Chapter 21: Butterfingers (2/2)
The minimum age of fifteen for the mind opening operation was also carefully devised by the Confederation in order to minimize the risk of mental instability at any younger ages. Only a few prestigious ancient families who were said to be immune to becoming deranged had attempted to open their EMF at a younger age than fifteen, and there had been only very few who had successfully done that.
Both Wang Tong and Mr. Wannabe stared at the live feeds of a few dozen matches in search of a better opponent, and soon their vision merged onto the same screen which was broadcasting match number eighteen.
As Wang Tong walked into the arena with confident strides, he noticed that the place had been jam-packed with a couple thousand audience members, a clear indication of the strength and level of the players on the stage.
”Gale-Blade had won fifty-six consecutive fights; he is perhaps the best of the best among those who wear a third tier METAL suit.”
”No kidding, his potent blade strike could overwhelm any opponent in an instant.”
”I’ve heard that he’s from the military, a ferocious beast chained by military discipline during the day, and in the night, he always comes here to vent his thirst for violence.”
”He is just another typical Martian. They say Earthlings are superficial, Ivantians are pretentious, and Martians are ostentatious.”
Wang Tong watched as Gale-Blade stood on the stage amidst the cheers, his blade was held pompously above his head. His taunting gesture had made Wang Tong think that he was waiting for a challenger, so Wang Tong walked up to the stage without any invitation.
”Mr. Einherjar Wannabe, the match is over, please arrange your challenge another day,” the referee stopped Wang Tong and said, ”And be aware that this match was for higher level competitors only.”
”Ahh... I am sorry.” Wang Tong felt embarrassed in front of a couple of thousand sets of eyes, and he cursed at the overly abundant rules of the game. A thin layer of sweat clung to his forehead then looked shiny under the dazzling stage lights.
”Yo, you there, challenge accepted, you won't last long anyway.” Wang Tong piqued Gale-Blade's interest after he had seen that the challenger was an Earthling. Same as Wang Tong, brash Martians never cared much for rules, their motto was ”punch first, think second.”
”Great!” Wang Tong turned around to face Gale-Blade who was ready to teach this noob a lesson.
The audience didn't expect Want Tong's challenge to be accepted, nor did they care if it was since Wang Tong seemed to be even weaker than the last challenger who was K.O.ed by Gale-Blade in the blink of an eye. More and more people stood up from their seats and were ready to leave the arena.
”Hey, you wimp! I bet you won't even be able to withstand one of my strikes,” Gale-Blade yelled at Wang Tong pompously. ”Put your METAL on, and try not to cry like a baby after I have beaten your b*tt!”
”No need for a METAL suit, I'm just here for some fun,” Wang Tong said and smiled at his opponent.
”Then you die!” Without even giving a fraction of a second for Wang Tong to get ready, Gale-Blade lashed out a strike which emanated a sharp and powerful force as it traveled through the air.
Silence fell, Gale-Blade's weapon magically disappeared from his hand before it reached Wang Tong.
This turn of events had shocked everyone. The audience who had stood up to leave then, sat down and watched in bafflement. ”What the heck had just happened?” they all asked the same question in their minds.
Wang Tong cracked a broad smile as he handed the blade back to Gale-Blade and said, ”I'm sorry, here is your blade, let's try it again, this time hold your weapon tighter, butterfingers.”