Volume 4 - Chapter 20
9 Days later
Putting my all into it, I took my slimes to the
arena early in the morning. The second town’s always hustling and
bustling with people, but today seems to be especially busy. But then
again, that’s only to expected. After all, today’s the opening of the
Magic Beast Tournament.
A lot of people have come to spectate or
participate in the matches these coming three days. I walked through
that busy town, and when I finally arrived at the arena, the guards
shouted me words of encouragement.
“Do your best!” [Guard 1]
“Treat us out if you win.” [Guard 2]
“Be careful, alright.” [Guard 3]
Those
people who called out to me are the adventurers working here as guards.
There are a lot of magic beasts gathered here because of the
tournament, so just to be safe, the organizers sent out a request. And
apparently, it was the adventurer’s guild of Gimuru who took on that
request.
The guild directly notified adventurers B Rank up. They
also called out to me, but I’m going to be participating in the
tournament, so I refused.
Because of that, familiar faces called
out to me as I walked until I finally turned at the entrance used for
transporting goods. There’s another entrance aside from this which is
the normal entrance, but that entrance is only big enough for people.
Magical beasts can’t enter through it, so participants like me have to
use this entrance. This is something that I learned when I registered.
“Fushuu!” [Beast 1]
“Gururururu…” [Beast 2]
“Gieee!” [Beast 3]
“Kyun…” [Beast 4]
On
the other side of that entrance that was now forbidden except to
related personnel, was a large crowd of magical beasts and participants.
There were all sorts of magical beasts from different sizes to
different types. Some were excited, eager to fight, and others were
visibly scared. The participants could also be seen giving off sparks
from time to time.
“In any case, I should first report my arrival.” [Ryouma]
I walked to a tent near the entrance that’s been temporarily placed there to serve as a reception desk.
“May I know your name?” [Receptionist]
“Ryouma Takebayashi.” [Ryouma]
“Can I see your proof of participation? …Yes, thank you very much. Please wait a moment.” [Receptionist]
After
I showed the proof of my participation that I got after registering,
the male receptionist looked through his register of names.
“I’ve
confirmed your registration. I am returning this proof of participation.
Takebayashi-sama, your match is number 24.” [Receptionist]
“I’ve
been informed that participants need to have his personal belongings
checked. Do I need to have my things checked now?” [Ryouma]
“It’s
possible to have it now, but the participant won’t be able to leave.
Takebayashi-sama, your match is still in the afternoon, so it should be
fine even if you have the body check later. Please feel free to enjoy
yourself until noon.” [Receptionist]
“Thank you very much.” [Ryouma]
Then
I guess I should watch my rivals until noon… I’ll probably have to
watch standing, but being able to watch even a little should be good.
So
I entered the arena through its entrance, and headed for the
spectators’ seats. As expected, waves of people crowded the area, and
there was no place left to sit. I was somehow able to find a spot to
stand on, but from time to time, a head would pass by and block my
vision.
“Elia and the others said they’d come to cheer on me, but… there’s no way I could tell where they are with this.” [Ryouma]
It
was here that a man suddenly stepped into the center of the stage, and
the sounds of music erupted, drowning the noise of the crowd. With the
flourish of trumpets out, the tournament was about to begin.
<<Ladies
and gentleman! The long awaited battle between Riforu Kingdom’s
challengers and their magical beasts is here! I officially declare the
Magic Beast Tournament open!>>
The man’s voice echoed
throughout the arena as he announced the opening of the tournament.
After that, he lightly explained the rules of the tournament, but this
time, he talked a lot calmer. Also, I can feel some hint of magic power
in his voice… is this magic? Come to think of it, I do recall making
magic like that in the past…
As I was thinking that, the explanation regarding that voice of his came.
Apparently,
it’s because of the magic tool that was excavated from some ruins some
few months ago. A lot of the same magic tool was found, so they were
distributed to the various research labs and to the magic guild. After
analyzing them, a portion of those magic tools flowed into the market,
and was sold. That same artifact is being used In the explanations of
this tournament now.
Even though they’re artifacts, they actually
flowed into the market that easily… Well, it’s probably because all it
does is amplify the voice so it wasn’t valued much. Or maybe they can
mass produce it? I’m not that familiar with magic tools though, so I
wouldn’t know. I should ask Kanan when I have time.
The
participants for the first round seemed to have been waiting while the
man on stage was greeting the audience, since as soon as he finished,
those two participants immediately entered. At their entrance, two
voices belonging to the host and the commentator sounded. They started
talking about the participants and their respective magical beasts.
<<Please
welcome the recently rising newcomer of the tamer guild, Podro! Riding
on his magical beast, the Barbell Reindeer, what a magnificent
entrance!>>
A young man entered the stage, riding on what
appeared to be a reindeer with two black horns that resembled
pitchforks, growing out of it. Rather than magnificent though, I’d say
he looks more nervous since he looks so stiff that he seems to be having
a hard time moving. Or maybe his entrance is magnificent because he’s
visibly trying to keep his back straight to avoid looking nervous?
<<So– what sort of magical beast is this Barbell Reindeer?>>
<<The Barbell Reindeer lives in the snows mountains, and is often
considered to be one of the gentler beasts out there, but it is
undoubtedly a B Rank magical beast. Naturally, despite its gentle
nature, it has power befitting that of a B Rank magical beast. For
example, those giant horns on its head are more than capable of easily
perforating armor. Moreover, Barbell Reindeers are also known to cast
electric magic from time to time>>
<<Well, I guess that means we have a big one right off the bat. Continuing–––>>
They
continued in that manner, introducing and explaining the participant.
