Reborn As A Maid

All the initial rounds continued in the Grand Royal Arena.

Despite that some contestants had already been excluded from the tournament, dozens of arenas resonated with the sound of clashing metal and the magic being used. The air was filled with ozone, sweat, and the smell of excitement that made all spectators impatient.

The audience soon understood that this tournament was unprecedented.

Everyone of kingdoms sent its best representatives. Heroes, prodigies, mercenaries and wanderers competed here on the same grounds with the similar ambitions.

Arthur Queens calmly watched from the royal balcony all the matches that were going to happen. The sun made shadow lines on the arena floor, but he didn’t pay attention to that.

"Keep on recording all the promising contestants," he ordered, and his words sounded authoritative.

Royal scribes agreed and took notes with the quick movements of their hands. Every remarkable fighter would be written there, with his strong and weak sides and great potential.

Arena Three

A young man dressed in dark blue armor turned a silver spear in his hand. His spear glimmered like lightning in the sunlight.

This name was loudly called out across the arena.

Kai Viper.

The Genius Spear Knight of the Kingdom of Valen.

At nineteen years old, he was already a Royal Champion, which proves his great skills. His opponents approached him from all sides with raised weapons.

A huge barbarian approached first, raising an axe high.

Kai sighed with boredom. "How predictable."

He threw away his spear.

No, it just went too fast.

The first thrust – the barbarian’s axe was flung up in the air and rolled around before falling on the stone floor.

The second – the swordsman’s helmet fell off.

The third one – a shield was broken by the power of his thrust.

In just a few moments, five contestants became unarmed and disarmed, with their weapons scattered around the arena.

Kai rested on his spear and said with a smile. "You’ve seen it. You should have attacked in concert."

Applauding noise came from the audience.

Lucas smiled with appreciation. "His spear is amazing."

Arthur nodded slowly, observing. "His skills are great, but..." He narrowed his eyes. "...He depends too much on speed. He could easily make a mistake that would be exploited by his opponent."

Arena Seven

Sudden hot wave appeared in the air, creating shimmering waves around the contestant.

An incredible ring of fire appeared around a young woman in red robes, with scarlet hair that looked like dancing flame. The heat was so great that even the spectators at the edge of the arena could feel it.

Mira Kingston.

The Flame Mage of the Southern Alliance.

Magic rings appeared around her, with the shining sigils drawn in them. Several contestants wanted to attack her before she could cast spells.

She lifted a finger and said quietly. "Fire Lance."

Five glowing spears shot across the arena, their heat distorting the air.

They exploded in front of contestants’ faces, creating shock waves that flung everyone backward.

One by one, contestants gave up, their confidence destroyed.

Referee quickly announced the victory.

Mira twirled her staff with a confident smile. "As my teacher often says – fire not only destroys, it also protects."

Applause of the audience was thunderous.

Even several royal mages gave her applause, appreciating her great skills.

Arena Eleven

Ground started to shake.

Heavy steps sounded across the stone floor of the arena, creating the tremors.

Over seven feet tall, the giant with the huge tower shield walked to the battleground. His shield seemed to be too big for a door of a castle, and his arms were twice thicker than ordinary man’s.

Gareth Gerat.

The Giant Shield Warrior.

"One is too slow," an arrogant swordsman mocked with a laughing voice.

Audience watched carefully, holding their breaths.

Swordsman charged with his sword directed at the gap in the giant’s shield.

Gareth didn’t move.

The blade hit the shield.

Nothing happened.

Swordsman blinked in confusion. "...What?"

Gareth smiled with kindness in his gentle voice. "Now my turn."

He gently pushed the shield forward.

Impact of the shield flung three contestants across the arena, throwing their weapons away from them.

Everyone in the audience even could feel vibrations of the impact with their seats.

Though he had such incredible strength, Gareth never attacked surrendered fighters – he only waited until they gave up, smiling with kindness.

Arthur made a small note with his quill. "Perfect self-control. True warrior."

Arena Sixteen

Nobody could find the next contestant.

"Where is she?" a knight looked around with fear, his eyes looking around the arena.

Teasing laugh sounded from behind him. "Looking for me?"

He turned back, lifting his sword.

Too late.

Ribbon on his arm vanished – disappeared without any trace.

