The Greatest Warrior of All Time Returns-Chapter 421

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

Chapter 421

The Elementalist Tournament.

Simply put, it seemed to be a competition where elementalists competed against each other to test their skills.

Here, one competed using only elemental arts, and every evaluation factor was integrated into elemental arts.

How well one handled spirits.

How well one communicated with them.

And many other things.

Well, the important point was that it was an exchange tournament among elementalists.

Naturally, it was also a field I had never paid any attention to.

It was quite ridiculous that a Spirit King would fall into corruption simply because they had fallen for a human, but… in any case, if I wanted to return the Water Spirit King, Elraim, to her original state, I was in a position where I had to go to that tournament.

—To be precise, it is the result of Water Spirit King Elraim forcibly breaking the regulations.

I heard the voice of the wind spirit circling beside me.

“Regulations?”

—There are many rules in the Spirit Realm… In the end, Elraim has been interfering with humans beyond the regulations and has been granting them power.

Well, elementalists also display their strength according to their individual capabilities.

Just like how even elementalists of the same rank differ in influence depending on how well they handle their power.

So in other words, because the Spirit King went crazy over a human and ignored all the rules of the Spirit Realm and rampaged alone, this situation happened?

It was quite a ridiculous story.

Still, in a certain sense, I felt relieved.

I thought there was another lunatic plotting something strange again.

That was it.

In the end, it was merely a problem among the spirits caused by Elraim’s childish tantrum.

“I’ve submitted the application for now. I’ll get a response eventually.”

Since any elementalist could participate, what problem could there be?

* * *

…Or so I thought.

But the reply that came back flowed in a slightly different direction.

“You got rejected. Pfft.”

“What?”

“What do you mean ‘what.’ You got rejected.”

Apparently it was because I had failed to be certified as qualified as an elementalist.

It seemed that the Elementalist Union of the continent took the stance that someone like me, who hadn’t even registered as an elementalist, shouldn’t meddle recklessly.

This won’t do.

I glanced at the wind spirit that Sylph had attached to me.

“Hey. This is screwed, isn’t it?”

—I do not understand the affairs of the human world well. However… if participation is possible once you register…

“By the time I finish the registration procedures, the tournament will already be over. I’d just end up handing over all my personal information for nothing.”

—Th… that can’t be.

The wind spirit fumbled, unable to hide its embarrassment.

—Is direct contact impossible?

“Didn’t you guys investigate separately too?”

—Th-that is… It was difficult to find…

“See? I don’t know why, but they’re hiding their identity. How are you going to find them?”

In the end, as I watched the wind spirit sink into despair, Grivy patted its back with her tiny hand.

“Dad will help! It’s okaaay!”

At that, the high-rank spirit looked at me again.

“If we look for a method, one will come up. Honestly, even if we don’t participate in the Elementalist Tournament, there are ways to meet them.”

—Thank you.

Seeing how politely it expressed gratitude, I wondered if all wind spirits were this well-mannered.

“I heard wind spirits have free-spirited personalities though.”

—Spirits generally tend to follow the temperament of their Spirit King.

In other words, since Sylph, the Wind Spirit King I had come into contact with, had that sort of personality, the lower spirits were also this polite.

On the other hand, the Water Spirit King Elraim was clearly not in her right mind.

“To think she doesn’t even care that her own lower spirits are twisted like that… Well, it’s not like someone used hypnosis or brainwashing.”

“Listening to the story, it definitely doesn’t sound like a normal situation. I’ll try to break through an opening once.”

“Alright.”

Since her status was that of a duchess, even if she couldn’t create a gap, she would at least be able to gather related information.

* * *

Melissa quickly brought detailed information about the Elementalist Tournament, which had not even begun yet.

It seemed the connections she had been expanding in various directions were finally showing their effect.

The venue where the elementalists’ competition would take place was a place called the Spirit Corridor.

It was the land of minority tribes located within the Boscal Empire on the Western Continent.

Since it was the place on the continent with the most spirits, it was also a place that produced many elementalists.

“To begin with, the origin of the Elementalist Tournament was the Spirit Corridor. And this time, after 60 years, the competition is being held again in its hometown.”

“Hmm……”

So that was why they were paying even more attention to the tournament itself.

“The method?”

“Actually, we were lucky. Take this.”

What she handed me was an already approved participation application form.

“Apparently the son of a noble from the Western Continent I got to know through business is an elementalist, but he couldn’t participate due to high fever and headaches.”

“You want me to participate in his place?”

