First Tournament (1)

Sakata Akio's POV

After the girls' division, next players gathered on the inspection area to prepare for the upcoming matches. The atmosphere became tense. Some were trembling out of nervousness. Girl fights are sure rough. But when it comes to guys, the game really changes. I heard most students who were killed are all guys.

A band marched in the arena signaling the start of the most awaited matches. My heart followed the beat of the drums. Even if I am not a player for today's tournament, I feel tensed.

I suddenly felt shivers on my spine. I turned my head to the arena's entrance and felt the dominant aura the player was giving off. It was not only me who have noticed but everyone's attention was on the guy who has entered. He is tall with a slightly muscular build and has sharp eyes that shows no fear. It's as if he is born to rule any place because of his aura. I guess he is one of the Seishin Kings .

There are five kings who are said to be the strongest in Seishin. Rumor has it that one of the kings was undefeated ever since he has entered Seishin. He walked into the inspection area in a kingly manner. One would have thought he is already dominated the whole arena with just his presence.

Student1 : Dude. The real deal's here. The undefeated Ichigo-san is here.

Student2 : I don't ever want to fight him. Jeez. Just seeing him gives me chills.

I have only heard about him but now is the first time I saw the so-called 'undefeated' in the flesh. I'm so glad we are only spectators for today's tournament.

As the band finished their march, everybody started making noises as the first match for the boys division is about to begin. It's as if everyone's anticipating only the boys' matches. The fights really are rougher than the girls'.

Rei-kun and I just silently watched the matches. I gazed at Rei-kun. His attention to the ring was so focused not bothering his surroundings. It's as if he was studying everyone's moves. I can see his brows furrowing as he carefully observes the players' moves. It's amazing how he can do that. While the carefree me is just watching and not taking in mind about the matches. I've never been a fan of fighting. That's why I don't take my Taekwondo lessons seriously.

Matsumoto Rei's POV

A cat in gloves catches no mice. That's what they say, but it won't hurt if we're just very cautious, right? It is our lives we are betting on in this shithole.

I may not be very bright but I remembered a lot of students, players rather, especially the strong ones, I remembered their name and how they move. Studying them would help me understand and in case a similar move happens, I have already made strategies on how to deal with them in the future.

I may have learned kendo and karate but I have never sparred with someone to death. And also, kendo won't be much of help with the mixed martial arts because using weapons or melees are prohibited. We are only allowed to fight with our bare hands and feet.

A gloomy and weak looking guy stepped in the ring. His black wavy bangs are covering his eyes. He walked unconfidently with his back slouching.

My eyes shook as I worry about his well-being. Will he be able to survive in this school?

On the other side of the ring walks the ever confident player from the third year, Suzuki Taichi. His broad muscular shoulders swaying with arrogance as he slowly struts towards the center of the ring. He cracked his neck to the left and to the right. His platinum blonde hair gracefully followed his head's movements.

The gloomy guy arrived at the center, still slouching and his head tilted downward.

Taichi approached the gloomy guy, stooped down trying to look at the latter's face. He scorned giving the latter a mocking smirk.

He straightened his back showing off his buff chest and patted the gloomy guy's head.

The referee separated them with one arm, signaling to start the match. Both players began to distance themselves. They positioned on their fighting stances and nodded their heads in approval that they are already ready. The whistle was blown.

Taichi arrogantly skipped and threw a straight punch to gloomy guy's face.

My heart skipped a beat.

Unexpectedly, the latter quickly dodged the punch. The former gave a psychotic smile. The former continued punching in all directions in a fast motion. He was really fast. He's pretty good I give him that despite his arrogance. They were not just fast but they were also powerful punches.

The latter just swiftly evaded all of the punches like a child's play. It was a bolt from the blue. You can never really judge a book by its cover. To be honest, gloomy guy really looked cool like a character from an American action movie dodging bullets. If I were on his shoes, I could never have completely evaded all the punches that Taichi would throw at me.

As Taichi's punches were always evaded, it only gave him more desire to throw his fists faster nonstop. Even when none of his punches have reached gloomy guy, his confidence didn't falter not even a bit. He is really cocksure about his abilities.

A sudden punch to the gut halted Taichi's movements making him crouch a bit but still regained his posture. He really is one tough guy to beat, expected from a third year. That one punch was really a powerful one. Gloomy guy is now on the offense reversing their roles from a while ago. Gloom guy's attacks were also fast but not as careless as Taichi's. Every punch, kick or knee strike were all carefully calculated, not wasting a joule of energy from the body, hitting Taichi's buff body.

After receiving consecutive blows, Taichi immediately distanced himself and clicked his tongue. All his cockiness faded on his face and is now showing a serious and determined look. After throwing those multiple speedy punches, his breathing was still normal. He's got not only a buff body but also a high stamina. Even if I could not read his mind, I get the feeling he was regretting his actions from the get-go.

They continued exchanging blows but Taichi's being pushed back. How can a weak looking body push back a buff body? He was like a cheat character in a game. Like Newton's law was not applicable in this fight. Is this even real?

Luck was still on Taichi's side, the whistle was blown signaling the end of the first round.

Scores were shown and obviously gloom guy's on the lead. Taichi still had a calm look on his face despite the gap of their scores.

The second round began but this time around, Taichi was already cautious. As gloom guy moves forward, the former immediately releases two fast jabs to collide with the latter's face. It was a hair's breadth, but the latter still managed to dodge his jab.

Taichi was already at his wit's end. Veins started popping on his head and his face turned red but still put on a calm face. It was already a surprise that he has still managed to be calm until this round despite of his arrogant attitude.

Taichi still fought back with all his might. This time, gloomy guy is being pushed back. It was so unusual of him not evading. I feel something strange about his current actions.

Is his stamina getting lower?

No. That's not it. All this time he has performed everything smoothly from dodging to attacking.

Then, what is gloomy guy doing?

As Taichi threw punches, his punches were all powerful enough to break some bones.

Gloomy guy unexpectedly smiled creepily with his teeth showing. Taichi's eyes widened the furrowed his brows guessing what has happened to the gloomy guy. The latter immediately pulled backed his arm that last punched the former. But it was already too late. The former caught latter's wrist with one hand and gripped them roughly enough to make the latter squirm. The former then twisted the latter's arm and the bones of the latter's arm slowly emerged on his muscular skin.

Taichi let out a loud and painful scream.

If you think the crowd would be surprised and pity the injured player whose bones were sprung out of his skin, you got that wrong. It is the opposite. The crowd enjoyed the view and started screaming with satisfaction. This place is hell.

Taichi: STOP! PLEASE STOP. I SURRENDER. PLEASE DON'T KILL ME! ARRRRGGGGHHHHH!

Gloomy guy clicked his tongue in disappointment and immediately opened his hand to release the broken arm. Taichi's body dropped on the ground and desperately screamed for help from the medics. The medics carefully carried the injured Taichi on the stretcher and the referee announced the winner.

Announcer: Let's give a hand to Yamazaki Tatsuo! A freshman just beat a senior! How did your bets go? Suzuki Taichi was one of the top 100 strongest in Japan, yet, a newbie just broke his bones. It was a satisfying scene, am I right?

The crowds screamed 'yes' in unison.

Yamazaki Tatsuo? His name sounds familiar.

Tatsuo: I thought I'd have fun since you are so confident.

Gloomy guy mumbled to himself and turned his back heading out to the ring.

Tatsuo combed his bangs with his fingers and wore a headband.

As I focused my sight on him, I noticed his handsome features especially his chestnut brown eyes. He suddenly looked my way and smirked.

Don't tell me...

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End of Chapter 8