^^ Glyph, 'Turn-Twist' ^^

--- Day 133 AD, 16:00 ---

I stood tall, victorious, and  my  consciousness slipped away as I heard myself be proclaimed the champion.

I face-planted unceremoniously.

--- Day 134 AD, 06:30 ---

I opened my eyes, and stretched slowly, my entire body protesting weakly as my muscles were pushed and pulled.

Tizzy and Ira sat nearby. They looked at me. "Ah, look, the Princess awakens." Tizzy said dryly.

"Oh shush, it's only been a half-hour, ya brat." I groaned, and sat up.

Teresa looked at me from her seat at the foot of the couch, where she sat daintily, avoiding my feet. "You're awake. Interesting. What made you pass out?"

"Mana Exertion." I said in sync with Tizzy. I spoke again after a small glare at her. "I spent too much mana with all the theatrics. It was one of my first real bouts with magic as a premise. I'm still learning to micromanage my mana." I shrugged.

She nodded. "So you're fine? No cancer or anything else to worry about?"

"Cancer? You have that here? No, I don't have Cancer. I was just tired, so I fell asleep for a half hour. Simple. The Advanced Magical Warfare has started, yes?" I asked tizzy.

She nodded. "Yes, and ends in a few minutes. Your next bout is at noon, with the start of the Beginners Physical Warfare Tournament. If you are the champion, they'll likely make you a MPWS, and tadah! One step closer to the Council." She shrugged.

"How'd Jazz do?"

"She got the the third Tier, one of the final 4, but she lost her match. You can watch it later from your records." Ira said.

I nodded. "Alright."

Teresa spoke up. "I'm still confused on one thing."

"Alright? Only one? You've got me beat!" I chuckled.

She smiled slightly, then flattened it. "I still don't know who these women are, flocking to my Fiancé."

"Ah. This is Simatis, we call her Tizzy, that's Ira, a Leopard Shifter, and Jasmine, or Jazz, is a Tiger Shifter. All are my playmates. Members of my 'Harem'." I explained.

She blinked. "And... Alright... But why?"

"Why not?" I shrugged. "I have enhanced physical needs I am unaccustomed to controlling, and having women who are willing spares me from the crime of rape."

"Excuse me?!" She leaned back.

"You've seen me lose control of my anger. That's not the only emotion that I lose control of. Lust is another. As is sadness, and loneliness. Happiness as well, though that's not a problem."

"How does that connect with rape?" She asked sternly.

"If I lose control of lust, and there is a pretty woman nearby, and I black out, I often worry what my beast will do, while I'm not in control. So, having women who will happily accept me limits the opportunities for that to happen." I shrugged, leaning my head back and laying it in Ira's Lap, as she'd sat behind me.

She nodded slowly. "I see. So you're still learning to control yourself."

"Yes. I only have about 100 days of experience with being a shifter." I shrugged and slowly closed my eyes.

"So-"

"Woman, I will cuddle you to shut you up. It's 06:45, and I need sleep if I'm going to perform in that tournament." I interrupted, smiling.

She huffed, chuckling. "You know, I'm getting used to your level of disrespect. It's just the way you are, isn't it? Anyway, get some sleep, then. I'll be in the judges box." She skipped out.

"She'll have a nice ass, when she matures." Ira said thoughtfully.

"She's only 16. Bad Ira." I chuckled.

"17, actually, her birthday is tomorrow." Tizzy said.

"Oh? Interesting... What should I get her, do you know? Are rings given to fiancés here?" I asked.

Tizzy smirked. "Yes. Too late, it's supposed to be when you propose."

"I never proposed. The emperor simply said 'you two are getting married' and that was it, remember?" I sighed.

"Oh! You're right, I suppose... Then sure, propose to her on her birthday, a wonderful gift." She smiled, and laid on my torso. "Now get some sleep." She said, yawning.

I smiled and closed my eyes, lulled to sleep by Ira's purring.

--- 11:00 ---

I twisted and turned, my paws clutching the wooden floors as I was tossed off the couch.

I hissed, huffing as I calmed down.

Tizzy was laughing, and Ira and Jazz were glaring at her, for throwing me off the bed while I was asleep.

"You awake now?" She asked sarcastically.

I shifted and straightened my shirt. "Yes. Ahem. Now, what time is it?"

