The first thing I heard when I woke up that morning was Scarlett arguing with Rai'kanna in the inn's hallway.
I didn't even need to open the door to know what they were talking about.
It was obviously the tournament.
I sat on the bed for a few seconds, just listening.
"I'm going to win."
"You've been saying that since yesterday."
"Because it's true."
"You said the same thing the last time we fought."
"But I won."
There were a few seconds of silence.
"That was unnecessary."
I ended up laughing to myself.
It looked like that argument would continue for quite a while.
I got up, got dressed, and went down to the main hall.
As expected, the two of them were already sitting at the table, trading taunts while eating breakfast.
Elara looked used to it.
Lyannis completely ignored them.
Vespera drank her tea in silence.
Liriel watched the scene with a resigned expression.
Her assistant seemed to be enjoying the whole spectacle.
I sat down.
"You two started early."
Scarlett pointed at Rai'kanna.
"She started it."
"That's a lie."
"It's true."
"Lie."
I picked up a piece of bread.
"I'll pretend I believe both of you."
The argument continued for a few more minutes until we finally started talking about more important things.
Or at least we tried.
The conversation inevitably returned to the tournament.
The entire city seemed excited.
There had already been plenty of activity the day before.
That morning it was even more noticeable.
When we finished breakfast and left the inn, we saw many people walking in the same direction.
Some wore training gear.
Others looked like adventurers.
There were also mercenaries.
Guards.
Fighters.
Even some merchants were talking about the matches.
The tournament was clearly one of the city's biggest events.
We followed the flow of people.
Not long afterward, we arrived at the arena.
It was located in a more open area of the city.
It was a large structure.
Grandstands surrounded a wide combat field.
Colorful banners decorated the place.
Staff members were organizing the final preparations.
The area was bustling.
The assistant looked around.
"There are a lot of people."
"More than I expected."
"Did they all come to fight?"
"Not even close."
"Most of them came to watch."
She seemed to understand.
As we walked, we found the registration area.
A fairly long line had already formed.
Scarlett smiled.
"Looks like we'll have to wait."
"You're happy about that?"
"Of course."
"Why?"
"Because it means I'll get to beat more people."
I shook my head.
Some things never changed.
We joined the line.
The process moved quickly.
While we waited, I observed the participants around us.
There were all kinds of people.
Some were clearly experienced adventurers.
Others looked like ordinary locals who wanted to test their own strength.
There were also sturdy mercenaries.
Veteran warriors.
A few individuals stood out because of their imposing physiques.
But nothing that truly concerned me.
After everything we had faced over the past few months, this tournament felt like a recreational activity.
Finally, it was our turn.
The official handling the registrations looked up.
First, he recognized me.
Then he recognized the girls.
After that, he froze.
"The... the Hero?"
I scratched the back of my neck.
"Here we go again."
He immediately stood up.
"It's an honor to welcome you."
"Thank you."
"Are you going to participate?"
"That's the plan."
The man looked even more excited.
Then he quickly began filling out the registration forms.
When Scarlett and Rai'kanna announced that they would also participate, the official nearly dropped the papers.
Apparently, the tournament had just gained some unexpected attractions.
A few minutes later, everything was finished.
We received our identification numbers.
The registrations were complete.
"Done."
Scarlett held up her number.
"Now all that's left is to win."
"You talk as if it's already happened."
"Because it will."
Rai'kanna crossed her arms.
"We'll see."
The two of them locked eyes again.
I decided to ignore them.
A little later, one of the organizers appeared near the center of the arena.
Using sound amplification magic, he addressed all the participants.
His voice echoed clearly throughout the venue.
"Welcome to the Tournament of the Strong!"
Many people applauded.
"This year's tournament will once again use our traditional ranking system."
The participants began paying close attention.
So did I.
"Before the matches begin, everyone must pass the strength test."
Several people nodded.
It seemed to be something familiar for those who had participated before.
The organizer continued.
"Only those who achieve the minimum score will advance."
The assistant looked at me.
"It sounds simple."
"It probably is."
"Do you think anyone here won't make it?"
I looked at some of the participants.
"Definitely."
She seemed surprised.
Perhaps she had imagined that everyone who registered was extremely strong.
Unfortunately, reality was rarely that simple.
Soon afterward, the staff began preparing the equipment.
In the center of the arena, they installed a large magical device.
It looked like a combination of a measuring machine and an enchanted artifact.
Numerous runes glowed across its surface.
The structure was sturdy.
Clearly built to withstand violent impacts.
"So that's it."
Lyannis observed the device.
"Interesting."
Liriel nodded.
"The magic used is quite sophisticated."
The assistant stepped a little closer.
Curious.
"How does it work?"
Liriel explained patiently.
"The artifact converts physical strength into numerical values."
"So it measures power?"
"More or less."
"Interesting."
She seemed genuinely fascinated.
Meanwhile, the participants were being organized into groups.
The test would begin soon.
But there was still some time left.
We took the opportunity to walk around the grandstands.
From there, it was possible to see the entire arena.
The crowd kept growing.
More and more spectators were arriving.
Vendors walked around selling drinks and food.
Children ran through the corridors.
The atmosphere resembled a grand celebration.
Nothing like the deadly combat tournaments that existed in some regions.
It was simply a sporting event.
And that made everything more enjoyable.
At one point, we heard a commotion coming from the main entrance.
Many people turned to look in the same direction.
Soon, a man appeared.
He was extremely tall.
Muscular.
His arms looked like tree trunks.
His gray beard revealed his age, but his presence was still imposing.
Several spectators immediately began commenting.
"The champion."
"He's here."
"Twenty years in a row."
"I wonder if anyone can defeat him."
I observed the man.
Then I remembered the information from the poster.
He had to be the reigning champion.
The winner of the last two decades.
The man walked calmly through the arena.
Without arrogance.
Without exaggeration.
Just confidence.
He looked like someone completely at home in that environment.
Rai'kanna watched him carefully.
"He's strong."
"Yes."
Scarlett was also studying the champion.
"Finally, someone interesting."
"You haven't even fought yet."
"But I can already tell."
I decided not to comment.
A little later, the champion greeted some of the organizers.
Then he took his place near the area reserved for the top participants.
His presence increased the crowd's excitement even more.
The organizer once again used sound amplification magic.
"Participants, prepare yourselves."
The conversations gradually died down.
Everyone turned their attention to the center of the arena.
"The strength test will begin in just a few minutes."
Finally.
The registrations were over.
The preparations were complete.
Now the tournament would truly begin.
I looked at Scarlett.
She looked eager.
I looked at Rai'kanna.
She did too.
The two of them were probably more excited about this competition than about half the missions we had completed.
The assistant watched everything with curiosity.
Elara, Lyannis, Vespera, and Liriel seemed interested as well, though in a much calmer way.
As for me, I was simply enjoying myself.
It felt good to take part in something simple.
Something with no consequences for the fate of the world.
No wars.
No demon generals.
No constant threats.
Just a tournament.
A tournament where strong people gathered to measure their abilities.
As I watched the enormous magical device being prepared in the center of the arena, I began to wonder what its true limit was.
We would find out soon.
Because the strength test was about to begin.