Rivers of the Night - Chapter 296

Chapter 296: Rules
There was no hesitation at all. There was only one thing the Gold Clan wanted, and that was a chance to kill. If they couldn’t receive that chance, then the opportunity to maim and cripple would just have to be enough.

In fact, the chance to do such a thing just might very well be even better. It would give them a chance to remind the ones that stood before them of the prowess they held in their hands.

The Gold Clan wasn’t to be trifled with, and certainly not by the likes of the Sangun, no matter who their backers were.

If the Sangun thought that they could rely on people just using them to bridge a gap like this one, they would be sorely mistaken.

Jualim’s eyes narrowed as he felt Riyan’s gaze land on him. The former’s skin prickled, but he didn’t back away in the slightest. There was a deep flash in his eyes, one that seemed fueled by a confidence he probably shouldn’t have otherwise had.

Theron noticed it, but he didn’t think much of it… it hardly mattered to him one way or another.

From on high, Elder Kelyne Black slowly nodded.

“In that case, I’ve seen your determination and will allow it. Judges, please convene and decide how you will conduct this series of tests. Keep it fair, and focus on combat. We will save the aspects of military strategy and the like for the final combined stream events…”

The murmurs and hushed whispers in the crowd began to spread as the judges convened. There was a deep sense of apprehension, but also intrigue within it.

Theron found the changes to be interesting, and he understood why the Gold Clan would do this. But he also very much doubted that the Sangun would be completely unprepared either.

Logically, though, the Gold Clan would likely know this as well.

In the end, it would be an interesting clash that seemed to have little to do with him.

At least that was what it felt like initially. Unfortunately, he constantly felt gazes sweeping over his body.

Inwardly, he shook his head. He could only hope they didn’t let this be too boring for him.

‘My thoughts…’

Theron sighed. He had seen through his changes long ago, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t seem to fix them.

The good news was that he never let it dictate his actions, at least not when it didn’t involve his family. But he was smart enough to know that logic could only win out against a person’s mental state for so long.

Just what was it about his body that was so enamored by this form of thought? It just… wasn’t him.

He wasn’t this sort of person, and he didn’t want to be this sort of person.

…

Mello received a note written by the judges and he carefully opened it. He raised an eyebrow and then nodded.

“The judges have decided on the following round’s rules. Please pay attention!”

Mello’s voice boomed, and there seemed to be an added hint of seriousness to it that hadn’t been there before. At the very least, the usually upbeat host had a mood that had taken a bit of a downturn. He seemed to realize the somberness of the situation much like everyone else had.

“The judges have decided that though combat will be the main crux of this evaluation this time, there still must be an element of the military. Brute strength without a focused will to direct it properly will always be useless. As such, while your combat will be tested first and foremost, you must remain on your heels at all times.”

Scholar McIntyre frowned while listening to this from the sidelines. Their note only involved the rules—they hadn’t added this useless preamble. Any hidden rules or things to take advantage of within them should be the task of the students and the students themselves to figure out.

Mello was most definitely overstepping his bounds.

“This round will work in a free-flowing manner. Each participant will have the right to step onto the field twice. These can be arranged either in two Challenges, two Threats, or a Threat and a Challenge.

“In this case, a Challenge refers to calling out another to do battle, and a Threat refers to being called out to do battle.

“The arrangement of the times you step onto the platform does not matter. Meaning, if you are Threatened twice before you can issue a Challenge, you will be out of luck.”

Mello took a pause and swept a gaze over everyone as though waiting for them to finish.

“When a Threat or Challenge is issued, there are three ways a battle can end. The first way is being unable to battle—this will occur by either being too heavily injured to continue. The second is by placing your flag down on the opponent’s side and activating the runes of failure. The third is by mutually agreeing on who would lose the battle.

“Should you suffer from one of these three forms of loss, you will have it added to your tally as a -1. You will have one other chance to make up for it by stepping onto the field once more.

“But do note that during this second attempt, should you be forced to step off again, you will no longer be able to be Challenged or to Threaten.

“Does everyone understand?”

The five participants slowly nodded. Many of them had thought that this would be quite the straightforward battle, but the rules made it a little more complicated than usual.

‘They’re somewhat forcing his hand…’ Theron thought.

If Riyan wanted to make the enemies of the Gold Clan pay, he would have to make certain that he could find Jualim before the latter went up twice. He might also have to stay on the field long enough that he may tire before he even got to see Jualim.

The real crux of all of this, though… was how the flags would be used.

“Which two of you brave heroes would like to volunteer yourselves first?”

Three hands shot up immediately.