Challenger Cup was a major tournament that was held in Leinster once every few years. All incumbent students in Leinster were qualified to participate in it, and slots were also allocated to a few other organizations with members whose ages fit the criterion. It was a hot-blooded grand festival that was filled with the hopes and dreams of the youth.
There was great public attention on every single iteration of the Challenger Cup, which meant that it wielded great influence. The participants would be awarded not just fame and glory but a new door of opportunities too. It was somewhat equivalent to the Summer Koshien from Roel’s previous life. Anyone who managed to get into Koshien was already half a step there to becoming a winner in life, making it a holy land for youths and dreams. Star players that performed well in the Koshien could easily gain popularity on par with idols and receive offers from pro teams. The influence of the Challenger Cup far exceeded that. Besides the influence and reputation the winner receives, they also receive a Cup with gems numbering the number of tournaments held. The Cup also has a label:
[Glory is with you, brilliant as stars]
[Only in this statement to give the [Tournament Number] Challenger Cup Champion]
[[Winner Name]]
Strength has a great value in Sia and this tournament gives a good opportunity for the youth of the world to prove themselves. It is said that the Challenger Cup surpasses the World Cup from Roel's previous world. The seeded fighters are exceptional often reaching Origin Level 2 in their lifetime. Some fighters are so exceptional such that the Austine Empire has betrothed one of their princesses to a fighter to tie him to the Empire.
The tournament has around a total of 10,000 participants coming from many academies. Since having 1-1 battles from the beginning would create matches till the next year, the event divides the participants into 13 groups. From these 13 groups, only the top 1% would qualify for the tournament's 1-1 elimination rounds. This means ~100 participants of the 10,000 qualify for the 1-1 elimination rounds. The stages for the elimination rounds vary. It can be a jungle, a sea or a simple arena. This is to test the skills of a magician that does not rely on a head on battle. Luck and Divination are also tested thanks to this.
The participating members are protected by a substitution magic tool, created by the Magic Conversion Guild, to prevent any death or serious injuries since many participants would have an influential background.
Tournament of Third Epoch, Year 1009-1010 (Roel's First Year)[]
Originally, the age range of the tournament is from 15 to 18 but Principal Antonio lowered the acceptable age range to allow first years, which was considered the golden generations thanks to Roel, Charlotte, and Nora, to participate. This was thanks to the blessing of the Goddess of Fate that Roel had purchased. The tournament took half a year to prepare and the number of participants and spectators was at an all time high.
As Roel Ascart is also planning on participating in the Challenger Cup, the tournament also provided an opportunity for the Dawnbringer Order to test Roel's capabilities as well as satisfy the desire of some of the members' to fight him.
Like all the tournaments, 13 groups were made. Roel was in the sixth group. Selina happened to be in the same group. The Sixth Group was assigned the Silent Temple as it's location, a haunted location. The Silent Temple was bad enough to make some consider forfeiting but Roel was confident since he had experienced worse in the Witness States and he had Grandar, who was an undead, on his side.
Roel promised Selina Bess a 1-1 fight and passed the preliminary rounds. Paul had passed as well but Roel was upset to find out that Kurt Gustav, one of the students from Knight Kingdom Pendor that were targeting Roel had targeted those close to him rather than Roel himself. He found out that William had asked Kurt and several other students from Pendor to target Roel's comrades including Nora to show Roel the strength of the Dawnbringer Order and to bring him to their side. William believed that if Roel truly wished the best for humanity, he would join their strong Dawnbringer Order. Knowing that their conversation was going nowhere Roel sighed and left after threatening that he too is in the tournament and he can play at their own game.
Three days after the preliminary rounds and the celebrations, the 1-1 tournament started. Roel won two rounds and his next opponent was Selina. Their arena was the [Ever Night Forest], a place with a curse where night vision magic will not work. It is very dark where the only source of light is the starry sky. Roel was able to win. Roel used this tournament to gamble his money and make a fortune.
Nora had to abstain from the competition because she was going through a bloodline awakening. Her supporters had moved to Roel as he was the only student remaining from Saint Mesit Theocracy. Eventually only four remained. Teresa, Lilian, Wilhelmina and Roel and later only Wilhelmina and Roel remained with Lilian in third place. Since both Roel and Wilhelmina were first-years, their potential was considered limitless even capable of reaching Antonio.
Roel won the fight and Wilhelmina's gender and appearance was revealed to the world. Their fight also let Wilhelmina let go of the vow promised to the Ardes by her House.
Notable Fights[]
- Roel vs Serena (Preliminary Rounds): Serena and Roel promise to fight in the arena and leave.
- Roel vs Serena (Tournament): Roel wins
- Paul vs Juliana: Juliana wins
- Britney vs Geralt: Britney wins
- Charlotte vs Stuart: Charlotte wins
- Roel vs Kurt: Roel wins
- Wilhelmina vs Edward Potter: Wilhelmina wins
- Charlotte vs Lilian: Lilian wins
- Roel vs Teresa: Roel wins
- Lilian vs Wilhelmina: Wilhelmina wins
- Lilian vs Teresa: Lilian wins
- Roel vs Wilhelmina: Roel wins