Unlike simple earth roads that we used before, road that led from Corgiar to Rakshasar capitol called Alven was paved with ft stones. Thanks to that, we were able to move faster. But even so, road from Corgiar to capitol took as a whole month. We saw many rge vilges, but no more towns, during our travel. Road was well maintained, and we saw soldier patrols who kept the roads safe. Most soldiers were rakshasa, but some of patrols had djinn mages among them. Some of patrols stopped us, but our adventurer tags and Milligan's papers satisfied them, and soldiers allowed us to continue our journey.

  Unlike Ashgrin capitol that did not have its own name and was simply called capitol, Rakshasar capitol was called Alven. We saw it long before approaching the town. Surrounded by grass fields, Alven was noticeable from a far. It was much bigger than Asgrin capitol, and surrounded by higher walls.

  Roads around it were busy. Many travelers went to and from the town, and many carts delivered daily provisions to Alven.

  Town roads were in better condition than in Ashgrin towns, and town had many paces inside it. We passed a market, and I saw many fish that were sold in it. Rakshasar had exit to an ocean, and many ocean goods were delivered to kingdom's capitol.

  We found a tavern that tended to humans and again rented two rooms. On our way through the capitol Milligan looked all around, and I sighed inwardly. It will be quite difficult to keep him inside this time.

  We were enjoying our food, when tavern owner approached our table. He was fat bellied human, with only remnants of his hair.

  - I hope you enjoy the food and liked your rooms, - he smiled showing his remaining teeth.

  - Yes. It is better than I expected, - answered Milligan. Coming from him it could be both a compliment or not.

  - I am gd to hear it.

  Tavern owner looked at our baron. He might have been surprised that our leader was a child, but Milligan's bck shirt with silver buttons, better that anything else demonstrated his status as a noble. It was also not uncommon for a child to inherit the title and start ruling at a young age.

  - Did you arrive her to witness the tournament? If you are interested I can offer you tickets?

  - What tournament do you speak off?

  - Have you not heard? Month of Ares has arrived. In two days the tournament that will st six days will be held. Many fighters from all Rakshasar will arrive to participate in it. Tournament is held in the great arena, and the champion will receive a reward from our god Ares himself.

  - That sounds interesting.

  - Thank you, but we will not require tickets, - I interjected. Letting Milligan go to a pce that promoted violence, was not on my to do list.

  - But it could be fun.

  - No, - I looked at the tavern owner with a look that made him leave.

  - If you change your mind or need anything else. Please let me know, - he bowed and retreated to kitchen. Milligan followed him with sad eyes, but did not object.

  After lunch I took Nelly to Mage guild for another registration. It was affecting my wallet, but I could afford it. We were approaching Mage guild when one of rakshasa approached us.

  - Please excuse me, - he bowed: - But are you adventurer Avone from Ashgrin?

  - Who is asking? - I looked at him suspiciously. No one supposed to know me. Especially the fact that I was coming to Mage guild. The rakshasa was shorter than the rest, but still a head taller than me. He looked unarmed and was dressed in priest robes.

  - I am Moggo, priest of Hanuman. My god Hanuman sent me a message in a dream and told me to wait for a woman matching your description. I was waiting for you, for six days. If you are Avone, I am suppose to tell you that a friend of a person who gave you coffee seeds wants to talk to you.

  - And were am I suppose to meet this person?

  - I can escort you to a temple that belongs to our god Hanuman. All questions will be answered to you there.

  - No. Just tell me how to find it. I will visit it at a time of my convenience, if at all.

  - As you wish. But please except my invitation.

  He described the way to his temple and once more asked me to visit it. I just shrugged and took Nelly's hand, to take her to mage guild. Nelly looked at me surprised, but did not ask any questions. After using our blood on magic circle I asked receptionist the way to Hanuman's temple. Her description matched the one that this rakshasa Moggo gave me. At least he told us the truth about the destination.

  The person who gave me seeds was goddess of light, and no one except two of us knew about it. I did not want to get involved with another god, but I was curious about the invitation.

