The 32 teams were gathered in the center arena.
High School of Fighting was in the center of everyone.
Michael, Sariel, and Rafael stood straight. They puffed their chest in pride.
While Ichiro was standing calmly. He was taking deep breaths and calming his nerves. He is trying to reach his perfect state, which he has never needed in this life before.
The state… Which lets him unleash his hidden strength.
But the reason that they were gathered here is because the lottery ceremony had begun.
''Third match! Iceland's High School of Power!'' Lyon shouted.
Ichiro flinched.
It was the school where Avery was from.
''Their opponent will be… Stormyland's High School of Unity!''
Ichiro sighed out of disappointment.
He was already getting anxious to fight against Avery and end this once and for all.
Avery didn't seem to care.
He knows that High School of Fighting will reach finals at least, and Avery is confident enough to defeat every single one of these worms.
He would be more than happy for them to meet in the finals.
Hundreds of millions will be watching the final, and it will be a great stage to humiliate Ichiro.
Avery's eyes narrowed into slits.
The lottery ceremony went slowly, until finally…
''Eleventh match! Frozenland's High School of Palace!''
''Their opponent will be… Coldland's High School of Fighting!''
*CHEERS*
The audience exploded in cheers.
People from Frozenland went pale, especially their team.
Michael cracked his neck— he was itching for the fight.
''Ichiro… Will you fight?'' Richard asked.
Giron and other Kings were curious.
But Ichiro shook his head, ''No.''
''What is wrong with you? Everyone already thinks that you are weakest, which is not true.'' Michael said with bewilderment.
''Ichiro… You should fight— a lot of College Recruiters are watching your every move, and not fighting is not a good sign.'' Giron said.
''It's fine…'' Ichiro replied.
Giron and others didn't know why he wasn't fighting.
Everyone left the center stage and went back to their seats.
…
In Coldland.
The Nightside family was watching the tournament as always.
Azura looked at her phone and kept reading Ichiro's message over a hundred times now.
''Azura… Put your phone down.'' Alena sighed and said.
Since two hours ago, she has been reading the message repeatedly.
''I don't understand…'' Azura murmured, ''Why is this tournament so important…''
''He is a competitive person Azura, and since he can't fight in the Battle of Countries. The Battle of Cities is the best place to show what he is made of.'' Alena said gently.
''But he hasn't fought a single match yet…''
Aether sighed and looked at Abyss.
Abyss felt Aether's gaze— he turned his head and raised an eyebrow.
Aether pointed sneakily towards Azura.
Abyss sighed and shook his head.
Aether sighed, 'Why is dad letting the tournament decide Azura's fate… I don't understand… Maybe… He has faith in Ichiro winning… But Moonstar definitely sent their monster genius…'
Abyss kept looking at the TV with countless emotions in his eyes.
…
In Irio.
Kurogami Residence was bustling again.
The house has been hectic past 4 days after the tournament began.
Even the Mayor of Irio visited them.
But many seemed unsatisfied after seeing Ichiro not fighting yet.
''Mom, why isn't big brother fighting?'' Ayako asked innocently.
''Not sure, honey…'' Azumi rubbed her tiny head and said.
They were gathered around the massive couch.
The Quinthold family has gathered as well.
Lucas was sitting in one of the chairs— his face was covered in bandages.
Irio's team lost in Round of 64.
Their opponent had Low Martial Captain, and that team was one of the winning candidates.
Lucas put surprisingly good fight but got defeated in the end.
He thought a moment and was planning to send a text for Ichiro, but then he remembered their chat history and decided against that idea.
Ichiro, in his texts only said about how much he loves a certain black-haired girl and kept talking over an hour about how great she is.
Lucas trembled after remembering the memory.
Since that incident, Lucas has been careful not to send texts to him.
The TV showed the stands of High School of Fighting.
Lucas instantly felt that all of the figures were insanely strong.
The Four Kings were in the realm which was way above Lucas.
Even when he looks at Ichiro's otherworldly looks, he can tell that Ichiro is stronger than ever before!
''Ahh…'' Leia exclaimed after seeing Ichiro's figure— she blushed and kept looking without blinking.
''Tsk.'' Lucas and Luke clicked their tongue simultaneously.
Eiji walked to the living room and saw that the tournament was about to start.
…
Giron, Richard, and Four Kings were gathered around the Center Arena, and their opponents were on another side.
Only the Center Arena has been used because there aren't two matches going simultaneously.
Only one.
It is for other teams to get the spotlight because they earn it for reaching Round of 32.
That's why every team is happy to reach this round.
And most of the weaker teams don't care if they lose— at least they will be in some spotlight.
''Alright… Frozenland has 2 Middle Martial Captains and 1 Low… Who will be fighting first?'' Giron asked.
''My turn.'' Sariel smiled and stood up.
''Be careful… This won't be as easy as before.'' Giron reminded with a stoic look.
Sariel smiled and nodded, but he didn't think he would have a hard time winning.
He jumped to the arena and stood calmly.
Waiting for his opponent to show up.
Members of Frozenland nodded, and a green-haired figure entered the Center Arena.
''First match! Sariel Vs. Nico!''
Nico had bright green hair with green eyebrows and eyes. He didn't have a lot of muscles, but instead, he seemed to have focused on speed.
Sariel's eyebrow twitched.
'Low Martial Captain…' Sariel thought to himself.
Giron crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes.
'It's finally here… The team which understands the best strategy…'
Richard sighed— this strategy was used against him in his first year, and he lost because of it.
'They are trying to make Sariel tired… and then next fighter will take care of him…' Ichiro thought.
The Referee pointed towards the ceiling.
''Are you two ready?!'' Referee shouted.
Sariel and Nico nodded.
''FIGHT!''