Chapter 117 - A Fight Out of Fiction

Gerald snickers to himself, Thong, Li, and Hugo all turning their attention to him.

Hugo: What's so funny?

Gerald: I guess I shouldn't expect a simpleton like you to understand. But isn't it obvious? As these matches go by, the harder these fighters try. As they weaken over each round, the easier it'll be for Thong here to defeat them. Let's assume both Moll and Thong make it to the semifinals, who is more likely to win? An old man missing a foot or a boy in fairly good condition?

Li: I get what you're saying, but that would assume Moll's opponent from this second match won't beat him. As well as Thong not gaining similar injuries himself.

Thong: As much as I have faith in myself, I don't think I'll be able to win so easily…

Gerald: That's where you're wrong, Thong. You'll make it through these matches without any fatal injuries. I know because you trained under me. You've grown a pretty good amount from just a few training sessions. So let's defeat the Arachna, the Imperium, the whole lot!

Thong: That's a pretty big order you're asking for. Do you really have that much faith in me?

Gerald: As long as you're able to grow, I have no doubt in my mind you'll overcome your opponents. As long as I'm your teacher, you won't know defeat.

Li's thoughts: Self-centered asshole…

Hugo: You're lucky I'm not out there or else I'd crush those dreams, no sweat.

Gerald: I wish I could even begin to take you seriously. That joke is just in poor taste.

Hugo stepped back in shock, quickly turning around before biting down on his thumb's nail.

…

Back in Thong's hometown…

A knock came to the door. Hoa Tran placed down her fishing rod and walked over to the door, opening it to be met by Tiana Tsruddich. The girl's orange hair had been straightened out and cut to reach only a bit beyond her shoulders. Hoa met the girl with a smile.

Hoa: Oh Tiana, I'm so happy you could make it.

Tiana: Of course I would, Mrs. Tran. I've been really concerned recently. Has Thong not reached out to you at all?

Hoa: I haven't even gotten the slightest message from him. I'm so worried about what might have happened to him. His father refuses to tell me anything and Thong didn't even leave a single note.

Tiana: The same is for me. Mike and Thong just disappeared without a trace…

A flash occurred in Tiana's mind, Hoa looking at the girl with a worried expression. Tiana took Hoa by the hands, looking at the older woman dead in the eyes.

Tiana: We need to go into his room. Something just occurred to me.

…

Jason stood up from his chair, placing his arms behind his head before turning to face Lorisian. Lorisian had stopped his swings, placing his sword into a sheath that was fastened to the waist of his armor.

Jason: Well, I can easily say this is the most serious I've ever seen you. What's up with that?

Lorisian: This is a matter yond goeth as deep as family matters, squire. I has't a lesson I might not but teachest to mine own little nephew.

Jason: I see… I won't bother prying into it or anything since it looks like this match is going to give me every answer I need.

Lorisian: I shall showeth mine own little nephew a bite of tough love as thee may calleth. Prithee alert sire Xavier yond his assistance shall beest requir'd after this match.

Jason: I wish I could, but he's extremely busy right now with Abraham if you remember him.

Lorisian: I see… Then prithee alert the medical team to beest eft f'r the moment the match is ov'r.

Jason: Sure, I'll tell them. Though, it seems like they're usually on standby for whenever the round is over anyway.

Lorisian: Thank you, squire.

Lorisian walked over to the table in the room, picking up a large shield and placing it on his left arm. The knight left the room, leaving Jason by himself.

Jason: Welp, looks like this next match is going to be interesting. A knight against his cyborg nephew. Only this place would have a match as absurd as that.

Jason exited the room next, not a single moment to rush in his body. That changed the moment the man with white hair and the red scarf walked past him. He was silent, but both Jason and the man known as Nicholas Cross came to a stop. They looked at each other, Jason's head perking up as he realized what this meant.

Jason: Well, this isn't good…

…

Quintin stood up from his table, removing the wires connected to his legs then proceeding to throw several kicks in the air.

Quintin: I feel like I'm in tip-top shape.

The woman in the lab coat pushed up her glasses, writing down a few notes before turning to the monitor.

Doctor A: I made sure to have them in the best condition. There's enough battery life in them to have you fight for five hours straight.

Quintin: And when I decide to go beyond?

Doctor A: Then you can go into Overdrive for twenty minutes. That will be the entirety of your battery life. The legs will shut down after prolonged use.

Quintin: So I could fight in Overdrive for twenty minutes, huh? I guess I have no reason to hold back.

Doctor A: I'd recommend using it for twenty minutes straight. Extended periods will lead to overheating and may damage your tissue. I didn't have enough time to install the proper heat insulators while removing all the extra tools.

Quintin: Oh yeah, no wonder these things feel so light. Without those things in here, I should be able to move so much faster!