  - Nelly, I wish to visit this temple. But be ready to cast your magic in case if it is a trap.

  - Fine. But are you sure? How did he know that you will be coming her?

  - I would like to find out that myself.

  We easily found a temple. Unlike the churches that I saw before, Hanuman's temple was made of wood. It looked empty and we carefully went inside. As soon as I crossed the door bright light enveloped me and I found myself on a high cliff. I was inside a building with open walls, high enough for the clouds to be beneath me.

  In front of me was wooden chare with monkey like being sitting on it. Monkey had human clothes and golden tiara on his head.

  - Welcome to my humble house, adventurer Avone. I am god Hanuman, patron deity of martial arts.

  I looked around suspiciously.

  - Why have you brought me here?

  - I would like to hire you. I require your help.

  - I already have a job. Two, to be precise.

  - Please accept my apologizes. I would not ask you, but I do not have much time. Also it will not take you too much time, eight or nine days at most.

  - I am in a hurry.

  - I can offer you a great reward.

  - Fine. I will hear you out.

  - As you already know, many reincarnated people are arriving from your world. One of such men was supposed to be my champion. He should have guided rakshasa to more prosperous future. But he betrayed me. He was seduced by god Ares. Ares gave him a skill called - Warlord. This skill grants greater benefit to his stats and helps him gather men who desire wealth, received through violence. It also increases user ambitions. This person made a deal with Ares. He pns to win the tournament, and ask Ares for help to get the throne of Rakshasar. He wants to challenge current king with god's blessing. If they succeed, this person will use Rakshasar armies to conquer neighboring kingdoms and wage wars against every kingdom on the continent.

  - Then why don't you stop him?

  - Gods are allowed only interfere in lower affairs in special circumstances. The reward that Ares gives tournament champions is one such loophole. That is why I need your help. I want you to participate in the tournament and stop Raknar. I would find someone else, but tournament will be held in two days, and I do not have much time. Also we are not allowed to reveal the existence of reincarnated persons to other inhabitants of this world. That is why I need your help.

  - But I am not even citizen of Rakshasar, and I am not registered for the tournament.

  - All C rank adventurers or higher ranking ones, are allowed to participate in the tournament. No matter what kingdom they usually live in.

  - Even so. I am not that strong. Especially if other more powerful adventurers will participate in the tournament. I will stand no chance against them.

  - Thousand years ago, when kingdom's strongest warriors participated in the tournament, you would have been right. They all desired the reward that Ares promised. Such as rear skill or an artifact that he could grant. But after people discovered ways to teach skill and created academies. And with the advancements in magic that allowed them to create artifacts, the appeal of Ares' rewards decreased. Tournaments were violent, and many died in them, so in time the numbers of willing participants decreased. These days strong warriors do not enter the tournament. Mostly only young people, who do not have ten skills already, participate in the tournament. More experienced warriors leave the tournament to the young, as a way to get experience. Raknar as well is only eighteen years old, and only on its way to become truly strong. That is way he does not have power to take the throne, without Ares' help.

  - What about tournament rules?

  - Ares despises magic. He prefers purity of the combat, as he calls it. Powerful artifact will prevent any use of magic. All that participants are allowed to use, will be their skills and equipment.

  - That will put me at a great disadvantage. I have seen rakshasa. Even weakest among them are as strong as strongest humans. And if the death during the tournament is not uncommon, that will increase danger to me.

  - I understand. All I can offer is a reward of your choosing.

  That sounded interesting. Maybe worth risking my life.

  - I have butchery skill. Can you remove it? So I can repce it ter with something more useful?

  - No. Even gods cannot do that. Most that is possible, is for a god who gave humans that skill is to change it, to its more powerful version. As a patron god of martial arts, I can change Martial arts skill to Demon style martial arts skill, but you already have it. Butchery skill was given to creatures of this world by goddess Artemis. Only she can do something about it, but not all skill have evolved versions. It might be impossible even for her.

  - Can you ask her to do that? - I really hated that skill.

