"What the hell is wrong with this year's contestants?" one of the healing mages thought as they carried Simon's unconscious body to the healers infirmary.
They laid him down and observed his wounded body. He currently had a cracked jaw, two broken ribs, cuts and scratches all over.
Simon was in a serious wounded state but the healers weren't worried. They'd dealt with worse and had healed people on the verge of death, these we're the most skilled healers know in the capital all called upon by the king in preparation for the tournament.
Therefore with the best treatment in the capital looking after him, Simon would be in top condition by tomorrow.
Back in the ring upstairs, the whole arena was quiet after hearing the threat by Jayden and Luke had slowly gone back to his chair in the king's balcony.
Jayden knelt next to Nadia, alongside the healers who we're administering first aid to her before moving her.
At this point the surprise had started to leave slowly, Ren jumped out and ran towards the two, with the rest of their team quickly following him while Mr David stood from the mages section, watching, his hands clenched.
Shaley, separating herself from her parents from the high stands where she sat, jumped down as well, but suddenly as she was about to land, two light green hands held her and brought her down slowly.
Her guardian spirit magic ensured she was kept safe and she could afford to do little stunts like that.
"Something's wrong" Jayden thought as he continued attempting to heal her, his hands glowing as he pressed mana into her.
"There's something pushing me back."
"Jayden, how is she?" Ren said as he reached them first.
"She was badly injured internally, we're healing her now." a healer said as he looked at Ren quickly.
He stood still, his hands by his side, clenching his shirt in rage, his teeth gritted furiously.
"Unlike Jayden, I cant even make threats as I'm still weak. I understand that in a tournament like this people get hurt and injured, but this was different, this was just pure evil. Simon Zain, I swear I'll kill you for hurting my friend like this. Just you wait."
"What are you guys doing here? I'm already going to suffer a penalty for interfering," Jayden asked, cutting off Ren's darkening train of thought.
"So what. If our friend's in danger we'll rush to save them no matter the consequences.
Moreover I've already lost so there's no penalty for me." Ren said with a shrug.
"Me too dude, he just took the words from my mouth. Also, Lucas didn't come out so we're good." Judas said as he put a hand on Jayden's shoulder.
Jayden turned to see Lucas give him a thumbs up, as he stood next to Mr David.
After administering first aid to Nadia, the officials carried her away leaving the group of teenagers alone on the ring.
"I actually don't care what happens to us," Lucas said as he brushed his hair lightly "but I'm feeling kind off pissed off that the bastard has not been disqualified for going too far in his match."
"The solution is simple. Tomorrow whoever gets to fight the bastard, make sure to kick his ass, that's all." Ugah chipped in.
Shaley slipped her hands into Jayden's and looked at him. He smiled and grinned more when she mouthed the words "I'm here for you, okay?"
"Then what are waiting for, we'll destroy the swordsmen completely." jayden said as he put his hand out.
Everyone put their hands together and after the third count, they raised it up and cheered.
"For the finishing act" Shaley nudged Jayden in the hand.
"Oh yeah." Jayden smiled as a magic circle appeared underneath them.
Suddenly a huge beam of light that blinded everyone for a second flashed and as it faded away all of them had disappeared leaving behind a surprised audience.
In the midst of the silence, the speaker appeared, once again from a puff of smoke, and tapping the magic orb to gain the attention of everyone, he spoke.
"We will now have a brief intermission to decide on the penalty facing Jayden Reginald for the unauthorized interference of the match. Please bear with us"
Taking his leave, the crowd was divided on their thoughts against what should happen.
Many were shouting against how it wasn't fair for Jayden to be receiving a penalty, but the officials who had failed to do their jobs early.
Another group of people argued that he should be disqualified stating that this is the second time saying he's becoming unhinged and cocky.
Appearing back on the stage, the speaker spoke into the magic orb "Everyone, this does not need to escalate into an argument. The council will properly resolve it." the plea fell on deaf ears, in fact it even increased the crowds argument.
Sighing in defeat, the speaker looked up to the King for help.
"Guess I'll have to take command now." King Clenor said as he stood up.
"C'mon man you know how much I hate this move" Luke sighed as he braced for it.
"At least, you're prepared for it, aren't you?"
"Authority of the King!" King Clenor said in a calm but firm tone.
Without warning, everybody in the arena stopped talking and everywhere became dead quiet as his aura presence passed through them and put fear in their body.
"The Council will take our time to make a decision, and you can rest assure it would be fair. I'll hand over to you, speaker." The King said before he sat back down. Everyone was shocked at what had happened, they had heard of the King's power but not many people had witnessed it firsthand.
It was a type of magic passed down from king to king and both its abilities and weaknesses were kept a close guarded secret.
"Okay folks, in the match between Nadia Samir and Simon Zain, the winner is Simon Zain". The speaker shouted to which the crowd responded with both boos and cheers.
Clearing his throat, he continued
"Tomorrow for the swordsmen we have, Kevin Dominic and Simon Zain while for the mages we have Lucas Volt who received a free pass and still under trial, Jayden Reginald. That's all folks, have a wonderful evening. Thank you."
The commentator once again disappeared in a puff of smoke for the last time that day. After a few minutes of gestures and greetings everybody started to leave, each talking about all the fights but undoubtedly Jayden's last entrance scene was the word of the day.
Meanwhile the teenagers had discussed about counters and strategies and headed home for the night except Shaley and Jayden who were sitting on a cloud, yes a cloud watching the sunset.
"You know most likely you might fight Simon tomorrow, what will you do then".
"To be honest, I don't know." Jayden said in frustration. "Everything he did infuriated me, he went too far and because of that Nadia was seriously wounded. I feel that's more reason why I'm happy you're not participating".
"What do you mean by that?" Shaley asked, confused.
"It's simple, if it was you that he hurt like that, I might have become a murderer today." At first she thought it was because he meant her magic was bad for fighting but hearing what he said, no matter how ominous made her happy.
Slowly she leaned over and kissed him lightly.
"Let's have some fun. Catch me if you can" she said as she jumped off the cloud. "Okay, you're on. Break."