Otherworld Adventure

"Looks like I'm up next," Ainz said. It was finally his turn to go up after waiting for 10 matches. Compared to Cecil's 'quick and easy' match, the subsequent 10 matches were blood boiling and adrenaline-inducing fights.

The talented students of Arks Royal Academy had put on their best and it was a dazzling show of magic, combat skills, and martial arts. Although none of them left any sort of impression on Cecil and his friends, they were still really good matches nonetheless.

Even Cecil had some words of praise for his fellow students. Next up was Ainz's match and he would be facing off against a core member from one of the factions.

"Ainz Bernstein vs. Lanmu Razorfang!" The announcer called out.

Ainz quickly made his way up to the fighting stage and waited for his opponent. Lanmu was a grey tigerkin that was part of the Razorclaw tribe who was a subsidiary clan of the Darkclaw Clan. Lanmu was currently the treasurer of the Dark Moon Faction and he was pretty well known as having strong combat prowess on top of having a good head on his shoulders.

Ainz's opponent was slowly making his way up to the stage. His weapons were already equipped, two iron claws on each of his fists. He was a core member of a faction so he knew better than anyone that it wasn't wise to underestimate a King.

Although his opponent, Ainz, was only a new addition to the Kings dubbed as the Elemental King, this title alone was something that he needed to be worried about. Not just anyone could become a King obviously.

Ainz had his confident smirk on his face. He readied his staff and stood a couple of meters away from his opponent in leisure. It was a good thing he didn't say anything chummy or chuuni this time.

The entire Little Kings would be losing face if he did. It was a good thing Eli had chewed him out just before the start of the match. He could only agree to the princess' demands.

The referee asked the two if they were ready, Lanmu grunted in response while Ainz waved his staff around like a spear and pointed the tip at his opponent.

The referee nodded before loudly declaring, "FIGHT!"

Ainz quickly activated his magic and a chaotic jumble of colors quickly formed a magic circle just at the tip of his staff, then a blade of multi-colored mana extended from the tip of his staff. Then at least 8 types of different colored magic formations appeared on his body.

They were all strengthening magic spells and skills. The magic spells boosted his mana output, casting speed while the strengthening skills upped his physical abilities.

Cecil raised a brow and hummed in amus.e.m.e.nt.

"Hmmmm~ looks like Ainz is going for close combat this round~"

"Eh?"

"What?"

Velicia and Eli both exclaimed in mild surprise. Lucia turned to look at Cecil and said insipidly,

"...you did something again, huh Cel..."

"Hm~? Whatever do you mean?"

Fina smiled wryly on the side. It wasn't only Ainz...she too had asked to be taught martial arts and combat skills from Cecil. They perused the Time Acceleration Formation for this. The 3 spent all 12 hours of their allotment together in the formation learning all they could about Cecil's weapon arts. Ainz had trained in Cecil's spear arts while Fina was taught sword and knife arts.

Fina was also a rare talent that Cecil actually envied. She was ambidextrous. She had good hand-eye coordination with both her hands so Cecil thought she would be good at dual wielding. The boy could hardly contain himself when he thought of this.

Just imagine, a petite, adorably cute girl like Fina... being a dangerously skilled dual-wielding swordswoman that handled blades and swords created by mana! Just how awesome was that?!

Even Ainz! Right now, the posture he was using to wield his staff-c.u.m-spear was epic! Cecil felt like he had ants in his pants, he just wanted to stand up to dance and cheer for his friend.

The tournament was going to be their debut as magic warriors and Cecil was proud to have taught them the necessary combat skills—no, proud wouldn't even cut it. Cecil couldn't describe the feelings he was currently harboring in his heart, but he was sure that his friend's performance was going to surprise everyone in the stadium.

Ainz had multi-casted several spells and skills all at once. This in itself caused many to be in awe at the boy's ability. Even his opponent, Lanmu, couldn't help but widen his eyes in surprise and awe.

Ainz smirked and opened his mouth, "Hey! Are we going to fight or are you just going to stand their gawking at me?"

His provocation was met with a chuckle. Lanmu quickly activated his skills and strengthening abilities. He readied himself and was just about to pounce at Ainz, but his opponent had made his move first.

After Ainz saw that his opponent had properly finished his preparations, he flickered in front of him in the next instant.

Ainz pulled back his spear-slash-staff and swung it at his opponent. Lanmu was surprised at Ainz's speed, he quickly raised one of his claws to block the attack, but then he was sent further into astonishment at the weight and power he felt behind Ainz's attack.

"Dammit!"

"Heh!"

