33 Chapter 17: S.E.T. Round 4: Unexpected Reunion (1/2)

The matches progressed at a steady pace.

After the small interruption, the matches got resumed with no difficulties whatsoever.

This time around Geo had to start the entire round.

Lost in thought he walked towards the stage,

Was he worried? Nervous maybe?

Who could blame him? Maybe the pressure of the finals got the better of him?

Probably not, right? I mean, it's Geo who we are talking about here.

Still lost in thought he automatically started stretching his arms and legs, before the beginning of the match.

”Hmm... what if I have to fight someone who doesn't pose a challenge? Then the whole purpose of coming here would be for naught!! I will not stand for this blasphemy I tell you! I refused the give in to doubt!!”

Geo slapped both his cheeks and took on a battle stance. Immediately taunting at his opponent who did not seem pleased about his gestures.

His prideful opponent couldn't take his random and half-assed attitude, his hands raised itching to go.

I noticed this was the good old Geo I met in the forests, his behavior from before was probably part of his plan to throw his opponent off guard.

Reassured I locked my eyes on the arena,

Waiting in anticipation while the gong signaled the beginning of the match.

Geo turned away from his opponent taunting him with his hand. His opponent did not have a complete armor set, but just enough to protect the vital parts of his legs and right shoulder.

”Oh Mera, Come and get me, big fella. We don't have all day you know...”

Geo's hand waved towards himself in a way that signaled his opponent to come closer.

Enraged by Geo's disrespect, his opponent got blinded, making the way he thinks into an enemy.

The thing that practically helped Geo do this without having to exert to much force,

was his opponent their ego.

Geo made sure to dodge moving backward.

This worked in the opponent his favor,

because there were more ways than one to win.

These different ways prevented the movement from the outside. When the punches let up Geo almost tripped at the edge of the stage.

Thinking at least a few steps ahead Geo devised the perfect plan to win with minimal effort.

Taunting his opponent to move in just a bit more by letting him think Geo's guard was lowered.

Punches thrown past his ears, Geo dodged and dodged when finally a wide and strong attack threw him off guard. There he was, trying to hang on...

His opponent laughed.

”Hahaha, fool! Did you not think before you acted? Victory is at hand, soon getting what I want wouldn't be a fantasy anymore.”

Geo smiled.

”Wrong!! It is I who will have the last laugh!! For you see one is most defenseless when finishing the fight with one final move. That time has finally come!

So now, I Geo will move out of the way and show you what I mean.”

Geo took one step to the right, doing the unexpected his opponent did not see this coming. Unable to stop his rush towards the edge... his opponent jumped off himself ending the fight in Geo's win.

The last match of group A was about to start when an unbelievable prideful and radiant woman took the stage. The crowd began whispering in themselves.

”Who is she? I have never seen such beauty. Do you think she would be interested in a drink after the tournament? She looks as if she's from a noble heritage. Wouldn't she be way out of my league?”

Some guys behind me started gossiping about her origin. Leading to them calling her names.

”Isn't she lady ironheart? The one who got disowned because the went against the word of the king?”

”Yes! Wasn't her name Gina? Gina Ironheart!! Now I remember. She must have joined the tournament to regain some of her pride.”

All around me I could hear people talk about her...

She was quite popular among the townspeople.

Deciding not to bother myself with gossip I ignored all the negative remarks that were made and turned my gaze to the stage.

Another woman took the stage who felt above the rest.

”What?! You dare to show your face around here!!

Not being part of the ironhearts... you should be ashamed!”

It was visible that the remarks took their toll on her. Annoyed by her opponent and the booing of the crowd she slapped her cheeks to remain focused.

At that moment the gong rang.

Making sure not to rush in to quickly she raised her guard.her opponent came at her with ferocious killing intent. Annoyed that even tho she got disowned and banished from the kingdom, she was still more popular than her.

Helena is the goddess of prosperity, sportsmanship and mischief felt what chaos was brewing. This was exactly why she founded the Tournament of Beginnings. Allowing their opponents to make a clean start and bury all the grudges in the Arena.

There was nothing so pure that she went out of her way to secure this yearly event. She watched with excitement, curious how all this would end. Making up the roster of the finals only became more interesting.

Gina tried to dodge as much as she could,

But when her opponents' speed had proven to be a challenge she had no other choice to raise her to guard more firm. Pinned in location her opponent circled her with incredible speed.

Gina knew that a chance would present itself if only she kept looking for an opening.

When finally her opponent threw a wide punch allowing Gins to get away and regroup.

While Gina tried to regroup, she did not succeed in throwing off her opponent. Persistent like glue she didn't get any breathing room.

Enduring through the barrage.

Gina was able to read through them.

Getting enough of the one-sided attacks Gina dodged and countered her opponents attack,

a kick straight to the chin had sent her flying when she finally collapsed on the floor.

Resulting in a win for Gina.

The final selection roster of Group A was secured.

Finishing round 4, it was now time for group B to do the same.

