''ROUND 2 IS OVER!'' Lyon shouted.
*CHEERS*
*CLAPS*
The audience was clapping loudly, and the volume of the claps shook the earth and made the walls shake.
Lyon smiled, ''Only 256 teams are remaining. Round 3 and the final round of today will begin!''
…
Everyone has gathered in their stands once again.
But since over half of the teams have been already eliminated, it was pretty obvious.
''Our next fight will be against Slickland— who will be fighting in that?'' Giron asked.
''How strong are they?'' Michael asked.
''Decent, one Middle Martial Captain, one low, and Peak Martial Leader.''
''I will take this.'' Sariel suddenly said.
''No, I will!'' Michael roared.
''You already took the Battle Royale.'' Sariel snorted and said.
Giron nodded, ''Sariel, you go.''
Sariel smiled.
Michael scoffed and crossed his arms in displeasure.
''Ichiro, you don't seem to be willing to fight these matches— why is that?'' Richard asked.
Giron and others looked at him as well.
Ichiro was sitting eyes closed.
''I am saving my strength.'' Ichiro simply said.
''Saving for what? This tournament will be an easy win.'' Michael snorted and said.
Ichiro didn't answer.
…
Avery was standing casually outside of the stadium.
His team's fights will be an hour later.
Suddenly, three figures appeared in front of him.
''Father.'' Avery bowed.
Avron nodded— he was wearing a hood, which covered his features.
''Any news about the Nightside family?'' Avery asked.
Avron shook his head, ''Abyss is staying silent… This means that he will let this tournament decide his daughter's fate.''
Avery snorted, ''The so-called son-in-law is mere Martial Captain. I don't even need to use my techniques to beat him.''
''That's good then… Our techniques aren't supposed to be shown in public. These worms don't deserve to see it.''
Avery nodded and crossed his arms.
''Remember… Humiliate him, ruin his life for good.'' Avron said with a chilling tone.
Avery smirked, ''That was my plan all along.''
Avron nodded and disappeared with the other figures.
Leaving Avery alone.
''How to humiliate him the best… Strip him naked and make him act like he is a pig?'' Avery kept thinking aloud.
…
''THIRD ROUND! Coldland's High School of Fighting Vs. Slickland's High School of Strength!''
''First match! Sariel Vs. Niilo!''
Sariel was standing in front of a brown-haired young man with unkempt hair and an ugly face. He didn't look anything special— even his body was average.
But that young man is Middle Martial Captain.
The Referee pointed his hand towards the ceiling.
''FIGHT!'' the Referee shouted.
''RAAA!'' Niilo shouted and started running towards Sariel.
*BAM*
Niilo was about to strike, but then Sariel's inhumanly fast punch hit him straight in the jaw.
''UGH!'' Niilo cried out and stumbled backward.
Sariel appeared in front of him, grabbed his collar, and threw him to the ground.
[Wyrward Family Technique - Sky's Turn, Heavens Fall]
''GRR!'' Niilo crashed on the ground on his back, making a massive crack appear on the ground.
He also heard some cracking noises coming after he fell.
And the pain started spreading all over his body.
But he gritted his teeth and quickly stood up.
*BAM*
But then another kick hit him in the jaw.
''AHHH!'' Niilo's vision started getting blurry, he saw Sariel punching, but he saw two fists approaching his face, and he didn't know which one was real.
*Bam*
The fists pummelled Niilo's face.
He couldn't do anything, and soon he was pushed to the edge of the arena.
He is Middle Martial Captain, only rank lower than Peak, but he still can't do anything against Sariel.
*SMACK*
Sariel slammed his foot into Niilo's torso, which sent him flying out of the arena.
''FIRST MATCH! Winner, Sariel!''
*CHEERS*
Sariel looked bored— even though Niilo was Middle Martial Captain, his true strength seemed weaker.
And just like previously, Slickland gave up the fight instantly.
They don't gain anything from losing too badly.
Sariel left the arena as well, filled with disappointment.
''This tournament is a waste of time.'' Michael angrily said.
Giron and Richard sighed.
The hard part begins in the round of 32.
…
The third day of the tournament began. It was round of 4 and round of 5
Round of 4 only had 128 teams remaining.
And in the round of 5, only 64.
Their team won those easily and didn't manage to fight the whole match before the opponents gave up.
On the morning of the fourth day…
Today is the Round of 32 and Round of 16.
The easy part is over— the hard part is here.
Ichiro still hasn't fought a single match, while Michael completely dominated Round 4, and Rafael easily won Round 5.
Since he hasn't fought a single match, he is labeled as ''Weakest King'' because people think he isn't fighting because they are not confident that he will win.
That earned him some mocking looks— even the professional fighters thought the same. Usually, the Kings are energetic fellas who want to prove themselves and want to fight in every match… But Ichiro not fighting meant only one thing.
He wasn't that strong.
Ichiro was sitting on his bed while looking at the TV not far from him.
The TV showed the tournament, and people are already saying that the High School of Fighting will be the victors.
''Today, the teams qualified for Quarterfinals will be decided!'' The female News Anchor said with an excited face.
A middle-aged man next to her nodded, ''High School of Fighting is guaranteed to reach Quarterfinals, but we will be excited to find out how our own Snowland will do…''
*Clank*
Ichiro closed the TV.
*Ring*
The usual vibrations came from the phone.
[You should at least tell her that you are fine]
''System, are you a love doctor now?'' Ichiro said.
[…]
Ichiro sighed and grabbed the phone.
He started writing a message and shortly afterward sent it.
{KingOfGames: Sorry for not answering, I am fine tho… But I need to focus on the tournament, forgive me}
Ichiro closed the phone after that and threw it into his bag.