Next Day.
Ichiro was already wearing his outfit.
The outfit he wore was High School of Fighting's fighting outfit.
The coat was black and white with the logo of a flaming fist behind the coat. The pants were entirely black and tight, perfectly displaying Ichiro's combat-ready leg muscles.
Underneath the winter clothing, he was wearing the fighting outfit they used in the tournament.
It is similar with winter clothing, and apparently, they have to wear their fighting outfit all the time.
They need to show their professionalism. This is the first phase of their road to Pro Stage, and many citizens and Pro Fighters alike will be watching the tournament.
Ichiro grabbed his phone and put it on his jacket, and grabbed his bag.
Today… They will be leaving for a place called Snowland.
It is the city where the Battle of Cities will be held.
Ichiro thought that it wouldn't be different from the tournament hosted in Ramu.
But… He is wrong.
The difference between Middle School and High School tournaments is massive!
High School tournaments are the first step to the Pro Stage, and every year there is a new student who will amaze the citizens, which makes the tournaments very fascinating to watch.
Mainly because the High School tournament fighters are already at the power level, which seems impossible for the common citizens to reach.
It was different with Middle School tournaments because fighters are usually in Martial Soldier and Martial Leader level.
That is a level that isn't impossible to reach as long as they don't quit Martial Arts halfway.
But reaching Martial Captain is demanding.
Mind and Body Realm is not for common people; it is the realm of geniuses.
People say that with the help of Age of Growth it is only a matter of time when you reach Martial Captain… That's wrong.
Age of Growth makes it easier, but it won't help you gain perfect sync with your Mind and Body.
It is all up to you.
The citizens are thrilled to watch the young men and young women who have reached that Unique Realm.
Ichiro exited his room and saw Jordan and others waiting.
''Where are others?'' Ichiro asked; he didn't see other Kings anywhere.
Jordan snorted, ''They left already. Trying to show their diligence.''
Ichiro nodded, ''Well, I guess I will leave as well. See you guys after I return.'' He waved his hand and was about to leave.
''Good luck!'' Others shouted.
Ichiro showed thumbs up and left the dormitory.
Michael, Sariel, and Rafael were already waiting in front of the bus while Giron stood next to them with crossed arms.
Ichiro calmly walked next to other Kings.
The wind was blowing, which caused the temperature to decrease around them.
Ichiro felt his face getting numb because of the cold.
''Coach, shouldn't we go inside?'' Ichiro asked.
Giron shook his head, ''Everyone is not present.''
''What do you mean?'' Ichiro raised an eyebrow.
''Just wait,'' Giron said simply.
After 5 minutes, finally, a figure was approaching the bus.
He was a tall man with a height of over 2m and a lean-looking build. He had a sharp jawline with an average-looking face and grey eyes. He had medium-length brown hair and thick winter clothing.
The man walked next to Giron and nodded.
Giron nodded, ''Everyone, this is Richard, and he is the Main Fighter of High School of Fighting.''
''Main Fighter?!'' Michael, Sariel, and Rafael exclaimed.
''Ohh…'' Ichiro exclaimed quietly.
Richard nodded, ''I will be joining you for Battle of Cities.''
''I thought we were the ones fighting?'' Michael asked.
Giron nodded, ''You guys are… But we can't risk you guys losing, so if the fights are getting too close, Richard is here to bring victory for us.''
''We can win without him!'' Michael arrogantly stated.
Richard scratched his head, ''I was like you when I first joined… I became King and became arrogant because of my nonexistent strength… But Battle of Cities was a good waking call; if we didn't have Main Fighter with us, we would have lost before Round of 16.''
Richard's words made the Four Kings stunned.
Richard entered the bus and said, ''You guys are underestimating Winterlight… There are all sorts of hidden beasts aiming to defeat us.''
Giron nodded, ''Get in the bus; we have a long ride today.''
Michael, Sariel, and Rafael entered the bus.
Ichiro stopped in front of Giron and asked, ''Why are we not going by plane?''
Giron snorted, ''Do you see this weather?''
Ichiro looked at the sky and saw dark clouds covering the sky with snow falling down.
''Winterlight's weather sucks most of the time, that's why it is not out of the ordinary for the plane's crash. That's why airports are always closed when it's bad weather, just like now.''
Ichiro nodded and entered the bus.
Giron was last to enter the bus, and they started driving out of the school premises under terrible snowy weather.
Ichiro sat down on the middle row and grabbed his phone.
The wallpaper had a picture of a beautiful black-haired girl smiling sweetly.
He tenderly touched the picture and closed the phone.
''Ichiro, right?'' Richard asked.
He was sitting in the middle row as well, but on the other side from the Ichiro.
Ichiro nodded, ''Yes.''
Richard nodded, ''I have a warning for you.''
Ichiro turned his head towards Richard and narrowed his eyes.
Richard awkwardly chuckled and waved his hand, ''It is about the upcoming tournament… Your identity as the son-in-law of the Nightside family is a blessing but also a curse. There are a lot of families who wanted that honor… And I think there are quite a lot of Hidden Geniuses in the tournament to show the world that you aren't worthy.''
Ichiro nodded, ''What do you suggest then?''
''Don't lose,'' Richard said simply and closed his eyes.
Ichiro nodded and looked outside of the window.
The snow falling was increasing, making the visibility very bad.
*CRACK*
Lightning hit the ground a few hundred meters from the bus.
Ichiro narrowed his eyes and saw a black-haired man with a slick haircut standing in the middle of the snowstorm.
It was Abyss.
Ichiro relaxed his muscles and saw Abyss showing thumbs up.
Ichiro smiled and turned away from the window.
Abyss disappeared like he was never there.