Weeks passed and the bustling Kingdom of Eirini just got livelier than ever. With the news about the tournament reaching the corners of the world, magic users of all kinds came rushing to join the fight. From wizards, mages, sorcerers, and elementalist to druids, necromancers, witches, and many more—all who were experts in controlling nature’s “spiritual energy” which was used to cast magic. Some tribes referred to them as “mana” while others called them “life force” or simply “energy” and the like. Whichever the case, they all gathered in the hopes of being awarded as the champion.

Having decided to join the competition herself, Asha stayed a little longer in the Kingdom of Eirini. She still continued her search, though it was more relaxed than usual. Since she already surveyed the land, she decided to take it slow. On some days she could be seen shopping around the town, eating at different restaurants, or visiting tourist spots. On other days, she would focus on finishing the quests she took from the Adventurer's Guild. After all, she still needed to earn her keep if she ever wanted to continue venturing around the world.

Doing quests had always been easy for Asha—except perhaps, for those that were too high-level for her, reserved for SS or SSS rank adventurers. Being an Elementalist, she could freely summon her elemental spirits and they would do the fighting for her. Aqua, in particular, enjoyed fighting monsters. Despite the cute spirit’s appearance, she hid a terrifying menace and thirst for battle. Solum, on the contrary, preferred to just sit and watch as Aqua wreaked havoc wherever she was—like that one day when she drowned all the monsters in her waters or another when she sliced them up with her water blades.

“Mwa-ha-ha! Face the wrath of the Great Aqua!” the cute little spirit laughed as she slaughtered the evil goblins and wolves in the forest. “You can run, but you can’t hide!”

“Master, if you don’t mind me asking,” Solum said as he sat on Asha’s shoulders, “where on Terra did you meet Aqua? Did you not think twice before signing a contract with her as one of your familiars? I dare say she is quite… uhm, you know, dangerous?”

Asha chuckled. In a teasing manner, she asked him, “Why? Are you scared of her, Solum?”

“I-It’s not that! I am just… worried about your well-being. She might be using too much of your spiritual energy after all. Y-Yes, that’s right.”

“Why, thank you for your concern. But don’t worry, I have plenty of energy to spare. And about Aqua, despite her appearance, she is actually really kind. She’s just a little… belligerent at times? Hmm… Is that the proper term?”

“Uhm… I-I think it’s more than that.”

“Take this! And this! Aaaand this!” Aqua continued fighting mercilessly.

“You know what, Solum? Perhaps you’re right. Now why don’t you go ahead and stop her before she floods the whole forest?”

“Yes, master.”

And so, it was another day of Solum saving the rest of the creatures in the forest from Aqua’s power.

Asha also had other elemental spirits like Ignis, her fire spirit, Glacies, her ice spirit, Zephyrus the wind spirit, and Fulgur the thunder spirit. She often let them cultivate themselves in the Spirit’s Realm so she rarely called them. Cultivating was one of the musts for spirits if they ever wanted to grow stronger and evolve. Aqua and Solum were the strongest ones amongst her elemental spirits and needed less cultivating time than others. This was the reason why she often called them out when she needed to engage in battle or when she simply needed help on trifling matters—like wanting soothing bath water.

Days passed once more until it had been a little more than a month since the competition was announced. At last, the day had come for all contestants to present themselves before the emperor and for the tournament to begin!

Everyone gathered at Eirini’s Coliseum to witness the battle among the greatest magic users around the world. Lively decorations filled the place while stalls of foods, refreshments, and different merchandise were scattered by the doors of the coliseum. Knights were stationed everywhere as well to maintain peace amongst the spectators. They cast barriers between the seats and the stage to protect the people should some of the contestants be too powerful and accidentally harm the watchers.

Be it children, teenagers, adults, the elderly, or anyone of any age group or tribe, they were all present and cheered excitedly for the coming match. Bets had been placed according to their favorites whom they thought would win and become the champion. The people of Eirini had always loved entertainment, and they surely wouldn’t pass on experiencing such a marvel.

At the far center seat elevated among the rest were the emperor, empress, and all their vassals. Their chairs were specially prepared with the most comfortable furniture and servants with refreshments stood nearby. The Royal Knights were present on all sides to guard them.

Sitting at the bottom row closest to the stage were Holy Knight Alexander, High Priestess Kerensa, and the commanders of knights. They, too, wished to witness everything in a closer perspective. After all, they were the ones who requested the tournament to eye for possible candidates who would join the hero’s party.

Meanwhile, all the contestants lined up outside the stage, waiting for the tournament to begin. Some were confident, while some were on the verge of tears. Some were brawny, while some were scrawny. Male and female, they gathered, with either good or bad intentions. Nevertheless, they were all qualified to join the test of power.

Dun-dun-dun-dun!

Finally, the drums and trumpets reverberated in the surrounding. Emperor Vasilias stood up from his seat, and as he did, the noise all around came to a halt.

“Greetings, faithful citizens and visitors of the Kingdom of Eirini,” the emperor started. “Greetings to my vassals and the nobles present here. Greetings to our new hero, Holy Knight Alexander, to the High Priestess Kerensa, and the commanders of their knights.”

Everyone bowed their heads as the emperor mentioned them one after another. Great fervor filled the whole coliseum.

“And most of all, greetings to every contestant who has traveled far and wide to join us in this tournament of finding the most powerful magic user in Terra. We are grateful that you have come and taken part in our search. Rest assured, you will all be rewarded handsomely. But for the one who will be the champion of this competition, an even greater reward and honor have been prepared for you.”

“YEAH!”

Everyone started cheering and clapping their hands. The wild noise was back, increasing the great excitement that was already apparent everywhere. Seeing as they couldn’t wait any longer, the emperor finally announced.

“Without further ado—Let the tournament begin!”