When both sides were finally gathered, the match started. After the
match ended, the participants left, the arena was repaired, and then the
tournament proceeded on to the next match. It was in this way the
matches continued.
Incidentally, the winner of the first match was
Podro and the Barbell Reindeer. That reindeer was really strong. It
struck its foe with its horns. It roasted it with electricity. And then
it trampled it underfoot its seemingly hard hooves. Also, apparently,
when that reindeer uses its electric magic, its horns turn head, and
become really hot. The original purpose behind that was apparently for
it to melt the snow and drink it, but when used during battle, it proves
to be a formidable weapon. I’ll need to watch out for that.
As for how the battle was, well… How should I put it?
“To sum it up briefly: it was a brawl.” [Ryouma]
Seeing
tens of magical beasts go wild at the same time is certainly amazing,
but on the other hand, it could also be said to be the picture of hell.
After the sixteen matches ended, I quickly ate my meal, and then I took
the slime that I’ll be using from my Dimension Home. From what I’ve
seen, the other participants also wielded some weapon and shield for
self-defense, so I also took out my blade, and sheathed it at my waist.
After
I finished my preparations, I let a slime ride over each of my
shoulders, one over my head, while I carried one last slime in my arms,
then I entered the entrance to the participants’ area. Participants are
limited to a maximum of five magical beasts in the preliminaries. As for
how I’m going to fight… thanks to Elia and the others, I was able to
get enough time to think up a strategy, so I’ll be going for the win!
When I lined up for the body check, the voices of other participants fell on my ears.
“Hey, hey, look at that guy.” [Participant 1]
“He’s actually going to fight with those slimes?” [Participant 2]
“Is he looking down on this tournament?” [Participant 3]
These
people came from a different town. Moreover, they came from one quite
some distance away. As for why I know that, well that’s because––––
“Ah, that guy’s the cleaner.” [Participant 4]
“That guy fighting with slimes is an adventurer? Can his slimes really fight?” [Participant 5]
“Weren’t the cleaner’s slimes just pets? From what I hear, it’s the
cleaner himself who’s strong, and the slimes just eat the unneeded parts
of magical beasts.” [Participant 6]
It’s because the people
living near Gimuru give that sort of response. They’ve heard a little of
the rumors about me, so they’re only half-convinced. As for the people
who know me well–––
“…” [Participant 7]
“Uwa…” [Participant 8]
“What a pain… But then again, he’s only using five slimes, so he might actually lose in the preliminaries…” [Participant 9]
These
guys are from the tamer guild… probably. Because there aren’t a lot of
people capable of forming a contract with a B Rank magical beast, and
because of all the bandits I’ve been catching plus the contract I’ve
formed with my cannonball rhino, Rai, these sort of people have
increased.
I don’t know if it’s because they’re guilty or what,
but from time to time, I can see these guys avoiding my gaze. I mean
sure it’s not exactly nice being underestimated, but being treated like
cancer isn’t very nice either… But then again, they are from the tamer
guild, and matters related to them being pleasant is rare, so I guess
it’s just as usual.
The line proceeded gradually until finally it was my turn. In front of me were a woman and four rough men.
“You
are Ryouma Takebayashi-sama, correct? We will be inspecting the magic
tools you have with you. Do you have any?” [Female Personnel]
“No, there’s nothing.” [Ryouma]
“Then please excuse me…” [Female Personnel]
The
moment the woman before me said that, the magic power she exhaled
wrapped itself around me. After which, she smiled that usual business
smile of hers as she informed that the inspection was over.
“What was that just now?” [Ryouma]
“Enchantment magic to detect whether or not you have magic tools or weapons on your person.” [Female Personnel]
Apparently,
that magic was meant to confirm whether I had any magic tools with me,
so she knows for sure whether or not I have. And in case I do have, she
would investigate.
Magic tools can be imbued with the slave demon
magic or conjuration, so anyone with magic powr can use them. And even
slave demon magic users and conjurers use them. The purpose of this
inspection is to find out whether a participant is using a magic tool.
In which case, he or she would immediately be expelled.
…Furthermore,
there are many defects amongst magic tools imbued with slave demon
magic or conjuration, making them prone to accidents, so they’re
currently prohibited, and are not being sold. Just being in possession
of them is plenty bad.
“But even then, it can still be found if
one looks hard enough, so we still have to check. It’s also in the
rules.” [Female Personnel]
That’s true. This woman in front of me
is checking just in case. She also has a magic tool imbued with
dimension magic, so they have more than enough countermeasure to deal
with one in case there is.
“Thank you for your work.” [Ryouma]
I
didn’t have any magic tools on me, so the inspection immediately ended.
Following the instructions of the personnel in charge, I entered into
waiting room. If I’d brought a large-type magical beast with me, I would
have been shown to the storehouse, but since all I have with me are my
slimes, I was just brought here.
When the person who would be
coming out in the same match as me entered into the waiting room, he
glared at me. However, he immediately lost interest, and averted his
gaze. Seemingly unconcerned, he lightly greeted me, and then sat at a
corner in the room as he looked around the area. There were water and
snacks prepared in the room. There were also people chatting and people
loitering around.
But none of the faces belong to any of my
acquaintances, so no came to talk to me. I just quietly sat in my seat
while caressing my slimes until my turn finally came.
And after some time of waiting, my turn finally came.
“Sorry for the wait. All participants for match number 24, please come.” [Personnel]
At those words, everyone in the room including me, stood up, and we followed the personnel in charge.
Now, let the match begin!