( Meanwhile at the capital city of StrongHaven )
At the same time that the DarkSky guild battled fiercely against the demon army, a major event unfolded simultaneously in the Capital City of StrongHaven, in the form of the 'Master's Tournament'.
A total of 32 masters participated in this prestigious competition, showcasing their skills before a packed stadium of spectators in the Grand Arena.
Unfortunately, the tournament was slated to last just four days, yet the excitement it generated was unprecedented.
Just as Emperor Julien D. Evanus had hoped, the tournament's hype eclipsed anything seen before, momentarily diverting the Empire's attention from all other concerns, with everyone seemingly fixated on this singular event.
The competition featured the Four Arch-Dukes, Commander Thalion, the remaining Three Vice Commanders, Ben Faulkner, Lady Vivienne, Sir Gareth, Master Ethan, and many other notable figures, with each match surpassing the last in intensity and spectacle.
For the sake of the Empire's future, killing the opponent was not allowed in the master's tournament and a match only ended with disarming or immobilizing an opponent, which disappointed Ben since he was looking to kill a few opponents should the opportunity present itself.
The significance of the Master's Tournament extended far beyond mere entertainment. For the common player, this event was a rare glimpse into the pinnacle of their chosen path.
Each master on the stage represented the ultimate evolution of a class, embodying the skills and techniques that many aspired to achieve, and hence, the atmosphere in the arena was electric when the tournament officially kicked off as players from all walks of life watched in awe, their eyes glued to the movements of their idols, hoping to glean even the slightest hint of what their future might hold.
Every clash on the battlefield was more than just a fight; it was a masterclass in combat, with each move, spell, and tactic analyzed and absorbed by the spectators.
The tournament wasn't just a showcase of power; it was an educational experience, offering insights into the next progression of one's abilities.
Each battle left the crowd not just mesmerized but also enlightened, as they witnessed firsthand the true potential of their class in the hands of a master.
However, although all master clashes were exciting and worthy of the crowds awe, some clashes stood above the rest because of the dominance of one contender, and one such match was the one between Commander Thalion, a master swordsman, and his first-round opponent, Master Aric Thorne, who was a renowned duelist known for his lightning-fast reflexes and precise strikes.
However, despite Aric's formidable reputation, Commander Thalion's superior technique and raw power made quick work of the duel as with a flurry of swordplay that seemed almost too fast for the eye to follow, Thalion disarmed his opponent and struck the final blow with clinical precision, leaving no doubt about his victory.
Another dominant match was that of Lady Vivienne, a mage of unparalleled skill, facing off against Master Elise Karr, a talented elemental sorceress known for her control over fire and water elements.
The battle was a dazzling display of arcane power, with the air crackling as spells collided midair. Yet, Lady Vivienne's mastery of complex and layered spellcasting overwhelmed Elise, who, despite her best efforts, could not break through Vivienne's intricate defenses as with a final, elegantly woven spell, Lady Vivienne subdued her opponent, securing a well-deserved win.
Later, Sir Gareth triumphed in his bout, and Master Ethan emerged victorious as well, each displaying the prowess that had earned them a place in this prestigious tournament.
Yet, the best and most anticipated matches of the day was undoubtedly the one between Ben Faulkner, the legendary master assassin, and his opponent, Master Roderick Vayne, a skilled and elusive rogue who had built his reputation on being able to outmaneuver any foe.
Ben Faulkner was an urban legend even amongst masters and with his recent feat of killing a few demon counts and capturing the Demon Whisperer, his reputation had been elevated to a legendary status, making him a crowd favorite.
From the very start, it was clear that Ben Faulkner was in complete control. Every attempt by Roderick to gain the upper hand was swiftly countered by Faulkner, who seemed to predict his every move.
The battle was a masterclass in tactical dominance, where Ben moved like a shadow, striking with lethal precision and vanishing before Roderick could react as Despite Roderick's best efforts, he found himself consistently one step behind Ben, with his every maneuver anticipated and thwarted by the master assassin.
The climax of the fight came when Faulkner lured Roderick into a trap of his own making. With a series of feints and misdirections, he corralled Roderick into a vulnerable position, where a swift and decisive strike ended the match.
The crowd erupted into cheers, having witnessed a display of absolute mastery in the art of assassination, as Ben Faulkner had not just won; he had thoroughly outclassed his opponent from beginning to end, leaving no doubt about his superiority as while Roderick had to use skill moves after skill moves just to stay in the fight against Ben, Ben did not use a single mana based skill in the match and still won without a scratch.
Even Julien himself applauded Ben for his win, as the greater the legend of Ben Faulkner became the better it was for him, however Ben only snorted in amusement when he noticed Julien clapping for him.
Regardless, The matches continued to happen after Ben's was over, setting the stage for what promised to be an unforgettable tournament, with every master bringing their best to the battlefield, and the audience left in awe of the incredible displays of skill and strategy.
For now, it seemed to be too early to determine as to who would be the eventual winner of the grand tournament, however, after the first round, the top two favorites to win it all were Commander Thalion and Ben Faulkner, who were closely followed by Lady Vivienne and the others.
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/// A/N - Mass Release Chapter 3/7 ///