Ainz didn't back down. After he smacked Lanmu back a couple of steps he followed up with another swing before he began stabbing his staff's mana blade at the tigerkin. Lanmu clicked his tongue in annoyance, he continued to parry each of Ainz's attack, but to his dismay, he couldn't find any openings to initiate a counterattack.

The torrential rain of mana spear blades that Ainz unleashed using his strengthened body was too overwhelming. Cecil had only taught Ainz the basics of the Silvaria Spear Technique, but he emphasized mostly on the techniques that were easy to chain together into a singular wave of attacks.

For Cecil it was a little too simple and crude, but at least it worked. The best evidence was the current fight where Ainz was constantly pressing his opponent without letting up or giving his opponent any grounds.

The crowd burst into cheers and the stadium's atmosphere erupted. The show of force and technique displayed by Ainz was well received by the crowd. High up in the private rooms, the Bernstein family's head was bursting out in laughter.

"WAHAHAHAHA!!! THAT'S MA BOY!"

"Tsk, honey, please be quiet. It's loud enough already, don't you go adding to the commotion."

"Y-yes, dear."

A dragonkin woman with s.e.xy proportions chided the family head. This was Ainz's mother...Elizabeth Arks' third aunt.

Although, Ainz's mother had chided his father, there was a clear look of pride present on her face. She was smiling slightly and it could be seen that she was very much proud of her son. She turned towards the children sitting next to her and gently said,

"That's your big brother down there! Mama wants the 2 of you to become big and strong like him one day, okay?"

"Yes, Mama!!!" The little dragonkin girl cutely bobbed her head up and down, while the lizardkin boy was raising a ruckus at how cool his brother was.

"Big bro is sooo cooooolll!!!"

In the Royal Family's private room, the King chuckled while saying, "I guess my sister is probably laughing in her booth right now... such a talented child...he hasn't even used any magic spells yet!"

That was right. Ainz hadn't used any magic spells other than the initial strengthening spells. He was originally a mage, but right now he only relied on the spear arts he learned from Cecil to back his opponent against a wall.

"Hoooh~!" The King exclaimed, impressed at the sudden development down on the fighting stage.

After Ainz had pressured his opponent with his attacks, Lanmu believed he couldn't stay like this. If he only kept on defending then there was no way for him to win at all! He tried to forcefully create an opening and somewhat succeeded.

However, Ainz only smirked at his attempt. He slammed the floor with his foot and a pillar of earth rose right from underneath Lanmu.

"GAH?!"

'There was no chant?! HOW?!' Those were Lanmu's thoughts before he saw Ainz's figure in the air right above him.

"Crap..."

Ainz had finished a chant and howled, "ELEMENTAAAAAL! SPEAR!"

He slashed down with his staff and the mana blade at the tip of his spear enlarged and smashed down onto Lanmu's body.

The attack quickly broke the protective enchantment on Lanmu's body and sent him flying outside of the stage, unconscious. Ainz waved his staff and casted a whirlwind spell that safely brought Lanmu down onto the ground.

Ainz landed on the stage coolly and raised his staff high in the air, announcing his victory. Down at the waiting room, the Little Kings all had their hands on their heads or covering their faces.

"I-it's...just too embarrassing..." Velicia said covering her face.

"Y-yeah..." Fina agreed and averted her eyes.

"Hahaha!!! Look at that pose, Elementaaaal Spear! PFFFTTTT HAHAHAHA!!!" Only Lucia was the one that was still laughing and crying at Ainz.

"Does he think this is the Finals or something? And why'd he have to use Elemental Blaze? That's a pseudo high ranked magic spell," Eli said with a hand on her forehead. "Even after all I said...he's still being an idiot."

"Well... what can I say? That's Ainz...it was bound to happen?" Cecil said.

"...what's so wrong about that? I think he looked pretty cool there." Yuna was the only one who complimented Ainz's behavior. Indeed, to the crowd he did look cool. Everyone was bursting into cheers and applause.

It had to be said, Ainz was a natural-born crowd pleaser. Ainz waved at the crowd and quickly got down from the stage. He made his way back to the waiting room and announced his victory to his party.

"I WON!"

"...if you lost, I would have pummeled you into the ground." Eli monotoned.

"Geh..." Ainz flinched at the cold remark, but he turned towards Cecil and pumped his fist forward with a grin. Cecil shrugged and bumped fists with him.

"HA! HA! HA!"

"Don't encourage him Cecil!" Eli said exasperatedly.

"S-sorry...but you have to say, he does deserve praise for that spectacular win!"

"Hrrmmmm..."