“Something like that.”

Is this really okay?

“Hah. Leon. Why are you acting like an amateur?”

She chuckled.

“If you don’t get caught, it’s not a crime.”

Is that really something a duchess of a nation should say?

She waved her hand.

“I’m kidding. The host side is also in a difficult position because someone who was supposed to participate inevitably dropped out. They said if you just pretend to be that person, they’ll take care of the rest.”

If a key participant suddenly became absent, it was just as troublesome for them as well.

“Other than that, regarding the tournament events. There are duels and events that measure communion with spirits, but there are also scores for showing how you respond in special situations.”

“Is this an academy exam?”

“Wherever you go, places where people live are all similar.”

Since they said they’d handle it well on their own, it was fortunate for us.

* * *

The Spirit Corridor, located in the east of the Western Continent, was a place directly connected to a teleport gate, and it was also one of the places that could be reached directly from Cascadia.

Perhaps because of the Elementalist Tournament, the bustling appearance of the Spirit Corridor was certainly different from the stories my parents had told me when I was very young.

“Places where people live are all like this.”

“No. It’s just bustling this time. Normally this place is famous for being a quiet and beautiful city.”

The one currently guiding me was none other than Rebecca, the elementalist who had been under Isna.

Since she was originally an elementalist, she readily came to help me as soon as she heard this side of the story.

Luna and the others said they would come to watch if they had time, and for now they remained in Cascadia.

“Most of them are probably people trying to participate in the first preliminary round or spectators. Even I’ve never seen the Spirit Corridor this busy.”

According to what I heard, some of the many elementalists here would pass the first preliminary round.

“What kind of method is the first preliminary?”

“I only heard about it, so I don’t know in detail, but…”

After thinking for a moment, she clapped her hands.

“Ah, I remember! I think they said it’s basically just a firepower test. You just need to produce firepower above a set cut-off line according to each attribute.”

Ah, our kids are specialists at that.

“Easy. Thanks for the info. Go grab a cup of coffee or something. I’ll finish quickly and come back.”

“Th-… please don’t blow everything away!”

* * *

“Welcome, Young Master Belmud.”

It seemed that the Marquess Belmud family, a marquess house of Boscal, had not made their son Cotton Belmud, who was participating this time as an elementalist, do any external activities.

To be precise, it seemed that the son liked staying holed up at home and didn’t engage in outside activities.

Thanks to that, even if my appearance was revealed, it wouldn’t be a problem.

Of course, just in case someone might recognize me, and also for the future standing of Young Master Belmud, I was wearing a mask…

“W… woah……. Woah…….”

Watching Grivy, Sur, and Serqet sparkling with excitement in one corner, I wondered if the disguise even meant anything.

“Although Young Master Belmud is a special attendee, since fairness is our principle, we would appreciate it if you could endure a bit of inconvenience.”

“I don’t mind.”

I looked around in case there might be a contractor of a Spirit King nearby.

However, I didn’t see anyone possessing spirit mana capable of handling a Spirit King.

Doesn’t seem to be here.

Among the people here, about seven of them possessed unusual auras.

But even so, they were just chicks of that age; I couldn’t see anyone who could summon an overwhelming existence like a Spirit King.

Though I didn’t think the human Elraim was infatuated with would be a young human either.

“Surely the Water Spirit King didn’t lose her mind and contract with a human who isn’t even qualified, right?”

That wouldn’t just be Elraim’s problem; that human would also wither away as a result.

Unless Elraim was truly insane, that wouldn’t happen.

As soon as I entered the waiting room, the gazes of several young people who seemed somewhat capable turned toward me, but they soon lost interest and turned their heads away.

It seemed they could sense the spirit mana or the unique power of elementalists that people possessed, and since almost none of that was coming from me right now, that was why.

I had a lot of spirit mana.

But I usually kept most of it suppressed.

Moreover, the pure spirit aura that elementalists usually possessed hardly applied to me, so to them I inevitably looked like a flashy rookie full of vanity.

The other figures were mostly average.

The seven men and women I had initially taken note of soon judged that those seven were essentially all the competitors here, and they began a silent battle of nerves with each other.

Cute.

I sat down somewhere casually and stroked Grivy’s head beside me.

“Grivy. You can do well, right?”

“Yep! Grivy can do well!”

“Good. That’s enough.”

In Grivy’s case, she looked like a young girl on the outside, so it might be doubtful whether she was really a spirit.

But even if she looked like that, a spirit was still a spirit.

