35 Chapter 17.5: Interviewing The Finalists (2/2)

The announcer approached Bleiz hoping for a fierce and fired up comment. But instead, the announcer got shot down. Unwilling to respond to the interview the announcer had to move on.

Finally arriving at my interview. I got nervous.

”You sir Shadowfang. Please tell us, what is it that drove you towards the festivities of the tournament?

What might your ambition be in this event?”

I turned towards the announcer and sincerely answered his question.

”Well sir, for me this is all to see how far I could go as a beginning adventurer and what would be a better opportunity than to join this tournament? That, and given the chance to train with the top guild of Sharoo I have to say that is also motivation for me haha.”

”Thank you, sir, for your answer, if I recall you are one of the 8 summoned ones, correct? Then I hope you will come to enjoy life here in Aganthes. Onwards to the next contestant!”

The announcer went towards Gideon, one who you might say was not very fond of huge crowds or humans in particular.

”Young Gideon, could you, like the other tell the folks here why it is you joined this tournament?”

Gideon lost it right then and there breaking out in sneering laughter.

”Kyahahaha, you want to know why I am here?

Well... we'll keep that as a surprise for now! Hahaha.

Go and bother the others, you clown.”

With a glance towards Helena, the announcer made his way towards the others, trying to hide his annoyance towards Gideon.

”We only have two finalists left folks. What kind of stories might they be telling us very shortly?”

”In the meantime… let us review what Alessia and Leonardo had to say as some might have missed it.”

The announcer pointed his microphone towards the air allowing clear crystal plates to appear, shortly after something got projected on these plates allowing the crowd to see the previously mentioned interviews.

”My dear Alessia as some might say, you are the crown beauty of this tournament,

what is it that motivated someone like you to compete here of all places?”

Alessia shrugged not sure what to say.

”I don't know if it's my place to tell you Herald. But you see I am also one of the summoned ones. For me being here verifies my existence, you see. I want to be strong! And show the world who I am!!”

”Hahaha even calling me by my name, you have to spirit young one. Thank you for your honest answer, to be honest, we did indeed know you where one of the summoned,

hope you find what you are looking for here in Arganthes. Becoming stronger is also a fine ambition to strive towards.

Now that we are finished we have probably the longest interview waiting for us,

seeing how the crowd would love to know more about your inventions! Of course, we also like to know what motivated you to participate as well!”

”Well, Herald if I may be so polite to call you by your name.

To tell you the truth both of your questions hang tightly together, for you see, I wanted to participate to show off my inventions and the further I get, the more I can market them and hopefully afterward the Eruption Clan can sell many of them haha!”

”I see, that is an interesting take on participation. I remember in these matches you have been able to either manipulate fire or outmaneuver the opponents with speed.

Please tell us more about these inventions.”

”It will be my pleasure, being able to manipulate fire is all thanks to my Eruption Tech Gear.

This allows the collection of soul energy also known as mana to be shot out in bursts.

See these openings in my gloves, boots, and armor around my elbows?”

Herald looked closely examining the young man's gear.

”Yes, I think so?”

Leonardo Laughed proudly.

”hahaha, that's where the collected soul energy gets shot out of, allowing one to maneuver at high speeds, enabling one to dodge or even go in the offense.

You see, the centerpiece here is crucial for the gear to work. I've embedded a giant neutral magic crystal allowing the gear to fuse with one's natural soul force.

For me that makes fire or small burst that turn into pocket-sized explosions, hence the name Eruption. But this could easily be turned into high-speed gear with someone who specializes in air magic. Even allowing one to swim several times faster might have the water magic element. I hope this is enough information as I don't want to make this conversation to drag out too far.”

”Wow!! That truly is magnificent and even revolutionary if I might say so myself.

Thank you for your time Leonardo and I wish you the best of luck during the finals.”

Herald turned off the clear plates continuing his speech.

”Well, there you have it folks now we will continue the interviews with this mysterious candidate. Young yet extremely talented, this mysterious one is the talk of the tournament, so young one if I might kick this off asking you to tell us something about yourself?”

Herald didn't get a reaction making him kind of anxious.

”Hmm… not wanting to tell us, that's fine… but I hope you want to answer the question everyone gets, what motivated you to participate?”

Again silence… but then a silent voice could be heard. A whisper of some sort.

”Here… to test the strength of the new generation… it might look dire right now…”

Confused Herald continued thanking the mysterious guest for his/her time.

”Last but not least we have the strong-willed Cordelia Aqua! This young lady is extraordinary! Displaying not only exceptional swordsman skills but also the ability to utilize water and ice magic, truly amazing!! Well then Cordelia, might I ask you what motivated you to join this tournament?”

Having all eyes on her made her quite nervous, but went with it anyway.

Playing the role of the cold-hearted ice queen is what she knew best.

”Thank you for the compliment Herald, one might think being one of the summoned ones is truly something exceptional, yet, I am here to show them it truly is! I Cordelia Aqua will do anything in my power to win this thing!!”

”Thank you again for your interview as they have now ended we will shortly begin the finals.

To summarize, the 8 finalists will like the preliminaries will have to face off against each other in one big battle. Battle Royal. Remember only the last 3 standing will be allowed to train with the Assassination Association, still, I wish everyone the best of luck.

If the finalists will gather in the waiting room while we prepare the battleground,

then we can begin shortly. Thank you.”

Like the announcer asked we all went towards the waiting room, arriving there last I asked if Yami could stay with me, allowing her the best view in the arena.

Seeing as she had participated too this was allowed.

”Yami will cheer for master hoping he will win!”

She hugged me tightly even snuggling against my breast.

She seemed to enjoy it very much as her tail was dancing around.

During this time the battleground was made ready, even bigger than the last.

As I waited in anticipation, it was finally time. Time… time to begin the finals!