After following Valda through the halls they came to a set of double doors that opened up to a field. One side of the field there were stands, the other was the forest, and the field itself was at least a sixty meter square field. There was a caravan on the one side of the arena with a large parchment on it with what appeared to be a battle schedule.
As everyone gathered around and looked at the parchment Valda spoke up, “As you can see the first round of matches has been decided, to keep skills as hidden as long as possible, for the time being, none if you will be observing the matches. The only people observing will be the Main staff at Terraqua academy, That's Buck, Extrial, Hurly, Tracey, Helina who is our school nurse, and myself.”
“That’s all there is?” Gribby Blurted out getting a stare from every applicant and Valda as well.
Valda snapped an answer quickly back, “Sure we have our grounds keepers and cleaning staff, but yes, that is all that is needed as only the top applicants from each entrance exam are even admitted, sometimes there are a few,” She paused, letting the next words really hit hard for some of the unaware, “Sometimes there is none.” Everyone stayed quiet after that announcement, not a single one of them may make it into the academy, Hyro did not even consider that as a possibility, his heart sank. He really needed to make sure and do something to stand out in this tournament to secure a spot. Valda continued speaking, “This matchup list will update as matches conclude, each match will be until knock out or someone wishes to withdraw from the round. Everyone not included in the fight will either be in the waiting room or with Helina or Buck for post match evaluation.” Valda paused again, and in her sly tone, looking right at Gribby “Now, are there any questions about this tournament.”
A few hands shot up, Gribby’s was first as he did not even seem to notice Valda focusing on him, Brutey had their hand up as did Harvey and Terry. Valda called on Gribby though almost as soon as his hand was up, in his quick speech he asked his question, “So uhh, hmm is there any magic I can’t use? Hmmm?”
Valda thought for a moment then vaguely replied, “Nothing lethal. At least not intentionally or irreversibly lethal. Harvey, Terry, I assume you have the same question?” The two boys nodded and spoke in unison. “Will there be any team matches or events?”
Valda, expecting this question, wasted no time in her reply, “I am sorry boys, but no. The point of these exams is to see if you, individually, have what it takes to be trained as an adventurer.” The two boys looked down shyly and took a step back. “Brutey, you have a question as well?” Brutey nodded and spoke up, a somewhat feminine but slightly deep voice “Are we allowed to use any weapons?”
“Ah good question, Yes, however only weapons with NO active OR dormant enchantments. That is to say only mundane weapons which you can use or enchant during battle yourself. I will personally check each item before each battle begins.” Brutey nodded, satisfied with the answer. “Any other questions?” Valda gave everyone a moment, then Hyro stuck his hand in the air, Valda nodded at him “Hyro?”
“Will there be any time immediately before the round to activate any self enhancements, things we may have on most of the time if we are out adventuring?” Hyro, of course, did not NEED any time to activate any spells or enhancements, but it could not hurt to make it look like he had this concern.
Valda thought for a moment as to come up with an answer and not give away what she thinks Hyro’s abilities are, “Any non combat self enhancements may be activated immediately prior to the round beginning, however, combat related must be activated after the round begins.” Hyro took that to mean, from the list of abilities that he should have, increased perception could be activated beforehand, but minor strength enhancement would have to wait until the start, Valda was not done answering however, “An instructor will be on your side of the field to verify what enhancements you are applying pre match before anything can be done however.” That actually worked perfectly for Hyro’s purposes now he wont have to act clueless at the start of combat. Valda spoke up again, “If there are no more questions, Acadeles and Holland please stay behind, everyone else please return to the first room on the left upon entering the building.
Hyro hated this. He wished he could watch the battles, get intel, figure things out, but no, just more waiting. Why would they have us waste so much valuable time wh… wait, Hyro thought they aren’t having us waste time, they are giving us this time, i just wasted it. Hyro quickly went into observation mode. Hyro may not have spells that he could use for gaining intel like some of the others had but he was observant. If he could catch the glimpse of someone's hands, or possibly notice when someone else uses one of their abilities in secret he could learn a lot of valuable information. Hyro had been in quiet meditation; he had thought that everyone else was doing the same, he could not have been more wrong. The first thing of note was Harvey and Terry, while they were not talking they were staring, unblinkingly right at each other. Not moving, not saying a word, it was somewhat creepy. They really were mirror images of each other, blonde hair in the same bowl cut, same muscle tone. They each even had the same scar on the left cheek. Hyro could only assume they had some sort of shared telepathy as well as some sort of empathetic pain ability.