On the top of a pillar stood a young woman in black and purple dresses, silhouette contrasting with the bright sky. Mischievous smile appeared on her face, and playful gleam appeared in her eyes.

Rudy Kiss.

Notorious thief, assassin, treasure hunter.

She bowed to the audience with a smile. "Thank you for participation."

Knight looked at the missing ribbon on his arm in astonishment. "When did you—"

Rudy winked with growing smile. "Good thief never reveals her tricks."

She didn’t attack her opponents with the brute force, but rather took their weapons, badges and even their belts before they understood that. Her moves were so quick that audience could hardly keep up.

Loud laughter resounded in the crowd, mixed with amazement.

Several noblemen were horrified with their expressions.

Lucas rubbed his forehead with a sigh. "...She’s definitely troublesome."

Arthur couldn’t help smiling, his eyes crinkling. "But talented undoubtedly."

Arena Twenty

Loud beastly growl shook the arena, sounding like thunder in the stands.

Several trained monsters ran alongside a rough-looking man with huge bow in his hands.

King Gale.

Famous Beast Hunter.

Unlike ordinary tamers, he didn’t force creatures to obey him, and fought with them as allies.

A large black bear blocked off any further attacks and absorbed attacks meant to fell warriors of lesser caliber. A large hawk flew high in the sky and kept watch from above for any threats that might lurk out of sight.

King Gale calmly shot arrows with incredible accuracy.

Each arrow shot down only weapons—not people.

One by one, warriors became unable to fight due to their weapons being removed from their hands with such surgical accuracy.

As soon as the battle was over, King Gale approached the bear and scratched it behind the ears. "Good job."

The bear happily growled, its long tail wagging.

The children in the audience immediately cheered even louder than before.

Back on the royal balcony, Lucas looked at Arthur with awe. "This generation is amazing."

Arthur nodded. "Stronger than I thought."

He looked over at each of the remarkable contestants that took part in the tournament.

Kai Viper. Mira Kingston. Gareth Gerat. Rudy Kiss. King Gale.

Each of those contestants was a warrior whose special abilities deserved respect.

And there was one name Arthur couldn’t get off his mind.

Raven.

White Sword Hunter.

A swordswoman with silver hair who defeated all her opponents using only a wooden practice sword and moving with such efficiency and precision it seemed otherworldly.

Arthur quietly folded his arms and frowned. "So many talented warriors..."

He looked over at Arena Twelve that stood empty. Its stone floor was covered in scratches and marks of battle...

"...And somehow I keep getting the feeling that Raven is the most dangerous of them."

High above, the banners of Seraiya proudly fluttered in the afternoon wind—their blue and gold fabric snapping like the wings of eager birds.

The strongest warriors of the continent began to reveal themselves.

And for many of them, soon their path would cross with the mysterious White Sword Hunter whose real identity is yet unknown.

The preliminary matches were finally over.

Contestants that made it to the next round occupied the corridors under the Royal Arena, their voices echoing throughout the stone corridors. Some were celebrating with their companions, laughing and having fun. Others quietly reflected on their matches.

Jennie was walking side by side with Roxy and Snow. She was still holding her wooden practice sword that she used during the preliminary round—this time, it seemed to have become her trademark, confusing her opponents.

"You should have at least looked a little tired," Roxy pouted, folding her arms. "You defeated nineteen people without even sweating a bit!"

Jennie smiled sheepishly and blushed. "Sorry."

"Nineteen!" Roxy waved her arms. "Without even breathing hard! This is unnatural!"

"I just tried my best."

Snow chuckled and winked at Roxy. "Your ’best’ is frightening."

Before Jennie could say anything—

Someone started slowly clapping their hands somewhere behind them.

"My, my... what an adorable little swordswoman."

The three of them turned around.

In front of them stood a young woman wearing a sleek black coat with purple edges. Some throwing knives hung on her belt. Her face was full of playful smile—this girl certainly seemed trouble.

It was Rudy Kiss.

A thief who entertained the audience by stealing weapons from her opponents before anyone else even noticed it.

"So you’re Raven," Rudy said, pushing herself off a marble pillar. "I’ve been looking forward to meeting you."

Jennie politely bowed. "Pleasure to meet you."

Rudy blinked with amazement. "...You’re even cute in close-up."

Jennie tilted her head with puzzlement. "Thanks...?"

