Shortly before the Tournament - 36

Finally, November 1st arrived, the day in which Hel and I would find out who we would group with during the Tournament of Towers.

In the previous days, even though I was particularly agitated for obvious reasons, I trained a lot more than usual, Hel and I also increased our attack coordination.

Thanks to these workouts I have significantly increased my agility and strength stats, as well as my secondary skills and power.

[Information stats Zeto:

Strength: 32 → 46

Agility: 41 → 60

Intelligence: 16 → 20 (+ 5% caused by "Mana Control")

Stamina: 28 + 10%

Favorite Weapon: short sword (Weapon knowledge 57%)

Mana: 80Mp Regeneration Mp: 0.8Mp per minute

Health: 600Hp Regeneration Hp: 3Hp per minute

Power: Predictive Gaze (+ Space Seer) (+ Danger Prediction)

Secondary Skills:

Wind Movement (B) (Lv.4)

Mana Control (A ) (Lv.2)

Wind Cut (C) (Lv.4)

Improved Breathing (D)

Fiery Wind (C) (Lv.2)]

Hel and I also exchanged information on our stats to compare them and then think about how to divide the attacking and defensive tasks.

[Hel stats:

Strength: 41

Agility: 65

Intelligence: 24

Stamina: 27

Favorite Weapon: reaper scythe (Weapon knowledge 67%)

Mana: 56Mp Regeneration Mp: 0.6Mp per minute

Health: 500Hp Regeneration Hp: 50Hp per minute

Power: Deathly Hallows (+ death doll)

Secondary Skills:

Regeneration of the undead (A) Lv.4

Irreparable wound (A) Lv.2 (wounds heal slower)]

We agreed that our skills were mostly offensive, thus understanding that the most congenial strategy for us would be to attack without thinking too much about defense and try to finish matches as quickly as possible.

The team draw was at 3 pm, I and Hel met a little earlier, and then we went to the place of the presentation.

Ri and Kobin, Hel's manager, came with us. The draw would take place in a huge room used as a theater, where gold and red were dominant.

We gladiators were led to the stage, while the stands filled up completely. There were also numerous cameras, some floating, which captured everything live.

Suddenly all the lights of the theater went out, all except those above us gladiators. Suddenly, as if out of nowhere, a Slter appeared in front of us, he was the presenter of the event.

"Ahem! Well, welcome ladies and gentlemen! I introduce myself, I'm Bip, and it will be a pleasure for me to present today's event!

As you all know, this year the Novices tournament will be based on the game of Towers! I must say that among the gladiators chosen this year there are some really promising, let them feel your support! "

The audience began to applaud, someone started screaming Souè.

"Well, and now the time has come that all of you have been waiting for! The team draws! "

The crowd burst with joy.

"But first, a message from the sponsor of this tournament, give a round of applause to Kenderman, head of the Mindur industries!"

Another Slter entered the scene, this one with the appearance that resembled a minotaur.

"Thank you Bip, and thank you for being here today, it is an honor for me to be a sponsor of this fantastic tournament, and to make it even more competitive, we at Mindur Industries have also decided to award one of our best creations, The Sword of Chrysós! "

The crowd cheered at those words.

Not understanding why I turned to Ri looking for answers, she too seemed to say the least surprised.

An opening was formed on the stage, from which came a rectangular case with a sword inside.

'What the hell is that sword ... I feel tremendous pressure coming from it...'

"This sword will be given to whoever is elected MVP of the Tournament!"

After saying this, Bip spoke again.

"Well, now it's time for the draw of the teams, first of all, I would like to remember the couples already formed:"

Having said that, behind us, a hologram was created with the pairs already formed between the gladiators, and those who were still alone.

[Already paired:

Pak and Koffie

Bina and Joè

Katrin and Loftus

Hel and Zeto

Panter and King

Facto and Samba

Ria and Latia

Blanca and Noir

Fesi and Pirlo

Subara and Garcia

Yun and Ze

Yuan and Izo

Still solo:

Hariri, Bol, Anna, Marie, Jou, Yo, Tori, Pierre.]

"Well and now the extractions of the remaining couples, first pair: Pierre and Tori, the second pair, Jou and Bol, third, Marie and Yo, and finally the fourth pair will be formed by Hariri and Anna! "

When the announcer announced the latest pair, the audience let out a roar.

'Hariri…'

It wasn't the first time I've seen him, I've studied with Ri and Hel many of his matches, but the first time I've seen him in person. He was tall and handsome, with black hair and dark, sharp eyes, a very slender physique. Even that day, as always, he was dressed in a beige linen shirt and black trousers and shoes. His gaze emanated a sense of superiority and royalty, which, in fact, went well with his power: "Dominion".

"And now finally ..." The stage lights dimmed and eight 3D holograms appeared above the stands, each hologram represented a grouping of 4 faces, for the moment obscured and with a "?" above them.

As the presenter presented the group assignments, the faces appeared and so the eight groups were formed.

Hel and I were included in group D, with us the duo formed by Marie and Yo were included.

'I have to say they used a photo that doesn't give me justice ...'

I thought looking at the hologram on my face.

'From that photo, I look cross-eyed ... and what's that look on my face...'

I heard Hel next to me trying to hold back the laughter, which pissed me off a bit.