1,000,000 Karma: My Reward Is a Quiet Life-Chapter 68: The Quarter-Finals

While it was quiet for a moment between them, near the silent ruins of an old castle, the elf broke out in genuine laughter. He joined in with her, realizing how absurd the explanation was as the wind joined in with them, the breeze passing through the lush, emerald fields.

The learning turned into practical training, much to the protest and restraint from Astrid, though Noah convinced her.

"Alright! Don’t be scared! If one hits me, I can handle it!" Noah called out, standing a fair distance across the field.

The elf nervously nodded, holding her stave forward, "Okay, here goes...!"

In the air around the young mage, embers formed, quickly turning into fireballs that soared through the tranquil stretch.

It was sink-or-swim, forcing him to act quickly. He went through the motions taught to him, infusing his mana into the surrounding soil and spurring it to rise–THWOOM. Just as the first fireball came within range, a wall of hardened dirt intercepted it.

’Got it!’ He thought.

[EXP: +50] [50.050/75,000]

["Mage" Proficiency Up +1] [79/999]

While there was an initial rush of triumph, he heard the sound of fire moving fast through the air around him. The blazing orbs moved like hummingbirds, quickly shifting direction while flying. He looked behind him, finding one of Astrid’s flames curving to flank him, forcing a swift reaction–

It came close, intercepted by an emerging wall as the impact resulted in a small explosion of sparks.

[EXP: +25] [50.075/75,000]

["Mage" Proficiency Up +1] [80/999]

Learning his lesson, he stayed nimble in his mind, turning his focus upward as a fireball was quickly descending from above.

An entirely different degree of control was necessary as he brought his hands together, shifting the soil all around him. From all sides, the manipulated earth rose, forming a dome around him as the fiery projectile exploded on the other side.

[EXP: +0.01] [50.000/75,000]

["Mage" Proficiency Up +1] [78/999]

–

[...Meanwhile in Ballou...]

A general store for adventurers housed a plethora of armors, from heavy sets of steel that could survive dragon fire, to light leather meant for stealth missions. In a mirror, Redrum flexed, checking out his frame while equipped in a set of dazzling, tan armor.

"Looks good on ya, big guy!" The shop owner said, caressing his beard with a hearty laugh.

Redrum huffed, performing a few more proud poses in the mirror, "I’ll take it!"

"’Course!" The middle-aged owner laughed, giving a slap on the back to the four-armed patron.

In an entirely different section of the store, where walls were outfitted with all kinds of bows on display, some made of wood from the continent of demons, and others of rare metal, Otto piled arrows into his arms.

"Ahh...So many, I could use some fire-trap ones, right?" He mumbled to himself indecisively, inspecting each of the arrows like a craftsman. "Yeah, mhm...This’ll do."

Across the street, Rain preferred to do her shopping in a book store, setting down a giant pile of literature down on the front counter, "I’ll take all of these!" She said confidently, setting down a rather plump sack of coins.

–

"IT’S THAT TIIIIIIME, LADIES AND GENTLEMAN! COMMONERS AND NOBLES! ALL ALIKE, WE’RE HERE TO SEE SPECTACULAR MATCHES BETWEEN THE MOST PRESTIGOUS FIGHTERS THIS REGION HAS TO OFFER!"

Before any bouts had begun, the crowd was already roaring just from the eccentric announcer’s opening words. Compared to the first day of the Clash of Stars, the stands were filled to the brim, seemingly expanded to house even more fans.

The stadium itself was separated from the rest of the colosseum by water that sat a ten meter drop from the boundaries of the battlegrounds.

Noah found himself standing in the center of the now rebuilt battlegrounds, standing alongside the other competitors. He looked side-to-side, only seeing people that looked awfully strong, though somehow, that made him excited.

"LET’S GO OVER THE REMAINING PARTICIPANTS, NOW IN THE QUARTER-FINALS!"

["The first to dethrone Tederich in four seasons...Sylvan!"]

For the underdog who upset the defending Champion, an overwhelming amount of cheers filled the lavish colosseum. Of course, the muscular woman relished in it, flipping her claymore in the air and catching it with a heroic pose.

"Yeah! I’m gonna win this whole damn thing! Watch me!" Sylvan claimed.

["The Shadow of Ashfold, the mysterious "Van!"]

There wasn’t much of any applause at all for the man dressed entirely in black, with a hood that obscured so much as a glimpse at his face. Attached to his belt were a pair of silver daggers, that had undoubtedly taken many lives.

