The Gigolo System in the Academy of Magic-Chapter 16: Tournament (1/2)

This was the first time Kira had taken the initiative to ask someone to team up with her. Even the previous times when she was practising with Lydia Clearwater, they knew it was because Lydia always asked her. Some people even felt she was too arrogant, how could she make the heir of the Clearwater House always take the initiative?

But then they thought about how she was one of the few level 2 mages in the first year and what their parents had told them before, so no one said anything. After all, a genius commoner with no affiliations was a hot commodity among noble families.

James could feel everyone looking at him but all his attention was on the system.

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Why didn't he get the Hatred System instead? James complained only for a second before he remembered the steamy night before.

Nevermind, nevermind. People should not be too greedy.

He glanced at Darien Wren, who was standing next to Ryan Everheart and seething. Seeing the favorability meter above his head become more and more red James realised something. A crush huh?

No, now was not the time to think about that. James looked at the beautiful girl in from him and began nervously stumbling forth an answer:

"Uh, uh...it's fine, I can go myself."

Why would I train with this stupid girl? Can't you see that you bring too much attention? James cursed her in his mind.

"How about we all train together like yesterday?"

At this Lydia Clearwater also came over making it more difficult for him to refuse again.

Suddenly there was the clicking of heels. Professor Selena entered the arena with a cold face.

"Quiet!"

Everyone watched Professor Selena run her gaze past the two women calmly and then stop at James.

"Huh?" She seemed surprised. Then a disdainful expression appeared on her face and she shook her head, "Waste."

All the students glanced at each other. It seemed the rumours were true.

Then without sparing another glance Selena walked toward the centre of the arena and began speaking in a stern voice.

"Spell Practice is cancelled today. We are going to have a one on one combat tournament. The top 10 will receive prizes depending on their position. Get ready."

She spoke quickly and without waiting for the students to react she conjured up a box. Meanwhile, the large arena began to separate into smaller circles while magical runes hummed. After everything was in place, Selena's voice rang out:

"First Arena. Gordon Wells vs Claire Slater."

"Second Arena..."

Names were called one after another. The combat class was a combination class that included everyone in the first year, so this process took a while.

James was a little confused at the moment. Selena had not informed him about the tournament beforehand, so he wasn't sure how to react.

If there was ever an opportunity for him to be high profile while not attracting any attention it was now. Everyone already thought he had taken a Level Breaking Potion, so even if he did well it would not be surprising. And maybe...

James glanced at Ryan Everheart at the corner of his eye. He had a few lessons with Ryan before this but the boy had not shown any clues, maybe something big was needed to shift this impasse.

"Hey waste! Just wait, you'll be dead soon!" A harsh voice broke James out of his thoughts. Darien Wren was glaring at him with a ferocious expression, while moving his thumb against his neck.

Then as if one cue, Selena's voice rang out:

"James Woodrow..."

Some students were excited, after all James had just become a level 1 mage. They thought he would be an easy opponent.

"...Bye."

Selena continued to call out names, but many people were disappointed.

"You won't be so lucky next time! Just-" Darien was about to continue mocking James but his name was called so he had to go to his assigned arena.

So just like that everyone began fighting, while James became a lonely figure standing in the corner watching.

James had just become a level 1 mage in the morning, so he did not have time to properly learn any spells. He understood why Selena had given him a bye, but she didn't know that even though the old James couldn't use level 1 spells he never stopped practising them. Right now he just needed some time.

The results came quickly. After all most people were just level 1 mages, they didn't have much mana and only knew a few spells. The next round began and once again James got a bye and could sit out.

"What kind of shit luck is this?"

"Dammit, how come I got eliminated but that loser can advance?!"

The crowd of losers began whispering amongst themselves, but by the 4th time James was assigned a bye people gradually grew numb. Of course some people also thought of foul play, but considering that Selena was the one of the people who seemed to hate James the most, they could only blame it on luck.

It was the fifth round. This round would determine the top 10.

At this time James finally relaxed. He looked at the skills column in the system and smiled. Then he looked around at the people who were still left. Most of them were mid to late stage level 1 mages, while all of the level 2 mages had advanced.

Seeing this, James tried to catch the attention of the beautiful red haired woman at the front of the arena. When she returned his gaze, James gestured to someone and nodded his head.

Selena looked at him for a long time before she began announcing the names again.

"Arena 1. Lydia Clearwater vs Gordon Wells."

"Arena 2..."

"Arena 3..."

"Arena 4. Darien Wren vs...James Woodrow."

The crowd of students which had become larger and larger as the tournament went on were excited. Finally this bastard has to fight!