9 Days later

Putting my all into it, I took my slimes to the arena early in the morning. The second towns always hustling and bustling with people, but today seems to be especially busy. But then again, thats only to expected. After all, todays the opening of the Magic Beast Tournament.

A lot of people have come to spectate or partic.i.p.ate 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 adventurers guild of Gimuru who took on that request.

The guild directly notified adventurers B Rank up. They also called out to me, but Im going to be partic.i.p.ating 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. Theres another entrance aside from this which is the normal entrance, but that entrance is only big enough for people. Magical beasts cant enter through it, so partic.i.p.ants 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 partic.i.p.ants. 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 partic.i.p.ants 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 thats been temporarily placed there to serve as a reception desk.

May I know your name? [Receptionist]

Ryouma Takebayas.h.i.+. [Ryouma]

Can I see your proof of partic.i.p.ation? Yes, thank you very much. Please wait a moment. [Receptionist]

After I showed the proof of my partic.i.p.ation that I got after registering, the male receptionist looked through his register of names.

Ive confirmed your registration. I am returning this proof of partic.i.p.ation. Takebayas.h.i.+-sama, your match is number 24. [Receptionist]

Ive been informed that partic.i.p.ants need to have his personal belongings checked. Do I need to have my things checked now? [Ryouma]

Its possible to have it now, but the partic.i.p.ant wont be able to leave. Takebayas.h.i.+-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 Ill 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 pa.s.s by and block my vision.

Elia and the others said theyd come to cheer on me, but theres 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.

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The mans 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, its 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 a.n.a.lyzing 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 theyre artifacts, they actually flowed into the market that easily Well, its probably because all it does is amplify the voice so it wasnt valued much. Or maybe they can ma.s.s produce it? Im not that familiar with magic tools though, so I wouldnt know. I should ask Kanan when I have time.

The partic.i.p.ants 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 partic.i.p.ants immediately entered. At their entrance, two voices belonging to the host and the commentator sounded. They started talking about the partic.i.p.ants and their respective magical beasts.

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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, Id 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 hes visibly trying to keep his back straight to avoid looking nervous?

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They continued in that manner, introducing and explaining the partic.i.p.ant. When both sides were finally gathered, the match started. After the match ended, the partic.i.p.ants 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. Ill 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 h.e.l.l. After the sixteen matches ended, I quickly ate my meal, and then I took the slime that Ill be using from my Dimension Home. From what Ive seen, the other partic.i.p.ants also wielded some weapon and s.h.i.+eld 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 partic.i.p.ants area. Partic.i.p.ants are limited to a maximum of five magical beasts in the preliminaries. As for how Im going to fight thanks to Elia and the others, I was able to get enough time to think up a strategy, so Ill be going for the win!

When I lined up for the body check, the voices of other partic.i.p.ants fell on my ears.

Hey, hey, look at that guy. [Partic.i.p.ant 1]

Hes actually going to fight with those slimes? [Partic.i.p.ant 2]

Is he looking down on this tournament? [Partic.i.p.ant 3]

These people came from a different town. Moreover, they came from one quite some distance away. As for why I know that, well thats because

Ah, that guys the cleaner. [Partic.i.p.ant 4]

That guy fighting with slimes is an adventurer? Can his slimes really fight? [Partic.i.p.ant 5]

Werent the cleaners slimes just pets? From what I hear, its the cleaner himself whos strong, and the slimes just eat the unneeded parts of magical beasts. [Partic.i.p.ant 6]

Its because the people living near Gimuru give that sort of response. Theyve heard a little of the rumors about me, so theyre only half-convinced. As for the people who know me well

[Partic.i.p.ant 7]

Uwa [Partic.i.p.ant 8]

What a pain But then again, hes only using five slimes, so he might actually lose in the preliminaries [Partic.i.p.ant 9]

These guys are from the tamer guild probably. Because there arent a lot of people capable of forming a contract with a B Rank magical beast, and because of all the bandits Ive been catching plus the contract Ive formed with my cannonball rhino, Rai, these sort of people have increased.

I dont know if its because theyre guilty or what, but from time to time, I can see these guys avoiding my gaze. I mean sure its not exactly nice being underestimated, but being treated like cancer isnt very nice either But then again, they are from the tamer guild, and matters related to them being pleasant is rare, so I guess its 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 Takebayas.h.i.+-sama, correct? We will be inspecting the magic tools you have with you. Do you have any? [Female Personnel]

No, theres 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 partic.i.p.ant 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 p.r.o.ne to accidents, so theyre 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. Its also in the rules. [Female Personnel]

Thats 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 didnt 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 Id 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 partic.i.p.ants 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!