Chapter 155: Crafting Tournament

A projection was turned on in a break room.

“Vanessa Moráis of Hero Academy is the winner of the healing tournament. A splendid way of treating her patient with respect and dedication. She had empathy for her patient, calming her fears and apprehensions while performing the correct procedures.”

The tournaments had different commentators who were professionals in the medical field and they were the ones who explained the procedures of each of the academies and now one of them was calling the tournament to a close.

“When she got to the end and believed she cured the disease, she did not get carried away and kept on doubting and asking questions for the sake of her patient, managing to find the real ailment. However, even at that point, instead of ‘trying’ to treat him, she withdrew by calling in professionals, knowing her own limits and the risk of her ‘attempt’.”

Cithrel and Taqiyya were the ones listening to the renowned healer as he explained the conclusion reached by the judges.

Cithrel smiled with a nod.

She had been watching the tournament, and the commentators were not only explaining what disease each patient had but also explaining the procedure by which the students were attempting to treat them.

They did it in an informal way without so much technicality, all so that the audience could easily understand.

In the judges’ conclusion, when it came to selecting Vanessa as the winner, it was not just her healing skills, but a mixture of different factors.

Those who came in and tried to heal their patients as if they were some kind of object were given low esteem by some of the judges.

This was not a war zone where iron-hearted professionals were needed to treat everyone without trying to connect with their patients.

This was a diagnosis that was done slowly, as if each student was their patient’s chosen doctor.

Diminishing fears and apprehensions were an important factor not only for the state of mind of each patient but for some curses or rare diseases that became stronger with some circumstances.

Some curses were powerful and terrifying and attacked when the body was weaker and sometimes the fear unconsciously weakened the body.

If they told the patients that it was an ‘incurable’ disease and the patient was psychologically weak, then it could lead to ‘giving up’ and the disease would spread.

This was to be expected when magic was involved.

Vanessa took her job with professionalism as if she were her real patient and because of her personality, she treated her patient kindly, answering doubts and calming fears.

At the end, when she supposedly ‘cured’ the symptoms, she continued until she found the curse and at that moment, she defined her winning position.

The Paladin Academy student who was the second winner also reached that position, but when he found what his patient was suffering from, he tried to ‘cure’ it, forgetting that it could lead to the death of his patient.

When he did not have total certainty or confidence, ‘trying’ was like playing Russian roulette with five bullets... Practically, suicide.

Since no real illnesses were involved, nothing happened, but such an action diminished the judges’ appreciation for that student.

Leaving Vanessa, who retired immediately and called other doctors from the hospital to cure her patient, as the winner.

In the end, the winners of the healing tournament were Hero Academy with 5 points, Paladin Academy with 3 points and lastly Merlin Mage Academy getting 1 point.

“It was very impressive...” Taqiyya muttered with a bright look and with curiosity, she asked. “Still not coming out of her tournament?”

Cithrel switched the projection to the alchemy tournament where Vanessa was also in.

Now all the alchemists from all the academies were taking part in the respective tournament.

Creating as many potions as possible using a few ingredients.

As far as Cithrel knew, ‘alchemy’ as a profession was one of the most important because of the possibility of creating ‘potions’ that could cure practically everything.

Regenerate wounds, cure diseases, generate elemental resistance, and if one reached a more advanced level could produce potions to regenerate lost limbs, cure diseases that seemed incurable, develop elixirs to increase strength or improve the body permanently.

It was a profession with a very high number of possibilities and experience was needed, but mostly knowledge.

Now they were testing the capabilities of the students.

From the ability to recognize each magical ingredient to the knowledge to know the multiplicity of possibilities and creations with certain ingredients.

“Will she win?” Taqiyya asked, looking at Vanessa, who was producing potions with great seriousness and concentration.

Each alchemist was in a specialized lab for each of them and now Vanessa was performing several processes to produce different potions at the same time.

Cithrel watched her closely and then the other students at the head.

As a princess of a powerful Magical Empire and as someone of the Falion lineage renowned in Terra nova for having an enormous talent for magic, she had studied alchemy.

Perhaps not on the scale of ‘master alchemist’, but like every archmage in Terra nova, she was an expert in alchemy.

Her education was up to the level of learning as much as possible and making use of her talent, so with just a glance, she realized Vanessa’s circumstances with respect to her peers.

“She won’t come out first. The mage from Merlin Academy has taken the lead and has used every material to a meticulous level, as for Vanessa... She is also quite good and if she continues in that way she will surely come out second.” Cithrel replied confidently.

She had looked at the different potions created by Vanessa and the remaining ingredients, quickly coming to her conclusion.

It was impressive in its own way, as coming in second out of so many students was remarkable.

