The first stage of the tournament "named after Van Kanigem"

You can lose one there too, if you take the shield before the battle with them, but that doesn't fit into a quick playthrough, so I resigned myself to losing two genies.

I haven't tried it, so I don't know.

You suggested it, so you should explain it, and I'll support you...

Let's wait for the Organizer's verdict. What if he doesn't count your or my result! :)
And as for explaining - I built the tower not in my own castle! :)

Added 1 minute ago
My second, third, and fourth attempts were 15 days.