Idowuokurestu Olufemi

Soon after I initiated my first attack, Gonzalo swiftly vanished and appeared instantly behind me with a flash step; the beastman was surprisingly quick for his size and class. I drew mana from my cache to prepare for impact, “Earth Signature: Tera Wall!” I chanted. A wall of bedrock erected from the ground on my rear that was soon met with a devastating blow from both of my opponent’s axes. The attack was enough to completely shatter the defenses I manifested; this was expected though, I would’ve had a similar strategy if I were him. 

Gonzalo jumped several meters back and dropped the ax in his left hand down. The mana intensified in his right hand holding the second ax and he began spinning the ax while chanting, “Manticore Signature: Battle Frenzy!” A surge of mana swelled within the young man’s body as his muscles and stature grew; the markings along his body began to glow intensely and he continued his chant. When he was done, he launched himself towards me. 

There was just enough time for me to scribe parry spell to counter my opponent’s onslaught, “Earth Signature: Minor Shield!” I yelled while scribing my name to activate my spell. A thick, yet translucent light trailed my mace as I scribed the characters of my name in the air “オ(O)ラフ(Lu)ェ (Fe)ミ(Mee)”. The characters glowed fiercely as I completed the scribe; the characters then broke off, piece by piece and formed into tiny and sturdy shields that were able to block Gonzalo’s attack. The boy’s balance was thrown off and he tumbled to his right side, not missing my opportunity, I went in for an attack. 

I slammed my mace into my opponent’s abdomen and fye flew backwards toward his starting placement, Perfect, I thought. I swung my weapon over my head and let out a blood curdling scream, “Ahhhhhhh!” I charged after the beastman and prepared for my blitz, however, even though I kept my eyes on the boy, it had appeared that he’d vanished into thin air. I stopped mid lunge as I felt the presence of someone’s murderous intent; it was Gonzalo. 

I couldn’t see it, but my opponent had a fire in his eyes that had the ability to end my life if I didn’t think fast enough. I immediately erected an earth wall to gain some distance between the two of us, but even that wasn’t enough. Gonzalo swung one of his axes and completely demolished my barrier, something feels off, I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was supposed to be down for the count by now, but he was still moving. I looked over my shoulder and to my surprise, I saw my opponent piercing his battle axes into the ground before bowing at a 90 degree angle. “Thank you for this bout, it is clear that I need to focus on strategy, rather than brute force,” he said with, dare I say, a rather suave Beasterian accent. I wasn’t sure exactly what had happened, but I could deduce that the match was over. 

The crowd stared at us in complete silence before Princess Minerva made her announcement, “The winner of the first match is, Idowuokurestu Olufemi,” the crowd’s applause and the cheers smoothly transitioned into a chant of my name, “OLUFEMI, OLUFEMI!”

Meera Dracoventis

The first match went as I expected, as a young Forrest ogre, Olufemi is much stronger than she appears, and that strength only grows as long as she has a connection to the earth and grounds herself. There wasn’t a single doubt in my mind that each of my students wouldn’t be ranked amongst the strongest guards in Miryudōra. 

The next match was between a student of Daisuke and one of Laith, and that match was scheduled forty five minutes after the previous match. Between the matches, I had allowed the young ones to discuss with their peer regarding her victory in the tournament. “Olufemi, your skill with a mace has grown exponentially,” Ogunkoya exclaimed with a twinkle in his eye. 

“But it was the use of your barrier signature as a parrying skill, that was quite fascinating,” Akinyemi stated, “you never did anything like that before during our sparring sessions”. She had a very good point in her claim, but Olufemi had an even better reason as to why she kept this a secret. 

Prior to accepting the role of knight apprentice, Olufemi was born into a line of Forrest ogres with the ability to make invisible barriers, they are referred to as The Barilori; mages who have a particular skill in barrier creation and manipulation. However, Olufemi, despite being born with traits of a Barilori, she can only create minor barriers and lacks the mana capacity to produce complex multi leveled barriers. Taking her in was not tasked beholden to me, but her being ostracized for her being “lesser” was not only but a standard of living amongst the Forest Ogres. They valued strength above all and those who don’t live up to that standard are deemed inferior and undesirable; ultimately being casted out, left to fend for themselves. 

