Chapter 319: The tournament begins (1/2)
It was an interesting week for Ben, full of he and Miyuki double-team trolling Camilla. In addition, there were some other interesting encounters between work and school that shared a similar theme.
Him and Professor Tremblay locking eyes in class and her face turning red.
Him and Laura passing each other in the halls of Hearth and her face turning red.
Him minding his own business in Photography Club as Darryl thought about Stacy and his eyes turned red.
…
'The room is dusty…' That's what the redhead told himself as he fought back his tears at that horrible memory of Ben desecrating his goddess…
In any case though, this last part wasn't something Ben knew or cared about. He was too busy enjoying his time through all his activities. In addition, unlike at the beginning of the week, he was able to go on with his life without anxiety, because he believed his biggest concern, the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournament, was something he wouldn't lose; at least, not with the Stat Skill magical skill scroll he obtained as a reward for his time with Laura.
Although the consumable scroll was something he could only use once, he believed getting revenge on Nick would be well worth it. After all, birds die for food, humans died for wealth, and Ben would die for faceslapping…
This was his code. His creed. His Creed II…
So when the weekend arrived and Ben found himself stepping foot into Barbosa's, his eyes shone, because it was time to deliver a Hello Fresh box of whoopass all over Nick…
Ben gazed around the gym full of men's chatter. It was different today, busy. In every room, there were people everywhere, not spread out in sparse sections like during the usual class days. What's more was the unusual mix of them: white belts, blue belts, purple and higher. They were all present, in their gi uniforms of varying colors, dressed as if ready to go off to war.
There was a serious aura amongst some of them, as they stared into blank space or looked around at others with consternation. It was as if their minds weren't there but in some future moment, visualizing something, getting ready. This was mental practice. These were Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners sizing up their competition and visualizing their future grapples and successes. These were genuine competitors.
Of course, not everyone took it in such a serious fashion. Many people were joking around, laughing. It was clear though that as the belt ranks increased, the chance of encountering a solemn competitor did so as well. That didn't apply to everyone though.
”Hey, bro!” Fariq waved to Ben on the mats. Popular, the Indian boy was in the middle of a group of purple belts, joking around with them. It was a strange sight for Ben whenever he saw something like this. Fariq was always so studious and determined at university, but at Barbosa's, he became social and carefree, well-liked by everyone. So when Ben approached Fariq and started chatting, all the purple belts nearby didn't think much of it.
However, then Fariq asked, ”Are you really going to participate in the purple belt tournament?” So when Benn nodded. That, caught the attention of many of the purple belts. A few of them laughed. More frowned.