"Whoa, this is sick!"
"Lukah's ability is so cool. Once I become Martial King, I want similar kind of ability!"
"Once you become Martial King? Who are you kidding, Mika? You're lucky if you reach Martial Master, let alone become a King!"
While watching the match through the laptop, the students laughed with each other, eating snacks and enjoying the heated fight.
'They sure move quickly. It is hard to follow the action with the naked eye.'
Kiernan thought, but he hadn't looked away from the screen even for a moment. It was very fascinating to see the top of the martial arts world fight.
It made him wonder what rank he would be if he had the strength of his Earth self. He was certain he would be above Martial Champion, even above Martial Master.
'I think my Earth self would be at the peak Martial Grandmaster level. However, Martial Kings and above are beyond the human limits with their martial abilities.'
He believed that he would reach Martial King one day. It was only a matter of time. He wondered what kind of martial ability he would receive.
"Who do you think will win, Kiernan?"
"I can't tell. It is so close, but since these two teams have fought beforehand, Lukah and Mikael know everything about each other's fighting styles and martial abilities.
"If this was their first fight ever, that Lukah's magic circle ability could've ended the fight here and there. Now, it is hard to say who will come out on top."
Others listened and nodded in agreement.
"Actually, these two fought for the first time about a year ago. Just like you said, that magic ability defeated Mikael back then.
"Usually, everyone's abilities are known. Once you use the technique once in a match, the whole fighting world will know about it.
"That's why these fighters are always developing new techniques. Mikael was the first-ever victim of Lukah's magic circle technique. It hadn't worked ever since, though, haha!"
They looked at him in surprise. He didn't look like someone who was so invested in fighting, but by the sounds of it, he was a vivid watcher of these fights.
"You watch these matches often?"
Dominic scratched the back of his head and nodded with a slightly embarrassed look.
"My dad and I watch our favorite team's matches."
"Madder. I don't know why, but our family has always been cheering for that team. Even though they've had rough success lately, we still like them."
One of the students suddenly shouted, and they looked over, just in time to see both Lukah and Mikael fall into the sea.
The fight ended in a draw, which wasn't as uncommon as people would think in World Fighting League.
"Can you show the current standings of the Emperor League?"
Kiernan asked out of curiosity. He wanted to see who were currently the top teams.
With the mouse in hand, Mika moved to another browser, typed the World Fighting League's website, and opened the current standings for the Emperor League.
[1. Royal Murder - 29 wins, 1 loss]
[2. Berserk Grind - 26 wins, 4 losses]
[3. Godspeed Monarchy - 23 wins, 6 losses]
[4. Lion Hunt - 20 wins, 9 losses]
[5. Bastardians - 20 wins, 10 losses]
[6. D.x.D - 19 wins, 10 losses]
[7. Madder - 19 wins, 11 losses]
[8. Rakudan Gang -17 wins, 13 losses]
[9. Wunderkind - 17 wins, 13 losses]
[10. Old Guard - 16 wins, 14 losses]
"Oh? Royal Murder must be good, aye?"
"Good? They're amazing! They're the most successful club in the history of the world with 44 championships! They're reigning champions currently, and it looks like they're about to win this year as well."
"Their closest rival, Berserk Grind, has 39 championship victories. They're also very, very strong club, but it looks like Godspeed Monarchy is going to be their next rival.
"It looks like the next Big Three of the World Fighting League is forming with Royal Murder, Berserk Grind, and Godspeed Monarchy."
Mika switched browsers to the ongoing match between Rexi-Da-Merci and Godspeed Monarchy.
The next fight started, and it wasn't even close.
Godspeed Monarchy unleashed their strongest fighters, who were the reason why they were third in the standings, and feared by all.
The second fight they won, and then, the second fighter of the Godspeed Monarchy also defeated the strongest fighter of Rexi-Da-Merci.
It had turned night, and therefore it was time for the dormitory to turn silent.
After an enjoyable evening, they all waved their goodbyes and returned to their rooms to have a well-rested sleep before tomorrow's long classes.
However, in the darkness of his room, Kiernan punched the air, the sweat glistening on his forehead and arms.
He slowly slid his feet through the floor, then moved his open-palmed hands in front of him, moving them as if he were blocking invisible attacks.
His eyes were tightly shut, his brows tightly furrowed in a thoughtful look, his fingers twitching slightly as he concentrated on his next move.
Invisible, non-existent people attacked him from all sides. He moved perfectly, using the sides of his hands and his legs to block the strikes.
'Monster… monster… monster… You killed all of us… Devil Ritual…'
"Oh, shut the hell up…"
Kiernan opened his eyes, used the towel to wipe off the sweat from his forehead, and then sat down on his couch.
Those echoing words kept annoying him for a little bit longer, but then they disappeared so quickly that made him wonder whether he only imagined those.
'What the hell is wrong with me?'
Kiernan pinched his glabella, stood up, and went to get some water from the sink to clear his head.
With a glass cup full of water, he walked to the window and looked at the rising moon, its silvery light casting an ethereal glow over the school below.
Kiernan lifted the glass cup, the cool water soothing his parched throat. Then he put the cup away, returned to his room, and lay down on his bed, closing his eyes and drifting off to sleep.