Harem System In A fantasy World - Chapter 200: Format
Chapter 200: Format
The crowd roared like a thundering storm.
Magical screens flared to life around the coliseum, high into the air for everyone to see. The beautiful host waited patiently for the cheers to settle down.
The floating platform rotated slowly in the air so every side of the massive coliseum could see her clearly.
Her silver hair fluttered lightly in the wind as she raised the crystal amplifier again. She raised her hand once more, bringing the roaring crowd back under control.
“Now,” she announced brightly, “it would be my honor to introduce some of the distinguished guests who have joined us today!”
The crowd immediately perked up. Many of the spectators leaned forward eagerly. The hostess extended her arm toward the highest balcony overlooking the arena.
“First, we welcome the man who made all of this possible… the person who leads Grimholt Academy!”
Her voice rose dramatically.
“The legendary Great Mage — Maximus!”
Thunderous applause erupted across the stadium.
High above the arena, on the central balcony reserved for the academy’s leadership, the elderly man stood calmly.
Principal Maximus raised one hand in a casual greeting.
He looked every bit the ancient powerhouse people whispered about.
His long beard swayed lightly in the wind, and in his other hand, he leaned on his famous sword, turned cane, the weapon that had carved his name into countless legends.
Behind him stood the gathered faculty of the academy.
The applause continued for several seconds before the hostess spoke again.
“Next!”
She turned slightly toward another lavish balcony.
“We are honored to welcome Duke Dawncrest, one of the great nobles of the Veloria Kingdom!”
The crowd clapped respectfully.
Seated on his private balcony, the imposing Duke Dawncrest gave a dignified wave of his hand without rising.
Behind him stood several members of his household and attendants.
Among them was a familiar tall young man with sharp features, Xavier Dawncrest.
“Joining him today,” the hostess continued, “is the proud leader of the great Kletis Clan!”
Her voice rang out clearly.
“Patriarch Kletis!”
The stern patriarch raised a hand calmly in acknowledgement as members of his clan stood proudly behind him.
The crowd applauded warmly.
“And of course,” the hostess continued smoothly, “we welcome the distinguished leader of the Moon Clan!”
She gestured toward another noble balcony.
“Patriarch Moon! Accompanied by his esteemed wife!”
Lord Moon stood from his seat briefly, offering the crowd a respectful nod while his beautiful wife smiled elegantly beside him.
The hostess allowed the applause to settle before continuing.
“But that’s not all!”
Her tone grew even more energetic.
“We are also honored by the presence of many leaders from the great organizations that help shape our continent!”
The screens above the arena shifted, highlighting different balconies.
“Representing the Merchant’s Guild of Grimholt—Guildmaster Horatius Vale!”
A wealthy-looking older man with jeweled rings stood and waved to the audience, his entourage of richly dressed merchants applauding beside him.
“From the Adventurers Guild…”
The camera-like spell focused on the balcony with the banner of crossed swords.
“Guildmaster Rhea Umbra!”
The beautiful woman in the red qipao remained seated calmly, her saber resting across her lap as she gave the faintest nod.
Behind her, the adventurers accompanying her stood proudly.
“And from the renowned Alchemy Pavilion…”
“Grand Alchemist Solvaris Renn!”
An elderly man with long green robes and thick spectacles lifted a crystal vial in greeting, drawing a wave of amused applause.
“Lastly, representing the brilliant craftsmen of the continent—”
“Chairman Torvald Emberforge of the Crafters Association!”
A broad-shouldered, stocky man with a braided beard stood and raised a heavy hammer proudly, causing a round of cheers and laughter.
The hostess smiled brightly as the introductions finished.
“As you can see,” she said enthusiastically, “many powerful figures have gathered here today!”
Her voice echoed across the massive arena.
“The young talents competing in this tournament are being watched by some of the most influential people on the continent! Before the matchups appear on the screens and our first battles begin,” she said with a bright smile, “let me explain the tournament format!”
The massive screens surrounding the arena lit up with glowing symbols.
“This tournament will be fought in one-on-one battles!”
The crowd cheered again.
“And since this will be a week-long tournament, there will be plenty of fights to go around for everyone!”
More excitement rippled through the audience.
“The matchups will be decided through random lot draws,” she continued. “Most students will be fighting their peers, meaning students from the same year.”
The screens shifted again, displaying the scoring rules.
“For each victory, a contestant will earn five points!”
“Two points will be awarded in the case of a draw!”
“And of course… zero points for a loss!”
The crowd murmured eagerly.