Rudy walked in circles around Jennie with exaggerated interest. "Silver hair. Blue eyes. Calm smile. And manners." She dramatically sighed and pressed a hand to her heart. "Unfair life."

Roxy frowned. "...Why are you walking circles around Jennie?"

"To appreciate beauty," Rudy answered without any pause. Her smile widened even more.

Snow quietly whispered to Roxy: "I think this is going to be fun."

Rudy stopped right in front of Jennie, looking straight into her blue eyes.

"You know, I usually steal wallets," Rudy said and winked at her. "But today—someone stole my heart."

Jennie instantly became pink. "I... um... I don’t think that..."

"It’s adorable how flustered you are," Rudy said and laughed.

Before Jennie could say anything—

Rudy touched her hand.

"..."

"...Huh?"

Jennie became stiff and silent as a statue. Her thoughts became chaotic and scattered like leaves in a storm.

Even the busy corridor suddenly went silent, all the sounds fading into white noise.

Rudy smiled with satisfaction and her mischievous eyes glowed. "Perfect. That look is definitely worth it."

She became pink again. "I... um... I’ve never..."

Jennie’s mind blanked and words refused to form.

Some distance away from them, several contestants stared in shock. Their conversations were interrupted halfway.

"Does Rudy Kiss actually flirt with someone?"

"She usually steals money from people."

"Seems like today she stole someone’s composure."

The first one to regain his senses was Snow.

He suddenly burst into loud laughter. "Hahahaha! Our fearless Sword King was defeated!"

Jennie became even redder and her blush reached her ears. "Snow!"

The great white wolf was laughing even harder and rolled on the floor. "I’ve seen you fighting Demon Generals without batting an eye—but even a little kiss on your hand—hahaha!" He rolled over the floor, clutching his stomach with his paws. "This is priceless!"

While—

Roxy’s smile disappeared.

Her emerald eyes narrowed and it seemed like cold aura emanated from her. Quietly putting herself between Rudy and Jennie, she adopted protective stance.

"That’s enough."

Rudy raised her eyebrow and her amused smile didn’t fade. "Oh? You must be the mage."

Roxy. Roxy answered calmly. "And Jennie is traveling with me."

"Gotcha." Rudy smiled knowingly, twinkling her eyes.

She shifted a little to the side in an attempt to catch Jennie’s glance. "Well, I was only saying hello."

"Come on."

Roxy grasped her wrist firmly but gently, pulling her along.

"We’re going."

Jennie stumbled behind, blushing hard.

"R-Roxy? What?"

"Nothing."

Rudy watched the two girls depart and placed her hand on her hip gracefully.

She chuckled lightly, her tone genuinely amused. "How intriguing."

Snow finally raised up, his laughing tears still wet on his cheeks.

"You sure have some fun creating mischief," he said.

"Only harmless mischief."

Rudy waggled an eyebrow and cast a glance at Jennie who was still blushing being led away by Roxy, who was striding down the corridor.

"...And the White Sword Hunter turned out to be much more exciting than expected."

Further ahead—

Roxy finally stopped.

She crossed her arms and turned away from Jennie, her expression neutral.

"Roxy... are you angry?" Jennie blushed even harder and stared at her in confusion.

"I’m not angry."

There was a pause.

"...It’s just that I don’t like seeing other girls kissing your hand."

Jennie’s surprised glance was instantly directed at Roxy, all her embarrassment forgotten.

She then smiled and said: "I’m sorry."

Roxy gazed back at her for a little while, her defensive posture gradually melting.

She finally sighed, her shoulders slumping.

"Just don’t let her kiss it again."

"Okay." Jennie smiled warmly and laughed softly.

Behind them, Snow finally caught up to them, his laughter still ringing in his ears.

"I guess the tournament itself is more amusing than fighting demons."

Jennie cupped her face with both palms, blushing furiously once more.

"Please... we won’t talk about it anymore!"

Snow broke out into laughing again, howling loudly.

Roxy’s lips curled into a reluctant smile as well.

Despite all her embarrassment, Jennie found herself smiling.

---

The long corridor stretched before them with the sounds of celebration ringing in the air.

The tournament wasn’t nearly over yet.

Their new rivals had appeared.

And in the shadows somewhere—destiny’s pieces moved on and on towards the decisive point where everything would change.

For now, however—

There was laughter.

There was friendship.

And there was hope.

And it was enough for Jennie.