“She is always this excellent,” Taqiyya replied, giving a soft smile and slowly her expression turned hard.

Cithrel looked at her carefully, and Taqiyya was sincere.

“I don’t think I can do it...”

Vanessa had confidence and attitude.

She had walked out of the healing tournament without knowing its outcome and had walked into the alchemy tournament. and was now participating with extreme confidence and dedication.

The number of individuals directly watching the tournament was not as high as the millions in the combat tournament, although there was a possibility that it was around one million.

And that was an impressive number when one realized that such numerous spectators were at the Vanessa’s screening.

That meant that all the students were independently recorded, and over a million people were watching Vanessa.

“I... I don’t think I’m going to be able to win... I’m not that good,” Taqiyya muttered and her expression changed and she added. “And if I lose... It’ll be 5 points less.”

Her breathing slowly became heavy, and she put her hand on her chest as she became more and more agitated.

The situation and her own words were driving her into a panic attack.

Cithrel, noticing her, moved closer and got to eye level with her.

Unlike her, Taqiyya had a shorter stature, so she had to bend down to look at her.

Taqiyya’s blurry eyes focused, and she observed Cithrel, who was practically inches away from her.

A smile appeared on Cithrel’s face and, lifting the young woman’s chin, she made her look at her.

Just that simple contact made Taqiyya’s cheeks start to turn red, and Cithrel enjoyed it.

“Do you want me to do something for you?” Cithrel asked, trying to give a serious look without holding back the smile.

Pulling Taqiyya’s face close, she closed her eyes in fear and embarrassment, until she heard the princess’s voice.

“Open your eyes,” Cithrel commanded and when Taqiyya obeyed, her eyes were lost in the princess’s bright blue eyes.

From her cheeks, the blush spread to her entire face as Taqiyya noticed she was close enough to feel Cithrel’s breath.

However, her gaze did not leave Cithrel’s blue eyes.

“When you go out to participate in the tournament, you will give your best and show them what you are capable of,” Cithrel commanded in a calm tone.

Their contact was unbroken and Taqiyya nodded as her heart pounded with inexhaustible force, feeling a unique vigor awaken within her.

Seeing her, Cithrel could not resist and leaned close to her ear to whisper. “If you win, I will reward you.”

Taqiyya went blank at that charming tone... And seductive.

At that moment, the door opened, and Venali entered.

“Excuse me, Your Highness, it is time and the participants are called,” Venali said and before she could finish her words, Taqiyya had already fled.

“I forgot to wish you luck,” Cithrel muttered with an amused smile, and looking at Venali, who was watching her, she commented. “An interruption at the wrong time.”

“I apologize, Your Highness,” Venali replied, immediately lowering her head.

Cithrel gave a charming smile and just waved her hand, as if she didn’t mind too much.

“What time does your training start with the others?” Cithrel asked, changing the subject.

“I’ll start in a moment,” Venali replied, and looking at Cithrel, her expression trembled for a second, and in the end, she asked. “Is that alright?”

It was a complicated question that seemed to make no sense to anyone other than Cithrel.

Who gave a glance to where Taqiyya had headed, smacking her lips.

“I don’t know, but I’m having a hard time holding back...” Cithrel muttered and as her eyes sparkled, she commented. “If Aurora smells exquisite, Taqiyya has an alluring aroma.”

Bright eyes and a smile full of confidence and a hint of seduction, which didn’t discomfort Venali, who was watching her.

“I guess real hunger makes me get carried away,” Cithrel joked, letting out a charming one, and before Venali could say anything, she added. “You don’t need to worry and let’s go. I still have to support Taqiyya.”

Venali only nodded.

******

“Phew...”

Aurora watched as Vanessa left the alchemy lab with an exhausted sigh.

“Congratulations, second place!” Aurora exclaimed, unable to resist.

It was impressive that Vanessa won, but her victory let her see the reason why she was chosen, even though she was also chosen by the healing tournament.

“Thank you. It was exhausting, and I got lucky,” Vanessa muttered and with a sigh, she explained. “I got healing-related ingredients.”

They gave a random number of very different ingredients with each other and she was lucky enough to get healing ingredients.

Aurora knew that this ‘luck’ was questionable, as many ingredients could be used to create different types of potions.

Here, Vanessa knew many potions of all kinds focused on healing and created them all using all the alchemical ingredients at her disposal.

The quality was also high, showing that she was capable in this kind of matter.

The hero academy took 3 points because of its second place, leaving the Merlin Academy in the first place gaining 5 points.

And with a surprising development, Aetherium Psionics Academy took third place taking 1 point.