"11:00. You're up for a match in an hour." She replied.

I advanced slowly. "An hour? What will I do for an hour, do you think?... Maybe punish a naughty kitten?" I asked, gripping her hips roughly.

"Maybe wait until the young eyes leave, thank you." Teresa said, surprising me, and walked out with a wave over her shoulder.

I picked Tizzy up, and laid her across my lap, where she stayed still, wisely, until my hand crashed to her ass smartly.

She squeaked, and her punishment began.

--- 11:30 ---

I stood up from my pile of women, and walked over to my armor stand, dressing in my battle armor.

I cleaned my sword thoroughly, then sharpened its already razor sharp edge, sheathing it on my back. Firearms weren't allowed, so I left mine on the rack, then cracked my neck.

I spanked the girls, and whistled sharply. "Up and At'em! Ira, you're fighting in the arena, tizzy, you're a judge, jazz... No, jazz, you can get some more sleep, I guess, your fights are done." I chuckled.

They started to get ready, and I walked out, heading to watch the final fight of the Advanced Magical Warfare Tournament.

I was quickly amazed by the level of magical prowess each of the two had. They were throwing everything from lightning to Glyph's, from Rogue Waves to Sandstorms, and they were countering with bigger and badder spells, sometimes chanting for a full five minutes per spell, while throwing smaller ones.

A giant glyph appeared, 'Turn/Twist', and summoned a Tornado, which one of them then cast a spell on, making it catch fire and chase his opponent.

It was purely amazing. I was sure that in a real fight, I'd win, but with only my magical knowledge? I might win because of my mastery of Glyph's, (they just come naturally to me,) but if Glyph's weren't allowed? I might get my ass whipped. It was, again, purely amazing.

The match finally ended with a simple concussive explosion under the first mans feet, throwing him into the wall.

I cheered, and whistled sharply, making several shifters wince.

"ALRIGHT! WITH A SPECTACULAR VICTORY, LORD MICHAELIS!! AND WITH THAT, WE HAVE A CHAMPION FOR THE EXPERT MAGICAL WARFARE TOURNAMENT, MICHAELIS OF DORAHAIN!" The announcer cheered.

I hummed, remembering the name. 'And from what Tizzy said, there is no master tournament... The stadium couldn't hold it... If that's an expert at the peak of his craft... What's a Grand-Master like?'

"And now, the beginning of the illustrious Beginner's Physical Warfare Tournament! Good luck to our contestants, of which there are only 8 this year, meaning only 2 tiers before the final fight that will decide the tournament. The first match will be between Lord Caleb and Lord Drake. Princess Teresa, is there anything you'd like to add?" The announcer asked.

"I just hope we have an entertaining set of matches, I'm rather curious about some of these new faces, especially the faces I cannot see, Hee-hee!" She giggled. Ugh.

"Heh..." He agreed, chuckling.

"And just to spice things up, the victor of the tournament usually gets to speak to the council, and make an appeal without waiting the customary two years in the legal system... But today, the winners will speak to me, and therefore, my father!" She continued.

"Oho! Now that's a fine reward indeed... And what would that include?" He replied.

"Well, obviously, an audience with myself, and my father, and the entire Council, and then a plea is heard. If it is deemed worthy, even the Emperor's word can be repealed." She said precisely.

'Oh?... Hmm... Perhaps this could concrete my plan. If I repeal the emperors demand that I marry Teresa, then I can serve on the Mage Council, and still have a controlling interest, but not be the figurehead... An immortal Emperor is never a wise choice. But generations of emperors and empresses, that could be... Lucrative.' I mused.

"Ah! An amazing reward indeed... What has made you decide to give this reward to the victor? Was there a specific reason, or was it simply to... 'Spice Things Up', as you said?" The announcer asked.

"Again, mostly to make things more interesting. I also have a personal stake in one of the outcomes, but that's an unrelated private matter." She responded smoothly. "Now, I'd really like to see all the contestants, just to get a grasp of them." She asked/Commanded.

I sighed and removed my helmet, raising it, and several other contestants removed headgear, replacing it after a few seconds so Gem could put our faces on the screen one by one.

One refused, leaving his gear untouched, and I hummed, approaching him silently. I tapped his shoulder, and grinned when he reflexively broke my hand. I let it heal, and grinned again.