“At the end of the tournament,” the host continued, “the top three students from each year with the highest points will be crowned the winners and be awarded certain benefits, apart from a spot to enter the legacy world!”
The stadium erupted again.
“That’s what I’m talking about!” someone shouted from the stands.
The host laughed lightly at the reaction.
“However,” she added, raising a finger, “to ensure fairness… an additional rule has been implemented.”
The crowd quieted slightly.
“As you all know,” she continued smoothly, “there are always a few exceptionally talented youths within the academy who are far stronger than their peers.”
A ripple of knowing laughter passed through the audience.
“As such,” the hostess continued, “to give everyone a fair chance… these monsters will be allowed to fight against upper-year students! Of course, this had been done with the student’s consent.”
The audience roared with excitement.
“While the students’ levels will not be publicly displayed for privacy reasons,” she explained, “the matchups themselves will indicate who these monsters are when the time to fight comes.”
She smiled mischievously.
“And while the competitors’ names will not appear on the match boards…”
The glowing screens shifted again.
“…numbers will be used instead to prevent any form of match fixing so that you can have a fun time placing your bets on these talents.”
Curious murmurs spread through the crowd.
“You’ll see what I mean very soon,” she said playfully. “Once the battles begin!”
She raised her voice once more.
“Of course, the challengers from outside the academy will also receive random matchups!”
“They might get lucky and face a weaker opponent…”
She paused dramatically.
“…or they might be very unlucky.”
The crowd roared in anticipation.
High above the arena, inside one of the upper balconies, a certain beautiful woman leaned slightly backward in her seat.
“That’s an odd tournament format,” she said calmly.
She was a breathtakingly beautiful, slender woman.
Her short black hair was tied to the side with a delicate white hairpin. A flowing red qipao hugged her elegant frame as she sat gracefully in her chair, light armor protecting her chest, left shoulder, and hips.
A polished saber rested across her lap.
The banner hanging in front of their balcony displayed the emblem of two crossed swords over a shield.
The Adventurers Guild.
“It is,” a man standing behind her replied.
“Either something else is at play here,” he continued thoughtfully, “or they really pulled out all the stops to entertain us.”
“Yes,” another man beside him agreed.
“And there are no preliminary rounds either.”
The woman nodded slightly.
Just then, she spoke again.
“Lilian.”
A young woman stepped forward immediately.
She was strikingly beautiful as well, with olive skin and cherry-red lips. Her outfit was almost identical to the older woman’s—another elegant red qipao reinforced with light armor.
A saber hung at her hip.
“Yes, mother,” she said respectfully.
The woman looked at her daughter calmly.
“I still believe sending you to this academy would be a waste of time,” she said plainly. “That is why I didn’t allow it two years ago.”
She crossed one sexy leg over the other.
“My stance hasn’t changed.”
Her gaze remained calm but firm.
“I consider my teachings to be superior to what this place could ever offer you.”
She paused briefly.
“After all… I also attended this academy.”
Lilian remained silent.
“However, I don’t think you will have easy fights here,” her mother continued.
“The second-year students can be considered your peers.”
She rested a hand lightly on the hilt of her saber.
“I expect you to win most of your battles.”
“But not all of them.”
Her eyes narrowed slightly as she looked down toward the arena.
“Despite what I say about this academy… they have plenty of talent here.”
She finally looked back at her daughter.
“So do your best. If you defeat someone worthy, not some random weakling, I will consider your plea.”
Lilian bowed lightly.
“Yes, mother.”
One by one, random numbers began to flicker onto the massive floating screens above the arena.
Rows of glowing digits spun rapidly like lottery wheels, shifting and changing faster than the eye could follow.
The entire coliseum watched in anticipation as the system prepared the complete set of matchups.
Inside the first-year waiting room, Elion watched calmly as the rules finished echoing through the arena.
He smiled lightly to himself. ’Monsters, huh.’
He wondered if he was one of the “monsters” the host had mentioned.
Definitely.
The format and system itself were oddly suspicious and unnecessary to him. Using numbers had been done in the name of ’fairness’.
But it also meant the organiser could manipulate the matchups and tweak them as they saw fit, without bringing the ire of the masses upon themselves.
If he could see it, so could others.
Did he suspect that someone was trying to play tricks with him here? He did. Was he being a bit too conceited ot the think he warranted that kind of attention?
Maybe.
But if there was one thing he had learnt, it was to prepare himself for the worst-case scenario. William was a good example of how people with power could act like fools.
But if someone thought they could manipulate the matchups to make things difficult for him…
Then they had another thing coming.
Elion was completely confident that he could thump anyone placed in front of him.
