When Liam had lost his fight, he wasn't seriously injured in the bout. He had some sore muscles and was tired, but the system that was a part of his body quickly healed that.
It was almost as if he was no longer human. There was already a difference between Pagna warriors and regular humans in the first place, but Liam was now even further apart from that.
Despite all of this and everything he had, he still ended up losing his match again. Once again, he was unable to achieve what he wished.
'The memory of Raze that day, when he took on the main disciples, it's still in my head, and everything he said that day… I wanted to make a scene like that today, but instead, I just ended up embarrassing myself.'
Liam started to kick the ground; he was so embarrassed, he was too confident in winning, and now he had to face the music.
The moment he stepped into the Dark Faction viewing area, the sound of laughter was heard coming from one person in particular.
"What happened, did you lose your balls in the middle of the match, is that why you lost!" Simyon said. "Oh wait, maybe it's because your opponent had no balls to begin with, which means your balls must be more useless."
Liam was shaking in anger, but all he could do right now was take in everything that was being said to him because it was all true.
"I swear… I swear you have no idea who I just went up against!" Liam replied back. "It's clear that she's the strongest in this entire tournament, that's why I lost."
"If you went up against her, and anyone else, everyone would lose. If she wins this tournament then it will just prove my point."
"And if she gets eliminated by Safa the next round, then is it confirmed you're the weakest out of all of us?" Simyon asked back.
To which Safa elbowed Simyon in his stomach. When she did, though, Simyon hardly jolted and it was Safa's elbow that was a little red.
"I need to remember your body isn't like what it used to be, but you should be quiet about that," Safa said.
The good thing was that all of the students were able to freely talk amongst each other away from the adults. They weren't really concerned despite what they did about them escaping or not.
Perhaps it was because Murkel was in the same room as them, and escape seemed impossible with him keeping watch.
"I know, I know, I was just poking fun. You think if I had lost my match and he won his, he wouldn't be doing the same. He would be going on about how I have no balls, so I needed to give him some of his own stuff while I can."
"I'm serious though," Liam said. "Maybe I made some mistakes and stuff in the fight, but I'm not lying, she's strong. Safa, I would watch out for her when you go up against her, I'm sure that she's got more to show."
"It doesn't matter," Safa answered. "We have all already shown enough. Now the Dark Faction students are seen as a strong force, you can see by Murkel's face that he's already satisfied.
"If I lose the next fight, and come out with next to no injuries that will be for the best for everyone."
Liam was still thinking about the match he had, he was sure if the two of them were to fight again, that he wouldn't come out as the loser.
The sound of two pairs of footsteps were heard from behind as they had been listening to the conversation.
"So what is it that you want us to do?" Ricktor asked. "You have taken the role as leader of this small group for a while now and we will be going up against him next."
Safa looked at the screen, seeing the two of them would be going up against Raze.
"Just don't get seriously injured, but don't make it look like you're just going to forfeit that wouldn't make sense," Safa said. "We don't want to draw suspicion."
"The easiest way to make something look realistic is by fighting for real. I'm sure the judges that are on stage will stop the fight before it gets serious," Ricktor answered.
Safa could see the look in Ricktor's eyes. He wanted to go full force against Raze for what had happened last time. There wasn't hatred or revenge; it was more so to test oneself.
However, when looking at Mada, there was silence. He was clearly deep in thought. Safa had no telling what would happen to the two of them.
"Remember, even if the physicians can't do something, I might be able to, so if you want to go all out, then be my guest," Safa said.
After seeing everything Raze could do, she was sure that he would be able to best the two of them with ease anyway.
He was most likely to use one of his special moves right off the bat to end the fight early. Safa didn't know why, but she had figured the items that the Dark Faction had obtained, Raze wanted them.
It had to be the same with the other item for the singles match; that was why he was taking part.
Safa had held and come close to the item, and she could tell it was a magical item. So they had to be special for Raze to go after them.
"The first match of the second round will now commence; will Mada, Ricktor, and Jake please make their way to the stage!"
Ricktor started to move, but as he did, he looked at Mada who was behind him, who was still.
"Come on, this might be the last time we fight," Ricktor claimed.
"Doesn't that mean, you think we've already lost as well?" Mada replied.
"I'm just stating the facts, I don't fight if I think I'm going to lose," Ricktor said. "That is a principle that I truly stand by, which is why I need to go out there and get my answer."
After pausing for a few more moments, Mada eventually decided to walk with Ricktor. They went past the Flowing Force Clan head, as well as the other adults who had given some words of encouragement to the two.
"Go show them the Dark Faction is best!"
"If you beat the Demon, then there will be nothing for us to worry about!"
"The Dark Faction will be considered the strongest, winning the group and individual stage! It will be a first in our history!"
The two continued walking, and just as they exited out from the glass, Ricktor heard the voice from one man in particular.
Ricktor stopped and turned around, looking at his father, looking at the principal.
"You have worked extremely hard, in this fight, I expect you to use all of your strength, you know what I mean by this right?" Murkel asked.
"You mean I haven't so far?" Ricktor smiled.
"You think I couldn't tell that you had reached the Middle stage. Go out there and win," Murkel ordered.