Doctor A: That was your request, correct. And don't forget, you're advertising my cybernetics out there. Don't fail me.

Quintin: I wouldn't want to, Doc. This is a match I refuse to lose.

Doctor A: Then prove it. Show the world how amazing my technology is.

Quintin: Just you watch.

Quintin smiled as the light hit his glasses, hiding his eyes. He turned from the doctor and walked out the door, his smile refusing to fade.

Doctor A: That Lorisian guy is pretty strong looking at his first match. I wonder how his… pfffftt… little nephew will do…

Doctor A broke out into a laugh, Lorisian's accent repeating the phrase "little nephew" echoing in her mind.

…

Chatter spread amongst the audience as the lights began to dim. Spotlights hit the center of the ring where Zachary stood proudly. He pushed his shades upward, raising the mic to his mouth.

Zachary: WELCOME BACK LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! AFTER THAT INTENSE FIRST MATCH, LET'S KEEP UP OUR MOMENTUM BY HEADING TOWARDS OUR SECOND MATCH! THIS FIGHTER NEEDS NO INTRODUCTION AS HE TOOK THE AUDIENCE BY STORM WITH HIS REVOLUTIONARY LEGS! EVERYONE THOUGHT HIS LEGS WOULD BE SOMETHING OF SCIENCE FICTION, BUT HE BROUGHT THEM HERE IN THE FLESH…. OR SHOULD I SAY METAL! HERE COMES "THE SELF-MADE MAN" QUINTIN PLAAAAAAANCK!!!

The spotlight focused on the entrance left to Zachary, where Quintin's figure appeared before being illuminated by the light. He wore a smile of confidence as he made his way to the center of the ring. He ran a hand through his hair, his gaze focused entirely on his opponent's entrance.

Zachary: AND HIS OPPONENT IS SOMEONE THAT SURPRISED EVERYONE! IN OUR MODERN-DAY, WE WOULD NEVER BELIEVE SOMEONE WOULD COMMIT TO THE ACT OF KNIGHTHOOD AS MUCH AS THIS MAN! HE DOMINATED HIS MATCH AGAINST THE DISPENSARY'S OWN MASON CHORDATA, BUT WILL HE HAVE THE SAME INFLUENCE HERE? WE'LL NEED TO WAIT AND SEE! PLEASE WELCOME "THE KNIGHT OF FLOWERS" SER LORISIAAAAAAAN!!!

The spotlight shifted, focusing now on the entrance right of Zachary. Out of the hallway came the knight, his armor glistening in the light. While slightly less noticeable, the indents of his previous match were still apparent. Quintin let out a snicker as he saw Lorisian's wooden shield and metallic sword. The knight made it to the center of the ring, staring down at Quintin.

Quintin: What's this? I thought you refused to fight guys with those things while they're unarmed.

Lorisian: Little nephew, thou art far from unarm'd. Those legs art worth a hundr'd blades.

Quintin: Man, if that's true, I'm going to make sure I rattle that brain of yours until you start sounding normal.

Li crossed his hands, looking closely at the monitor.

Gerald: Something up, minion number two?

Li: First off, my name is Li. But I'm thinking about who's going to win this match.

Hugo: Isn't it obvious? The robot legs have to win. Technology put knights out of style.

Gerald: Wow, that is actually the smartest thing I've heard you say, minion number one.

Hugo: Why tha- Wait, was that an insult?

Thong: I get what you mean. Quintin's legs are no laughing matter. I mean, they made your arms look like red neon lights after a few hits.

Li: Yeah, those things hit really hard. And if he improved at all during our day off, he might be even more dangerous.

Gerald: However, Lorisian didn't even show the extent of his capabilities in the previous round. Right now, we're about to see what Lorisian can do at his full potential.

Thong put a hand on his chin, rubbing the fabric of his mask as he did so.

Thong: Full potential, huh? That is true. Quintin gave us a better feeling of his full potential in his match against Li. But machines can always be improved. So who knows how far he's come now.

Gerald: It looks like the end result of this match is still in the air. Quintin's evolution and Lorisian's full potential.

Gerald spun on his heel, turning away from the monitor, and headed to the door.

Hugo: Where do you think you're going, Gary?

Gerald: I have no interest in this match whatsoever. I'm here for Thong's matches.

Li: But you watched Moll's fight against the masked guy, right?

Gerald: Those are two top tens up against each other. Plus, I only watched it because I want to know how that fight will do compared to the one after this one. Enjoy the fight, idiots, and Thong. I'm going to see if I can find my dear cousin and uncle.

Gerald left the room, Hugo and Li watching the door in disbelief. Thong, however, never let his eyes leave the screen. He looked over the differences between the two fighters on screen.

Thong's thoughts: This looks like it'll be fun…