Chapter Seven: Preliminary Round
Luck was on their side. Soma, their mother, helped them without asking too many questions, though Adar felt a ache of guilt keeping their true intentions a secret. With the registration money in hand, Adar and Din, careful to hide their identity, made their way to sign up for the tournament. Despite Adar's unusual height and muscular body for his age, they managed to blend in, and their secret as minors remained just that—a secret.
The tournament, they learned, was called the Local Championship Challenge. It had been running for years, a known event in the underground fighting circuit, sponsored by the powerful Kaa Groups. This organization was a big name, a strong force in both the business world and the combat sports scene. They owned many gyms and ran a very popular fighting promotion.
It became clear that they used this very underground tournament for a special purpose: to find and recruit new, promising amateur fighters. They would then help these fighters grow and develop, guiding them on the path to become professional combatants. For Adar and Din, this wasn't just about the money; it was an unexpected chance to get noticed, a potential fast-track into the world they needed to conquer. The stakes had just gotten even higher.
The organizer, a stern-faced man with sharp eyes, informed them the competition would kick off next month. "Prepare very well," he advised, his voice low. "There are many prodigies participating in this year's competition, more than usual." He emphasized that this was an MMA competition, a true test of all-around fighting skill. "If you are lucky," he added, "you might even get a contract with one of our promotions and gyms."
Adar and Din returned to their small apartment, the weight of the upcoming challenge settling heavily on them. They immediately ramped up their preparation. Adar, though still young, had transformed incredibly from the scared boy who first made the deal with Kart. His current status reflected years of brutal, unyielding training:
Name: Adar Kagen
Age: 13 and 8 months old
Trait or Specialty: Unyielding Spirit (EX)
Attributes:
* Strength: C
* Speed: B
* Mental Fortitude: A
* Stamina: C+
Skills:
* Striking: C
* Movement: C+
* Grappling: D
* Ground Fighting: D
* Throws: D
While Adar focused on perfecting his physical techniques, Din took charge of their strategy. "We need to do a lot of strategy training," Din explained, his eyes fixed on their old tablet. "And watch every fighting video we can find to get insight, because we lack experience compared to those veterans." They spent hours analyzing different fighters' styles, weaknesses, and common tactics, trying to make up for Adar's youth with smart planning.
Just as their intensified training began, a new mission appeared on Adar's System interface, a clear target that sharpened his resolve even further.
MISSION: Reach the Final to unlock Pro Beginner Gym Simulation with Trainer and Sparring Partner.
This wasn't just about winning money now. It was about unlocking the next level of training, the kind that could truly make him a professional fighter. The path was clear: reach the final, no matter the cost.
The one month flashed by quickly, a whirlwind of last-minute preparations and intense focus. Soon, it was time to travel to Falmouth City, a very vibrant place that wasn't too far from their town, so the journey didn't cost them much money.
After a while, they reached their destination. The tournament was to be held in a small, buzzing arena, and they heard it would even be broadcast on TV. The air crackled with excitement.
An announcer, a man with a booming voice, stepped onto a small stage. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Local Championship Challenge! This year, we have a total of 100 participants, all ready to prove themselves!" He paused for the crowd's cheers. "This is a knockout match, where only the strongest will survive until the finals!"
His voice grew louder, building the tension. "The entire competition will span three months of intense battles! And the ultimate winner, the champion of champions, will claim a grand prize of 7,000 cenk!" He paused again, letting the number sink in. "For those counting, that's equivalent to a massive $700,000 dollars! Think of what that means – a chance to change your life forever, a step into the big leagues of combat sports, and a direct path to a contract with the powerful Kaa Groups promotions and gyms! This isn't just a fight; it's a destiny-changer!" The crowd roared.
Adar and Din had told their mother they were going on a business trip, a story they hoped she would believe. They couldn't bring themselves to tell her the scary truth. What they didn't know was that Soma had figured out what they were up to ages ago. She knew they were hiding it out of worry for her health. Sometimes, when they thought she was asleep, she would eavesdrop on their hushed conversations, hearing their fears for her and their fierce determination. She would listen to the sounds of their hard work every day, even though she didn't fully understand what fueled them. Because she was so weak and couldn't do much to help them now, relying on them for food, she silently became their secret supporter, watching over them with a quiet, loving concern.
The announcer's booming voice returned, rattling off a long list of names and matchups. "Each day, we will have ten thrilling matches! Be ready for non-stop action!"
Adar's heart pounded when he heard his own name called. He was scheduled to face Tokelau Carl on the very first day of the competition. Carl, the announcer added, was seventeen years old and already an amateur fighter with some experience.
As Adar walked toward the ring, a mix of excitement and nervousness churned in his stomach. The crowd felt like a giant, roaring beast. This was his first time standing in front of so many people, the lights bright, the noise deafening. He climbed through the ropes, the canvas feeling soft under his feet. Across from him, Carl looked strong and confident, taller than Adar expected.
The referee gave them final instructions, and then the bell rang.
Carl immediately charged forward, throwing a quick jab followed by a strong right hand. Adar, used to the perfect, relentless movements of his simulator trainers, found himself a little clumsy in this real-world setting. The cheers and shouts from the crowd were a distraction, making his movements feel stiff. He dodged Carl's first attack but stumbled slightly, his Movement not as fluid as it was in his mind.
"Move, Adar!" Din's voice, sharp and clear from the sidelines, cut through the noise in Adar's head, instantly grounding him. "Remember your angles!"
Adar shook off the initial jitters. He focused, his Mental Fortitude kicking in. Carl kept pressing, swinging wide hooks. Adar, relying on his greatly improved Speed, started slipping Carl's punches, moving his head just enough to avoid the blows. He saw an opening when Carl left his body exposed after a missed swing. Adar threw a quick, short Striking punch to Carl's ribs, a move he'd practiced countless times. The punch landed with a solid thud, making Carl grunt and take a step back.
Carl, clearly surprised, became more cautious. He tried to grab Adar, aiming for a clinch, but Adar used his Movement skill, twisting away and creating distance. Adar wasn't landing many flashy hits, but he was blocking, moving, and slowly wearing Carl down with well-placed body shots. He struggled a bit with the real-life pressure, making small mistakes he wouldn't make in the simulator, but his Unyielding Spirit kept him pushing through.
Toward the end of the round, Carl, frustrated, rushed in with a wild haymaker. This was the opening Adar had been waiting for. He ducked under Carl's arm, stepping inside, and unleashed a swift, powerful Striking combination: two quick punches to Carl's face, followed by a hard uppercut to his chin. Carl's eyes rolled back, and he fell to the canvas with a loud thud.
The referee quickly stepped in, waving his hands. "It's over! Technical knockout!"
The crowd roared, a mix of cheers and surprised murmurs. Adar stood in the middle of the ring, breathing heavily, a trickle of blood from a small cut on his lip. It wasn't perfect, he knew, but he had won. His first real fight was a victory. He glanced over at Din, who gave him a proud, relieved nod. One down, many more to go.