Reincarnated With a SSS-Rank Hypnosis Skill in Another World-Chapter 46 - The Last Day of the Tournament

Today was the day.

Finally, after more than a week of fighting and planning, the end of the tournament would be happening today. All of the final matches would take place in succession until the winner of the tournament was revealed, declaring at the very same time who amongst the first years is the strongest.

I was nervous.

I could feel the pressure rising. However, I had prepared everything necessary to win.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Elena asked me, still not at ease with my request.

There were definitely high risks involved. But given her position, even if she were to get caught, nothing too bad would happen since her father, the King, loves her so much.

I just smiled at her, trying to reassure her that everything would be alright, and from the looks of it, it seemed to have worked brilliantly.

"Trust me on this. There’s no way that we will fail. Tonight we will win this whole thing, understand?" I told her as I looked her dead in the eyes, placing my hand on her thigh, slightly giving it a squeeze as I watched her face turn red, barely able to meet my gaze any longer.

It was cute, really cute, to be honest.

But I couldn’t get distracted, not when I was so close to my goal.

I needed to be focused, especially today.

"Did you get what I asked you for?"

She nodded as she started looking through her bag.

"Here. Just like you asked."

In her hands was a small vial filled to the brim with a strange odorless and colorless liquid. However, I knew exactly what this was. One of the things I had asked Elena for was a drug that would make me stronger.

And just by grabbing it, the system seemed to agree.

[Strength Potion]

[By drinking this potion, you will become twice as powerful for a short lapse of time. However, use this wisely as your body will feel extremely weak after its use.]

A potion that was perfect to end a fight—exactly what I needed for that anomaly later on.

But that wasn’t the only thing that I had asked her for. However, the rest of it would only be revealed later... while the tournament would be taking place.

"Just don’t get caught, alright?" I whispered in her ear as I slowly patted the top of her head as if rewarding her like she was a child.

Still, time passed, and we reached the arena where I would be first fighting against the Ice Queen, Alena.

I saw her the moment I entered the room, with dark circles beneath her eyes. She had been training all night, preparing for this fight as best as she could. However, it was already too late; she had already fallen into my trap, and soon enough she would also be under my control.

She flinched at my touch.

Even if it was just a pat on the back, her entire body tensed up like a spring-loaded trap. She turned to face me slowly, her piercing blue eyes glaring up at me with thinly veiled contempt.

"No," she said flatly. "I didn’t sleep at all. Thanks for asking."

I smirked. "You know, sleep deprivation really messes with your focus. Might not be the best state to be in for a fight."

"I don’t need sleep to beat you," she muttered.

Her voice was low, barely above a whisper, but the venom in it was unmistakable. That was good. It meant she was emotionally compromised. It meant she was still under the impression that she had to prove something to me. And that... made her predictable.

"I’m glad you feel that way," I replied, leaning closer, my voice lowering to a private tone meant just for her. "Because the only thing worse than losing to me would be giving it your all and still failing."

I watched her jaw tighten.

Today, we would be enemies.

And today, we would hate one another, and that was good because hatred made people sloppy.

"Keep talking," she said, her tone like ice. "You won’t be able to say much once I freeze your throat shut."

I chuckled. "You’re welcome to try. Just don’t be surprised when you start feeling strange during the fight."

Her eyes narrowed. "What’s that supposed to mean?"

I said nothing. Just winked and walked away, hands in my pockets, leaving her behind to stew in her own anxiety. Maybe I hadn’t even done anything. Maybe I was just bluffing. But doubt was a powerful thing, and the mind—especially the mind of a control freak like Alena—was easy to twist when planted with just the right amount of uncertainty.

I entered the tunnel that led to the arena, letting the noise from the crowd flood into my ears.

Thunderous applause.

The final matches were stacked one after another, the pressure building toward this very moment. Everyone was watching. Students, nobles, teachers, royalty.

I glanced up briefly toward the King’s private booth.

He was seated in full regalia, his crown gleaming like a beacon. Elena sat beside him, smiling gently but with eyes that flickered toward me just for a second. That was all I needed. Our plan was still intact.

The announcer’s voice echoed throughout the coliseum, magical amplification ringing in every ear.

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! THE FIRST MATCH OF THE FINAL STAGE IS ABOUT TO BEGIN!"

The crowd roared.

"ON THE LEFT SIDE, OUR FROZEN BEAUTY! THE UNYIELDING FORCE FROM THE NORTH—ALENA OF HOUSE GLACIERE!"

Alena walked into the arena to a wave of cheers. She looked focused, her long silver braid trailing behind her like a banner of war. Cold air began to seep from her skin already, condensation curling around her like a living mist.

"AND ON THE RIGHT! THE DARK HORSE OF THIS YEAR’S TOURNAMENT! THE MYSTERIOUS, UNSTOPPABLE—JAKE!"

I stepped out, calm and collected. No need to rile up the crowd. They’d seen me fight. They knew my name.

The ground beneath me cracked slightly with each step as I infused my legs with mana, keeping my control razor-thin. My dagger rested on my hip. My body buzzed with anticipation.

We faced each other across the wide circular arena. The space between us filled with tension, silence, and swirling dust.

Alena lifted her hand, frost beginning to gather around her fingertips.

"You ready to lose?" she said, her tone distant and flat.

I tilted my head. "You always ask that before you lose?"

She said nothing, but I saw her shoulders tighten.

Good.

The referee stepped into the space between us, lifting a small crystal into the air.

"This is a sanctioned final match," he announced. "Winner advances. No killing blows. Victory is declared by incapacitation, surrender, or the opponent leaving the bounds of the arena."

He paused.

"Begin when the crystal turns red."

We stood, ready. The crowd was holding its breath.

My fingers flexed slightly. The potion was secured, hidden away on my person. I didn’t need it yet. Not for Alena. But later—against him—I would.

The crystal shifted.

Blue...

Orange...

Red.

The moment it changed—

Alena raised both hands, and a blizzard burst from her palms, blanketing the arena in razor-sharp flakes of ice.

And I moved.