Brutey was polishing a few hammers of different sizes that they had in different pouches on their person. From smaller throwing hammers, to a giant sledgehammer across their back. After watching Brutey for a while Hyro noticed they started to run a finger across their one hand over the sledgehammer. Brutey then said something but Hyro was too far away to tell what it was, He tried lip reading, Revel? Review? Remove? Removere?!? That would be a spell to remove a current enchantment, they must really want to use that hammer but it had a permanent enchantment. This Brutey had a few tricks to be wary of it seemed. Brutey themselves are short and stocky, and as Hyro noted before, no facial hair which was odd for most dwarfs regardless of sex.
Petunia was hard to see under her loose black cloak, and her long black hair hid most of her face. She seemed to be working with a few trinkets under her robes. It was really hard to make anything out and she was sitting closest to Hyro, then he caught a whiff of alcohol? Was she using tricks similar to his fire manipulation? Every angle he tried to look at it, it is like she perfectly shifts to obstruct any chance of him viewing anything useful. That is when it hit Hyro, she must have used an obstruction spell, I can think of at least a dozen known ones with similar effects. Giving up from trying to see what she was doing Hyro continued to look around.
Gob was almost the picture perfect Orc, perfect forest green, tall with frightening muscles. It was almost as if he was bred to be the perfect orc. He was doing what Hyro was doing just moments ago, absolutely nothing. He is staring ahead, not an ounce of fear in his eyes.
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Wendel had a few traits similar to Gob but a pale imitation. A more pale green skin, not as big or muscular, obviously an Orc mixed breed. He on the other hand was not just staring off into space. It was hard to notice, and if Hyro was not looking for it he would have missed it, but there was a string flowing from his palm and out the door along the floor. Was he gathering the layout, the other students already enrolled, the matches themselves? Hyro really wished he paid attention when he cast his spell.
Gribby could barely keep still in his seat, he seemed like a ball of energy. He was looking all around, whispering into his cloak, he looked insane. Hyro could not tell a single thing that the Gnome was trying to accomplish with all his antics, it seemed too random. With his boyish tousled brown hair, it was hard to believe he was older than Hyro.
Hyro did his best to pay the most attention to James, as that is who he would be facing off against first. James had some physical qualities similar to Hyro but he was obviously more introverted. It appeared as though he was twiddling his thumbs just waiting, WAIT Hyro noticed something he was not twiddling his thumbs He is casting spells. It was somewhat hard to see as his green robes partially covered his hands. He was silently muttering words. He was skilled at hiding his lips so Hyro did not have a chance at figuring out what he is saying like with the others. What he was doing was lost to Hyro but he was doing something for sure.
Lastly there was the girl with fiery red hair, Cynthia. There was something about her that Hyro could not put his finger on, she seemed calm and collective, but also ready, not to mention she had eyes like the ocean and her Elven pale skin was radiant. She is breathtaking… No! I have to keep a clear head, she is the competition! What is she doing? Hyro spent the rest of the time before the first match ended watching her, but he really did not learn much, except that she had cute dimples when she smiled.
Not too long after the match must have started, Acadeles returned to the room, no one else. “Brutey and Wendel, I was told to send you out.” That’s all he said, he then sat down and started writing on parchment he pulled out of a satchel that he had on his hip. Brutey and Wendel stood up and walked out but Hyro shifted his observation temporarily from Cynthia to the new entry to the room. Acadeles used the parchment as a distraction to hide the fact that he cast a third eye spell. He must have enchanted a rock or something near the field so when he traced the line and said “Tertius Oculus” ever so quietly almost unnoticeably, but Hyro knew that he had some observation abilities and that he was gaining intel from the coming fight.
The next couple of fights moved along in a timely manner, No one immediately came back from the Brutey Vs. Wendel matchup, but Buck came in and called out Gob and Petunia. Hyro wondered what happened to those not returning but assumed they just needed further medical treatment or other examination after their match. That was almost as quick as Acadeles’s match and when Gob returned, Holland, who didn’t seem in too bad of shape, returned with him. Hyro wished he had more time to observe him but Gob simply announced “Hyro, James, go.” So Hyro stood, and led the way out to the Area for his first match.
Hyro was not sure what to expect; he has never really had a match except against a few small wildlife, but he had to at least act brave and confident. The longest match so far couldn’t have taken more than half of an hour, so worst case it would be over soon. The first thing Hyro noticed when they got to the arena was all of the Instructors were there, Tracey who checked everyone in was there and there was one other person, a gorgeous lady in white decadent robes with pink sash, succulent red lips and long platinum blonde hair. She must be Helina, the medical personnel. Next, Hyro noticed the caravan that had the matchups on it and was not too shocked with the current results.
