Idle Mage: Humanity's Strongest Backer

As the sun rose over the horizon, the members of the Mystic Guild awoke from their slumber, eager and excited for the day that lay ahead. Today was the day of the Guild Tournament, an event that only occurred once every five years. It was a time for the members of the Guild to come together and compete in various magical challenges, showcasing their skills and abilities to the rest of the community.

The Guild Tournament was held in a secret realm that was specially prepared for it, there were all sorts of obstacles and mazes inside that will provide challenges to the Guild Members. Members from all over the metropolis had gathered to participate in the event, each eager to prove their worth and show off their talents. As the participants arrived at the arena, they were greeted by the sound of cheering crowds and the smell of freshly cooked food from the vendors that had set up shop.

Ashton, the previous Guild Master of the Mystic Guild and President of the Federation was in an office where he, along with other staff of the guild, could monitor the event. From his vantage point, Ashton could see the competitors lining up at the entrance of the arena. He was filled with pride at the sight of the members of his guild, all eager to prove themselves in the challenges that lay ahead.

Ashton looked at Aria and said, "So, how did the Guild Tournament come to be?"

Ashton leaned back in his chair and thought for a moment. "Well, it all started when you disappeared. Things had become rather hectic back then since we don't really know how to lead humanity without you. Add the stress of constant fighting to that and well...let's just say that things nearly went out of hand."

"It was when we were about to do another round of recruitment that the idea came to mind. We wanted to showcase the abilities of our members to the world and let people know that they don't have to fear the looming threats to our world. We wanted to give people hope."

Alice, the Sword Empress, chimed in. "Yes, it became an excellent form of distraction for many, plus we made sure that the rewards were rich so that the contestants would work hard for them. It's also a way to keep the peace among the various teams and factions. The rewards are also beneficial to the contestants, so it's a win-win situation."

Blake, the Titan, nodded in agreement. "Indeed, it's an opportunity for them to show off their strength and abilities, and to earn recognition and respect from their peers. It's also a great way to foster friendly competition and build camaraderie among guild members."

Alice, the Oracle Sage, spoke up. "And let's not forget the entertainment value. The tournament draws in crowds from all over the place, and it's a great way for people to have fun and enjoy themselves."

Aria smiled at him and said. "Yes, and since the first tournament was a resounding success, we decided to make it a tradition for Fantasia, and it serves a much larger purpose than just a simple competition. It's a way for us to come together as a community and show the world what we're made of."

"I see..." Ashton hummed with a smile. "That's nice."

His attention then moved to the information on the documents in front of him. These documents include the rules and regulations for the tournament. It also includes all the necessary information for how the tournament will go.

The tournament was divided into two leagues: the Mortal League and the High-Evolutionary League. The Mortal League had over 5,000 youths competing, all vying for a chance to prove themselves and become the next generation of Heroes for the Mystic Guild. The High-Evolutionary League, on the other hand, had only 1,500 of the most powerful beings in the world competing against each other, fighting for the ultimate prize of recognition and respect.

As Ashton watched the contestants, he couldn't help but feel relieved. With just a single glance, he could estimate the aptitude level of each of them. This was a stark contrast to the situation ten years ago, where such levels of talent would have been considered miraculous.

He marveled at how far humanity had come, thanks to the efforts of the Mystic Guild and the Federation. The Guild had been instrumental in nurturing and developing the talents of its members, while the Federation had provided the necessary resources and support.

Ashton couldn't help but feel proud of what they had accomplished. The Guild Tournament was just one example of the progress they had made, a testament to the potential that lay within all of humanity.

He turned to the other staff members in the control room, a smile spreading across his face. "We've come a long way, haven't we?" he said. "Just look at all of these talented young people. It's incredible. Each of them would be considered as Heaven-sent Geniuses 10 years ago."

The other staff members nodded in agreement, sharing in Ashton's pride and optimism for the future. They knew that the Mystic Guild and the Federation had a bright future ahead, thanks to the incredible talents and abilities of their members.

***

An hour had passed, and the time had finally come for the Guild Tournament to begin. The announcer, a woman named Elise, took her place on the stage, her beauty and charm captivating the audience. She began to relay the rules for the tournament, her voice clear and concise, ensuring that everyone understood what was expected of them.

As the excitement in the room grew, Elise also initiated the Honoring Ritual, a tradition that marked the beginning of the tournament. All participants stood at attention and recited the Mystic Guild's vow, a solemn pledge to uphold the values of the guild and to use their talents for the greater good.

The room was filled with a sense of pride and determination as the participants made their pledge. They knew that this was not just a competition, but an opportunity to prove themselves worthy of being a part of the Mystic Guild.

Elise's voice rang out over the crowd as she finished the Honoring Ritual. "Let the Guild Tournament begin!" she declared, and the crowd erupted into cheers and applause.

The first round of the tournament was about to begin, and the contestants eagerly awaited their chance to showcase their skills and abilities. They knew that this was their chance to prove themselves and make a name for themselves within the Mystic Guild.

At the podium, Elise stood tall and proud, basking in the fame and attention she was getting from the crowd. She then began explaining how the tournament will start:

"Welcome to the Mortal League! I am Elise, your commentator, and we are about to witness the first challenge of the tournament, the Mystic Labyrinth."

Cheers erupted from the crowd which shook the entire stadium. Since there were only so many seats available in the stadium, the Guild Tournament was able being broadcasted live so that people at home could watch it as well.

"This challenge will test the contestants' skills and abilities, as they navigate through the labyrinth alone. With ten different entrances to choose from, each contestant will have to rely on their own judgment and intuition to make the right choice."

A large holographic image appeared behind Elise, displaying a floating cube that turned out to be the Mystic Labyrinth itself.

"The labyrinth is full of traps, obstacles, and enemies that will require the contestants to be at their best. The shifting nature of the labyrinth adds an extra layer of difficulty, as the contestants will have to adapt quickly to the changes."

Everybody saw how the cube shifted several times before stopping.

"There are 10 entrances to the labyrinth. Our contestants can choose which one to enter. Of course, what happens after that is something that they have to deal with on their own. The goal is to reach the core area of the Labyrinth, and they cannot move on to the next room until they have cleared the current one."

"Trap rooms, danger rooms, item rooms, treasure rooms, puzzle rooms, safe rooms, and so on. Any of these could be encountered by our contestants within the labyrinth."

Right now, the scene was showing the contestants of the Mortal League entering the secret realm where the labyrinth was on. Their faces varied from anticipation, nervousness, excitement, trepidation, and so on.

"The challenge will require not only physical prowess but also mental fortitude, as the contestants will have to think on their feet and come up with strategies to overcome the obstacles and enemies they face. Of course, we cannot forget about the ever-elusive factor which is Luck, for this labyrinth could turn into a haven or a nightmare depending on how lucky our contestants are."

"It will be a tough challenge, but the contestants know that only the best of the best will make it through. So stay tuned, as we witness the Mystic Labyrinth challenge unfold before our very eyes."