Thankfully, I found Olufemi being taken care of by an orphanage that bordered Elphdaema and The Ryudō. Even then she radiated bravery and determination, never letting her past shackle her down. When I offered to take her in, she wasted no time and accepted my offer. That was two years ago and she hadn’t left my side since. In a way, you could say she’s like my younger sister and she still had much to learn. 

•••

The final round of the tournament was underway and the bout was between Ogunosuke and Akinyemi. Ogunkoya had foolishly underestimated his opponent during the first round that costed him an easy win. I had every intention to give him a proper scolding once this was all done. However, this was merely a mock tournament, so I wouldn’t be too hard on the boy. 

Initially I had been worried that a match between two of my students would resemble our training, however I had that innate feeling that they were taking this a bit more seriously than just a training session. Shortly before the match, Akinyemi expressed to me her feelings about the princess, “Ogunosuke wishes to be the Young Mistress’ shining light, and by the looks of it, Ayosaki serves as her right hand”. I wasn’t sure what she was getting at, Akinyemi isn’t the type of girl that likes beat around the bush when it comes to getting her point across.

“What are you getting at, Akinyemi,” I asked with equal levels of curiosity and confusion. She stared off with a solemn expression on her face, “I admire the princess, she’s beautiful, smart, cunning, plus we’re both from Garyudōra”. There was a pause before she continued, “with Lady Ayosaki acting as the Young Mistress’ right hand, and Ogunosuke aspiring to take her left, that leaves with no choice but to be the fire that burns within her”. 

Her words left me stunned and left without words, “I-you-Akinyemi,” I stuttered, “Do understand what you are saying?” I asked, the question was more rhetorical if anything, it was the only thing I could think to say. But the stoic and steel infused determination in her face let me know that she would make her wishes come true. 

Ololadeseijin Akinyemi

I was raised by an esteemed group of nobles that valued dignity and honor when in combat. However, I was never fond of that highbrow way of thinking, I was the type of girl that wanted to consume herself if her books and studies, with some light training here and there. 

That was until I first met the princess; she radiated beauty and perfection, not to mention the kind heart she possessed. We’d attended Caliburn with each other and I lived across the hall from her, she had a den-mother feel about her, and always managed to end spats amongst the other girls. I’d only ever encountered arrogant and uptight noble women, but the princess, she emulated, if not was the embodiment of how a woman of her status should always behave and hold herself. That was a woman I wanted to serve; a woman that is poised, calm, collected, and incapable of letting others slow her down. 

The fire that burns within the princess is already raging, however with both of her hands claimed, one by Ogunosuke and the other by Ayosaki. I wish only to serve as the Young Mistress’ internal and eternal hell flame; I’ll add my strength to her blazing power so that she can achieve greatness. 

•••

Ogunosuke and I hadn’t sparred with each other much, but I was familiar enough with his signature to know not to underestimate him. He possessed a light based signature called Shine that is rumored to be the strongest of the element. His speed, agility, and attack power are his strengths, leaving his defense and magic defenses as his weaknesses, weaknesses that could potentially be exploited. If I had to guess an outcome of the match, based on his signature and my own, I’d say it’d be about even. Although his signature is impressive, he would have to also be cautious of my signature, Hell Fire. 

There are, in total, twelve Aspect families, separated into three classifications. There are signatures that can be elemental, the most common signature class. The elemental class has two families for each of the four basic elements and also includes the elements of light and dark. A mage’s classification is determined at birth and the Aspect is influenced by how they use their abilities; I was born with the fire attribute and because of the noble family I was born in, my Hell Fire signature belongs to the Samedhi Aspect Family, specializing in offensive and defensive flame manipulation. 

As a young mage, being able to call forth my signature from its original aspect is something that not many people can do. I’ve never been like most people, I’ve always had a habit of excelling beyond my expectations. Some would call it a blessing, but at one point I saw it as a curse. The Ololadeseijin Clan is praised amongst many noble families, as our flames burn the brightest. A brilliant flame that devours all that it touches, Benimaru, a hereditary signature, belonging to the future matriarch of the clan, is the pride of the Ololadeseijin Clan. 

