Chapter 78 - The Black Barracuda

Alexander sat on a bench, his eyes closed and his hands behind his head. To his sides were two thin sheathes with the hilts of swords poking out of them. He was adorned with armor that covered all but his head. Joan stood next to him, her eyes closed as well.

Joan: Are you sure that making that deal was worth it?

Alexander: It doesn't hurt, does it? He offered more than that Kuro kid. What, didn't like that he stole your clipboard?

Joan's eyes opened, a blush growing on her face as she looked to the side. Alexander opened one of his eyes and looked in her direction. He smiled before getting up.

Alexander: There's nothing to worry about, Joan. We'll win this match. We didn't do our research on all the fighters these last few months for nothing.

Joan: Of course… If only you had a better record for me to be confident in.

Alexander: Hey! You know as well as I do that those losses were simply because I wasn't in gear!

Joan: Yes yes, Alexander.

Walking down the hall, Thong, Li, and Hugo appeared talking amongst themselves.

Hugo: I'm telling you. If it were me, those ninja stars would have landed.

Li: Yeah yeah, keep telling yourself that.

Thong turned to see Alexander and Joan, waving to them before both groups met up, Joan and Alexander facing the trio.

Alexander: Hey, aren't you the kid I met at the dining hall?

Thong: Hey now, we're not that far apart in age, I think.

Alexander: You look pretty young to me. I thought you were just an impressive martial artist. You a prodigy or something?

Thong: No no, not at all. I just got lucky, was all.

Alexander: Yeah yeah. Look, how about you keep Joan here company while I go fight. She loves to talk about stuff relating to the fighters, so you might as well hear her out.

Joan's face blushed as she attempted to keep her composed nature.

Joan: Why must you say such a thing, Alexander?

Alexander: You need to make some friends. So look after her, will ya? I'll be going now.

Alexander turned away and disappeared down the halls. Joan let out a sigh, being met with the trio's confused looks.

Hugo: Did he just make us your babysitter? What does Andy think he's doing?

Joan: His name is Alexander:

Hugo: That's what I said.

Alexander left the trio, walking towards the ring with a smile on his face. He entered the spotlight as Zachary stood proudly in the center.

Zachary: WITH SUCH A GREAT OPENING MATCH TO BLOCK C, LET'S CONTINUE ONWARD! THE FIRST TO ENTER IS THIS MAN! HE PRIDES HIMSELF IN HIS TOOLS AND KNOWLEDGE! NOT MUCH IS KNOWN ABOUT HIM IN THE MAINSTREAM MATCHES, BUT HIS HISTORY IS ANYTHING BUT SMALL! STANDING AT 180 CENTIMETERS TALL AND WEIGHING 79 KILOGRAMS, COMING IN WITH 14 WINS AND 28 LOSSES. HERE ENTERS "THE BLACK BARRACUDA" ALEXANDER NIIIIIIIIIIIGHT!!

Alexander entered the ring, a confident movement in his steps. The audience looked in confusion as to why he had such a prideful look on his face.

Ronald: Kekeke… This guy's history sounds like absolute garbage.

Kusari: I can't say I'm surprised. He tried to be a rookie crusher too. But it seems his tactics weren't as fruitful as mine.

Somewhere else in the stands, Carrie walked around before sitting down in a random spot. Holding a bag of popcorn and wearing a drinking hat with two cans of soda on either side. She wore an annoyed look on her face as she took a sip from the straws that came down the hat.

Carrie: Dammit, Gonzalez and Remy. Didn't even save me a seat or tell me where we were going to meet up.

She looked down at the ring, watching as Zachary turned to the opposing entrance.

Zachary: AND HIS OPPONENT IS NO SLOUCH! ANOTHER ONE OF THE TOP TEN OF THE ORGANIZATION HAS DECIDED TO ENTER THE BATTLE! HE MAY BE SMALL, BUT HIS STRENGTH EVEN PUTS MOST BODYBUILDERS TO SHAME! HIS ANIMALISTIC SIDE SEEMS TO BRING NOTHING BUT PLUSES TO HIS NATURE! STANDING IN AT 163 CENTIMETERS AND WEIGHING 63 KILOGRAMS, AND COMING IN WITH 69 WINS AND 2 LOSSES. WELCOME "THE KING OF MONSTERS" DANIEL ONEIROI!!!!