  - No. I am sorry. My retionship with her is not that good. How about a different reward? I noticed that your companion has Staff user skill and magic staff, - he plucked out one of his hairs and pull it. Hair increased in length until it became as long as his arm: - Wrap my hair around her magic staff. It will transform her artifact. It will maintain its abilities to increase spell power, but its name will change to Battle staff of power. It will be nearly impossible to destroy, and will also increase its owners strength and defense by two and speed by one.

  That was impressive, but that was not a reward for me. Still it would help Nelly greatly. I sighed:

  - That is not enough. Can you also increase my levels?

  - I can give you enough life force to increase your level by one. But that is the most that I will be able to do for you. Does that mean that you agree?

  - How can I register for the tournament?

  - Just visit local Adventurer guild. They will be able to help you with that.

  - Fine. But I will need my reward in advance, and I am keeping it, even if I do not succeed.

  - I agree. That is the most that I can ask of you.

  Hanuman snapped his fingers, and I found myself back in the temple. In my hands, I was holding Hanuman's hair. Nelly did not notice my absence. She was still looking around the temple, admiring drawings of Hanuman, which described legends about his life.

  Priest that asked me to come here, came out to us and bowed.

  - Thank you for coming here. Please prey to Hanuman, and you will found out the reason for your visit.

  - I already did. Nelly can I borrow your staff?

  - Sure, but why?

  She handed me her staff, and I wrapped the hair around it, below the bck jewel. As soon as I finished, hair gloved and transformed into silver like ring embedded in the staff. Staff changed as well. It was brighter and felt heavier. I handed it back to Nelly.

  - Here, it should be more useful to you as a weapon in case you need to protect yourself, and will compliment more your Staff user skill.

  - Really, - Nelly took back the staff and waved it around: - Feels different and also more powerful.

  - Good, then. Thank you, - I faced the priest and lowered my head: - I received the message, and you have fulfilled your duty.

  - Thank you. You have eased my mind, - priest was looking at the staff with admiration: - I have never seen such miracle.

  - Yes. But please keep in mind that this miracle was meant only for my companion. Keep in mind that everything that happened - happened by your gods will, and was meant only for us to see.

  - I understand. My Hanuman bless you, - he bowed again.

  - What did it all meant? And what did you do to my staff? - asked Nelly after we left the temple.

  - Your staff is now called Battle staff of power. Use it well.

  - But...

  - Do not worry about the rest.

  We returned to tavern and met with others in Milligan's room.

  - We completed our business. But we will need to buy more supplies for our journey.

  - Can we stay a little longer in Alven? - asked Milligan: - I know that you want to complete our journey as soon as possible, but it is such a rear opportunity, to see Rakshasar capitol.

  I sighed: - Our horses could use some rest. I guess we can stay here for ten days or so. But you are not allowed to go anywhere near arena or any other suspicious pces. Also you are allowed to go outside only if Trevor, Luara, Al and Alfred are accompanying you. And no staying out after dark. Brake one of these rules, and you spend the rest of the journey tied up in a cart. Nelly you can join them, or spend some time in Mage guild if you want.

  - Fine, - happily smiled Milligan: - I do not mind.

  - What are you pnning to do? - asked Luara.

  - I will visit adventurer guild. Quest jobs are the best way to find out what is happening in the area. Luara also make sure that we have enough supplies. Towns are far apart in Rakshasar, and who knows, when will we be able to buy more supplies.

  We discussed our travel pns for the future, and Milligan mentioned some pces that he wanted to see. Mostly king's pace, temples, and Mage guild. He also wanted to see arena, but I already said no to that. Other pces did not sound dangerous, and I did not mind.

  There was still time until dinner, and I left my companions to visit Adventurer guild. It was easy to find, but looked smaller than other guild branches in Ashgrin.

  After going inside I looked through quests, posted on quest board. Mostly merchant protection jobs. There were not many dungeons in Rakshasar. Unlike Ashgrin kingdom that used dungeons as valuable resource pces, rakshasa were known as dungeon conquerors. Every time dungeon appeared, several hundred warriors and mages went there with a goal to destroy the dungeon core. Almost all new dungeons were destroyed in less than a year. Now, only some of the deepest and most dangerous dungeons existed in Rakshasar.