“We are in the lead with 32 points. In the fights, they will have it too hard.” Vanessa muttered after looking at the points on the scale.

Taking first place was the Hero Academy with their 32 points.

Following them was Merlin Academy, with 28 points, taking 1 point from the healing tournament and 5 points from the alchemy tournament.

In third place was the Paladin Academy, who turned their 22 points into 25 points after winning second place in the healing tournament and taking 3 points.

The second tournament had just ended, and it was clear how these professions could change the whole ‘game’.

Vanessa alone took 7 points as she defeated 7 individual opponents.

However, having first place also meant that many eyes would be on them, and they would surely sharpen their weapons to defeat them.

The tables could turn quickly if they continually lost bouts.

“Well, we have to leave it to the others,” Aurora commented, and pointing to the crafting tournament, she added. “But the way we’re going, we’ll surely give the fighters a lot of difficulties.”

Her tone was slightly amused and the major reason was because of Taqiyya.

In the projection of a crafting hall, Taqiyya was wearing blacksmith clothes and with her hammer, she was hitting the weapons hard, repairing it as the metals took liquid form and repaired the weapons or armor.

Millions of people were watching her, but Taqiyya did not show her typical nervousness and shyness, giving the feeling that she was ‘someone else’ else.

“Wow... She is truly unique when she is confident,” Vanessa murmured, impressed and giving a smile she added. “I’m glad she’s getting along so well with Princess Cithrel. She’s bringing out everything good that Taqiyya always had.”

Aurora’s expression quivered for a moment, and she let it go.

Taqiyya was tenaciously hammering away at each weapon, repairing one after another, like a professional machine.

The crafting tournament was about repairing weapons, armor, and artifacts.

She had been left in a specialized room for blacksmithing and given hundreds of swords, armor, and artifacts to repair.

Taqiyya was showing the potential of her talent, [Dwarven Soul].

She had a rather curious name, and now if anyone were to say that she was demonstrating that love of craftsmanship and dedication that the dwarves had, no one could deny it.

Like every profession, each had their knowledge, but Taqiyya was letting it show how fierce she was... As if she had received an adrenaline rush.

Quick and clear movements, she never stopped even though she was sweating as she used a great deal of her magical energy to restore the weapons’ form and repair them.

“I hope this victory will help boost her confidence. She deserves it.” Vanessa said with a smile.

No one could deny that young lady’s victory, for in speed or ability when it came to work, she was superior to other academies.

She did not repair normal weapons, but chose weapons that seemed more powerful and would take longer to repair, but still maintained a high number of repairs completed.

“It’s true. Although the Hero Academy gathers talents from all over the world, I won’t deny that I’m surprised to see so many ‘geniuses’,” Aurora said, looking at Taqiyya and then looking at Vanessa herself.

She saw that she had won the healing tournament, but acted quite humble.

Aurora was being honest.

The talents in the Hero Academy were many.

From Edward as S-Rank to Clémentine or Oliver, who had not come as A-Rank students and the latter S-Rank.

Then she had Érica, Nicole, or Leslie and, if she counted those who were not close to her, then Alexey, Jordan, and even Marc were talented.

But mostly they had potential... Potential to move up the ranks and become stronger.

That in itself was impressive.

Vanessa smiled reassuringly and commented. “It’s still all to be defined.”

Even though Taqiyya had her victory guaranteed, the next day Jaxon and Andrés’ tournament was still to go.

In computer science, Andrés had an advantage, but there was also the Mechanics Academy in the fifth group, so it was debatable whether he would manage to take first place.

Jaxon had the Aetherium Psionics Academy in criminalistics, who had a great capacity for criminalistics due to their strange and rare psionic powers.

The other academies could not be left out because each academy was so different.

They might not be like the Hero Academy that gathered talents from all over the world, but most academies gathered students from their home countries and neighboring countries.

That meant they might encounter tough opponents in places where they least expected it.

“Let’s go wait for Taqiyya.” Vanessa invited and Aurora followed her with a smile.

The others were training and through the academy group; she had seen congratulatory messages coming in one after another.

What’s more, on the academy’s app on their small internal social network, also the other students were celebrating the victory and how they were in the lead.

Aurora had fun watching the comments and messages as they made their way to the other building where Taqiyya was located.

She could see that in the nearby square, the craft tournament was being projected, with a host skillfully and enthusiastically narrating the tournament.

He made the tournament lively and was so good at the job that he turned the craft tournament into a great competitive challenge, as if it were a major sport.

In the middle of their long walk, Aurora received two messages.

One was from Alice who had already found a restaurant to go to for a group dinner and the other was from Elder Kernen asking her for a favor.

Looking at both messages, Aurora realized that she was going to be quite busy.