L.E. Miranda
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SSR - Chapter 86: Finals (1)
🕑 Added 2025-02-14 20:24:15 +0000 UTCRylan looked at Sarah with a helpless smile as she fixed his robe with a serious expression. Her hands ran over his torso, straightening his clothes.
ââŚIâm not going to a ball, Sarah. All of this will probably get burned or torn to pieces, anyway,â he said.
She shook her head firmly.
âItâs the final match. At the very least, you need to arrive at the arena while looking like youâre giving this match its due respect. And,â she looked up from his chest and frowned at him. âPlease donât take the possibility of severe injuries as certain like that, young master. Iâm sure you were very used to pain in your past life, but Rylan is the one I take care of, not Roland.â
Rylanâs smile was genuine.
ââŚThank you, Sarah.â
From behind him, Aelfric threw his arm around Rylanâs neck.
âSheâs right about that, you know. It fucking sucks to see you getting injured,â he said.
Rylan turned to look at his younger brother. Aelfric was smiling at him, but his expression was tinged with concern. Shaking his head, Rylan put his right hand on his brotherâs head and his left one on Sarahâs.
âIâll be fine, you two. Come on, letâs go. Itâs time.â
His chest felt warm.
âŚI made progress.
Their words only made him realize that he was now closer to rebuilding his relationship with the people who mattered. Aelfric had never really left his side, but their bond had changed. There was no longer a power dynamic where Rylan exploited Aelfricâs trust for his own again. Instead, he could say they had truly become what brothers should be over the months after Evenonâs death.
Rylan glanced at Sarah. She eyed him up and down, likely seeking anything that still needed some tidying up.
Sheâs different.
The mask of indifference that she had worn for several years had completely disappeared. Her smiles were now commonplace, as were her encouraging words. The biggest change happened after he revealed the truth about his reincarnation to her and his family. As his thoughts reached this point, Rylan furrowed his brow. He still hadnât had any contact with Regis, Lillia, or Elizabeth after that day. It meant he had no idea about how they felt about it.
Sarah glanced up after straightening his shoulder area.
âSomething the matter, my lord?â she asked in a low tone.
Rylan inwardly sighed. She knew him too well.
âNo, nothing.â
She grinned at him.
âI guess even the Sword Saint gets nervous before a difficult battle?â
Rylan replied with a light flick to her forehead. Walking past his now pouting caretaker, he opened the door and left the room. Sarah and Aelfric caught up in a second. Together, they made their way out of the small hotel and into the streets. Rylan looked around with a whistle.
Itâs even busier.
He didnât know why or if it was related to todayâs match, but Caer Rhelonâs streets were even more lively than usual. This only became more obvious as they waded ever deeper into the city, closer to its heart and the royal castle. Rylan saw their destination before long.
The massive stone stadium stood imposing and proud some distance away from the royal palace. It looked like a magnified version of the arenas heâd been in so far, but it would certainly be different in more ways than one.
Why did they build it so close to the castle? Is the stadium meant to be protected or something?
Rylan clicked his tongue in slight disapproval. Any important city should have the structures that mattered most close to its heart, in case of an enemy invasion. Still, it wasnât a terrible choice.
The closer he got to the stadium, the more obvious its size became. The streets only became more packed, carriages and people making their way through them in large groups. Most of the pedestrians were dressed in elaborate clothes, but the carriages were the ones that were truly impressive. As if they were in a tournament of their own and trying to outdo the others, they virtually glimmered with a refined atmosphere. Their styles were different, but without fail, all of them were beautiful.
He appreciated the sights before finally reaching the coliseum.
âGood luck, my lord.â
âYou can do it, Rylan!â
Rylan watched Sarah and Aelfric leave and climb a flight of stairs that only led to another.
At least theyâll be in a good location.
As the people he had chosen as his âcompanions,â they could sit in a reserved area instead of among the endless crowd. Shaking his head, Rylan turned his gaze to the man standing in front of him.
Right hand over the heart and the left one against his side, the man bowed. He had orange hair and beard and brown eyes. Rather surprisingly, he didnât look much older than Rylan himself.
âGood morning, Master Rylan. I am Leo, and Iâll be the one to help you with everything you need before the match,â he said, still bowing.
Rylan nodded at him.
âNice to meet you, Leo. Since I arrived before time, is there a place where I can stay?â
Leo raised his body and nodded, his face the very picture of calmness.
âOf course, Master. Itâs the first thing I was planning on introducing you to. Please, follow me.â
The young man turned around and started walking deeper into the corridor. Rylan eyed his back and the wand on his waist with curiosity.
âHow old are you, Leo?â he suddenly asked.
âIâm 22, Master.â
âAnd how long have you been working here?â
âA few years. I was the one assigned to you because my superiors thought you would feel most at ease with an attendant near your age.â
Rylan nodded. It made sense and would have been true if he didnât have Rolandâs memories.
After some time, he followed Leo into a room deep within the stadium. It was lavish, to say the least. Even though it was just a waiting area of an arena, it was far better than his hotel room in every way. A purple carpet covered most of the floor and the meticulously-placed plush chairs gave the room a noble air. Even though the walls and ceiling were made of simple stone, they were completely straight, without a single indent or slope. The paintings on the walls and red silk curtains were the finishing touch.