  There were also no bandit extermination quests. Probably that problem was taking care of by the soldiers. At least the area around Alven seamed safer than Ashgrin kingdom.

  After making sure that there were nothing dangerous in the area, I went to reception desk. Two of the receptionists were human, and one female rakshasa. I chose human receptionist, and, after showing her my adventurer tag and letting her confirm my rank, asked for permission to use leveling crystal. She took me to leveling room and opened the door for me. The room looked the same as in Grimsburg. Small, empty room with single pedestal and leveling crystal on it. I put my hands on it and looked through the text that appeared before me.

  High elf, LV 15 - 16

  Name - Avone;

  Job: Ranger;

  Status:

  Health: 132;

  Mana: 440 - 450;

  Strength: 10 - 11;

  Defense: 6;

  Spell power: 16;

  Luck: 1;

  Speed: 7 (+3=10);

  Morale: Neutral

  Skills:

  Archery (Advanced);

  Night vision (Advanced);

  Mana rapid recovery (Novice);

  Magic resistance (Advanced);

  Wisdom (Basic);

  Earth magic (Advanced);

  Butchery (Advanced);

  Water magic (Basic);

  Air magic (Basic);

  Intelligence (Advanced);

  Fire magic (Novice);

  Life magic (Basic);

  Swordsmanship (Advanced);

  Increased speed (Basic);

  Throwing (Basic);

  Hunting (Novice);

  Weapons master (Basic);

  Primordial magic (Basic);

  Dual wielding (Basic);

  Demon style martial arts (Basic);

  Double skill slots;

  Light magic (Basic)

  Possible skill acquirement:

  - Water magic (Advanced);

  - Dual wielding (Advanced);

  Please choose one skill!

  At least Hanuman did not lied and my level increased. I wanted to increase my Water magic level, but I will need my warrior skills more, for the upcoming tournament. I chose to increase my Dual wielding skill and went outside.

  I was told that you could help me with my registration for the Ares tournament? - I asked receptionist.

  - You wish to participate in Ares tournament?

  - Yes.

  - Well as B rank adventurer you are allowed to do that. And guild can register you. But are you sure about that? Last year C rank adventurer decided to enter the tournament, and he lost his arm. It is as also not uncommon for participants to die in the tournament.

  - I know about that, but I still want to participate.

  - As you wish. Please follow me.

  She took me to the back room and asked me to wait there.

  - I will need to talk to guild master. Only he can register you for the tournament. Please wait here. I will also need your adventurer tag.

  I handed her over my golden tag and prepared to wait. I thought about the tournament. Rakshasa and naga were known as strong warriors, and even some of the djinn were famous sword masters. Also rakshasa were physically stronger than humans or elves. I could use Trevor's Sword of heaven, it would increase my strength stats, but weapon was too big for me, and unfamiliar. I was more used to my own sword and also spend time training with my Armor ssher. The restrictions on magic use was good and bad for me. I could not use magic, but it also meant that I will not need to worry about facing some skilled mage in the tournament.

  I was still thinking about the possibility to use Trevor's sword, when door opened, and gray haired rakshasa came inside.

  - So. You are Avone? Adventurer who wants to participate in Ares tournament?

  He threw me my tag, and I cached it.

  - Yes.- I am guild master Vikram. Your level is high enough. But your registration says that you are an archer with ranger job. That is not exactly warrior type.

  - I was a student in Ashgrin capitol's Adventurer academy and got Swordsmanship skill there.

  - I see. That is at least something. An adventurer winning the tournament could increase Adventurer guild reputation. Just as previous years losses diminished it. But you are a woman, and you do not have warrior job. Also not rakshasa or naga. Also there are no records about your great accomplishments. And you do not want for a guild to brag about your successes. Why should I put guilds reputation in your hands?

  - Was any adventurer who participated in the tournament B rank?

