Reborn as a Snake! (2.) [COMPLETED]

(52). - A Final Round of Preparations.

     After my 'defeat' I had made the giant stronghold return to where I had dragged it out from - the Abyss, which technically was still inside my own personal storage pouch. Yeah... I haven't forgotten about that, do not worry about that fact. Me and the Ancient One have been trying to find ways to use the Abyss in our possession to bring Arabor back, but so far — no luck.

Anyways...
After forcing the stronghold back to the depths of the Abyss, the students celebrated their victory over me and how they had managed to pass my 'test'. Honestly it was very wholesome to watch them all celebrating, wide smiles on their faces.

...Kinda reminded me of how Kio would always smile and celebrate for the things I achieved in my old life. But that's not important — it's just me being nostalgic.

After the students had finished celebrating, I simply told them how they were ready to fight in the up coming tournament. Of course — they all were very confused on how that is possible, considering that the tournament would be fought with only them having access to around 50% of their full strength.

That being said — I kinda wish you could have seen their faces when I brought down the fact that the entire time they were inside of the Stronghold, their stats and powers were being suppressed down to that 50% barrier. Basically all of them were at a loss for words — unable to even comprehend what they had heard.

Which I suppose was understandable.

After all, I didn't exactly make it obvious that they were being suppressed - as that was simply a side effect of the Strongholds great power that it drew from the Abyss itself. It wasn't anything to do with me, as I couldn't even cast a spell that could limit their battle strength from their full to only 50%.

I don't have access to such magic. The only thing I could do is damage them, heal them and protect them with my magic — any spells that didn't link to the Abyss or 'Holy One' were unavailable to me.

Not that it matters, considering how much I still don't know about magic itself and only have slight experience with the magic linking to the Abyss...

I mean, yeah I have 'Holy One' as a skill which enables the use of Holy Magic, but I wasn't quite skilled enough for it to be significant just yet. So, it was more or less a convenient healing option in case I ever need it. After that entire day, I had let the students return to their dorms and rest for the rest of the day — which all of them accepted in a heart beat. None of them even considered considering the option of doing any kind of training today.

Not after what they had been through the castle, no doubts. Well — don't blame them. I wouldn't want to do anything else other than rest as well in their place. But - since I am not in their place and have a job as a Teacher...

However, before we split off, I asked Odale and Vien to both protect the students on their way to the dorms and make sure the students remain safe in their dorms. The two of them immediately listened and began to follow after the students as their 'escorts'.

I wasn't confident whether or not we were completely safe out here — considering that the masked individual I had battled before may be nearby, so I had to make sure that the students were safe at all times, in case she appeared again. But that's enough about the students.

I have to return to my other duties.
What may that be? Well...

    Yiinao Magic Academy...
         The Tournament Stadium.

        After making it back to the academy and seeing the students off to their dorms, I joined the other teachers responsible for preparing the stadium for the Tournament, deciding to play my part in preparations as well, just to be more engaged as a teacher. I may be only a temporary teacher, but I still technically counted as a teacher at the academy. Well, for the time being - that is.