There could be controversy over whether Grivy was a spirit or not, but proving it was actually not difficult.

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

Those people, not knowing the inside details if they saw Grivy, Sur, or Serqet, would probably mistake them for mutant lower spirits.

There existed mutants that had strange forms rather than the inherent form of a spirit, after all.

Of course, according to what I heard from Rebecca, the few elementalists who handled such spirits were treated as half-baked elementalists.

“Then we will begin the first preliminary round!!”

Soon, with the host’s shout, several people brought in a large device.

At a glance, it looked like a mirror.

And they said:

“From now on, when your name is called, please come out and line up, and when the signal is given, use your specialty elemental art and fire it at this device.”

Soon someone was called.

Starting with a young elementalist who was extremely nervous, about five people walked forward and stood in line.

Then each of them extended their hands toward the mirror placed in front of them.

“Kasa! Fire Arrow!”

“Undine! Water Cutting!”

They raised the spirit mana inherent in their bodies, summoned their spirits, and began their attacks.

They released their respective elemental magic and fired it at the mirror, and the mirror swallowed their elemental magic as if devouring it, then emitted different colors.

Starting from red, then orange, yellow, and so on.

Seeing it, it seemed those colors were what determined each person’s score.

The judges checked the mirror’s color and quickly began writing something on the list.

Quite a few people displayed red.

“Those who displayed red, please all exit.”

“W-wait a moment! A mistake! I made a mistake! If you give me another chance…!”

“Now, now. There are many people waiting behind you. Please move along.”

“Damn it! Let go! Do you know who I am?!”

“Now, now. This is an order from His Majesty Emperor Credos of Boscal. If you want to obstruct it, send a letter of protest to the imperial palace.”

“Ghk…….”

There must be many noble children here, but seeing that there were absolutely no special privileges given, it was a rather pleasing sight.

Most were red or orange, and at best around yellow.

Roughly analyzing the structure, it seemed they measured spirit mana and its purity and graded it like red-orange-yellow-green-blue-indigo-violet.

As I had felt since entering this place, there weren’t many who could be called geniuses.

It was more boring than I expected.

During that process, I closed my eyes and distinguished the spirit mana drifting around the surroundings.

It definitely feels like it’s there…

Just as I was thinking that.

Among the spirit mana lingering here, I felt an unusually pure aura.

The aura of water.

Elraim’s aura.

I opened my eyes and turned my gaze here and there to find the owner of that aura.

But I couldn’t see the owner.

At that moment.

KWAANG!!!

With a fairly loud explosion, a large blast occurred in the area where the mirrors were.

Snapping out of my thoughts and turning my gaze, I saw a noble young master standing there with a confident expression, proudly controlling a floating fire lizard.

A mid-rank fire spirit, Salamander.

Certainly, at a glance, fire spirits did look strong in firepower.

Soon, as the flames cleared, the mirror emitted a strong green light.

“Young Master Corison Jackper! Green! Confirmed!”

“My goodness… green?”

“I’ve never seen green before. Doesn’t that mean it’s higher than a fully matured yellow?”

“Most were orange though……”

It seemed that even among the same color, the score differed depending on how intense the brightness was.

That level was certainly something to be proud of.

“Hmph.”

He descended from the platform with a triumphant smile, looking at the other six men and women he regarded as competitors.

Compared to the previous participants, his overwhelming firepower caused the surroundings to stir greatly.

On the other hand, the six young elementalists who looked talented showed no significant agitation.

Reactions as if they had expected it from the start.

Reactions as if it wasn’t much after all.

Or reactions that it was stronger than expected.

That was about it.

‘At this point, it really feels like those seven are the main protagonists and the rest are just extras.’

Of course, whether one had skill or not was a personal matter, so it wasn’t something the host had intended.

“Young Master Corison, as expected, you are amazing as your reputation suggests.”

“Well. This much isn’t difficult. My Salamander is among the stronger fire spirits.”

Well, even spirits of the same rank differed slightly in size.

Certainly, the fire spirit he handled looked healthy.

If it grew well as it was, after time passed, he might well be called a master-class elementalist.

Soon, those called again produced red, orange, or rarely yellow results, but none showed the same level of presence as Corison.

Then, the judge called another person.

“Lady Behena Mobierty.”

At that call, a beautiful girl who had been sitting alone, lost in thought, stood up.

She drew everyone’s attention.

Seeing it, she seemed to be quite a famous figure.

If Rebecca had been here, I could have at least asked whether she knew her.

From her, I felt a pure aura of water.