"Very nice reflexes." I nodded.

"I apologize, friend, that was an accident." He bowed respectfully.

"I accept your apology..." I leaned closed and growled in his ear. "Now tell me something, Friend... Why do you smell like poison?"

He drew a dagger, and my hand grabbed his wrist before it even left the sheath fully. I smiled and stepped closer, our chests flush. "Friend... That is not wise... I honestly don't care, about whether or not you poison someone. That is, if I'm not your target?" I said softly, mentally casting a layer of truth spells over him.

He slowly sheathed his dagger fully, eyes wary. "No." He said.

"Who is? I'd like to make it clear I'm not connected to whatever happens." I said simply, testing the effectiveness of my skills.

He raised an eyebrow, under his mask. "... I've been sent by the lord of Kuramar." He said simply, lowering his voice.

"Is that supposed to mean something to me?" I smirked.

"The assassins of Kuramar. We've been active for almost 2,000 years." He confirmed.

I blinked. "Very interesting. Your target?"

"Princess Teresa, and Her Father. A member of the Council wants them dead, to seize power." He replied slowly, fighting the magic.

"Which one?" I asked gently.

"Lord Armen, Lord Michaelis's father." He growled, the magic wearing down slowly.

"Is the son aware of this coupe?" I asked.

"Yes." He grunted, the spell breaking after that one word.

I cast an even thicker layer over him. "What is your name?" I asked.

He blinked slowly. "I am called 'Drake'."

"Then I will see you in the arena, Friend Drake. And I will make one deal with you. If you win, I will assist you in your mission. She is my fiancé, after all. I can get close." I said callously.

He blinked. "True. And if you win?" He asked slowly.

"Hmm... If I win, you will speak in extreme depth and detail about your organization." I said, and then clasped his forearm, injecting a sliver of my shadow into his skin, forcing him to agree, and if he ever disobeyed me, his heart would be literally shredded.

He hissed in pain, and I nodded. "Good. Now that that's done, let's get to the arena..." I walked to the edge, and when my name was called. I leapt into the arena.

--- 11:15 ---

The referee stood up, and clapped his hands. "Welcome, to the first round. As the princess seems to wish to make everything more interesting, the Council has added a little bit of a extra flare. As such, Maiming, short of death or lethal action, is now legal. Good luck, contestants."

'Maiming? Good. That extends my choices during battle...'

The stadium rumbled, and I grinned as the arena slowly molded itself into an outdoor stone Dojo.

I laughed uproariously, breathing deeply. "Aaahhh, smells like home!" I laughed.

My opponent dropped into the Arena, and breathed deeply, just like I had. I hummed, and he slowly drew two medium swords from his back.

Tizzy whistled, cheering. "KICK HIS ASS, CALEB!" She cheered.

I sighed. "I'M SUCH A FUCKING BAD INFLUENCE ON YOU, DOLL!" I roared back.

Several people laughed, but more hissed in annoyance. I laughed at them. "OH TAKE THAT FUCKING STICK OUT OF YOUR ARSES, YA WEE TWATS, OR I'LL DO IT FOR YOU!" I jeered at them, and put my helmet back on.

I slowly drew my sword, clearing my mind of any other distractions.

'This man is an assassin... I could kill him, claim accidental death, and sacrifice my place in the tournament... But that would set back my plans... Well, it's only six months. Who said taking over the universe had to happen overnight?'

The referee raised his hand, about to drop his Han and begin the match.

'Or I could simply defeat him, and gain valuable Intel about a syndicate of assassins, which may be extremely useful... And would further my plans quite a lot more than killing him. Especially as a trained assassin, he will have skills that the council will recognize. That will make my beating him also more impressive to them. That's what I'll do.'

The referees hand dropped, and I breathed out, darting forward.

My shorter blade clashed with his dual sabers, creating a clang that reverberated throughout the stadium. I backhanded him with my free hand, and pushed him away from me.

His physical strength see me to rival mine, which confused me, but only for a second. He spun, his whirring blades moving very fast, for a human. His first blade cut my chest, earning him first blood.

I snarled and leapt over him, kicking at his head to make him duck, then when he came back at me, I ducked my free wrist under his arm and armpit, and turned, throwing him clear across the arena.

His second sword stabbed the cobbled floor behind me.