Alessia unable to contain her urge for battle,

Eagerly jumped on stage. A droopy young man stood face to face with her. Having a long slender body, medium-length black hair covering his face only added to his depressing aura.

Fur hides covered his body, giving Alessia a hint that this young man could pose a challenge. He wasn't getting into the final selection rounds without effort.

The young man cowered in fair covering his ears and appeared to be mumbling something.

When the gong rang, his personality turned around instantly. As if he had snapped.

”Shut up you fuckers!!! Can't you see it annoys the shit out of me?!”

The young man screamed at the top of his lungs clawing his hands upwards as his arms went down.

Something was different, but I couldn't put my finger on it.

”Hehehe, Is it you?! Are you the reason why it's so chaotic in here? HEH?!”

The young man rushed on his hands and feet towards Alessia. Shocked by the turn of events her body froze in place. Unable to reach the young man got closer...

And closer... when finally he jumped towards Alessia.

”Watch out!! Duck!!”

I screamed at the top of my lungs.

I closed my eyes, unable to bear what would transpire on the stage. But when I finally dared to watch again it appeared that Alessia was still on the stage, unharmed and well.

I don't know why I screamed at her... but something inside me reacted towards the dreadful creature the young man had become.

The young man stood there motionless in the center of the stage. Arms dangling like heavyweights next to him. The young man's head facing the ceiling of the arena.

”Why... why? Why is it that I am never able to enjoy some peace?”

The young man slowly dragged his body around revealing his scarred face to me and this side of the audience. The young man appeared to be crying,

Unable to bear his frustration he turned straight to me as a cold and freezing air captivated me.

Locked in place he dragged his body closer...

And closer when finally he dropped down and looked me straight in the eyes.

”W-was I-it you? It-the one w-who interfered with the fight?”

Unable to look away I was overcome by fear so primal sweat instantly broke down, turning me into a dripping stone.

The man turned landed on his hands and feet.

Without breaking eyes contact he turned his head...

Left... then right... he was seizing me up.

Just like an animal would.

It looked like he wanted to start a conversation with me when suddenly, he turned around and killing intent filled the entire room. Alessia charged in to take her chance at victory. But the young man jumped,

Dodging her blow.

Angered the man rushed towards her attacking her in a blind rage. Was I wrong? Should I have stayed quiet? What did he want from me?

And most of all... why didn't he have killing intent towards me like all the others?

The crowd was booing, but he couldn't care less at this point. The only thing that went through his head. Was to eliminate the source of the problem.

Lashing out to Alessia, having only one thought in mind. She dodged as much as she could.

Knowing that being hit could mean the end of the match. She had to devise a plan, a plan where she could win while using the strength of the opponent against their own.

I looked to the stage, while the tension became almost unbearable Alessia taunted the once young man, who had turned in a wild animal.

The moment he closed in she let herself slide to the ground, grabbing his torso and instantly throwing him out without much trouble.

Alessia had won the match. Relieved and overjoyed she left the stage... I can only imagine how much of a toll it took on her, fighting someone as insane like that. Still... something seemed off... if you can't handle crowds why join the tournament in the first place? Not to mention that he came rather far too.

It seems they are progressing steadily seeing as how the next contestants are already ready to go.

A small wide dwarf with bright red hair and a long braided beard took the stage, calling himself Brutus Von Drought. His eyes blue and calm like the sea stroke a mature air around him. His opponent was a human monk who bowed down in respect for his opponent.

As the gong rang the monk and Brutus both just stood there... none of them took the initiative,

Until the monk lost his patience.

Rushing towards Brutus the monk tried to sweep him off his feet, but Brutus stood his ground like a motionless mountain.

Ths monk struck again, and again...

Yet Brutus didn't seem to be fazed in any way.

After a couple of attempts, Brutus opened his eyes,

As the monk was incoming with a flying kick Brutus grabbed him out of the air. He turned his opponent around and round and round.

When finally he let go of his legs.

Hurling him towards the edge of the stage.

The monk propelled his entire body, making it into a tiny ball as he curled up completely.

Then finally when the monk reached the edge he sprung out instantly stopping the momentum his opponent created to throw him out.

He bowed down proceeding to taunt his opponent,

But Brutus wasn't faced at all.

Instead, he broke out in laughter slapping his belly.

”Hahahaha, hohoho. You, young man...

Are better than Brutus had expected. To reward you Brutus will not hold back anymore out of respect towards you, my opponent.”

Brutus slapped his massive hands together, starting with small yet increasingly faster steps towards his opponent he rushed sideways holding his right arm against his body for the impact that was yet to come.

His opponent knew he had to dodge, but couldn't in the short time which he had to react. Instead, he decided to bow down and accept his faith as Brutus crashed into him. The sheer shockwave sends him flying out of the stage.

The crowd was amazed by this destructive force,

Roaring in excitement they locked their eyes on his opponent, who elegantly twirled around, allowing him to land on the ground.

Brutus advanced to the final round of Group B.

”Would group C please take center stage? Thank you.”

