Chapter 7: The Tournament Begins (Lucas vs. Effort)

The academy's Grand Tournament had officially begun.

Students gathered in the massive arena, their cheers shaking the ground.

On one side of the ring stood Dante Ravencroft, radiating raw power, his muscles tense with anticipation.

On the other side…

Lucas Vance was still yawning.

Claire smacked his arm. "Wake up! You're about to fight!"

Lucas stretched lazily. "Yeah, yeah. Just tell me when it's over."

Dante cracked his knuckles. "Oh, don't worry. This will be over real quick."

Lucas scratched his head. "Great. That means lunch is soon."

The referee stepped forward. "Fighters, are you ready?"

Dante's eyes gleamed. "Born ready."

Lucas blinked. "Huh? Oh. Sure, whatever."

The referee raised his hand.

"BEGIN!"

---

WHOOSH!

Dante exploded forward, his fist glowing with battle energy.

He swung a devastating punch—

And Lucas…

Bent down to tie his shoelaces.

WHOOSH!

Dante's punch sailed over Lucas' head, completely missing.

The crowd gasped.

Claire, watching from the stands, facepalmed. "Oh no. It's happening again."

Dante snarled and spun into a roundhouse kick.

Lucas, still focused on his shoes, stood up at the exact right moment—

Ducking under the kick.

Dante's foot hit nothing but air.

The crowd erupted.

"HE'S INCREDIBLE!" someone shouted.

"SUCH PRECISE MOVEMENT!"

Claire buried her face in her hands. "No. He's just dumb and lucky."

Dante clenched his fists. "YOU'RE MOCKING ME!"

Lucas blinked. "Dude, I'm literally doing nothing."

Dante let out a roar.

His energy surged, and the ground beneath him cracked.

"Fine," Dante growled. "No more playing around."

Lucas sighed. "Ugh. More effort?"

Dante raised his hand. His fist glowed like molten fire.

The students gasped.

"The Dragon Fist?!"

"Not even seniors can survive that attack!"

Claire leaned forward. "Lucas, MOVE!"

Lucas squinted at the incoming attack.

"…That looks kinda dangerous."

Dante charged forward.

Lucas scratched his head. "Hmm. Maybe if I—"

Dante swung with full force.

Lucas yawned—

And tripped on his own feet.

Lucas stumbled forward, completely dodging Dante's punch.

His head accidentally rammed into Dante's stomach.

Dante gagged, lost balance, and slipped on Lucas' shoelace.

THUD!

Dante faceplanted into the ground.

Silence.

The referee blinked. "Uh… Dante is… unable to continue."

Pause.

"Winner… LUCAS VANCE!"

The entire stadium exploded with cheers.

Lucas sat up and blinked. "Huh? Did I win?"

Claire ran up to him. "HOW?!"

Lucas shrugged. "Gravity, I guess?"

Dante, still on the ground, groaned. "I hate you…"

Lucas patted his back. "There, there, buddy."

Dante growled.

As the crowd continued cheering, the Headmaster stepped onto the stage.

"Well, well," the Headmaster chuckled. "That was… unexpected."

Lucas waved lazily. "Thanks, old man."

The Headmaster ignored him.

"Since this match ended so quickly, let's make things interesting."

Lucas froze.

"Oh no."

The Headmaster smiled.

"Lucas Vance… will fight again. Right now."

Lucas' soul left his body.

Claire gasped. "WHAT?!"

Lucas groaned. "I take back everything. This is my worst nightmare."

A new opponent stepped into the ring.

Lucas looked up… and saw a massive, armor-clad warrior.

"Meet your next challenger," the Headmaster announced.

"The undefeated champion… BEHEMOTH."

Lucas stared at the towering figure.

"…I think I need a nap."

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End of Chapter 7.