He sprinted at me again, and when we clashed I grinned, realizing he was at a loss with only one sword, so I took my opportunity, slicing his forearms perfectly, cutting away the bandages there, and revealing brands of some kind.

He roared in pain and rage, and attacked, swinging faster than I could see clearly, but I dodged relatively easily. Suddenly, He leapt above me, kicking out to swing at my head, and I recognized my own trick, so I stepped backwards instead.

This, it seemed, was actually his intention, as his free hand crashed upside my temple, and his knee into my ribs, breaking several. My sword skittered off, and the game changed as I was taken to the ground by a strong hand, gripping my skull.

He pulled back, then stabbed down with all his might, prompting me to sacrifice a palm, to redirect the blade away from my throat.

Then I simply slammed a palm into the blade, shattering it, and kicked him in the face as hard as my legs could move.

He flew back, and I stood slowly. I pulled the blade out of my hand nonchalantly, and tossed it aside.

"That all you got, Friend? Assassins where I come from have more... Balls." I said faux-sadly, shaking my head.

He growled and readied himself for a bare fisted brawl, which this was, now.

I lunged forward, and succeeded in a hard elbow to the face, but then his hand caught my extended palm, and he twisted, a thumb and three fingers solidly on pressure points.

I grunted, the pain dimming my vision, and he raised a palm, slamming my chest back, and throwing me into the stone steps, shattering my rib cage and the steps simultaneously, creating a dust cloud I used to my advantage.

While he was going towards the Dust, I reappeared behind him, and caught him to the chest as he turned, with a blow so truly devastating that it shredded his shirt behind my hand, and he stumbled back as I peppered him with five more strikes to major areas.

He stumbled back again, and slowly collapsed to his knees. I sighed out a breath, and then breathed deeply.

I hauled back my palm, shot it forward as fast as I could, putting my entire power behind it, but I wasn't fast enough.

The referee suddenly whistled, and my hand stopped, just barely touching his forehead, as the stone behind him was devastated, shattering and turning to sand.

I stepped forward, and whispered in his ears as he passed out. "Remember the Deal, Friend."

I stepped back, and then bowed to the Announcers Box, retrieving my blade and sheathing it.

I limped to the Victors Box, my body slowly realigning from being broken, and moved while broken.

I collapsed into a chair, and then cracked my neck. "Ouch." I said, and Teresa grinned.

"So, Lord Caleb. If you win, what will you do?" She asked, her voice echoing in the amplifier as she was speaking.

"Have your father rescind our forced engagement." I said simply, and perhaps a bit coldly.

She blinked, shocked, and then slowly nodded. "Oh..."

The announcer was astounded. "Why would you refuse such an auspicious match?!?"

"Immortal royalty is unwise. I will never be royalty. I am immortal, and as such, I cannot be in a permanent leadership position, such as emperor. I will outlive everyone present that isn't an Old One." I said simply.

He blinked. "My apologies, I didn't know you were one... I suppose that's a valid reason not to seek power... And the humility of such a statement is rather astonishing."

"What humility? I'm a cat. I'm an arrogant prick, I know that. But I'm also extremely intelligent. Immortal royalty or leadership has never worked out. It never will." I shrugged stiffly.

"Now... Why is that, do you think?" He asked.

"Over time, human minds warp with age. A warped mind can lead to warped morals, or ideals. Many such men attempt things like world domination. And it never works out for them. I'm simply wishing to avoid that type of life. I will advise for as long as my mind is sound, but I will not lead." I finished, and leaned back on the couch, relaxing slowly.

"I see... So it's a self-serving purpose, in the end. You simply don't want to deal with the ordeal of leadership?" He summed up.

"Basically." I shrugged.

"So... It's nothing to do with me, right?" Teresa asked slowly.

"No, you're lovely, I'm sure we can become good friends someday, but we will never be a couple. I'm still confused as to why your father is so adamant about it..." I sighed.

"I believe it's because my older brother is sterile, and he wants strong seed for the line." She said dryly, sneering at the thought.

"Sterility? I could help with that. Well, me and a few friends of mine, healers. Some magic and medicine from my homeland should work just perfect for that situation." I waved her off simply.

She blinked. "Truly?"

"Most likely, yes." I shrugged. "Now I'm going to get some sleep. Wake me when I need to fight again, hmm?" I leaned back again, closing my eyes.