Heroic GamesMinor spoilers
Part 1 follows the Heroic Games qualifiers and main tournament, with free time between matches to prepare. The first qualifier’s 24-turn countdown is only 6 days. Guest character biographies may contain spoilers.
The Heroic Games are the main Part 1 tournament. Check the next opponent, then use free time between matches for training, recruitment, and supplies.
The tournament lasts about six months, and legend says the reigning king grants the winner one wish. Cai, Dietrich, Theodora, and Leda all participate for their own reasons. Each route begins with its protagonist's motive for entering.
The 24 turns before the first preliminary equal 6 days. The competition has preliminary and main rounds, with guest characters often forming temporary teams in preliminaries. To preserve story surprises, avoid their biographies; these can reveal backgrounds before the story does.
The Heroic Games and the four protagonists’ wishes
The Heroic Games honor the first king who founded the empire. The reigning king, 
Solel, promises to grant the winner one wish. The sacred battles of powerful warriors serve as an offering during the six-month tournament.
The four protagonists share a destination but prepare differently. One can capture mounts, another seeks powerful opponents, another recruits battalions, and another earns rewards through local performances. Plan pre-match exploration around your chosen protagonist’s unique actions; see the world map. You do not need other routes’ stories or character biographies to understand the event.
Preview the opponent and prepare before the countdown ends
You can learn the next opponent’s strength in advance. Knowing what you face makes preparation more focused than dividing every free turn equally among all systems.
Do guests take EXP and items away? Check the tutorial's transfer rules. EXP earned by controllable guests is distributed to your units, and newly collected battle items transfer too. You can let them participate in combat.
Only items newly collected in battle transfer. You cannot take the guests' starting weapons or items. Check your results and inventory after battle.
Why avoid guest biographies at first?
Qualifiers pair you with other protagonists or notable teams. Their status-screen biographies may contain complete backgrounds, revealing information the story is still withholding.
Check weapons, classes, and combat stats to plan deployment. Skip personal biographies if you want to preserve the first-playthrough experience.
- 24 turns means 6 days, not 24 days. Include map travel, lodging, and Automated Activities.
- Free time ends by returning to the main story. Complete timed requests yourself before their deadlines. Check quest deadlines before leaving; see Free time.
- The Heroic Games are the main tournament. City arena training and spectating are separate preparation activities.
- Guest biographies can reveal too much on a first playthrough. Read them after the relevant story unfolds if you want the background.