The next opponents made their way to the platform with confidence, both fighters demonstrating the same discipline and respect that had become a standard between contestants inside the tournament.
Noah watched the initial exchanges, noting that both combatants operated within the Level 5-7 range that seemed to represent the tournament’s general standard. Their techniques were solid, and their tactical thinking was sound, but nothing particularly surprised him after witnessing two similar matches.
More of the same skill level, Noah observed with growing understanding of the competition’s overall capabilities. Good fighters, but not extraordinary.
After several minutes of observing the combat, Noah decided he had gained sufficient information about the tournament’s participant quality. There were eight total fights scheduled for this elimination stage, with sixteen contestants, including himself, competing for advancement.
He had already been notified that the next stage would occur tomorrow—the quarterfinals that would narrow the field to the tournament’s most skilled participants.
Based on the reactions of spectators and other competitors, reaching the quarterfinal stage was already considered a significant achievement for any martial artist. The prestige associated with advancing that far suggested the tournament’s reputation extended well beyond this mountain resort.
Noah turned toward Ichigo, who remained completely absorbed in analysing the ongoing match with obvious fascination.
"I’m heading back to my room," Noah said quietly. "Are you planning to stay and watch the remaining matches?"
Ichigo nodded enthusiastically without taking his eyes off the combat platform. "Definitely staying. I’m really enjoying this, and it’s important to study potential competitors. Every little detail about their fighting styles could be useful tomorrow."
His dedication to learning from observation demonstrated his serious approach, which had probably contributed to his current skill.
"Good luck with your analysis."
Noah departed from the spectator area, making his way back through the resort’s traditional corridors toward his assigned quarters. If he hadn’t been confident in his supernatural abilities or if he didn’t have a shopkeeping responsibility that required his attention, he would have remained to study every opponent’s capabilities in detail.
But his enhanced attributes and high skill provided advantages that made such detailed scouting less crucial for his own success. More importantly, he needed to check on Lola’s auction preparations and ensure that the luxury smoothie bidding war between the elven kingdoms proceeded smoothly.
Arriving inside his traditional room, Noah settled onto the comfortable tatami mats and began unwinding from the day’s competitive activities. The familiar sliding doors and elegant minimalist design provided a peaceful environment.
His phone rang with an incoming call from his father, the familiar contact name bringing an immediate smile to Noah’s face.
"Hey, Dad, how are you feeling today?"
"Noah! I’m doing wonderful, son. How’s your tournament going? Are you holding your own against the competition?"
"Everything’s going really well. I advanced to the quarterfinals, which apparently is considered quite an achievement here."
"That’s my boy! I knew all that training would pay off eventually. Your mother would be so proud of how far you’ve come."
They talked for several more minutes about the tournament experience, Noah carefully editing his descriptions to focus on the traditional martial arts aspects rather than the fact that most of the swordsmen inside this tournament were considered superhuman to the public eye.
After ending the warm conversation with his father, Noah remembered something he’d been neglecting—Amelia’s persistent text messages from yesterday that he’d deliberately ignored during his evening walk.
I should probably respond, Noah thought with mild guilt about his social courtesy. She wasn’t particularly annoying, and I don’t want to be unnecessarily rude.
While he could have simply blocked her number to avoid future contact, she hadn’t crossed any serious boundaries that would justify such harsh treatment. A polite but clearly disinterested response seemed like the more appropriate approach.
Noah pulled up her messages and crafted a reply that would acknowledge her contact while signalling his lack of romantic interest.
Noah: "Thanks for reaching out. I’m currently travelling for business and pretty focused on my work commitments. Hope you’re doing well."
The message was friendly enough to avoid being insulting, but distant enough to discourage continued pursuit. He deliberately avoided asking questions that might encourage extended conversation, while the mention of work commitments suggested his priorities lay elsewhere.
That should be clear enough without being cruel, Noah decided as he sent the response.
The approach would hopefully satisfy basic social courtesy.
With earthly social obligations addressed, Noah’s thoughts turned toward checking on Lola’s auction preparations and the luxury smoothie bidding war that was probably reaching its climax between the warring elven kingdoms.
"Time to see what Lola has cooked whilst I was gone," Noah said, a smile on his face, as he entered through the portal.
Arriving at the shop through his dimensional portal, Noah was immediately greeted by Lola’s warm presence and that smile that never failed to make his pulse quicken slightly.
"Welcome back, my dear shopkeeper," Lola purred with obvious pleasure at his return, her ruby eyes sparkling with mischief. "I’ve been thinking about you all day. Did you miss me while you were away playing with your little swords?"
The way she emphasised ’dear’, combined with her smile and the way she leaned forward across the counter, created tension that made Noah’s enhanced constitution feel inadequate for maintaining his composure.
"How was your tournament performance? I’m sure you were... impressive as always."
Noah coughed awkwardly.
"The tournament went well," he managed, deliberately focusing on business matters rather than the way she was looking at him. "How did sales go today? Did both kingdoms make their purchases?"
Lola’s expression shifted to satisfaction, though her smile retained its playful edge.
"Of course they did. Your new customers couldn’t resist their daily acquisitions," she replied with obvious pride in her sales management. "Elena and Kael both arrived precisely on schedule with their respective purchasing delegations."
"I sold a total of 192 loaves of bread and 96 bottles of iced tea," Lola continued with systematic precision. "Additionally, six units each of the tier one premium items—protein bars, energy drinks, beef jerky, and rice cakes."
"And six units each of the tier two premium items—instant coffee and mystical herbal tea," she concluded with satisfaction at the comprehensive sales figures.