The destruction of the measuring machine remained the main topic of conversation throughout the arena for most of that morning.
Even after the organizers resolved the situation and completed the rankings using the results that had already been recorded, people continued talking about what had happened.
Every time someone looked in my direction, I could notice the expressions of curiosity.
Some seemed impressed.
Others seemed skeptical.
There were also those who clearly wanted to challenge me.
It was something that had happened before ever since my reputation began to grow.
Unfortunately, many people heard stories about a hero and automatically believed they could defeat him.
It didn't always end well for them.
Fortunately, this tournament was just a friendly competition.
Nothing more than that.
After the final adjustments were completed, the organizers finally announced the beginning of the matches.
The arena became even livelier.
The stands were practically full.
Visitors who had come only to watch began taking the best available seats.
Vendors walked through the aisles offering drinks and food.
The atmosphere felt like a grand celebration.
Liriel's assistant observed everything carefully.
"Does this happen every year?"
"Yes."
A nearby staff member replied.
"And are there always this many people?"
"Many people travel from other places just to watch."
The assistant seemed impressed.
It was understandable.
She spent most of her time in a place completely separate from this world.
Seeing a crowd gathered simply to watch fights must have been something unusual.
Shortly afterward, the organizers began announcing the first-round matchups.
A large board had been placed near the main arena.
The participants approached to check their opponents.
I went along.
Scarlett.
Rai'kanna.
And some of the other girls came as well.
When I found my name, I saw that I would be facing a mercenary named Dargan.
I had never heard of him.
Beside me, Scarlett found the name of her opponent.
An adventurer known as Selina.
Rai'kanna would face another adventurer named Brakus.
None of those names meant anything to me.
But apparently they were well-known fighters in that region.
"Interesting."
Scarlett crossed her arms.
"Looks easy."
"You don't even know your opponent."
"I don't need to."
"That overconfidence is going to get you into trouble someday."
"Not today."
Rai'kanna simply shook her head.
"She never learns."
"You talk as if you're any different."
"I am different."
Scarlett started laughing.
The argument almost started again right there.
Fortunately, the arena announcer interrupted any possibility of that.
His voice echoed throughout the entire venue through a magical artifact.
"Ladies and gentlemen!"
The crowd responded immediately.
"Let's begin the Tournament of the Strong!"
Applause erupted from every direction.
"The first match will begin in just a few minutes!"
The participants began getting into position.
The staff checked the names.
The judges took their places.
The healers were also ready in case anyone got injured.
Everything was very well organized.
I watched the first few matches.
Some were evenly matched.
Others ended quickly.
It was interesting to notice the differences between the participants.
Some relied solely on strength.
Others possessed refined technique.
Some combined speed and endurance.
Even without the use of magic or weapons, there were still many different ways to fight.
After several matches, I finally heard my name being announced.
The crowd reacted immediately.
It was impossible not to notice.
Many people were curious to see how I would fight after destroying the measuring machine.
I sighed.
Then I walked into the arena.
The mercenary who would be my opponent was already there.
He was a tall man.
Broad shoulders.
Muscular arms.
He looked quite experienced.
When I approached, he smiled.
"It's an honor to fight against you."
"Thank you."
"At least I'll be able to tell this story afterward."
"I don't intend to hurt you."
"I know."
He seemed quite calm.
That was good.
The judge confirmed that we were both ready.
Then he raised his hand.
"Begin!"
The mercenary charged immediately.
His movements were fast.
Much better than I had expected.
He threw a straight punch toward me.
I dodged easily.
Then I moved forward.
I didn't want to drag out the fight.
I struck his stomach using only a tiny fraction of my strength.
The impact was enough.
Dargan was launched backward.
He flew several meters across the arena.
Rolled across the ground.
Stopped near the boundary.
He tried to stand up.
But eventually gave up.
The judge immediately ended the match.
"Winner! Takumi!"
The crowd applauded.
Some people seemed impressed.
Others simply confirmed what they had already expected.
The fight had lasted only a few seconds.
I helped Dargan to his feet.
"Sorry."
He started laughing.
"Don't worry."
"You okay?"
"I've taken much worse hits."
I shook his hand.
Then I left the arena.
As soon as I returned to the stands, Scarlett commented,
"You held back."
"Of course."
"You could have ended it with a single touch."
"There was no need for that."
"Maybe."
Shortly afterward, it was her turn.
Scarlett entered the arena to considerable attention.
Her opponent was Selina.
A locally well-known adventurer.
She looked strong.
But as soon as the fight began, the difference became obvious.
Scarlett dodged the first attacks.
Waited for an opening.
Then landed a single blow.
Selina was thrown out of the combat area.
The fight was over.
Less than ten seconds.
The crowd erupted with reactions.
Scarlett returned with a satisfied smile.
"Easy."
"You say that about everything."
"Because it was."
Rai'kanna sighed.
Fortunately, her turn came soon afterward.
Her opponent was Brakus.
A sturdy warrior.
Probably the strongest of the three opponents we faced in that round.
The fight lasted a little longer.
About a minute.
Brakus had good endurance.
He managed to block several attacks.
He also landed a few blows.
But the difference in physical strength was obvious.
Rai'kanna eventually won without much difficulty.
When she returned, she looked satisfied.
"That was fun."
"More than Scarlett's fight?"
I asked.
She smiled faintly.
"Yes."
Scarlett immediately protested.
"That doesn't count."
"It does."
The two of them started arguing again.
The assistant watched all of it, looking more and more entertained.
Perhaps she was discovering that this group was more chaotic than she had imagined.
The matches continued throughout the rest of the afternoon.
Many participants were eliminated.
Others advanced.
With each round, the difference in skill became more obvious.
The weaker competitors disappeared quickly.
The strongest ones began to stand out.
At one point, I received a sheet containing the updated tournament bracket.
I looked over the remaining names.
There were still some interesting fighters.
But nothing truly concerning.
Then I noticed something.
Scarlett noticed it too.
Rai'kanna noticed it shortly afterward.
The two of them looked at the bracket.
Then at each other.
Then they smiled.
It wasn't a friendly smile.
It was exactly the kind of smile I didn't want to see.
"Finally."
Scarlett said.
Rai'kanna nodded.
"Finally."
I looked at the bracket again.
Now I understood.
If they both won their next matches, they would face each other directly.
The quarterfinals were practically set.
The two of them had already realized that.
And they were clearly excited.
Very excited.
I could already imagine what would happen.
Neither of them would accept defeat easily.
It would probably be one of the most intense fights of the tournament.
Perhaps even more intense than the final itself.
As the afternoon went on and the final matches of the day came to an end, anticipation began to spread throughout the arena.
The spectators had noticed it as well.
The comments spread quickly.
The Heroine of Flames.
The Daughter of the Demi-Dragon King.
Two famous warriors.
Two rivals.
Two undefeated competitors.
Everything pointed toward them facing each other very soon.
And judging by the gleam in their eyes, I was certain that neither of them intended to back down.
The quarterfinals were set.
And the most anticipated fight of the tournament was drawing near.