["The Martial Behemoth, Ju-Nou!"]

Introduced directly to the left of the newcomer, he looked up at the mountain of a man that stood well over three meters in height. From Noah’s best guess, the "Martial Behemoth" was a demi-human, judging by his dark-gray skin that looked like a hide.

The frame possessed by Ju-Nou was more like a man-shaped tank, with incredibly broad shoulders and a chin chiseled from granite.

"Hyuuu-ya!" Ju-Nou performed a straight punch that made the air crack, causing the audience to roar in excitement.

’Is this guy some kind of man-rhino? Getting matched against him would be interesting,’ Noah considered.

["The Spirit Knight, Noah Soul!"]

Somehow his name drew particularly excited screams from the girls in the audience, who squealed and shouted for him in hopes of gaining his attention. All he could do was bashfully wave to the crowd, unsure of what to make of his overnight fame.

’I seriously don’t get how I’m suddenly so famous...It seems like a hassle,’ he thought.

["The Outsider, Lamore!"]

It was to his right of him that the one the crowd now welcomed stood with a single fist raised. An elf with particularly long ears, decorated in piercings and wielding a pair of massive gauntlets that armored his fists.

Noah recognized him from the previous day, "Nice win yesterday–"

With a fabricated smile pointed towards the crowd, the elven warrior with silver hair kept in a ponytail responded coldly, "Save your breath."

He was completely taken aback by the rudeness of his fellow competitor, choosing not to engage any further while the concept of sportsmanship seemed distant.

’Well, there goes any attempt of making nice with that guy...I sure hope I get to fight him now. Ah, I shouldn’t get so worked up,’ he consoled himself.

["The...Well, he doesn’t have a nickname! Nothing is known about him except his opponent forfeited for unspecified reasons in the first round! Blank!"]

Introduced with nothing but silence from the crowd was a figure dressed in dark robes with his appearance entirely hidden and not so much as a wave for the onlookers.

["Moving onto a fan favorite...The Hero of Altramack, Galileo!"]

A dazzling set of armor set the precedent for the beloved participant as the crowd erupted in support. The man dressed in white-and-gold armor wielding a peculiar weapon on his back: an enormous hammer forged of snowy steel, built with a hole down the middle.

"Thank you, thank you, I’ll be sure to try my best today!" Galileo responded to the cheers.

["A returning contestant! The Princess of The Swamp, Ogatrina!"]

Standing no more than waist height to the average person, the pint-sized competitor equipped herself in thick, metal plating.

The green-skinned, tiny woman pumped her fist in the air in declaration, "I’m here to win it all, and prove goblins can fit into this society, just like everyone else!"

There was only one section of the colosseum that cheered for the goblin, though they cheered hard.

"Go, Ogatrina!"

"Oga! Oga! Oga!"

The energetic orcs cheered on their kin, though were certainly viewed with side-eyes by the surrounding spectators.

"WITH THAT, ALL COMPETITORS ARE SET FOR THE QUARTER-FINALS! ALL PARTICIPANTS, PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE WAITING AREA AND WAIT TO BE CALLED FOR YOUR MATCH!"

Waiting beyond the tunnel in a different room from last time was a more exuberant location, exclusive for the remaining eight. It was a lounge area built on pristine, marble flooring with sofas of black leather, a bar with drinks of all sorts, and a chef preparing food on the spot.

"Woah," he quietly muttered.

"This is more like it!" Sylvan passed by him, immediately seating herself at the bar.

Of course, waiting to greet the esteemed competitors was the man who ran the establishment, welcoming them with a bow, "Please, relax and enjoy your time here." The Concierge urged.

It didn’t take long for the titanic martial artist to sit in front of the chef’s kitchen, along with the goblin, waiting for their food.

In the center of the "VIP" room, a projection of mana resembled a screen, showing a direct bird’s eye view of the arena.

"Hold on, this..." Noah said, looking at it.

The Concierge stood beside him, nodding, "It’s a Relay artifact, so you’ll be able to watch the fights as though you were in the stands."

"Mm, fascinating."

Noah nearly jumped out of his own skin, spinning his head to his left to see the hooded rogue looking at the magical screen as well, rubbing his chin. Being right next to him, he could make out the facial features of the mysterious fighter a bit better, that is, there was nothing to see:

Van’s face was entirely wrapped in gauze, with only his eyes visible: feline irises with a cold, violet hue.

’I couldn’t even register his presence until he spoke up...I’ve seen literal ghosts more present than him,’ Noah thought.