Chapter 448 - The Beltoria Regional Qualifier Tournament Begins!
The days of intense practice had steadily passed, and by mid-autumn, half-sleeves felt chilly. It was a pleasant, clear day, carrying the comforting warmth of late summer and the faint hint of winter. Today, the Beltoria Regional Qualifier Tournament of the All-Berliza Federated Kingdom Magic Doll Championship was finally here.
The club members gathered at the Academy early in the morning, loading the bus with their possessions. Preparing for a long day, we couldn't afford to forget essentials like snacks and drinks. Of course, we made sure nothing was left behind, from the crucial Magic Dolls and their control devices to every last backup item.
No one was absent or late, and everyone seemed to be in good health, though a few were visibly nervous. In a club as large as ours, it's normal to have a few members feeling unwell, but we always come prepared with recovery potions. Today is the students' moment to shine, and my role is limited to chaperoning them to and from the venue. I try to believe it won't be a dull day.
"Evilbanshee-sensei, we're all set and ready to go, whenever you say," one of the girls called out.
I nodded and watched everyone board the bus before climbing in myself. The bus was predictably noisy, even at such an early hour. Their energy was better than the alternative—complete silence from nervousness.
I thought about trying to sleep during the long ride to the venue, but I found myself too excited to doze off. Instead, I decided to pass the time by re-reading the tournament pamphlet.
The Magic Doll Tournament is a popular event, and its scale is larger than I expected. Over a thousand schools from all over Berliza participate. While that number surprised me, it made sense considering the vastness of the Berliza Federated Kingdom.
Not all these schools compete in one massive event. Instead, they go through regional qualifiers before advancing to the finals. For Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy, the first step is winning the Beltoria Regional Qualifier.
As the capital city, Beltoria hosts the largest regional qualifier, with over 250 schools participating. This means a lot of matches, with schools seeded based on their previous performance. Four schools compete in each battle royale, with only the winner advancing. After the first round, the best 64 schools move on, followed by the best 16 after the second round.
To manage this, the matches are spread across eight venues. Each venue hosts eight first-round matches and two second-round matches, totaling ten matches. A single match can last up to 45 minutes, making the entire event stretch for nearly 10 hours. Some matches will end more quickly, but it's still a full day's event.
With eight venues, teams must also account for travel time between venues. The schedule is tight, so the third round, consisting of four matches, and the final are held the following day at a single venue.
Thus, the Beltoria Regional Qualifier spans two days, with teams needing four consecutive wins to claim victory. Even if they don't win the final, the top four teams advance to the main tournament, which requires three wins.
The opening and closing ceremonies are optional, and not all schools participate. Schools with no particular ties to the event usually skip them. Our school, Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy, has no such ties and no intention of attending.
However, our second-round match requires us to arrive early. If we advance to the second round, we'll have some downtime. It's a long day, and I won't be able to nap during the breaks. I might as well try to rest now.
"Mr. Sensei, do you want some snacks?" a girl called out.
"They were made by Chelsea's mom," another added.
"They're really delicious!" chimed in a third.
They were unusually noisy for the day of a major event. It felt like a school trip. I reluctantly accepted the muffin-like treat they offered. The sweet scent filling the bus must have come from this, and it did look and smell good.
"Try not to get too worked up and tire yourselves out," I warned.
"We'll be fine!" one of them assured me.
"Yeah, we're full of energy and ready to go!" another agreed.
"I can't wait for the match to start!"
"Me too! I didn't get much sleep last night because I was so excited."
The bus was lively, but considering it was the day of the event, the atmosphere wasn't bad. It was better than the tension that could mentally exhaust them.
They were a mentally strong bunch, which was reassuring, even though I wasn't particularly worried to begin with. The bus smoothly made its way through the early morning city, arriving at the venue just as the opening ceremony began. While it would have been polite to attend, there were no attendance obligations, so I didn't feel the need to do so. I let the girls proceed with their preparations without interference.
"Hermira, Mildree, go and complete the registration," I instructed.
"Yes, we'll be right back," Hermira responded.
"Is our waiting area over there?"
A large sign with Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy's name marked the nearest tent in the vast parking lot. It was indeed the right one.
"We'll be the first thing the other teams see. We have a front-row seat, so let's make a good impression," I told them.