  - No. Only C ranks participated. At least as long as I am a guild master here.

  - Then I am your best bet to win the tournament. Also, ranger job is warrior oriented.

  - Partially. Fine. I will give you a chance. There is no limit to adventurers that are allowed to participate in the tournament, but in the st years none of adventurers have even qualified for the quarter final fights, and Adventurer guild reputation has become low. So this year, I decided to allow only one adventurer to participate. Counting you there are three adventurers, who want to participate in the tournament. If you can beat the other two, I will allow to register you.

  - Who are the other two?

  - D rank rakshasa boy, and one naga.

  - Fine. I would have to face them in the tournament anyway, right?

  - Yes. Let us go then. You arrived just in time. I was pnning to announce my final decisions, and two other fools are already here.

  We went downstairs, to a basement training grounds. Two adventurers were already there. One was two meter high rakshasa with tigers head, and one female, whose upper human half was cd in armor.

  - Good. You all are here. This is Avone. Adventurer from Ashgrin. She wants also to register for Ares tournament. But I have decided to help only one of you. So, I will decide after you show me what you got. You will fight each other, and the winner gets to go to the tournament. First Aarvi you will face Avone. Just like in the tournament preliminary fights, you will fight unarmed.

  I looked at guild master with surprise. Unarmed fight was a surprise for me. But Aarvi put down her shield and sword, and crawled to the middle of training grounds. I sighed and also put my weapons on the ground. I also took off my cloak and vest, but left my chainmail. It was light and did not restrict my movements, but provided at least some protection.

  - Fight ends when one of you surrender, lose consciousness or is unable to fight. The same rules as in the tournament. You are not allowed to use magic or weapons. Ready. Begin.

  Aarvi turned around and tried to sweep my legs with her snake tail. I jumped above it and approached her exposed back. Most of her human body was covered with armor, but her neck was exposed. I hit it twice and jumped back. I did not know anything about the naga physiology, but hope that it is simir to humans.

  Naga stuttered, but turned around and faced me. Her eyes were clouded, and I again jumped forward and hit her nose. And then hit her jaw, from below with my left arm. Her teeth ccked, and she fell on the ground.

  - Avone, winner! - decred guild master. He approached us, took Aarvi's tail and pull the naga near the wall: - Nishith you are next.

  Giant rakshasa approached me and grinned:

  - I will rip you apart little girl.

  His breath smelled, and I wrinkled my nose. I stepped back to avoid the stench, but Nishith ughed, mistaking my reaction as fear.

  - Begin! - announced Vikram.

  Rakshasa roared and run at me. He used his cws trying to scratch my face. I avoided his attack by bending under his arm and used the movement to get close to him. I hit his sor plexus and buried my hand deep inside his stomach. He exhaled and bent over, which brought his face closer to me. Nishith was too tall for me to reach his face, but now it was close enough. I hit his face twice, and he stepped back with blood pouring out from his nose. One of his cws was broken, and he spit it out.

  Nishith roared in anger, and again jumped at me. I stepped aside as my martial arts teacher taught me, and hit his side. He moaned in pain, and I hit him with my leg beneath his knee. Nishith fell on his knees, and I hit the back of his head. His skull cracked and rakshasa fell on the ground, without movement.

  I was heavily breathing, but unlike my opponent was uninjured. Guild master approached and touched Nishith's skull. Then he checked his breathing and exhaled in relief.

  - You broke his skull, but luckily he is still alive, - he took out magic potion and poured it on Nishith.

  - Sorry about that, I thought that he will be stronger than that.

  Vikram loudly ughed and cpped my shoulder.

  - I like you little human. At least you will have a small chance at winning. Come with me, let us talk about the tournament. You looked surprised that you will need to fight unarmed, so I should probably tell you about the rules.

  Nishith started moving, and guild master kicked him. Nishith moaned, and looked at guild master.

  - You lost. So you are out. Wait here till that naga wakes up and expin her what happened. Got it?

