Act 2

Two days later, it was time for the combat tournament’s first match.

“It’s finally time for the Imperial Swordsmanship Tournament, now known as the Imperial Combat Tournament! The rules have been changed this year, and the use of magic is allowed! Around half of the participants are mages!” The host’s voice clearly resounded through the arena, amplified by wind magic. Although the opening ceremony had been extremely formal, the tone of the actual event was much more relaxed, perhaps because it was meant to be entertainment. “The conditions for defeat are the same as every year: being unable to continue fighting, suffering a ring out, surrendering, and the referee’s judgment. However, this year there’s an additional condition—the destruction of your amulet!”

I raised the intricate metalwork hanging from my neck. Given to me by the tournament administrators, this mithril amulet was designed to protect its wearer from a limited amount of magical damage. When it reached that limit, it would make a sound and let out a bright light as it was destroyed, announcing its wearer’s defeat. It was essentially a protective charm the same as in my previous world. Supposedly they would prevent casualties, but I wondered how effective they would really be.

“Now, allow me to introduce the combatants in our opening match! First, we have the son of the leading magic scholar Count Lamprogue, the prodigy Seika Lamprogue!” I stepped onto the arena platform to roaring applause. My match was the very first in the tournament. I wasn’t sure if that was fortunate or not. “Participating on the recommendation of Lodonea Imperial Magic Academy, we’re starting off with a mage! He took down an elder newt at the young age of eleven and got the third-highest score on the academy entrance exam! He doesn’t use a sword or even a wand—just what sort of fight will this unusual combatant show us?!”

I looked around at the audience. The oval-shaped arena was surrounded by tiered spectator seating that stretched high into the sky. It w