Coach Jin came from the locker room. He had a big smile on his face, and he looked very happy to see Kiernan.
It had been a nervous past month for them.
They had been contacting Karma, wanting to meet with Kiernan to discuss the next semester as they had to already start preparing for the next nationals.
However, all they knew was that Kiernan was overseas, beyond their reach. They were worried that something might've happened to him.
Fortunately, he came back safe and sound.
"You called for me?" Kiernan asked.
"Yes, what do you think?" Coach Jin pointed around the gymnasium. "Amazing, isn't it?"
The walls were painted white with some big black flowers mixed in. It was a pleasant change from the dull gray that it used to be.
"I invited you here to talk about the upcoming year." Coach Jin said. "You're the top-ranked student, thus you're also captain and the ace of the team. You're willing to take this role?"
"Yes." Kiernan nodded.
"Good!" Coach Jin said with a big smile.
"The ranked matches will be happening today, so we will have some idea about who might be your teammates.
"I think we can expect young Jonathan and Dominic to be on the team. They're second-years as well. It will be quite strange since our team will be the youngest that it has ever been, but it will also be the strongest we've ever had!"
"Have you heard of the new transfer?" Kiernan asked.
"New transfer?" Coach Jin frowned and shook his head. "Not sure what you're talking about.
"A new transfer came to this school. His name is Julian Noah. I am pretty confident to say that he is pretty much as strong as I am."
"W-w-what?!" Coach Jin's eyes bulged out. "How do you know?"
"He is living with me for the time being. I think you will see him dominate the ranked matches fairly easily."
Julia also looked thoroughly shocked and even had to cover her wide-open mouth.
"That's… amazing." Coach Jin covered his mouth in shock. "What is his martial rank? Do you know?"
"Low Stage Martial Champion."
"What in the world…" Coach Jin took a deep breath. "And yours?"
"I feel lightheaded." Coach Jin put his hand on his forehead. "It's like we have two Johan Yeager's on the team."
"I don't see us losing the nationals. Or what do you say?" Kiernan asked.
"Hmm…" Coach Jin rubbed his chin. "I don't know yet."
"For past years, Tiamut High had been dominating the nationals. However, this year, they're far from being favorites. It is because there is another powerhouse school appearing in the far west.
"They have a student called Zachary Lokiah. He'd been making a name for himself lately as he has dominated solo tournaments of his age class.
"I've been hearing rumors of him being Martial Champion as well."
"Martial Champion?" Kiernan frowned. "I thought Martial Champions were a rarity in New Rakuya."
"They are!" Coach Jin said.
"Johan Yeager was a very rare talent. Now, there is you and Julian. Then this Zachary kid. I don't know what's happening in this country anymore!"
Julia listened keenly, then opened her phone and brought out a website.
"This is what is happening."
Kiernan and Coach Jin looked over. They saw Julia's phone showing an advertisement for a martial arts tournament.
"The talented ones are crawling from their holes because of this!"
"Junior Martial Arts Championship?" Kiernan read through the advertisement. "What's that?"
"It's a competition for young martial artists," Coach Jin explained. "One martial artist from every country is participating in that tournament, and only one will be crowned as world champion."
"It will be happening in a year from now on," Julia said. "The talented ones are appearing one after another. It is happening in every country."
"Junior Martial Arts Championship only happens every ten years." Coach Jin said. "It's true that before the tournament, the talented ones will start showing themselves more and more."
"Zachary Lokiah hadn't been participating in any tournament beforehand." Julia said. "As he is already Martial Champion, I am sure he would've been strong enough to participate in nationals last year, but he didn't."
"It's because he has been waiting for the Junior Martial Arts Championship." Coach Jin. "Now he is making a name for himself so he will be chosen as New Rakuya's representative for it."
"The nationals will most likely decide who will participate in that tournament." Julia said. "Kiernan, if you're chosen, it will be a huge honor."
"That's another thing I wanted to talk to you about." Coach Jin said.
"Kiernan, we truly believe that you have what it takes to be the representative. Thus, we want to train you harder than ever before nationals.
"You must defeat Zachary Lokiah in the nationals to become the representative."
Kiernan looked into their round, hopeful eyes.
'They sure like to put a lot of pressure on me. I am more than nervous already, thank you very much! However, Junior Martial Arts Championships… sounds interesting.
'The best talent from every country will be participating. I might be among the best in this weak country, but in that tournament, I will be among the weakest.
'Low Stage Martial Champion won't cut it.'
Roars of excitement echoed throughout the packed stadium as the spectating students couldn't believe their eyes.
"Woohoo!" Julian stood victorious on the stage, his opponent sprawling on the ground with a painful look.
However, there wasn't only one defeated opponent. There were twenty students, sprawling in agony and defeat, unable to believe what just happened.
"Give me that second spot in the rankings already!" Julian laughed.
Instead of fighting one person at a time, Julian challenged twenty students to a battle. He hated to fight for the next five hours as he knew that he was going to win with ease.
In the locker room, Jonathan watched through the mounted television with a shocked expression.
"What a monster. Where the hell did Kiernan find him?"