There was no one else in the room, but it wasnât surprising. Since this was the final match of the tournament, it was entirely possible that the entire stadium had been reserved for this fight alone. Nodding to himself, Rylan sat down on the nearest plush chair and made idle talk with Leo for a few minutes. Afterward, he focused only on his breathing.
The whole waiting room vibrated with the steps and cheers of the audience above. Rylanâs sharp senses caught every shake.
At least a few thousand people. Probably more.
Still, that wouldnât change the way he fought. The pressure born of an audience of this size couldnât shake him in the least. The same likely wasnât true for his opponent.
Hayden of Lindsor.
Rylanâs eyes shone with interest. How good did a commoner have to be to beat several noble scions and reach this stage? Without Rolandâs judgment and battle senses, even Rylan himself would have been defeated earlier on. Anticipation filled his chest.
Finally, the moment arrived.
Leo bowed at Rylan, changing his standing posture for the first time in twenty minutes.
âItâs time, Master Rylan.â
Rylan stood up with a savage smile.
âLetâs go, then.â
Leo led him through a maze of different corridors and pathways, At the end, the corridor opened up into a huge circular space. Once Rylan reached the opening, Leo bowed again.
âI wish you luck.â
âThanks.â
Rylan entered the arena proper, withstanding the rumbling cheers of the audience. The first thing he observed was the arena itself. Unlike the previous ones that consisted of nothing but a square stone floor, this one had columns and walls of different sizes spread throughout it. Slopes and holes marred the ground, which was a mix of stone and earth. Rocks and other obstacles could also be seen.
So they want to make it closer to a real battlefield.
His theory about why the Royal Magic Academy had organized this tournament was confirmed. This was about creating and identifying actual battlemages.
He raised his gaze to the first row of the audience. All around the circular space, there were several separate areas with only a few people. With simple but elegant thrones and curtains, the reserved square spaces housed only those dressed in lavish clothing.
Rylan glanced at the audience in the upper rows. Thousands upon thousands of people were packed into the stands, their shouting voices echoing. Among them, there were those who were clearly wearing finer clothes.
Ordinary nobles are in the big audience.
It meant that this first row had been set apart for only truly important people. Rylan ran his eyes over them again. He identified Alice Carmesim, who was staring at him while sitting among other crimson-haired men and women. Right next to her area, Gael Astassier sat on a throne of his own in the middle. Rylan didnât give him a second glance; his eyes were drawn to the woman standing next to the throne.
Mother.
She was smiling sweetly at him as if she could feel his gaze, despite the distance. He immediately circulated his mana. His senses became sharper and clearer, including his eyesight. He only wanted to see her better. Elizabeth was dressed in a beautiful purple-and-blue gown that he was sure she hated.
On the other side of the throne, a man stood. Brown hair and hazel eyes, just like Gael and Elizabeth. Unlike her, however, his expression was cold. His eyes were tinged with a strange desire as he looked at Rylan, making him frown. Spinning in place, he managed to find Aelfric and Sarah a few rows above on the opposite side of the stands, separated from the audience.
Finally, Rylan looked at Damian Gassiec and Henry Belmont, who were sitting side by side in an area seemingly reserved for them alone. Their thrones were the most intricate ones, with golden engravings that depicted animals and beautiful scenery in a harmonious combination. The feeling Henry gave him was the same as when he looked at Damian â an enemy that couldnât be defeated yet. Like before, Henryâs staff didnât resonate with mana at all, looking like a piece of decoration.
Shaking his head, Rylan walked to the center of the arena, avoiding the pillars and walls. It was a small circular space without any obstacles. A black-haired announcer already awaited him, dressed in fully white clothing and with his wand close to his mouth.
âThe first combatant arrives, ladies and gentlemen! Soon, the legendary match between the tournamentâs two greatest dark horses will begin! Rylan Flameheart, the man who reached this far despite being at the Second Circle and Level 25 at eighteen years old!â
Rylan cracked his neck and waited for the announcer to finish. He found this whole routine pointless, but there was nothing he could do about it.
âWith combat abilities beyond even the tournamentâs previous favorites, he clawed his way to this match! A Mage and a swordsman who will one day reach the pinnacle! The one that represents skill and power! But he isnât the only impressive one in this match!â
As if on cue, a tall youth walked out of the corridor on the other side of the arena. Rylan immediately looked at him. The boy looked young, about the same age as Jasmine, without a hint of stubble. Surprisingly ordinary black hair and beautiful golden eyes complemented his appearance, as well as fair skin. Dressed in a simple white shirt and brown pants, he walked with a composed gait as he neared Rylan and the announcer. The boy was staring straight at Rylan with sharp eyes.
Rylan nodded at him. Hayden nodded back. The announcer turned toward him with a huge smile, as if he had planned this entrance all along.