Could she be Elraim’s contractor?

That thought crossed my mind. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

In truth, the possibility of a Spirit King’s contractor participating in the tournament was low, but it wouldn’t hurt to confirm.

At the appearance of the lady called Behena Mobierty, Corison Jackper sent his gaze toward her.

It was a competitive spirit directed toward a fellow genius.

But whether Corison sent such a gaze or not, Behena Mobierty paid no attention to him and gestured in the air.

Then droplets gathered above her fingers, took the form of a butterfly, and soon a mid-rank water spirit, Undine, was summoned.

She didn’t stop there and began summoning numerous lower water spirits, Undines, around her.

Afterward, the spirits gathered around Undine moved rapidly.

“Cut it.”

At that single word, water compressed with pressure flew like a bullet and collided with the mirror at tremendous speed.

It did not display astonishing firepower.

However, her mirror emitted a darker green light than Corison’s.

“Tch…….”

Seeing that, Corison’s expression slightly stiffened, and Behena Mobierty lightly shrugged her shoulders and turned away.

“As expected, Lady Mobierty’s elemental arts are impressive.”

At that moment, I noticed someone speaking to me from beside me.

Turning my head while wearing the mask, I saw a man looking at me.

“You seem to be looking around by yourself all this time. If you act like that here, the people around you will look down on you.”

“Do I need to care about that?”

At my question, the man chuckled and nodded.

“Of course. The first preliminary is, simply put, about making an impression. When the tournament begins, there are also events where teams are formed. If you look ridiculous here, it becomes quite difficult to form a team later, wouldn’t you agree?”

He chuckled and offered me a handshake.

“Nice to meet you. My name is Galvadra Collin.”

“Le… no, Cotton Belmud.”

Answering calmly and taking his hand, he smiled gently.

“Seeing you, it looks like it’s your first time participating in the tournament.”

“That’s right.”

“Then as a senior who has participated a few times, I can tell you some small tips.”

He rounded his index finger and thumb into a circle and grinned.

Ah.

If I pay, he’ll teach me?

I shrugged indifferently and casually expressed my refusal.

At that, he didn’t make any further offers.

As the test continued like that, the talented ones I had first noticed all displayed their abilities and left the test site without regret.

Watching the competing youngsters’ silent battles of nerves felt like watching an interesting drama.

After that, most of the people left as well.

What remained were only about four or five people, including Galvadra Collin who had spoken to me earlier.

I never expected to be the last turn.

As I calmly stepped up, Galvadra lightly patted my shoulder.

“Haha. Watch carefully. I’ll show you the knack.”

Saying that, he quickly began summoning spirits and released power in a textbook manner.

The color was orange.

Not bad, but compared to the talented ones who had shone green earlier, it was ordinary.

“Phew. Do you get it? Roughly like this……”

“Sur. Scorch it moderately.”

At my words, a red chick wearing a horned helmet appeared majestically in the air.

A spirit with a form different from ordinary spirits.

Usually, elementalists called such spirits mutant spirits and called those who handled them half-baked elementalists.

Because of that, as soon as Sur appeared, the surroundings sent mocking gazes toward me, thinking I was an elementalist who handled mutant spirits.

But Sur was unfazed by that and stood proudly.

It spread its tiny wings and opened its beak wide, letting out a cute roar.

Even though there weren’t many people watching, if I didn’t adjust the strength properly, I might end up compensating for damaged property.

As if understanding my thoughts, Sur adjusted its strength appropriately and released heat, and just as the mirror emitted light and began to present each result……

KWA-AAAAANG!!!!

The sudden loud explosion was completely different in direction from the explosion Corison Jackper had caused earlier with the fire spirit Salamander.

It was not an explosion for measurement but an explosion that clearly caused an abnormal phenomenon.

This… they’ll probably just judge it as a machine malfunction, right?

Before anyone noticed, I lifted Sur onto my palm, took a step back, and pretended nothing had happened.

“D-… damn it! What is that?! Did the measuring equipment explode?!”

“That makes no sense… Why did that blow up?!”

“Who’s in charge of the equipment management! Who told you to manage the equipment like this, huh?!”

There was a brief commotion due to the explosion, but they seemed unaware that Sur’s instantaneous heat had overheated the measuring device and caused it to explode.

“This… Should we set up spare equipment and re-measure?”

“No, forget it. Looks like everyone passed the cut-off anyway! Just mark them all as passed and call the equipment team.”

Amid the smoke and commotion, I heard the voices of the host side talking.

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]