Reincarnated with an SSS-rank Tamer System: My Harem of Villainesses-Chapter 42 — Mini Tournament (Part 1)

The day of the tournament had finally arrived.

Adam was seated in the academy’s coliseum stands, a massive circular structure built specifically for combat and demonstrations that could easily hold several hundred spectators.

The bleachers were divided into sections: first-year students in the central area, upperclassmen on the sides, and professors in elevated boxes with a better view of the battlefield.

The constant murmur of conversations filled the air as everyone waited for the official start.

Adam had checked the match order that morning and, to his luck—though he didn’t show it outwardly—his fight was scheduled for the seventh round. It wasn’t ideal to have to wait that long, but at least it gave him the opportunity to observe other fighters before facing Kael Duskrin.

And more importantly, Piers would fight in the third round against Ansel Stone.

That was... comforting to him, since if Adam killed the original protagonist’s friend before Piers fought him, Ansel would most likely take it out on his training partner. Better for Piers to finish his match first, win or lose.

"Nervous?" Piers asked from the seat beside him, though he himself looked rather pale.

"No." He simply replied.

On his other side was Evelyne, who hadn’t even looked in his direction since they sat down. She kept her gaze fixed forward with a serious expression, clearly still upset about the whole situation with Alice and Valeria.

Adam decided to ignore that for now. He had more important problems than complicated social relationships.

Headmistress Acelina Brookhaven appeared in the center of the coliseum, her voice once again amplified.

"Students, professors, welcome to the first mini combat tournament of the academic year," she announced as she swept her gaze across everyone present. "The rules are simple: sword and hand-to-hand combat only. Magic is STRICTLY FORBIDDEN during the matches."

She paused briefly before continuing.

"Any student caught using magic will be immediately disqualified and will face disciplinary consequences. The match will end when one of the participants surrenders, is rendered unconscious, or I determine that they can no longer continue. Understood?"

A murmur of confirmation spread through the stands.

Acelina nodded in satisfaction before turning toward where several professors stood beside a list. "Let the first match begin. Gavin Thornfield versus Lyric Evergreen."

Adam shifted in his seat as he watched the two students emerge from the massive doors beneath the coliseum.

Gavin was a tall, well-built boy with brown hair and a confident expression. He carried an iron sword in his right hand and moved with the posture of someone who had trained formally for years.

Lyric, on the other hand, was shorter and slimmer, with blonde hair tied in a braid. She looked nervous but determined as she gripped her own sword with both hands.

"Begin." The headmistress ordered.

Gavin wasted no time. He lunged forward immediately with surprising speed for someone his size, his sword sweeping in a horizontal arc aimed at Lyric’s torso.

She barely managed to raise her weapon in time to block the blow, but the impact forced her back several steps as her arms trembled from the force of the strike.

’She’s at a strength disadvantage.’ Adam thought as he watched the exchange. ’If she keeps blocking directly, she’ll lose.’

As if Lyric had reached the same conclusion, she immediately changed her strategy. Instead of blocking the next frontal attack, she moved to the side, narrowly dodging it before counterattacking with a quick slash toward Gavin’s legs.

He jumped back, avoiding it easily before offering a faint smile. "Not bad. But it’s not enough."

What followed was a brutal exchange of attacks and evasions. Gavin struck with brute force while Lyric focused on constant movement, using her smaller size to dodge and look for openings.

It worked for the first few minutes.

Lyric managed to land several superficial hits on Gavin’s arms and side, nothing serious but enough to prove she wasn’t completely defenseless.

But Gavin was far more experienced. He began anticipating her movements, cutting off her escape routes and gradually forcing her toward the edge of the battlefield where she would have less space to maneuver.

When Lyric finally realized the trap, it was already too late. Gavin feinted a high attack that forced her to raise her sword in guard, but at the last second he changed direction and struck her legs with a low sweep that sent her crashing to the ground with a dull thud.

Before she could recover, the tip of Gavin’s sword was pressed against her throat.

"Surrender," he said in a serious tone. Lyric stared at him for several seconds with a frustrated expression before sighing in defeat. "I surrender."

The headmistress, having heard that, raised a hand. "Winner: Gavin Thornfield."

Scattered applause rose from the stands as both fighters left the field. Lyric looked clearly disappointed in herself, but Gavin simply nodded in satisfaction.

"That guy’s good," Piers muttered.

"He’s predictable," Adam replied neutrally. "He only uses strength and basic technique. Anyone with real experience can read him easily." Piers glanced at him sideways. "You could beat him?"

"Yes." There was no arrogance in his response, only confidence grounded in experience.

Adam had fought people far more dangerous than a mere academy student. The headmistress spoke again, drawing everyone’s attention once more.

"Second match: Mira Coldwater versus Derek Blackwell." Adam watched as two new students headed toward the field.

’They’re all still at a similar level,’ he thought as he crossed his arms. ’The real difference comes down to who can adapt faster and who has real combat experience.’

Mira was a girl of average height with long silver hair and eyes of the same color. She moved with grace as she held her sword in one hand, her stance relaxed but ready.

Derek was a boy of average build with messy black hair and a focused expression. He gripped his sword with both hands in a clearly defensive guard. The headmistress observed them both before giving the order. "Begin."