âOur second fighter! Hayden of Lindsor! A commoner who proved his worth by defeating nobles and other commoners alike! Third Circle, sixteen years old! It is said that he hasnât been injured even once! Will Rylan Flameheart finally be the one to reveal this abyssâ depths?â
Hayden arrived at the small circular area and stood a few meters away from Rylan. The announcer continued to speak, his voice booming throughout the stadium even louder than the previous announcers, but Rylan and Hayden looked at each other alone. Rylan eyed his opponent. Haydenâs body was well-built and his palms were marked by calluses.
Manual labor.
It was only natural, as Hayden didnât have a noble house financially backing him. Of course, his whole life and fate would change the moment this tournament ended, regardless of whether he won this match or not.
âYou mustâve worked hard,â Hayden said as he eyed Rylan up and down, his voice barely distinguishable in the cacophony created by the audience and the announcer. âAs expected of a swordsman.â
âYouâve worked hard too,â Rylan replied loudly, pointing at Haydenâs hands. âGood work.â
Hayden smiled.
âIâm glad youâre not the type of man who thinks little of something like this.â
Rylan shook his head.
âEffort should never be dismissed. You did what you had to do. That is all. It is because of that effort that youâre here today.â
Haydenâs smile widened. After some time, the announcer finally finished hyping up the crowd. Rylan glanced at the audience. Many had stood up and were waving their fists in the air with red faces as they shouted. Somehow, the noise had become even more deafening, and the atmosphere was boiling with anticipation. The announcer had been effective.
âNow,â the announcer shouted, looking at Rylan and Hayden, who drew their wands at the same time. The man walked to the edge of the arena with large, hurried steps and started climbing the stairs behind him. A blue mana barrier coalesced around the arena. It had taken shape as quickly as the previous ones, even though it was much bigger. âBegin!â
Rylan lowered his center of gravity and readied himself to shoot to the side. However, he stopped in place once Hayden didnât even move and furrowed his brow in confusion.
âSince youâre a swordsman,â Hayden suddenly said, his voice sounding much louder now that the announcer had stopped speaking and the crowdâs voices were dying down. âDraw your sword.â
Rylan raised an eyebrow. The audience had quickly gone almost completely silent, as if trying to listen in.
âMy sword?â
Hayden nodded. Rylan smiled.
âI might,â Rylan continued.
Hayden smiled back, his expression tinged with a savage edge.
âNo, you will. Iâll make sure of it.â
They moved at the same time.
Comments
musashi
It would be funny if Hayden were some sort of natural aether user. tftc
thaughton2
I don't really get the complaints to be honest. Regis being in denial isn't really shocking. Rylan had become an absolute monster and Regis had not only come to hate him but even resented himself for trying help him and trusting him. Of course he's not just going to accept Rylan becoming a better person because of past life, regardless of the evidence. With the tournament, the entire point is to prove to himself he can go far, reach the peak, without just rehashing his Swordmaster path. He's not trying to just trample children, he's proving to himself he can succeed on a path of magic. If he used his sword he would win, full stop. But that's not the point of his participation. With the mana circulation, I'm not sure that was meant to be read as on the same level of enhancement as his combat moves. If it was, then yeah, it's pretty odd. But I thought he just slightly enhanced himself to see if she was alright. Maybe some of the arc coils be trimmed, but I'm not sure where. Probably some unneeded combat bits? Obviously not the major battles or family interactions. Edit: is was supposed to be isn't in the second sentence.
L.E. Miranda
Yeah, this tournament arc just turned out to be longer than I expected. I like getting into the details when writing, which resulted in this arc being around 60k words long, while Evenon arc was about 125k words. I already know where I want to take the plot after this, but the fights extended themselves beyond my predictions. I'll see what I can cut out and remove to make it shorter. Today, I finished writing the last chapter of book 1, which is also the one after the tournament ends, so I've got some room. I'm not sure I agree with the bit about Regis. He's in denial, given how much Rylan hurt him in the past and how hesitant he was to trust Rylan. If I recall correctly, Regis denied the truth twice, and accepted it on the second time.
Arin K Nave.
Also, why did he circulate mana to see his mom? He explicitly has not done it during fights to avoid being noticed so it seems idiotic to do it in front of the audience for something as innocuous as this. +1 for this whole arc has drawn out beyond belief. There is no plot for real forward momentum. We know he has combat experience and has been training as a mage. None if that has any tension and seems like a crutch relying on Shonen cliches. You explicitly have made his past life guarantee that he has a card to pull out at the last moment no matter what and no tension exists when it is proven by plot that he can kill a 5th circle mage making a fight against a 3rd circle seem like Rylan is just being an arrogant ass and bullying children.
Gopard
Thanks for the chapter!
Some Guy
TFTC
Detrox
I am feeling kind of conflicted about this. The chapters on themselves are good, but looking back it feels like it's kinda dragging out? Thinking back, I believe the tournament arc is like a fourth or even a third of the entire novela up to date which means apart from meeting his siblings there was not really much progress done overall. I'd suggest trimming it up later, maybe removing one or two of the previous fights entirely and probably tone down how many times his older brother reiterated he can't believe it despite the proof before his eyes? That last bit felt particularly repeated like three or four times
