65 Choosing A Stage (1/2)

Slowly, the more confident of the students finally built up the courage to ascend the stages first. They ended up only being appetizers to the real fighting, but Greyson could tell that they were fairly aware of this and this is why they went up first so they could at least show some of their skills. Usually the stagemaster continued changing every one or two matches, each fight showed an increasing level of skill. Yawning to himself, Greyson watched as more and more matches occurred from dawn until midday. Around noon, there was finally a change to the status quo that got everybody's attention. One of the top students had finally run out of patience.

*CRASH*

With a large leap and breaking the stone stage underneath his heavy body was an enormously built young man. Although Leopold was also a rather large individual, it was like comparing a bull to an elephant with these two. Bristling golden hair and bright red eyes shining with eagerness to fight. His weapon was a large spear with a long handle which made the ground splinter once the man had placed it onto the stage.

”It's Tristian Drakon!”

”Makes sense that he would be the first to jump onto stage.”

”Hah, looks like this tournament is going to end soon.”

”True, I was hoping to see a bit more fighting.”

Greyson listened to all the whispers. Before long he looked over at Ronan, slightly confused.

”It seems like everyone was expecting this result. Isn't it good that someone strong finally got on?”

”Only you would not be aware. It's like talking with an old hermit.” Ronan rolled his eyes listening to the question. ”Of course, they were expecting it. Didn't you read about the Drakon family's personality? Straightforward and always looking for a fight to improve themselves. Plus, don't you notice there are ten stages? How many top families are their in the Idris Kingdom? Everyone is aware that the genius direct descendants of the families are the most powerful students currently. Most students wouldn't even dare to challenge them either. Not all geniuses are like Tristian and Leopold who enjoy a good fight. The other geniuses love when people kneel down to them and hate their authority being challenged. In the five years you haven't been out much, but there have been a lot of horror stories of the endings of some of the arrogant students who tried going against some of the top ten families.”

”Aahhhh, I see.” Greyson nodded understanding.

Ronan's prediction came true. Tristian did have challengers but they were all quickly blown away. Watching Tristian jump onto the stage and showing his prowess, the other heirs all felt compelled to also go on stage to not lose out. Soon every stagemaster was one of the ten heirs, except Quinn Ventus, it seems he never attends public events usually. His stage was taken up by one of the Absinthe twins who had no choice but to split up and fight individually. Challengers steadily decreased, until most of the stagemasters no longer had any opponents come up against them.

”Ronan, which one should I pick do you think?”

”That's a good question...”

Greyson glanced over every stage. First, he saw the red haired Natalia and black-haired Leopold, but he had decided that he would fight them later on in the top ten battles. Next, he glanced over the seductively beautiful light-green haired woman, Ezra Seirina. Crossing her out, he decided not to mess with her just yet, he didn't feel like dealing with her poisons this round. One by one, he crossed out opponents whom he did not feel like versing. Not another Absinthe because he has versed dark element opponents too much. In the end, he looked at Ignis Arcadia and Aidan Chionodis. Fire or Ice. Although Greyson now had a backer in Elder Sweetbow, that did not mean he wanted to go picking a fight with all the heirs suddenly. He wasn't an idiot, and knew that whoever he kicked out of the top ten would feel extremely frustrated and embarrassed for being the only heir not included. Therefore, he wanted to pick one who would take losing with grace. Finally, his eyes landed on Aidan. The stiff-faced boy had ice blue hair and matching piercing blue eyes, the apathy on his face towards the competition was apparent to anyone.

”I'm going to fight Aidan!” Greyson suddenly announced.

”Aidan? The Chionodis family? Well, I guess he would probably be better than most. He's the hardest on himself, so he would never blame you for beating him.” Ronan nodded to Greyson's choice.

”Hahaha, right? I did think it through, you know. I'm not completely ignorant.” Flashing a smile, Greyson jumped up and flew onto Aidan's stage.

After such a slow pace of challengers, each one who stepped out would grab everyone's attention. Now the audience all looked towards Aidan's stage. To their shock, what stood their was a young boy who still looked just over 10 years old. His features were beautiful for a boy and had the signature features of a half-elf. Did he come out thinking that his face would get him somewhere? How could he beat the 17-year-old, advanced level, stage five Aidan? Inwardly sighing and shaking their heads, they stopped paying attention to the stage. They knew it was just going to be another blowout. Even the emotionless Aidan's eyebrow slightly furrowed his brow.

”I do not go easy on opponents just because they are younger or weaker. I will attack with my full power. I hope you understand what you are getting yourself into.” His cold voice slightly rang out.

Greyson just let out a lopsided smile, ”it's fine. I didn't need you to go easy on me anyways. Who knows, maybe it will be me who needs to go easy in this match-up.”

”Well, I just hope your strength matches your words.” Aidan showed no anger towards Greyson's words. Instead, he properly got into position to fight. The judge motioned for them both to line up and bow to each other as proper battle etiquette. His blood slightly boiling, Greyson could almost not hold in his happiness to finally be fighting again. Even Zephyr within him was getting restless, roaring along to be released.