  Nishith nodded, and Vikram gestured me to follow him. We returned to the back room, and gild master took out a wine bottle and two cups from the closet.

  - Here, nothing better that a cup of wine after a good fight.

  I nodded and sipped the wine. Vikram emptied his cup and poured new one.

  - So, what do you know about the tournament?

  - I know that magic is not allowed, but use of artifacts is. I did not know that there will be unarmed combat.

  - That is not much.

  - I am accompanying a baron to Northern gremlin kingdom. He decided to stay in Alven for a while. That is when I heard about the tournament and that Ares is giving a reward to the champion. I had some free time and decided to test my luck, judging that the reward could be worth it.

  - I see. Well at least you can fight with your fists. You are right that spells are forbidden. First two days you will be divided in groups and will have fight your opponents without weapons. Maybe several times a day, maybe just once in two days. That will depend on the number of participants and your luck of the draw. The remaining sixteen fighters will fight the st four days to determine a champion. You will fight once a day, but after fights you are allowed to use healing spells or potions. During all tournament spell casting will be prevented by an artifact. Use of your artifacts are partially restricted. You can use artifacts that increases your stats, but no using artifacts that can create spell like effects. So if your sword can be used to throw fire balls, then better leave it behind to avoid the temptation.

  - I see, - I did not have such artifacts, but it was good to know.

  - Is there anything else that you would like to know?

  - Can you tell me anything about people who will participate in the tournament?

  - Not much. But evolved fighters find it beneath them to fight younglings. So you will not face evolved rakshasa at least.

  - What if I am evolved? Will that be a problem?

  - Evolved? So you are an elf? - I nodded and he continued: - No. You belong to one of the races that we consider to be weak. After all comparing to rakshasa your evolution possibilities are limited.

  - What do you mean?

  - There is a reason why we call us the children of the god. All rakshasa are born equal as members of rakshasa species. But our appearance can change after evolution. All rakshasa evolve after reaching level thirty one. You probably have seen members of my race with four arms. That is one possible evolution tree. But unlike other races when rakshasa reach level one hundred we can evolve into divine rakshasa. Divine rakshasa are powerful demi-gods. Currently there are only three divine rakshasa alive. Master of the Cloud Temple Ramachandra, Wise sage Lakshman, and oldest among our adventurers S rank Rashmi. Since we can become demi-gods, we consider most other races unworthy, so no one will care if you are evolved or not.

  - I see. That is good to know. What about current favorites to win the tournament?

  - That I can tell you. There are two. First one is Dinesh. His mother is B rank adventurer and his father is a soldier in king's army. He trained in the Cloud temple for a year, but mostly was taught by his parents. He participated in one dungeon conquering and was granted a high honor of destroying the dungeon core. Rumor is that afterwards he received a rear and powerful skill.

  The other is Raknar. He was raised in the Cloud temple. Hanuman's priests taught him Wind sword style. He also participated in dungeon conquering at age of fifteen. Many fighters praised his sword skills and called him equivalent of evolved rakshasa, which is highest honor for a youngling. At age sixteen he left the Cloud temple and joined Ares combat school. It is our equivalent of Adventurer academy. But unlike Adventurer academy, they teach how to fight and use weapons, but not specific skills. One of the reasons why Combat school is not famous. After joining Ares combat school Raknar participated in several monster hunts and increased his reputation further.

  - I see. Sounds troublesome.

  - Nothing I can do about that, - grinned Vikram.

  - You can. Can you tell how different are rakshasa and naga bodies, comparing to human? And this Wind sword style, can you tell me something about that?

  - Not much difference. Naga upper human body has the same organs, pced in the same pces. The same with rakshasa. There are differences, but nothing that you need adjustment to. About Wind sword style. I can show you basic movements, but first you should at least qualify for the second part of the tournament.

  - That sounds good. It would be a lot of help.

  - Good then, I will register you. You will need to be at the arena at sunrise, day after tomorrow. I will handle the rest.

  - Thank you, for your help.

  - If you wish to thank me, then get as far as final fights. That would be good for a guild.

  - I will do what I can.