Puppet Master Chapter 5: Chapter 5: The Puppet Competition

Read chapter 5 of Puppet Master by PeName on NovelPedia.

On a semi-circular outdoor grandstand, nearly 500 spectators had gathered. They were eagerly waiting for the Puppet Competition to begin in just a few minutes on the arena floor below. This was one of the most popular events here, as there was nothing more entertaining than watching talented youths compete and showcase their skills right before everyone’s eyes. The promising young talents would also become important pillars—not only helping maintain the village’s safety and stability, but also contributing to its overall growth and development. Thus, the competition could be considered one of the village’s biggest events. At this moment, in the center of the arena, stood a young girl with long golden hair reaching her waist. A small braid hung neatly over her chest, swaying slightly with her movements. Her eyes gleamed with mischief. She wore a short, light-colored dress that stood out against the vast arena. With a magical device in her hand that amplified her voice, her words carried clearly across the entire grandstand. “Welcome, everyone, to the Puppet Competition held every two years to find the strongest young person in the village. I, Rina, your beautiful host, will be your MC today. ヽ(✿ﾟ▽ﾟ)ノ” Rina, self-proclaimed beautiful young lady and host, excitedly warmed up the crowd. “Most of you probably already know the rules, but I’ll give a quick overview for everyone anyway. The competition is open to any contestant under 26 years old, regardless of gender, gay or lesbian. As long as you are confident in your skills, you can participate. The matches will be one‑on‑one duels, paired randomly by drawing lots. Winners advance to the next round, continuing until the strongest participant is determined. You might think this is unfair, since two strong contestants could face each other in the first round. But luck is also a kind of power, so if you’re unlucky, I can only say—better luck next time!” she said in a lively, teasing tone. Of course, no contestant dared to challenge her; the MC was also the referee for the competition. Moreover, the referee and judging panel were always selected from powerful Mages. “Contestants may use any form of combat. Close-range martial techniques, magic, and even hidden weapons are allowed. The only rule to note is that if you wish to use magical equipment—such as staffs, enchanted armor, or puppet familiars—it must be crafted by the contestant and approved in advance by the judging panel. This competition aims to find the strongest purely based on one’s own skills and abilities, not outside objects. Two contestants facing each other will determine the loser if one surrenders, is knocked off the arena floor, or their puppet familiar is destroyed. Before the match, each contestant will place a drop of their blood on a special puppet that we prepared at the stone pedestal to create a connection. As long as the contestant remains on the arena floor and the puppet endures, any attack directed at them will be absorbed by the puppet. That puppet was crafted by the esteemed Archmage Kaelor, a native of our village, and also the biggest sponsor of the tournament. The puppet has been sold in many stores nationwide. Anyone purchasing one during the competition period will receive a 15% discount. Don’t miss out!” - She reminded, slipping in a bit of advertising while explaining the rules. “Finally, the part everyone is most excited about. The winner will receive numerous valuable manuals for crafting magical equipment, especially useful for creating puppet familiars. And if anyone asks why, check the competition’s name again—and maybe visit your nearest doctor to see if you’ve got a head injury. The winner will also receive a handy spatial ring with enough storage space to hold their puppet or other personal items. As for the runner-up, you may choose a free souvenir available outside, sponsored by me, your beautiful Rina (*￣3￣)╭ That concludes the explanation of the rules. The competition will officially