Chapter 557: Let the tournament begin: Rules Explained!
Chapter 557
"Welcome you all, to another year of Aetherian Academy’s Tournament!" Leo began speaking as he stood up facing both the crowd and the big figures seated around him.
"I’m sure you all already know the people seated around me so I don’t have to go into a full on introduction at this point. So right now, allow me call upon all the students that would be participating in this tournament out here, right now so we can begin."
Hearing this, the crowd all applauded in unison causing the coliseum to shudder a bit. Pointing his hand to the side, the door opened up and the students trickled in.
Slowly, ten blue bands walked out nervously but their weapons were in hand. After a few minutes of walking, they stood in the center of the raised platform.
The platform was around ten metres wide allowing for ample movement from anybody during the tournament and it was raised three metres off the ground.
Slowly, the six yellow band students including Finral, Ray, Liam and Jared walked out with confidence in their postures and stance. Though some of the yellow bands shuddered especially being exposed to the leaders of the Aetherian faction.
And finally, the seven red bands students including the three direct descendants walked out with an air of confidence. They didn’t fidget, nor did they stagger and soon enough, they stood on the raised platform.
"I want you all to go down from the platform." Leo ordered and one by one, the students jumped down from the raised platform while standing three metres below it.
Instructor Kent also descended from the stands and stood with the participants and on his side, Albed too stood with a small frown on her face.
"I know that all of us are busy especially the leaders of the faction." Leo began as he glanced back towards the principal and the other duo who looked almost bored.
"So I won’t waste our time and just go straight to the rules. This tournament’s rules are quite simple.
We would divide the segment in two parts and all would take place today. So for the first segment, it’s an individual battle, okay?"
"Individual battle?" Grey whispered under his breath as he listened in intently.
"Yes, Individual battle. So here is the catch for this battle. Each colour band student would pick whichever opponent they want to face starting from the blue bands.
I mean we are starting from the blue bands and they are only allowed to pick a colour above theirs which means they can only pick a yellow band student to battle with. And if you want, you can challenge the red bands— if you’re strong enough. I don’t really care." Leo shrugged causally as the participants gulped loudly.
"After we have gone through the blue bands, the yellow bands are next and they can either choose to battle the blue bands or the red. But it’s advisable to pick the red bands. After we have gone through that, the second segment would begin.
I will explain the rules of that segment after this one."
"Uhm, question." A red band student said as he lifted his hand up like he was in a class while Leo nodded at him. "What’s the catch for this segment? I mean how do we determine the winners of the individual battles."
"It’s actually simple." Leo replied with a wide grin on his face. "You all have three ways to dominate your opponent. Firstly is to completely knock them out— and I mean make them go unconscious.
The second is to kick them off the platform you all are on. So if they are off the platform, you win. And the third way is make them accept defeat or forfeit. Simple right?"
The blue band students on hearing this, all gulped loudly as their hearts thumped loudly and continuously.
The spectators on hearing the rules couldn’t help but anticipate the battle more as their eyes gleamed in excitement.
But the leaders who sat there just yawned loudly.
"I really don’t care about these weak battles because I know that the red band students would clear them all. All I’m confused about is why call all of us here for this boring tournament?" Rowen asked with a small frown on his face as he turned to glare at Orion.
"That is because after this is all over, we need to have a meeting. We have something important we need to discuss." Orion calmly replied. His voice almost serene and tranquil like the lake but the aura behind it was quite the powerful one.
"Hmm. What could be that important than our clan duties?" Selene asked with a raised brow as she stared at the principal.
Orion didn’t even bother to reply as he turned his gaze back to the tournament that was about starting.
"Invasion." Leo was the one who decided to reply this time and on hearing that one word, the other leaders clicked their tongues and decided to watch the tournament.
Meanwhile, Grey in the stands had a confused and worried expression.
’Huh? Where the hell is Gunther though? I thought he would even be here for his brother but he is nowhere to be seen.’
Even Mada had the same thoughts.
’What happened to brother? Why is everybody here including father but he is nowhere to be found? Did something happen or did he just choose not to show up.’ He thought with his hands tightly clenched.
"I don’t know how you intend to get Grey to participate in this tournament, but I hope your plan works because all the clan leaders are watching and we need to show them that we are strong enough to take over the clan." Noelle whispered towards Rivock.
"Don’t worry, my revenge would surely get completed today no matter what. Grey must die today." Rivock whispered back with a deep frown on his face followed by a devilish grin.
"So everyone, without any further ado, let the tournament begin and let the first blue band student make his pick." Leo announced as he turned towards the crowd before taking his seat.