26 Chapter 16: The Tournament of Beginnings - Part III - Battle Royale (2/2)
The announcer ringed the gong to signal the start of the match.
The mouse curled up in a ball, too afraid to battle. The enthusiastic man walked towards the little fellow as the woman and slender man clashed legs against each other. Jumping back, they immediately retaliated striking towards their faces. Barely dodging their fists slid past their necks, neither of them got hit, yet tried to create the opportunity for the first to strike.
The enthusiastic man on the other hand gently lowered himself towards the mouse.
”Are you okay little one? Wouldn't it be better to get off the stage if you're like this?”
The man asked calmly and kindly.
The mouse looked up with tears in its eyes...
”Yes... I-it is so scary!!”
The mouse said, with a grin on his face as he swiped towards the enthusiastic man. Blocking the mouse's attack the gentle face turned into a disappointed frown. Releasing his killing intend the man dominated the little mouse.
”So... that's how you react towards people who care for you? Shouldn't you leave the stage?”
Now, overcome and frozen by a primal fear the mouse didn't know what to do anymore.
”Come... let me help you...”
The man said as he gently grabbed the mouse and threw him off stage in full force against the gong.
The announcer shocked as he was, announced his defeat. ”Contestant #0006 out of bounds, KO please tend to him at once.”
The tall woman and slender man exchanged blows almost identical to each other. As the enthusiastic man had finished off the mouse he tried to come in between the two trying to act all chivalrous.
”This isn't the time to fight you two... please... stop and listen.”
The two didn't have a care in the world for him as a cross-counter created a pincer attack went straight towards him.
Surprised it seemed he blocked both their attacks.
When suddenly he began laughing.
”Like I said... let me speak for a little... wouldn't it be better if we got all of the fightings out of the way with just one big match?”
The two calmed down thinking about the question.
Wanting to answer they lowered their guard.
But when they answered Helena halted the match.
Pointing towards the enthusiastic man she began speaking.
”Who are you to want to alter the traditional ways of the events?”
The man smirked as he continued his misleading chivalrous ways.
”Mademoiselle Helena, if I may... why not just hold one huge battle resulting in a fourth of the contestants to advance to the next round.
Giving you the goddess more than you could wish for and clearing it at the same time. Let's say, four hours?”
”Hmm... bolt and daring I must say... I do wish to see how skilled everyone is in an all-out battle...”
Helena began thinking about the proposal.
Not wanting to waste to much time she concluded.
”Let's put it to a vote for all the contestants, what do you say? Want to keep battling in this format? Or rather have one huge all-out battle to finish the final rosters?”
Confused all contestants began looking st each other, wondering about the possibilities.
”All in favor of the all-out battle raise your hands.”
Thinking it would be more challenging I raised my hand, to find that at least half of the contestants thought the same way.
”Good, good... please raise your hand if you like the format we have right now.”
Thinking the original format was good in its way I looked around, only to find that not nearly as many people raised their hands.
Pleased the young man smiled as Helena continued her verdict.
”Putting it to a vote concluded you all prefer an all-out battle like last round. Then, the least we can do is give the ones who had lost another change as we modify the stages into one big arena.
Earth magic users gathered around the center of the room, guiding the stages toward the center as eventually, they all crumbled into each other creating a huge stage to fight on.
”As everyone is still eagerly waiting for their match to start, let me your loyal announcer explain the newly founded rules.
As young man Reginald had suggested we will be conducting a huge all-out battle on this battlefield here... I call it a ”Battle Royale”. Just like with the groups of four whenever someone gets knocked out, falls off stage or forfeits they automatically lose the match. This time instead of one minute we will be using the remaining four hours to instantly form the final roster for the 3rd round.
Everything is permitted during these matches except for the use of weapons, magic is allowed if it enhances one's body only. Attacking from a distance will not be allowed. When time is up the ones remaining on stage are allowed to advance to the next round.
I hope everything is clear. If you all would step outside, please. This would allow us to get ready for the event.”
Walking outside the building began crumbling down, but instead of leaving rubble, the walls moved outward creating a larger area for the contestants to battle in.
Pillars arose from the ground, one by one the entirety of the arena was nearly finished. After a while, the construction of the arena was nearing completion.
At least five times larger than the biggest arena we had so far, everyone got eager to begin. Excited we got guided towards our starting place, waiting for the gong to signal the beginning of the match which would later go down as the Royale Degree.