The stadium buzzed with anticipation, lanterns of floating mana drifting above the spectators like tiny glowing stars.
The announcer's voice boomed across the arena.
"Okay folks, here you have it—our first contestants! Robby Duran for the mages versus Kevin Dominic for the swordsmen! I can already feel the excitement. You have three minutes to place your bets while the contestants are screened."
The speaker dug through his pockets and pulled out a few coins for demonstration.
Miniature blue and red magic portals opened beside each person, swirling softly before stabilizing.
Those who wanted to bet simply tossed their coins into the portal matching the team they supported—blue for the mages, red for the swordsmen. The portals rejected anything that wasn't a coin, making foreign objects pass harmlessly through.
After three minutes, the portals vanished with a faint pop.
The arena erupted in a wave of cheers as Robby and Kevin emerged from opposite sides, the massive stadium lights casting long shadows behind them.
"You can do this!" 2 and the others shouted.
The swordsmen team just watched quietly as Kevin went out as if knowing this was just a waste of time.
Both contestants stepped through a scanner designed to detect illegal drugs or artifacts.
"Clear!" the officials called as the device flashed green when the two passed through.
"He has a fit body, but his face looks young and cute," a girl whispered to her friend as she stared at the blue-haired swordsman.
Kevin was tall—around five foot six—with glasses and a simple fighting robe. A white katana with strange inscriptions hung at his side.
Opposite him, Robby stood confidently, his blonde hair swaying as he faced his opponent.
"Ready on both sides?"
"Yes!" Robby answered. Kevin nodded.
"Fight!"
Kevin calmly removed his glasses and folded them before tucking them into his pocket—just as Robby sprinted toward him.
"He looks slightly more handsome with his glasses off... um, am I gay for saying that?" Robby wondered briefly before throwing a punch from several meters away, hoping to use the element of surprise.
Unlike swordsmen who could fight using pure physical skill, while hiding the nature of their magic, mages relied heavily on their magic.
Only a few learned hand to hand combat, and Robby was one of them—but even then, his abilities were tied to his magic.
That meant the moment he used a skill, his opponent could figure out his magic and counter as specifically Robby, his magic was very easy to discover. What that implied was that his first attack mattered heavily.
"Gotcha!" Kevin shifted effortlessly aside, dodging the outstretched hand. He lunged forward to close the distance—then suddenly bounced up as the ground beneath him turned to rubber.
Still off balance, Kevin twisted mid air as Robby hurled six flat nails from his pouch.
The nails ricocheted wildly around the invisible dome protecting the audience.
Kevin landed gracefully, slipping into the fancy footwork swordsmen were known for as he dodged each incoming nail.
"What a waste," Kevin muttered, swinging his katana backward to parry a nail coming from his blind spot.
"What the hell did you just say?" Robby shouted.
"Oh, don't mind me. I just thought you guys would be stronger," Kevin teased, sprinting toward him.
Robby, falling for the provocation, launched consecutive long range punches.
Using the rebound of the rubbery ground, he shot toward Kevin—who stopped abruptly as he saw Robby closing in.
With the momentum behind him, Robby extended his leg in a sweeping kick.
Kevin barely dodged, bending low. But a stray nail struck his right shoulder, making him drop his sword.
"Urgh… damn it. Looks like he can't keep the ground elastic for long," Kevin noted as he stepped, feeling the ground returning to normal.
He retreated slightly, analyzing Robby while dodging the last few flying nails.
"He's keeping his distance… he's already figured out my powers. Not like I was hiding it. Well whatever let's end this quickly."
Robby charged his mana and lunged, swinging rapid punches as Kevin—still unarmed—dodged the nails that targeted only him.
As Robby neared, Kevin smiled and stretched out his left hand. His katana flew back into his grip.
He parried the first punch with the flat side of his blade, a calm, calculating smile on his face.
"Just one opening…" Kevin murmured silently as he parried the onslaught of attacks.
Robby rushed him again, aiming a punch at his face. Kevin bent backward, letting Robby's momentum carry him forward.
"Your right hand is injured from the nail.
"He's relying on his left hand, that's probably due to the nail hitting him so his moves will be sloppier, slower. That's what you banked on when you attacked me, right?" Kevin whispered. "But what if I baited you instead and I could use both hands perfectly?"
Before Robby could react, Kevin dropped his katana and grabbed Robby's head, slamming his knee into his skull.
Robby staggered, dizzy.
Kevin spun and kicked him hard in the side.
At that moment, Kevin's katana began to glow, morphing into a chain and hook.
It shot around Robby's leg and tightened. With a pull, Kevin hurled him upward, then yanked him back down viciously.
Robby hit the ground hard with a loud thud. As his vision cleared, Kevin stood over him, now wielding two katanas crossed and presssed against his neck.
"This fight is over," the official announced as the barrier lowered. "Winner: Kevin Dominic for the swordsmen!"
The crowd went silent for a heartbeat—then erupted.
Swordsmen clashed their blades against each other in celebration.
"What are they cheering for? Did they think I was going to lose this match, this win was expected." Kevin said with a confident smile as he stepped past Robby before stopping.
"Now that you've lost, you're no longer a threat. So let me tell you something. Don't be disappointed—you losing to me was inevitable. And I'll prove it to you by winning this tournament. Stand up, Robby Duran. You fought well."
Kevin extended a hand. Robby took it.
"You really know how to make someone not hate you," Robby sighed. "But you're wrong about one thing—you're not winning this tournament. I can bet my life on that."
"You're life, huh? You must hold the person in high regard then. We'll see then." Kevin said although he already suspected who Robby placed his hopes on as he looked up at the mages balcony and locked eyes with 2 for a few seconds.
After one last cocky grin, Kevin turned and headed back.
Robby, disheartened, headed for the mages' locker room, ready to receive an earful.
"I'm sorry, guys… that guy really disgraced us," Robby said with his head bowed in shame.
"Don't beat yourself up," Nadia said, squeezing his shoulder. "He was clearly strong. Leave the rest to us."
Neither Mr. David nor Mr. Sein blamed him. They had expected this outcome—they just prayed the next match would be better, after all it was the Kevin Dominic they were talking about.
The speaker reappeared on the floating screen. "Kevin Dominic has qualified for the next round, putting the swordsmen in the lead!"
2 wasn't listening. "Please let it be me next… the mages' morale is dropping, and I also didn't like the way that guy looked at me ."
As if the universe heard him and decided to answer his prayers, "Next up—we have Jayden Reginald versus Victor Paschal!"
"Good… very good," 2 whispered. "Don't worry, Dad, guys, Robby. I'll show them the power of a Reginald—the power of fantasy."
"We're winning this next one."