A smiling figure appeared from the other entrance, his smile wide and his eyes crazed. He walked forward hunchbacked, making his small body seem even smaller. Daniel's nails on his hands and feet were sharp, as well as his teeth. His hair was like seaweed on his head. He seemed as close as one could get to an animal. Carrie scoffed before covering her ears to the sound of loud cheers next to her.

Woman 1: He's so adorable!

Woman 2: How could they make a cutie like him fight?

Carrie's thoughts: What…? They think that thing is cute?

Carrie turned to the two women, noticing how much younger they looked.

Carrie: Don't tell me you're actually fans of him.

Woman 1: Of course we are!

Woman 2: Who are you to judge anyway?

Carrie: What? You don't know me? I'm the famous secretary for the Virtus Imperium, Carrie Miller!

Woman 2: I've never heard of you.

Woman 1: Same.

Carrie's thoughts: I hate both of you.

Carrie slouched back into her seat, looking at the match as Zachary returned to the announcer table, the referee taking his place.

Alexander: C'mon, ref. You're basically sending a kid out to fight me. He's supposed to be a top ten fighter? His opponents probably quit out of embarrassment!

Daniel: Daniel no kid! Daniel be nineteen!

Alexander: Can you even count that high, kid?

Daniel looked at his hands in confusion. Alexander chuckled before the referee brought his hand up.

Referee: If that's enough out of you two… FIGHTERS! ARE YOU READY?!

Alexander cracked his knuckles, looking at Daniel who got on all fours. The referee swung his arm down with great might.

Referee: BEGIIIIIIN!!!

The match started, Alexander's face immediately filled with shock as scratch marks appeared on his armor. Daniel stood back up from behind him, his face looking a bit annoyed.

Daniel: Stinky armor…

Alexander's thoughts: What the hell was that? That speed was far above any human's…

Alexander looked in Daniel's direction, noticing the shape of a falcon behind him. Alexander raised one of his hands, signaling out "falcon." Joan's eyes opened immediately, looking over her papers.

Hugo: What's he doing with his hand? Don't tell me he's a ninja too.

Joan: No, he's saying "falcon" in sign language. Falcons are known for their amazing diving speed and the fact that they punch their prey with that built up speed.

Li: That's true. That's something I've heard about Daniel from all the opponents that have lost to him. They all say something similar. "I saw an animal when I looked at him." I thought they were just referring to his appearance, but it seems it might be his fighting style.

Joan: A martial art similar to fighting like an animal is known as Shaolin Kung Fu. However, whatever Daniel is doing is not that!

Alexander stopped signaling Joan, immediately reaching down to his waist and pulling out both of his needle swords. These swords had extremely thin blades, rivaling that of a rapier. However, their hilts were not modified like a rapier, meaning they were meant for similar usage as a regular sword.

Alexander's thoughts: That gave me an idea about this kid's speed, but what about the rest of him? He's strong enough to scratch my armor. Is that really all it takes to be a top ten fighter?

Alexander smiled as Daniel went on all fours again. His form now mimicked a frog.

Alexander's thoughts: I see… If it's that easy, I'll just need to win this.

Alexander ran forward, aiming the tips of both blades forward before thrusting. Before the blades could hit their mark, Daniel sprang into the air, jumping entirely over Alexander and landing on the other side.

Alexander's thoughts: What the…?

Alexander spun around, before taking a punch directly to his chestplate. The punch sent him flying back, Alexander watching as a cobra seemed to wrap itself around Daniel and appear on his arm.

Alexander's thoughts: His fighting style is not just being an animal. It's like I'm fighting every animal!

Alexander slammed his feet into the ground, bringing himself to a halt. He looked up, a smile returning to Daniel as he stuck his tongue out like a dog.

Daniel: Alexander weak! Daniel strong!

Alexander's eyebrow twitched as he heard Daniel say that.

Alexander: Oh, it's on motherfucker.

Alexander gripped onto his swords tightly, determination burning in his eyes.