"No problem. We're used to being seen."
Hermira said this with a composed face. The girls at Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy are indeed used to such attention. Unlike ordinary people, the families of nobles and merchants rely on public recognition for their status and business. The Kikyo Society is similar in this regard.
After Hermira and Mildree left, the rest of us unloaded our equipment from the bus and moved to our designated waiting area under a large tent. The tent quickly transformed from a bland space to a colorful one as we set up.
I brought a beach chair and settled into it, unfazed by the disapproving looks from some of the girls. Soon, Hermira and Mildree returned from registration. All that was left was to win the matches.
"The first match will begin shortly. Teams for the second match, please gather in your designated area," the announcer's voice boomed from a magic device.
"We're being called," I noted.
"We'll be off then. Everyone, make sure you have everything," Hermira said.
"Where are you going to watch, Sensei?"
"There's a designated area for officials, so I'll be there. Good luck!"
"Is that it?" one of them seemed disappointed by my casual encouragement from the beach chair.
I stood up reluctantly, and the girls' relaxed demeanor immediately shifted to a focused one. They were ready to fight.
I admired their quick transition and decided to add a bit more enthusiasm to the moment.
"Well, this is it. I believe in your abilities, but if I had to give you one piece of advice, it would be to put on a spectacular show. A grand victory will not only cement Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy's return but also make the tournament more exciting. Go all out, that's all I can say."
Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy, which I have trained, is strong. There's no need for fanciful strategies—just give it your all, and you'll naturally win in spectacular fashion. Our first opponent isn't a powerhouse, so there's no reason to worry.
"We understand. We won't let you down," they responded.
"We'll do our best!"
"Let's make the first match pale in comparison!"
They were hyped up, even though I hadn't said much. The girls then moved to their starting positions, and I had no reason to linger in the tent. I started to move towards the officials' area.
Our club has no extra members, so the tent would be empty. We didn't leave valuables, but food and drinks would usually be a concern. However, this is a rich school, and they have powerful magic wards with long durations. Breaking them would require a key, and no one would be foolish enough to try.
I activated the ward with a casual gesture and moved without much regard for the other teams' gazes. The spectator area was bustling, and as a strikingly beautiful and confident woman, I naturally attracted attention. Even in a more modest outfit, I still exuded an air of authority. People seemed to give me a wide berth, which suited me just fine.
Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy and its advisor were already standing out, but that didn't bother me. It meant I could watch the matches in peace.
The first match was winding down, and I could tell from a quick glance that the Magic Dolls' movements were subpar. I quickly lost interest and shifted my attention to the venue as a whole.
The practice field for today's matches was large, about 900 meters square. It was mostly open, resembling a vast plain, which made it easy to watch but less conducive to strategic play.
The initial maneuvering could be an interesting battle of wits, but once the fighting began, it would likely devolve into a straightforward melee. The first match was already a chaotic free-for-all.
Still, it had its moments. The first match concluded with a dull outcome, but the crowd, though only half-full, was fairly engaged. The tournament seemed to have a good start.
Now, it was our turn.
"The second match will now begin. The teams are: Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy in blue on the east, and in yellow on the west—"
The announcer read out the names of the four competing schools, each designated by a color. Our school was blue.
A monitor-like magic projection displayed the students, and Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy's elegant grey uniforms and confident stances projected a regal presence. The announcer briefly introduced each team and their past performances, building anticipation.
The participants completed their preparations, and the match started with a well-timed countdown.
I trusted Hermira and the others to lead the way, as the actual strategy would depend on the opponent's moves. As I watched, our team made their move.
They immediately used one of the three magic devices registered with the Magic Doll Federation. The choice was exciting, and the crowd's reaction was electric.
"Seeing it from the sidelines, it's clear our team can really put on a show," I mused.
Forty-seven Magic Dolls, their pearl-white bodies adorned with blue bibs, one of which shone with a brilliant golden light. The light was visible from anywhere on the vast field, making it a standout feature.
This was the Flagship Machine, the critical piece that, if destroyed, meant immediate defeat. It was a bold and daring move.
How our opponents would react was yet to be seen, but they couldn't ignore it. This was an appropriate start for Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy's return to glory.
"Go get them!"