The city felt different when I woke up that day. It wasn't the sound, nor the movement of the streets. It was the way people looked. Even without staring directly, I could feel it. As if every step I took was being measured by something invisible.
I left the mansion early, alone. I needed to walk. To think without voices around me. The morning air was cold, and that helped clear my mind.
The tournament hadn't truly started yet, but the anticipation was already spreading like dry fire. Guilds from various races were arriving in Vaillor. Different banners. Different languages. Forces I had only heard about were now there, walking the same streets as me.
I passed near the arena. It was still empty, but you could already feel the weight of the place. The massive stands, the reinforced gates, the old marks on the ground. Many strong adventurers had fallen there. Some had never left.
"Thoughtful so early."
I turned. Scarlet was leaning against a column, arms crossed, expression far too calm for that place.
"Habit," I replied.
She walked until she stood beside me, looking at the arena. "Do you feel it too?"
"What?"
"The heavy air. When great forces gather."
"Yes."
She smiled. "That's why I like tournaments."
"You said you didn't."
"I said I didn't see the purpose." She glanced at me. "Now I do."
I didn't respond. Scarlet didn't seem like the type who needed immediate answers.
I returned to the mansion near noon. I found Elara in the courtyard, focused, testing small flows of mana between her fingers. Her control had improved a lot since the last battle.
"You'll exhaust yourself before the fight," I commented.
She sighed. "I prefer that to making a mistake in the arena."
Vespera was farther away, training alone. Every movement was precise, silent. When she saw me, she stopped.
"The atmosphere is strange," she said.
"It will get worse," I replied.
Liriel appeared soon after, bringing water. "The elven guilds have arrived."
That made everyone pause for a moment.
"Are they coming in full force?" I asked.
"Yes. And confident."
In the afternoon, we were summoned to a meeting at the guild. Human representatives, organizers, and some external observers. The hall was full. The noise ceased when we entered.
"You know why you are here," said the guild master. "The tournament is not just entertainment. It is politics. It is economy. And it is power."
Scarlet leaned against the wall, indifferent. I kept my gaze attentive.
"You are not fighting only for yourselves," he continued. "You fight for the name of the human guild."
After the meeting, we left in silence. Outside, Rai'kanna was waiting for us. She seemed restless, her tail moving irregularly.
"The elves are saying they will win without difficulty," she said.
Vespera smiled slightly. "They always say that."
Rai'kanna looked directly at me. "I do not intend to lose."
"Neither do I," I replied.
We walked back together. On the way, I noticed people discreetly pointing. Some whispered. Others simply watched with curiosity.
At the mansion, the atmosphere was more tense. It wasn't fear. It was focus. Each person dealt with it in their own way.
At night, we had dinner in silence. Afterward, we stayed in the living room. Rai'kanna sat too close to me. Scarlet, who had come as a guest, watched the scene with interest.
"You seem surrounded," she commented.
"It wasn't planned," I replied.
Rai'kanna crossed her arms. "He is not available."
Scarlet laughed. "I didn't say he was."
Before the tension grew, Liriel intervened. "Tomorrow is the first day. Save your energy."
We agreed.
I went to my room later. I lay down, but sleep took time. Thoughts came and went. Possible fights. Strategies. Mistakes that could not be made.
It wasn't fear of losing.
It was fear of not meeting expectations.
I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath.
Tomorrow, the arena would be full.
And everyone would expect something from me.
I just needed to remember why I started fighting in the first place.