Reincarnated with an SSS-rank Tamer System: My Harem of Villainesses-Chapter 40 — The Pairings
Adam was standing alongside the rest of his class in the same place where the entrance ceremony had been held weeks earlier.
The academy’s main courtyard was completely filled, with all first-year students gathered in orderly groups according to their respective departments.
Headmistress Acelina Brookhaven stood at the front on an elevated platform, accompanied by several professors Adam immediately recognized: Brenna Ironvale, Cedric Haldren, Aldwin Vane, among many others.
The constant murmur of the students stopped abruptly when the headmistress raised a hand. Her voice was magically amplified so that everyone could hear her clearly.
"First-year students," she began in an authoritative, but not hostile tone. "As you already know, during the coming week the mini tournament will take place, which will determine not only your individual combat abilities, but also your capacity to adapt under pressure."
She paused as her gaze swept across everyone present.
"The drawings have already been conducted and the pairings are set. This tournament will take approximately a full week due to the enormous number of participants, but I want to make it clear from now that this is NOT an elimination tournament."
Some students exchanged confused glances at that.
The headmistress continued. "The objective is not to eliminate the less competent nor to create a rigid hierarchy among you. The purpose is to evaluate your current progress and give you practical experience in controlled combat."
Then her expression grew more serious.
"That being said, I must clarify something important: although the rules of the tournament specifically prohibit causing serious or permanent harm to your opponents, academy law recognizes that in real combat fatal accidents may occur." 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮
The silence became absolute.
"This means," Acelina continued in a firm voice, "that if someone dies during a match, technically it will not be considered murder as long as there is no evident malicious intent. However, given the short duration of your stay in this institution—barely a little over a week—we expect you to AVOID any action that could result in the death of a fellow student."
Adam felt a chill run down his spine at those words.
’How convenient,’ he thought bitterly as he remembered the system’s mission.
Acelina nodded toward the professors accompanying her. "Professors Vane and Haldren will now display the pairings."
Both professors raised their hands and began conjuring magic simultaneously, causing the air in front of the platform to distort before multiple floating screens of magical energy appeared, displaying several lists of names.
Adam immediately searched for Piers’ name among the lists and found it quickly.
Piers Hawke vs Ansel Stone
’Shit,’ Adam thought as he watched Piers visibly pale beside him upon seeing his own pairing.
The original protagonist against Piers. That was not going to end well for his friend.
But that small concern completely vanished when his eyes found his own name on another list.
Adam Shadowend vs Kael Duskrin
The name meant nothing to him at first until he recalled fragments of conversations he had overheard during the week: Kael Duskrin was the student who had ranked first overall in the entrance exams. The same one who had defended Ansel in the dining hall.
A low-class noble who shared classes with the protagonist.
And now Adam had to fight him.
And kill him.
’Perfect,’ he thought sarcastically as he clenched his fists. ’The system couldn’t have given me a more fucking complicated opponent.’
He continued scanning the other lists out of pure curiosity, noting several names he recognized:
Alice Velmoor vs Thea Brightwood
Evelyne Ravenshade vs Marcus Ironhold
Valeria Ashcroft vs Elena Nightshade
Sophia Stormcrown vs Rhaena Silverlight
And finally his gaze returned to his own pairing.
Adam Shadowend vs Kael Duskrin
The name seemed to shine brighter than the others, or maybe that was just his imagination playing tricks on him.
Piers leaned slightly toward him and murmured in a low voice. "Do you know who Kael Duskrin is?"
"The guy who ranked first in the exams," Adam replied in a neutral tone.
"The one who defended Ansel?"
"That’s the one."
Piers swallowed audibly. "We’re screwed."
Adam didn’t respond to that because honestly he had nothing comforting to say.
The headmistress spoke again, capturing everyone’s attention once more. "The matches will begin tomorrow morning. The first pairings will be announced tonight on the boards of each department. Prepare yourselves properly and remember: this tournament is an opportunity to demonstrate your worth, not an excuse for personal vendettas or unnecessary violence."
Her gaze swept across everyone present with an expression that made it clear those words were not suggestions, but direct orders.
"That is all. You may dismiss."
The murmur of the students immediately returned as everyone began dispersing in different directions, some excited about their pairings, others clearly nervous.
Adam remained standing there for a few more seconds, staring at the floating lists before they vanished into the air.
Kael Duskrin.
He would have to investigate everything possible about that boy before the match. He needed to know his strengths, weaknesses, fighting style... any information that could give him an advantage.
Because if he was going to have to kill someone to maintain his stats and his bond with Nox, at least he would do it in the most efficient way possible.
’Damn system,’ he thought as he began walking toward the dormitories, ignoring the nervous conversations happening around him.
He had less than twenty-four hours to prepare.
And every second counted.
The best he could do for now was wait. Wait for his match to be nearly the last; that way he wouldn’t become a killer as soon as the first bouts began.
If it were up to him, he would do it without hesitation, but everything he had trained for since arriving in that world would go to waste.
The only good thing he managed to see in all this was that his opponent was strong. Stronger than him? He didn’t know. But that would be an advantage, since in an even fight accidents happen...
’Status,’ Adam thought as he continued walking toward his room.
[Tamer System]
Level: 11 ➜ XP (210/1500)
Strength: 112
Endurance: 113
Agility: 111
Battle IQ: 109
Charisma: 65
Magic: 72
’This will be all or nothing...’ was his last thought as he smirked.
