The sword field actually was massive in size. I had never been to a stadium in the real world, but I knew their size, watching them from television. And this sword Field, which was just a fancy name for a stadium with many fighting circles, was exaggerated in its sizing.
Participants and their clan surged to go inside, and some officials from the city guided them for registration.
I had left Monkey Ears as he proceeded to the vast line of people gathering for registration, and searched for Regen, but he was nowhere.
Infact I couldn't find any from those of the top clans.
I waited excitedly for the tournament to start.
***
I looked dumbfounded and a bit of apprehension appeared on my face.
I was sitting among the four heads.
Some of the staff overlooking the matches had come mid-way and dragged me all the way here among the four sword masters.
My posture felt rigid, to say the least I was even conscious of my own breathing.
On the left sat Marcus Chambers, and on the right side of me and at the centre of the seat sat the champion of Mo'gun, Alysys Sokyro. Near the head sat the other two.
And all around me, I saw fights. And to say the least, it felt more like watching the struggle of fierce beasts, rather than sword display.
Only a few dragged my eyes away, among them were those of the top clans, and even some of the rogue swordsmen. There was an age limit to the ones participating for the prize, which wasn't more than twenty years.
A bald man, knocked some teeths, of his opponent, while handling the sword in his other hand. His enemy was immediately knocked out.
Oh, that must hurt.
I continuously scoured through the matches, looking for those who stood out better than others.
Regen fought another of his opponents, a man with braids for his hair. He was very conscious about his fights, and would even show respect to even those much weaker than him. Though it didn't take long, the opponent was thrown to the ground with the sword, pointing at his chest.
Beneath the five of us, sat the host of smaller sword houses. The name didn't justify them, because they were being compared with the top houses.
I must say the view was pretty nice.
"Go Regen.. Brother, you are doing great."
From time to time I cheered for my brother. I had promised him, during the ceremony, and it felt much enjoyable when you had someone you cheered for.
Although it didn't seem to sit well with Marcus Chambers. He would cough from time to time, but I would just look at him and pretend to be innocent.
"Seken, what do you think of the tournament?"
The head asked suddenly. Though I was sitting here as some kind of ceremonial guest, I wasn't expecting him to question me.
I hummed contemplating and looked at all those fighting against each other. Though at first glance, it felt like a wild struggle between two parties, at a closer glance, you could see the resolve in their eyes, the certainty with which their bodies moved.
"Tsk.." Marcus snickered.
"Those who aren't born like me, can't stop midway to double guess their decisions. They chose their path knowing the hardships. Their battles are just another of the struggles in their way. A chance to prove themselves. The tournament is a chance for them. Even if they win or lose, they are going to learn nonetheless. Yet they just can't surrender it, even knowing that they might lose to someone stronger than them."
I finished speaking.
The head hummed at response.
For whatever reason, even Marcus stopped snickering and didn't say anything till the end of the tournament.
There was another thing to consider. There weren't that many women joining the tournament.
And it somehow clicked, that even in the vision of the past there weren't many women contending against other men.
This world was a firm Patriarchal world.
***
As the matches continued and the participants, going to the next stages reduced. There were only a handful of them left.
I was surprised to see Monkey Ears making it there. There was unusualness in his style. Like a monkey he preferred more dodging than attacking. Jumping around till his opponent was left confused and then took the opportunity to attack.
But things will be harder from now on. Most of the remaining ones were from the top houses, Regen being in them. There were also some rogue swordsmen and a few from the smaller houses.
The next round of fighting continued. This time, they were even more fierce with each other, not leaving the slightest of abilities out.
Regen passed unhindered. Even if the opponent was of top houses, he didn't seem to have to put much effort into it.
And then came the round of elimination. The Semi-Finals and the FInals.
Monkey Ears was still in the game though he looked more haggard than his opponent. His opponent though, I squinted my eyes to look at the only female warrior who had made it this far and she was someone from the smaller sword houses.
Regen's opponent was unexpectedly someone from the Chambers House.
Even though there was no enmity between mine and their houses. My cheers only grew.
Meanwhile Marcus, expression only grew darker as he thought that Seken was continuously belittling their clan.
The matches end in defeat of Monkey Ears. The female warrior defeated him, albeit that was the fight of tooth and nail between them.
It was commendable, and I cheered for both of them.
On the other side the match between Regen and his opponent Slec, was even more fierce. As a normal human being I had no hope of watching their movement, and could only guess where their swords would end, as I had already experienced it in the vision.
Then unexpectedly, markings grew around Slec. Black lines spread throughout his body as his speed only underwent a tremendous boost.
"He has crossed the second realm! This match will be one-sided then." Someone murmured.
The shouts from the crowd only grew more fierce.
"Ho, this young fellow has already surpassed most peers of his age." Jou the old man said, twirling his eyebrows.
"That is only expected." There was a hint of pride on Marcus' face.
I grew concerned for Regen, though he was an NPC. I still wanted for him to win.
The sword fight, which had previously been equally matched, was now dominated by Slec who overwhelmed Regen until he was forced to only defend the blades.
"Young Seken. For your sake let this old man explain how they are faring." Marcus said gloating.
The head though didn't seem bothered in the least.
"Each of his steps are those of the black tiger. Oh, he sidestepped and cut Regen around waist…" The man continued to convey the fight scene without a bother about how anyone saw him.
But I didn't take any heed from him. I had faith in Regen.
Another parry failed, and the cut appeared around his knees.
Yet again Regen chose the basic swordsmanship of Sokyro House.
[Steps of Dying Embers]
But as I watched, I saw Regen was onto something.
Something even Marcus, a sword master, had missed.
As he continued to fend off Slec attacks, his steps followed the basic form of the sword. Tracing around his opponent, Regen grew fierce with his blocks, and as he progressed Slec even missed some of his strikes.
Yet the Slec approach only hardened. And then the cuts on Regen grew deeper. He gritted his teeth, continuing with it, and as if Slec found his opening, he took it, going beneath the undertakings, and behind Regen.
"...This man will end soon. As you can see…"
Marcus stopped midway
Regen was standing there. His other hand held onto Slec's sword, which had just pierced his shoulder, while his own pointed strongly at the centre of Slec's neck.
It was always unprecedented when someone of lower realm defeats those at higher realm and Regen had done exactly that.
"You didn't finish it." I said quietly to Marcus. Who just didn't respond back as if he had swallowed a bitter pill.
I grinned looking at Regen.
And Regen grinned back at his opponent.
***
The next fight for the fight was uneventful, because the results were known. Regen, who had defeated someone who used the second realm's power, had no trouble defeating a girl who looked beaten from her last fight. Even then they both had fought with all their strength and that was commendable to say the least.
"We announce the winner of this tournament."
"Regen Sokyro."