On the first day of the tournament's inauguration, only a few participants from other teams attended the matches, while the majority were engaged in rigorous practice sessions. The mages, secluded within their rooms, diligently worked on conceiving various formulas and increasing their mana power.
[Mana is a potent force that originates from various life sources, and its abundance varies among individuals. Those who possess a higher concentration of mana have the natural ability to wield magic. There are methods to enhance one's mana level, and one such approach involves focusing on the mana itself and pushing its boundaries by utilizing it consistently. In the mage tower, all mages undergo daily training designed by Jeremy specifically to extend their mana levels. These exercises are meticulously crafted to promote the growth and expansion of their mana capacity.]
Within the noble's team, not all competitors were of noble birth. Some nobles even allowed their trusted army commanders to participate in the competition on their behalf. Consequently, they primarily came to witness the matches of other noble participants, aiming to gauge and compare the internal military strength among themselves. Although all the nobles maintained their main residence in their respective lands, they also possessed secondary residences within the capital city. So, there was no need for the imperial palace to make any arrangements for their accommodations.
Among the participants of the mage's team, there was one individual named Greig who had a rather odd approach to his practice sessions. While his peers diligently sharpened their skills, Greig seemed to be in deep slumber during his allotted practice time. Despite being recognized for his remarkable mana expansion and receiving an invitation to join the mage tower, he boldly rejected the offer, confident in his own abilities. However, he failed to recognize the challenges that awaited him as a commoner in the harsh world. Those who had worked with Greig described him as an entirely different person, perhaps even transformed. This incident occurred seven years ago when he was merely 23 years old. Currently residing in the mage tower at the age of 30, Greig eagerly awaited a moment to showcase his abilities. However, his interest in the tournament itself appeared uninspiring, as if he was biding his time for a confrontation with someone specific. His training within the mage tower was laser-focused on his goal or, more precisely, on his intended rival.
The next day of the tournament arrived; it was the day for determining the representative from the mage's team who would advance to the final stage. Contrary to the previous day's battles, which primarily involved conventional weaponry, today's clashes were infused with an extraordinary display of thunder, fire, storm and strategic techniques. Seeing this Jeremy was thrilled, it was his turn today to observe all the participants and select potential additions to the mage tower. With his exceptional level of mana, Jeremy possessed the ability to discern and evaluate the mana levels of others effortlessly. The magic formulas used for defence and to attack are of a similar type, so if the same type of mage clashed then it came down all to the capacity and control of an individual's mana level and the strategy they use against the other.
Using mana placed a significant strain on the body, as it directly depleted the energy reserves of the mage. Therefore, in order to secure victory, a flawless strategy was crucial to prevent overexertion and excessive reliance on magic. This was particularly important for mages with lower levels of mana concentration, as their energy reserves could be quickly exhausted. However, certain mages with higher mana concentrations possessed the ability to extend their mana usage more efficiently, allowing them to endure and maintain their footing despite the strain. The capacity to stretch their mana granted them an advantage, as they could sustain their magical abilities for an extended period without surrendering to tiredness.
While Jeremy's strength was formidable, there existed a contender who could potentially match his ability if one were to solely consider mana level, and that candidate was Greig. The tournament unfolded as an exciting spectacle, captivating the audience with its awe-inspiring display of magic, a first-time experience for many. However, as the battles intensified and the utilization of magic escalated, the toll on the mages' bodies became noticeable. Fatigue overwhelmed several participants, causing them to collapse and retire from the competition. Ultimately, the last mage standing was none other than Greig, representing the mage's team, who would proceed to the final stage of the tournament and with this the second day came to a closure.
While Jeremy enjoyed the spectacle and took pride in Greig's victorious performance, Flavian's mind was consumed by deliberation. He pondered the upcoming final battle and whether Leesa, who would obviously represent the noble's team, would be able to compete with the level of magic displayed thus far. Although worry lingered in Flavian's thoughts, he remained confident in Leesa's abilities, acknowledging her skills and perseverance. The audience buzzed with anticipation, eagerly awaiting the upcoming battles featuring participants from the noble's team. The air crackled with excitement, as spectators braced themselves for the unfolding clashes that would determine the greatest winner.
As the thrilling matches unfolded, Leesa chose not to attend as a member of the audience. Instead, she entrusted Wienne with the task of closely monitoring the events and gathering vital information that would be essential for her preparations. Seeing Leesa practising and listening to her rantings on power, strength and agility, Wienne, possessed a keen ability to assess a person's strengths and weaknesses. With a discerning eye, she diligently observed and documented the performances of the two finalists, Hendricus and Greig. Wienne's invaluable assistance allowed Leesa to remain focused on her training within the confines of the duke's residence while receiving comprehensive updates on her opponents' powers and capabilities. Wienne was a great help to Leesa in this regard as she didn't have to step out of the duke's residence to focus on her practice and she got all the information on her opponents.