If Hyro wins, he will be against Brutey next round, if he loses, Wendel. While Hyro would much rather avoid Brutey and their hammers, he had to give each fight his all if he wanted any chance of passing the entrance exam. James was walking with his head down right behind Hyro, as they neared Valda spoke up, “Hyro, follow Hurly to one side of the arena, James, follow Extrial to the other for preparations.” They each did as they were told, as Hurly and Hyro reached their side and were standing at the edge, Hurly spoke up first, “Well, Don’t ye be wasting time lad, activation yer passive spells, I believe Perception will count, and I’d say increased endurance, anything else and ye be needing to make a case fer it.” Hyro thought for a moment, he wanted all of his ‘passives’ active right away but what excuse could he have for minor strength enhancement… “Whenever I am out I always keep ALL of my passive abilities active, Minor Strength enhancement specifically lasts for two hours at a time but has a cool down of two hours as well so as soon as it runs out I activate it, the only time I don't is when resting and sleeping.” Hyro knew he was taking a slight risk here, two hours is a long time for most passive spells especially at his age, but he hoped the ‘accidental’ explanation he added about using his passives almost all of the time, would explain the increased duration. Many spells increase their effect over time if used more frequently Hyro remembered reading in one of his many books.
Hurly was silent for a moment, in thought, “Well good on ye lad” he said after a few seconds, “That seems reasonable enough for me.” Hyro let out a small sigh of relief and then went through the actions of ‘activating’ his three passive spells. “Defensio, Vi, Sensus” He did his fake line movements for Increased Endurance, Minor Strength enhancement and Increased perception, in that order with their words of power. Hyro did a slight shutter with each one, pretending to gain each increased effect. Hurly nodded, “Are ye ready lad?” Hyro, not sure of anything at this moment, but not having much choice, just nodded. Hurly proceeded to walk away to the sidelines with the other staff. Extrial was already there, which made sense, while passive effects were common, they were not that common among adventurers, especially minor ones or having so many like Hyro ‘has’. Hyro stood, anxious, in his simple traveling clothes, extra baggy sleeves to hide his secrets and his special wrapped hands. Hyros trusty rusty Longsword at his side, obviously not magical so approved for battle. Once Hurly was on the side Valda spoke up again, “Ready, Set, FIGHT!”
Hyro, starting his very first fight against a real threat, after so much practice and planning, Hyro froze. He could not move. James took advantage of the situation, dashing to one side closer to Hyro but still about one hundred feet away, he traced a line and muttered “Hortulanus.” Hyro knows that word, it could have several meanings… maybe? Not only is his body frozen, he can’t even think straight. Hyro completely missed it as three plants grew right at James feet as he picked each by the root. James was shocked at his luck at being able to set everything up, the Instructors on the other hand, have seen many applicants freeze up, especially when the pressure of the first fight really sets in.
“Surgit!” Wake up! Hyro snapped out of it just as the three plants in James hand did as well. Hyro’s brain worked in overdrive putting together what happened. Hortulanus must have been his word of power to grow these specific plants, and Surgit, more commonly wake up, sometimes just an alarm clock, sometimes a revival spell, in this case it brought the plants to life making them snake like creatures as they slithered towards Hyro. What luck, Plants! Hyro positioned the fire igniting device in his sleeve and traced where his fire manipulation should be “Ignis Imperium!” Hyro lit his fireball with his word of power, and the igniter that burned up as the fire started, as planned. With his prepared wraps he is able to throw the ball about seventy five feet, and he had some practice on some wildlife. Taking aim, he threw the ball right at the front of the three snakes and rushed forward. Now it was James’s turn to be stunned. His connection to the plants that he makes is slightly physical and emotional, so seeing a fireball go towards and engulf one of his babies, a tear rolled down his face as he slightly flinched in pain. Hyro, of course, noticed all of this as he was in the zone now. Not trusting the other two Snake plants and seeing how James was already in some pain, Hyro assumed James did not have much else up his sleeve. Hyro ran in a semicircle, going around the two snake plants, both stopped in their place when seeing the Fireball, stunned like their master. Hyro pulls out his Longsword mid run, grabbing the attention of both snakes and their master, James tries to grab something from the inside of his cloak and Hyro sees him fumble a dagger to the ground. One of the snake plants was a little faster and lunged toward Hyro just as he rushed James with the broad side of his sword. James was knocked to the ground but it was Hyro who let out a shout in pain. The Plant that lunged landed on Hyros left arm, even though it was on the bandages it had fangs that still pierced Hyros skin.
In pain but knowing he had to act quick Hyro grabbed the Plant bending it and pulling it right off and then threw it to the ground, slashing down with his sword shopping the plant in half. He then saw the last one in the corner of his eye, mid lounge towards him, with a lucky slash of his sword Hyro cut the plant snake right before it reached him. The blow to the last two connected plants was to much for James however and he, still on the ground, yelled “Agggghh, my pets, ahhh, I Surrender!” Just in time too, as that is when Hyro realized what kind of poison the plant that bit him had, as the world around him started to morph and change shapes and blend all together. Hyro was hallucinating, and as everything was swirling around him Hyro fell back onto the ground and laughed.