The signature is composed of multiple sub-signatures, all including: True Flame Control, the complete and absolute domination of the flame. Light-speed Reflex, granting me the ability to perceive and react to attack within milliseconds, adding True Flame Control with this sub-signature allows me to quickly scribe spells whilst in battle. Lastly, if I were to ever find myself in a bind, I do have my trump card. Benimaru has a secret, rather a hidden ability, only awakened by a selective few within the clan called True Hell Flame: Amaterasu. Essentially the ability grants the user a new form, cladding them in a fire imbued suit of armor that boosts the user’s speed, stamina and attack potency, while turning my flames a deep black, that burns for an eternity. This battle will make or break my clan’s reputation and my overall standing with the princess as a whole. The young mistress already has a strong and faithful retainer in Ayasuki, however as the next matriarch of the clan, it is my duty to serve as her guiding flame. The only obstacle I face, is the opponent in front of me, Ogunosuke. 

Prime Minister Aether Wyllt

The final match is set to start within the next half hour, however the final bout will have a special twist. My nephew, the First Prince of Garyudōra, Myrlin Wyllt, requested to play the role as Bard for the two finalist. While enrolled at Caliburn, it was revealed that his adventurer job-class was that of a Sage, one of the most rare classes. The job-class grants him the ability to have mastery of any job-class to advance proficiency. Lately he’s been focusing on his bard skills while under Lady Hypnos’ tutelage, and he says he’s learned to use his sand in some unusual and unique ways. For starters, Lady Hypnos has managed to teach my nephew the basics of the Mind Aspect, and in only a few short days, he’d manage to master those basics. 

Today, Myrlin intends to demonstrate this new application of sound and sand magic. He spent the majority of the intermission setting the arena up the fight; laying the sand down at the the base of everyone’s feet. I’m curious as to what he has planned. 

•••

The match is to begin in approximately five minutes, and our two finalists have made their way to the battlefield. Off to the side, directly in above the center of the field, Myrlin stood proud and strong wearing a royal blue and golden kimono made Graveyard Spider silk, a ceremonial Ida sword in his right hand, and a golden fan in his left. His face was painted silver and light blue to resemble his grandfather, my father, The Platinum Dragon Emperor. My nephew’s presence could be felt throughout the entire arena, it was almost foreboding. 

As the seconds counted down, the crowd grew ever quieter in anticipation to the point where the sound of sand rustling in the wind could cause an avalanche. 

Two and a half minutes remaining…

In all my years, I hadn’t been this anxious about a fight, let alone a mock tournament. Perhaps I owe this to my niece and her ascension to the throne, or my nephew’s ascension? I never would’ve imagined a life where I could see the revival of this one lost nation. 

Fifty seconds remaining…

The remaining time crept ever so slowly, at the time  I wasn’t fully aware, but this was Myrlin’s doing. He would later explain that he evolved his Sand Control signature adding in elements of The Aspect of Sleep, thus giving birth to, what he calls, Mind Sand. He’d used it in a way that messed with the audience’s perception of time, almost as though he granted Thought Acceleration to the entire Mina Arena. “Brother,” I turned and looked at my brother, he wore a face that was simultaneously proud, yet blushing with excitement. 

“Your nephew is indeed a clever boy. Even after the incident at the tournament, he still hasn’t let that stop him from impressing us,” Chronos hiccuped. He’d been drinking heavily since the intermission, mostly because he didn’t have to act as a ruler, instead he was treated as a guest. 

“Dear, I think you’ve had enough to drink,” Twyla gently, yet visibly firmly grabbed his wrist; she had a clear vein pulsating on her forehead, but still kept in mind her etiquette. “Your son’s performance is about to begin,” the Empress pointed toward the battlefield where Myrlin stood ready to start. 

Five… Four… Three… Two… One…

As the final second struck, it was like the entire stadium was in sync with each other, including us in the Royal’s box. Myrlin began dancing using both the fan and the sword, and as he danced, the audience, we began to chant. I wasn’t sure what exactly it was we were chanting, I don’t even remember the song that was performed during the final match. However, I do recall one of the grandest battles this generation has seen thus far; and I wasn’t sure if it had something to do with the combatants, or my nephew, but I’d never seen such a spectacular and jaw-dropping battle. 

To be continued