On a semi-circular outdoor grandstand, nearly 500 spectators had gathered. They were eagerly waiting for the Puppet Competition to begin in just a few minutes on the arena floor below.
This was one of the most popular events here, as there was nothing more entertaining than watching talented youths compete and showcase their skills right before everyone's eyes.
The promising young talents would also become important pillars—not only helping maintain the village's safety and stability, but also contributing to its overall growth and development.
Thus, the competition could be considered one of the village's biggest events.
At this moment, in the center of the arena, stood a young girl with long golden hair reaching her waist. A small braid hung neatly over her chest, swaying slightly with her movements. Her eyes gleamed with mischief. She wore a short, light-colored dress that stood out against the vast arena.
With a magical device in her hand that amplified her voice, her words carried clearly across the entire grandstand.
"Welcome, everyone, to the Puppet Competition held every two years to find the strongest young person in the village. I, Rina, your beautiful host, will be your MC today. ヽ(oﾟvﾟ)ノ" Rina, self-proclaimed beautiful young lady and host, excitedly warmed up the crowd.
"Most of you probably already know the rules, but I'll give a quick overview for everyone anyway.
The competition is open to any contestant under 26 years old, regardless of gender, gay or lesbian. As long as you are confident in your skills, you can participate.
The matches will be one‑on‑one duels, paired randomly by drawing lots.
Winners advance to the next round, continuing until the strongest participant is determined.
You might think this is unfair, since two strong contestants could face each other in the first round. But luck is also a kind of power, so if you're unlucky, I can only say—better luck next time!" she said in a lively, teasing tone.
Of course, no contestant dared to challenge her; the MC was also the referee for the competition. Moreover, the referee and judging panel were always selected from powerful Mages.
"Contestants may use any form of combat. Close-range martial techniques, magic, and even hidden weapons are allowed.
The only rule to note is that if you wish to use magical equipment—such as staffs, enchanted armor, or puppet familiars—it must be crafted by the contestant and approved in advance by the judging panel.
This competition aims to find the strongest purely based on one's own skills and abilities, not outside objects.
Two contestants facing each other will determine the loser if one surrenders, is knocked off the arena floor, or their puppet familiar is destroyed.
Before the match, each contestant will place a drop of their blood on a special puppet that we prepared at the stone pedestal to create a connection.
As long as the contestant remains on the arena floor and the puppet endures, any attack directed at them will be absorbed by the puppet.
That puppet was crafted by the esteemed Archmage Kaelor, a native of our village, and also the biggest sponsor of the tournament.
The puppet has been sold in many stores nationwide. Anyone purchasing one during the competition period will receive a 15% discount. Don't miss out!" - She reminded, slipping in a bit of advertising while explaining the rules.
"Finally, the part everyone is most excited about. The winner will receive numerous valuable manuals for crafting magical equipment, especially useful for creating puppet familiars. And if anyone asks why, check the competition's name again—and maybe visit your nearest doctor to see if you've got a head injury.
The winner will also receive a handy spatial ring with enough storage space to hold their puppet or other personal items.
As for the runner-up, you may choose a free souvenir available outside, sponsored by me, your beautiful Rina (*￣3￣)╭
That concludes the explanation of the rules. The competition will officially begin in just a few minutes."
* * * * * * * * * *
Beside the grandstand and arena was a waiting room for the contestants. Here, they could rest, eat, or prepare for their upcoming match.
This time, 16 contestants were participating. Currently, there were around 20 people in the room; subtracting a few organizers doing miscellaneous tasks, most contestants were already present.
"Damn. Has she grown this tall just because she's got a strong punch?" - One contestant muttered helplessly after hearing the rousing speech outside.
"She was last year's champion. You can judge for yourself if her punches are strong or not." Another contestant replied wearily.
Judging by his grim expression, he probably wished he could immediately grab his weapon and run out to attack the host before facing the other contestants.
"How many guys do you think it would take to gangb*ng her?" - Another contestant asked, his face serious, clearly considering the matter carefully.
"Come on, don't be ridiculous. You're not the first to think of that. Every contestant from the previous tournament wanted to beat her. If you want to try, you'll have to wait your turn." - A female contestant interjected.
"How do you know that?"
"My older brother mumbled the same thing to his friends once." She replied irritably, sensing that today she would end up thinking about this with her own brothers.
"I bet the previous contestants all voted to put her in this spot." - Another participant joined in.
"Adding both accomplices and victims for the fun, right? Damn it."
Curses continued to fly across the waiting room.
"By the way, I've been wondering… that kid? Is he lost?"
A small child, maybe seven or eight, stood out amid a group of twenty-year-olds.
"That's the son of Elder Arven."
"Why is he here?"
"Who knows? Go ask him yourself."
"Fine, doesn't matter. I'll just focus on getting my mindset ready. That speech earlier really pumped me up."
"Contestants numbered 01 and 02, please step onto the arena floor," a voice called from outside, signaling the first pair.
The two contestants in the room stood and walked out for the opening match.
The waiting room was designed so that contestants could easily observe the matches outside. Here, they could study potential opponents for upcoming rounds. Analyzing information and planning strategy were essential skills not to be overlooked.
Among the contestants, one stood out: a tall, well-built, and handsome young man with blonde hair, exuding the confidence typical of strong individuals.
This was Zarek, the current village chief's son and a participant in this tournament.
Though confident in his abilities, he understood the importance of gathering information and would not foolishly miss an opportunity to study his upcoming opponents.
Holding ticket number 03, he knew that after winning the first round, one of the two contestants from the opening match would be his next opponent.
Thus, he watched the first match with great attention.
Alongside Zarek, another pair of eyes observed the match intently. It belonged to the small child, looking completely out of place among the older contestants.