Guild vs Guild, Start

…

When they returned to their quarters, Han wore an unsettled look, while Che and Logan seethed in anger. Joseph wasn’t surprised - Han’s protagonist nature naturally attracted trouble in situations like this - and he was secretly relieved to have avoided any himself.

Tokko wanted to check on Che, but she locked herself in her room to practice magic, leaving Tokko confused.

The next morning a butler knocked, delivering food, and soon after another arrived to escort them to the arena. Passing through the palace grounds, they joined the procession of guilds until a massive coliseum loomed ahead. The walls were high, with tiered seating circling a wide stage.

They were ushered through a side entrance, up the stairs, and into the benches reserved for participants, close to where the Guild Masters and their delegates presided. The arena rumbled with growing voices as the crowd poured in.

Then, at last, the final guilds arrived—trumpets blared, the stands erupted, and the audience rose as one. Their group followed suit, already told about the signal.

From behind the central throne, a procession emerged. Two armored soldiers marched forward bearing tall banners, their steps adding to the noise in the arena. Behind them strode a silver-haired woman in heavy plate, a thin sword at her side, who halted with crisp precision to stand guard behind the throne.

Then came the king himself—draped in crimson, clad in fine jewels, a golden crown gleaming atop his blond hair. Though well into his fifties, his presence filled the arena, his charisma holding thousands in rapt attention.

Behind him came two blond youths—a boy and a girl—whose noble bearing left little doubt they were the king’s blood. Close on their heels followed two elegantly dressed women and a dark-haired young girl, who swept into their seats beside the throne with practiced grace.

The king stepped forward and addressed the crowd.

“Welcome, everyone. Today we hold the annual competition to see the talents within each guild and help one another grow. As usual, we begin with the guild battles. Each master has submitted their names into the ballot box, as you all know I’m not one for petty speeches, so let us not delay.

Ah — before that, one note. My two children, who have recently turned seventeen, and eighteen, will also participate in the solo contest. Do not worry — their placements will not affect rewards.”

The announcement stirred immediate commotion. The royal family rarely, if ever, participated in guild competitions. But the murmur soon died down as the first guilds were chosen.

Earthguard versus Crumpled Blow.

Earthguard was a small guild of earth mages and martial artists. Crumpled Blow, on the other hand, was a group of retired adventurers and hunters — underfunded, undertrained, and visibly nervous.

On the Earthguard bench sat eight young men and women, staffs in hand, with two burly martial artists armed only with calloused fists. Opposite them, Crumpled Blow’s five members were a sorry sight: three vomiting in fear, two frozen stiff. Their Guild Master shouted down at them like angry fathers, berating them into the ring telling them to man up, grow a spine, and much more.

In the center, acting as referee, stood a man in his thirties: flashy armor, dual swords, curly blonde hair — but a scarred, burned face. Despite his appearance, his aura of authority was undeniable. Han whispered that he was one of the three knight captains — among the kingdom’s top elites.

The match began. Earthguard’s mage launched a surge of rock beneath his martial ally, propelling him forward. His body hardened like stone, fists doubling in size. The opponents panicked and bolted, sprinting straight for the edge of the arena, ignoring their Guild Master’s shouts.

They turned back only to see the stone-fisted fighter bearing down on them — and leapt from the stage entirely. Their Guild Master, furious, vaulted down to chase them, while the remaining members fled out the opposite gate.

The crowd erupted with laughter. The knight captain raised his hand and declared Earthguard the victor by default.

The next three matches went more as expected — nervous, scrappy fights between low- and mid-tier guilds. None of the higher-ranked guilds had yet been drawn.

That changed when the announcer called the next pairing.

Fallenshade vs Gilded Path

Their guild — once high-ranked but long considered a joke — now had a chance to prove otherwise. Joseph and his companions walked down to the stage, facing off against a guild with thirty well-equipped members, funded as nothing more than a wealthy merchant’s vanity project.

Fallenshade’s five would have to fight thirty, in multiple 2v2’s until one side runs out of contestants. The teams were given a moment to organize, though most people already decided on the outcome.

Huddled together Han was about to discuss order but Joseph interjected first. “Me and Tokko are going first… sorry, not sorry that you won’t be getting any action.”

Everyone froze for a moment. Joseph normally hated being in the spotlight, but volunteering to go first was the ultimate spotlight—especially given his strength. Han hesitated.

“You sure? It might be best for you to wait until later. We can handle them; you don’t need to bother…”

“I’m sure,” Joseph cut in. “I refuse to enter a PvP tournament and hold back, If I’m entering, I want the best possible score.”

Han frowned. “Well… I won’t refuse you. But please try to refrain from killing them or causing serious injury. Sir Cedrid Stormborne—one of the three knight captains, the current referee—might take issue if you actively kill people on purpose.

He’ll obviously try his best to assist in preventing avoidable deaths, he isn’t a knight captain for no reason, but….”

Joseph waved his hand nonchalantly. “Yea, yeah. I’m not a homicidal maniac, besides I doubt they will give that much experience.”

Still slightly hesitant Han turned to the others. “Are you both okay with this? If Joseph and Tokko do go first, we will not have much in terms of the spotlight. Also Joseph, you are aware this will put you at a disadvantage in the solo tournament, right? Afterall, they’ll watch and know how you fight.”

Joseph shrugged, he was already aware and didn’t care. As for Che and Logan, they similarly shrugged not minding, speaking in order. “I don’t mind, gives me more time to practice my magic so I can roast those bastards from last night.”

“I don’t mind either Captain, I’ve fought enough people in my life.”

With no opposition, Han left the way open for Joseph and Tokko. Tokko tightened her grip on her spear as they both stepped onto the stage, the crowd’s glare pressing down with a crushing, invisible weight.