"Unbelievable!" Graham shouted into the microphone. "Kiernan had done it. The match lasted only 44 seconds, and yet the talented Wieland Reed had been defeated!"
After shouting for so long, he took a sip of the water bottle, gathered his thoughts, and again started speaking to the microphone.
"I don't think anyone expected this from Kiernan. Very impressive Aikido abilities. This was Wieland's weakness.
"Wieland is a one-dimensional fighter. All he knows is Aikido taught in his family. When he encounters an opponent that is more skilled in aikido, he is weak and easily defeated!
"However, let's not celebrate too early. Karuza High has to win one more fight to advance to the quarterfinals, and the opponent is feared Kasimir Kerr.
"I would say that Kasimir is the smartest fighter in the entire tournament, so it will be interesting to see which will win—brute strength or intelligence!"
When the medical staff arrived, they took Wieland away.
After returning back to his corner, Kiernan cracked his knuckles and waited for his next opponent to arrive.
Before that, Jin moved over to him and said, "Good job."
"Thanks, coach." Kiernan said and glanced at Kasimir, who was getting ready to enter the ring. "What do you know about him?"
"He is High Stage Martial Fighter," Jin said. "A very formidable opponent, but his strength relies on his intelligence."
"Intelligence?" Kiernan raised an eyebrow. "I didn't take him as an intelligent fighter."
"Well, the looks can fool you," Jin said.
"He is a monster of adaptability. I am sure he has already adapted to your striking prowess by watching videos of your matches, but you're a tricky opponent to him.
"You know grappling and aikido, which Kasimir might have a harder time adapting to, but do not put all your trust in those. You need to be ever-changing with your style, or Kasimir will adapt and crush you."
"So, I must use mixed martial arts." Kiernan hopped on his toes and nodded. "I can do that."
"Watch out for his kicks," Jin lastly said. "I heard he had broken many poor young men's legs before."
"Alright." Kiernan said, and then focused his attention on his opponent.
At Ambrossa High's bench, the coach whispered something in Kasimir's ear before he made his way up to the ring.
The referee was already waiting at the center of the ring with a few sweatdrops rolling down his face.
"The last match between Karuza High and Ambrossa High—the winner will advance to the quarterfinals and will be ranked among the top 8 best schools in the nation!
"Kiernan Hunter vs. Kasimir Kerr!
"Are both fighters ready?!"
"Yep~" Kasimir smiled and waved his hand over to the crowd, receiving cheers and applause.
"I am." Kiernan moved to his defensive style that had already become famous around the nationals.
The referee roared and then leaped off the ring to give space to the two fighters.
Kasimir started walking slowly towards Kiernan, his eyes very closely following every move. It was like he was analyzing his opponent's every detail.
However, when he was only about three meters away from Kiernan, he stopped moving.
He had already walked this far; why stop before reaching his opponent?
"I've already calculated my chance of breaking your defenses." Kasimir moved to his fighting stance.
"The chance of me defeating your defenses is zero percent."
"So, you won't make a move, no matter what?" Kiernan asked.
"Obviously," Kasimir said as if it was obvious. "You will either attack me, or we will stand here all day, but if my calculations are correct, I am sure you aren't a patient person."
"Your calculations are correct." Kiernan moved out of his defensive stance and stepped towards Kasimir.
"Alright, I shall attack then."
'Don't fall for his tricks, Kiernan!' Jin screamed inwardly.
'In all his matches, Kiernan had been the one controlling the pace of the fight, but with just a few words, Kasimir is in control.
'Kasimir had perfectly understood Kiernan's personality and knew exactly how to manipulate him. I would like to tell Kiernan to snap out of it, but I know he isn't foolish enough to fall for Kasimir's tricks.
'I will just watch for now…'
Kiernan carefully moved forward. His right leg was slightly ahead, as he was keeping his left leg back, ready to launch his kicks if need be.
Kasimir kept close eye on every twitch of a muscle, every shift in body weight, and was prepared to counter any move made by Kiernan.
'Well, let's see how you've adapted to my striking.'
Kiernan thought to himself, and then, with his left leg, he stepped forward and launched a powerful roundhouse kick towards Kasimir's head.
The feet moved past Kasimir's face, the toes almost touching his nose, but ultimately, the kick missed!
"Oh?" Kiernan stopped his kick and took a step back.
'What happened?' Jin frowned. 'I thought the kick was within the attacking range, but it still didn't reach him?'
Kasimir kept a calm expression.
'Kasimir has perfect understanding of my reach.' Kiernan thought.
'What confidence as well. If his calculations were even slightly wrong, I would've smashed my feet across his face.'
Kiernan lowered his center of gravity slightly and smirked.
'However, he can't win with just defense. I am sure he is aware of my Reigning Fallow, but I don't believe he has adapted to that. No one can!'
With a long stride forward, he entered deep inside the attacking range. There wasn't any hesitation in going on offense!
The tension between Ambrossa High and Karuza High's supporters grew.
"No, you won't!" Kasimir suddenly ducked and launched himself at Kiernan's legs.
With a successful tackle, he wrapped his arms behind Kiernan's legs, and took him down to the cement ground with a perfect takedown!
'Oh?' Kiernan's back crashed against the cement ground. 'He is aware of Reigning Fallow's preparation phase. Thus, before I can even throw one punch, he planned to stop my move.'
"Oh!" Jin cried out. 'But isn't Kiernan extremely good at grappling? Was that a smart move by Kasimir?!'
Kiernan put his hand against Kasimir's chest, planning to shove him off the top of him, but after a moment of trying, he couldn't move him at all!
"Haha, this is the biggest difference between you and me!" Kasimir raised his fist high. "The physical strength difference between High, and Low Stage!"
Kiernan's eyes widened in a surprise.
Without further ado, Kasimir's hammer fist landed at Kiernan's face, making blood gush out of his nose.