Chapter 281: Quarter Finals [2] The innocent confidence in Leo’s voice reminded Noah of the delicate balance between protecting someone’s feelings and preparing them for reality. While Leo’s current capabilities weren’t sufficient for the dangers ahead, Noah did not care. When he had first traded the egg that came from Vex, he never expected to get such a powerful pet. Initially Noah had only seen Leo as a pet that would protect him during his outside adventures, but now Leo was more than that. Leo’s weakness no longer mattered, in fact, Noah wasn’t looking to be protected by Leo, but wanted to protect him Noah spent a few more minutes observing Lola’s dedicated training, appreciating her focused commitment to strengthening herself for their upcoming mission. Her determination to reach the power levels necessary for protecting him during the World Tree expedition was both touching and essential for his plans. He then stood up and retrieved one item each from his tier 1 premium inventory—protein bar, energy drink, beef jerky, and rice cake—placing them carefully in his storage ring for emergencies. A person never knew what could happen to them. With his supplies secured, Noah departed the shop to focus on the quarterfinal competition that awaited him. Back at the resort, Noah emerged from his room without bothering with the complimentary breakfast. He had decided that consuming one of his magical bread loaves would provide superior nutrition and enhancement compared to conventional food. As he walked toward the tournament venue, Noah nibbled on the golden loaf which maintained its exceptional taste regardless of how frequently he consumed it. The familiar flavors and magical properties never seemed to diminish through repetition. The casual consumption of bread worth fifteen hundred dollars represented a transformation he never could have anticipated during his previous life of financial struggle. The tournament grounds appeared ahead, bustling with activity as staff prepared for the quarterfinal matches that would eliminate half the remaining competitors. Noah’s swordsmanship level and physical attributes gave him confidence about advancing, but the level of competition had undoubtedly intensified as weaker participants were eliminated. His consumption of enhancement items before the match would provide additional advantages that his opponents couldn’t access, making victory more likely despite the increased difficulty of quarterfinal-level competition.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Of course the healing enhancement wasn’t necessarily the reason why he would win. In fact, Noah could certainly cheat and consume any of his tier 1 or tier 2 items to ensure he won the tournament but he wasn’t going to do that. If he couldn’t win this tournament without cheating, then he truly didn’t deserve to become a swordsman. He had been trained under the hands of Lola, Valeria and Master Tanaka. Futhermore, he also had incredibly high stats that separated him from powerful humans like the contestants. The hour marking the tournament’s beginning soon passed, and contestants began flooding into the arena. Spectators also started arriving and taking their seats in the elaborately constructed viewing areas. These spectators weren’t ordinary observers—they represented martial arts enthusiasts with significant wealth or were accomplished practitioners themselves. Each possessed the high social status necessary to gain access to such an exclusive event. The tournament’s location at this luxurious mountain resort wasn’t coincidental. Such prestigious competitions required a very large financial backing and influential connections to secure venues that could accommodate both the technical requirements of high level swordsmanship and the expectations of elite audiences. Wealthy martial arts patrons mingled with retired masters who had come to evaluate the next generation of talent. Corporate sponsors and dojo owners scouted for promising students worth recruiting or investing in. The atmosphere held the sort of tension of an event where careers could be launched or destroyed based on a single match’s outcome. Unlike amateur competitions where participation itself held value, this tournament represented serious business where reputation, sponsorship opportunities, and future prospects hung in the balance. Noah observed the gathering crowd while mentally preparing for his quarterfinal match. The elevated status of both competitors and spectators meant his performance would be scrutinized by individuals capable of recognizing exceptional talent when they witnessed it. Noah wasn’t particularly worried about showcasing his powers. After gaining the powerful item, Amulet of Protection, Noah no longer felt as defensive or tense. The item had given him a peace of mind, that even if he schowcsased his full physicsl capability, he wouldn’t be worried about envious young masters. With the growing number of contestants appearing, Ichigo also arrived with obvious excitement, his enthusiasm for the tournament practically radiating from him as he made his way through the gathering crowd of elite spectators and competitors. "Noah!" Ichigo called out with his usual energy, weaving between wealthy martial arts enthusiasts and distinguished martial artists to reach his friend. "How are you feeling? Do you feel ready?" His genuine excitement was infectious, cutting through the refined atmosphere of the high-status event with refreshing authenticity. Unlike many competitors who carried themselves with composure designed to impress potential sponsors or masters, Ichigo maintained the pure joy of someone who simply loved the art of swordsmanship. "The energy here is completely different from the earlier rounds," Ichigo continued, gesturing toward the assembled crowd. "Look at all these important people! I heard there are representatives from various dojos watching today. They are all respected within the martial arts world." Noah nodded with understanding, recognizing that Ichigo’s enthusiasm came from deep love to the sport. His friend’s excitement reminded him that tournaments could be enjoyed for their own sake rather than treated purely as a stepping stones. "Ready for your match?" Noah asked, genuinely curious about Ichigo’s preparation and confidence level. "As ready as I’ll ever be," Ichigo replied with determination that carried no false bravado. "Win or lose, I’m going to give everything I have. That’s all any of us can do at this level." The honest assessment reflected the maturity that serious martial arts training developed in dedicated practitioners—understanding that effort and skill mattered more than outcome, even in high-stakes competitions.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ "The Quarter Finals has officially started!"