listening in, Mizuki is immediately questioned, “Where did you learn such a spell Mizuki?!” her father asks. “I-i...” she stumbles over her response unsure on whether to tell the truth or not. Her father sees the worry on her face and calms himself down before asking more calmly “Listen, I know you didn’t mean to hurt anyone but that spell isn’t normal. I need to know where you got it from.” Mizuki feels slightly less anxious and decides to give a half-truth, afraid to mention the person who’s been teaching her, “came across it one day...in a scroll.” She says the last part a bit quietly. She then continues the rest openly “I didn’t know it could be that dangerous. I used it without thinking, truly!” Her father sighs sensing the honesty coming from her voice and face–he knew how to read his own child better than anyone.
“I know you didn’t mean it. I have a feeling you won’t just tell me where you found that so-called scroll so I’m just going to warn you. Don’t use magic like that ever! They may be powerful but they are also very dangerous and come with a price.” Her father tells her sternly, Mizuki just looks down and nods in obedience. Once she is dismissed she immediately goes to the med bay to ask about her opponent's condition. One of the nurses smiles awkwardly at her, “Don’t worry he’s in a stable condition right now,