The announced made quick work of the assembly of groups, allowing the finished groups as much rest as possible.

”Contestants C04 and C13 please take the stage.”

A young man and girl took the stage.

The man was not too long or short, but he didn't seem all to wide like the others. He had short black hair and gave off a feeling which I could only describe as an intelligent and professional one. All while he was fiddling with his gloves.

Like when Gina was fighting the crowd began gossiping again as all found his gloves rather peculiar.

”Isn't he the one from Alchemeria, The Tower of Alchemist?”

”You could be right, wasn't his name Leonardo?”

Behind me, a few others were talking his full name.

”Egnition? Oh! Now I remember, he is the man who even without magic was able to create small explosions which turn out to be useful in either combat or crafting of stone and specious minerals!

He is famous around Mineral!!”

”Leonard Egnition? Hmm... now I am curious about this fight!”

My heart raged in excitement as the lady took the stage. A short purple curly haired vixen with black leather clothing posed for the entire crowd as they got wild.

She winked at Leonardo and blew him a kiss,

This made him feel uneasy as the woman was quite a looker.

Shortly after the gong rang, starting the match

Leonardo turned a knob on the bottom of his gloves.

Allowing them to radiate heat and light up a little.

Something that looked like a roster made of metal alloy. Covered the back of his gloves. Something that looked like rubber tubes went inside. They connected to a compartment on his back. Still, I couldn't make out what was inside the canisters.

His opponent slowly started walking towards him.

He wanted to keep his distance and tried to do so while holding his hands in front of him. This showed us that there was a metal core component on the inside of his hands too.

”Please... please stay back, I-I don't want to hurt you.”

Not caring about Leonardo's warnings the daring young woman crept closer ever so slightly.

”D-don't blame Leonardo for what happened next,

I gave you a fair warning.”

Leonardo pointed his open hand towards his opponent and grabbed his wrist with the other.

During this time, something in the compartment on his back began glowing and turning around Its axis.

Steam seeped out slowly heating his glove and opening the compartment in his palm.

His opponent didn't care much about it, closing in even more. Almost reaching her opponent she then jumped towards Leonardo.

But it was too late, heat collected in the open compartment of the glove, shooting out in a concentrated fireball, which hurled towards his opponent.

His opponent did whatever she could to dodge the fireball in midair, failing miserably... the ball became smaller on impact. When almost immediately after resulting in an explosion of great proportions.

The sheer force hurled both of them away, almost throwing both out of the ring. Luckily Leonardo could grab on to a loose tile which had helped him to win the match.

Raiden watched the match unfold, this made his heart pump in excitement knowing he had to face Leonardo next if he could win the next match.

Quickly going on stage he found himself facing off against a hooded figure...

One who wasn't respectful at all as he or she had a wide grin on their face.

”Hehehe! Did you see that? Man! That was spectacular... I bet the lord would love to gain weapons of that caliber in his ranks.”

It pissed Raiden off that his opponent didn't pay much attention to him... as his opponent only seems to have eyes for the insane display of Leonardo.

Well... who could blame anyone for that matter...

It was literal insanity that transpired during that match.

The gong rang but Raiden's opponent just stood there laughing. Annoyed he rushed towards his opponent as he tried to get the upper hand.

A left punch, followed by a left kick and an uppercut proof that this was not an ordinary opponent...

Why? His opponent dodged them with minimal effort,

Answering with a seemingly light push.

Resulting in Raiden almost flying out of the ring.

His opponent began laughing even harder.

”Hah! Isss that all you've got?! Boring... and you are supposed to be a summoned one? Well... time to finish this... we have found our potential candidate!”

Raidens opponent then squatted down,

Followed by rising and hitting Raiden with a massive uppercut.

”Sssee... that'ss how you're sssupposed to hit sssomeone!!”

His opponent quickly followed up with a heavy hit downward slamming Raiden into the ground.

Unable to move he lay there motionless...

The referee counted down, while Raiden tried to stand up with all his might... But it was too late...

He had lost...

Frustrated by his loss and lack of tactical inside he took a leave and sat down in the rest area.

Broken, he knew he had to keep working for one simple fact, to never feel so humiliated again...

Now that Group C had finished their fights it was time for Group D, Yami, and Ethan, as they fight for a chance to advance towards the finals.

Yami took her to leave towards the stage,

waiting for her opponent to arrive.

A few minutes had passed keeping Yami on edge when finally her opponent to entrance on the stage.

She was shocked... shocked to see her dear brother take the stage against her.

”Bleiz!! No... the n-no way... is that you?!”

Yami rushed towards her brother whom she last saw when she had left her village in search of food.

”Yes, sis... it's me, it has been so long...”

Before Yami could close in to hug her brother the referee stopped them.

”No physical contact allowed before the gong has rung... this will lead to immediate expulsion!”

Right after the referee signaled the beginning of the match.

”We will talk after sis, know that I won't hold back!!”

Bleiz leaped forward taking advantage of his confused sister, grabbing her in midair,