"Who? Did I hear that right? Tiona Hiryute?"
"The level 5 adventurer?"
"Loki Familia's making a move. They eyeing this Roy Flott?"
"No kidding, a level 1 beating a level 4? Who in Orario pulls that off? If you were a Familia's god, wouldn't you snatch up a talent like that?"
The host's announcement unleashed a roar from the crowd.
Some spectators, glued to the betting boards, knew the matchup already, while others, here for the spectacle, buzzed with excitement at the jump to a level 5 opponent.
A first class adventurer from the Loki Familia entering the arena was a rare treat.
Win or lose, Roy's underdog streak and Tiona's star power made the match a steal for the ticket price.
"Hmm~" Tiona hummed a cheery tune, striding onto the ring with hands behind her back.
Her sunny grin mirrored her mood, unclouded by doubt.
Her Amazon attire--chest wrapped in thin cloth, long beach skirt, barefoot--flaunted her toned, elastic figure.
"Roy Flott?" Tiona asked, her eager smile widening. "Before we start, can I make a request?"
"What's that?" Roy replied.
"If I win, you're my boyfriend. Deal?" Tiona tossed out the bold proposition, unfazed by the packed arena.
"Oooh!" The stands erupted in hoots and cheers.
"What's this?!" the host boomed, seizing the moment to stoke the crowd.
"Contestant Tiona's confessing to contestant Roy right in the ring!"
"Idiot! What're you doing, flirting in public? Knock that kid out!" Loki growled, fuming at Tiona's antics.
"Loki, you're low, trying to poach my Roy like that!" Hestia accused, glaring.
"Not my idea! I'm not that desperate--Tiona's doing this on her own!" Loki shot back, matching Hestia's scowl.
"Now I get why Tiona jumped into the arena. She's got a crush!" Loki said, slapping her forehead.
"You trying to steal my child with a honey trap?"
"Roy wouldn't fall for girls like her!" Hestia huffed, defiant.
"The hell?" Loki snarled.
"Enough, both of you!" Riveria snapped, her patience gone.
Her radiating anger silenced the bickering gods, who shrank back, exchanging glares but holding their tongues.
Tiona's bright eyes locked onto Roy, her smile unshaken by shyness.
Roy, unfazed by her public advance, felt a twinge of regret.
Alone, he might've played along, but with Hestia watching, he didn't want to stir her jealousy.
"Sorry, I pass," Roy said bluntly.
"Why not?" Tiona asked, genuinely puzzled.
"Why'd you pick me?" Roy countered.
"Good-looking, strong, talented," Tiona said earnestly. "Our kids would inherit your blood, becoming Orario's top adventurers."
Keep going, why stop there? Roy thought, amused.
"Let's fight and save time," Roy said, waving his long sword.
"Not even considering it?" Tiona pressed, undeterred.
"No need. We've got no spark, so no boyfriend-girlfriend talk," Roy said, shaking his head. "Plus, I've got my own goals."
"Who's she?" Tiona asked, curious.
"None of your business," Roy replied.
Come on, take a hint, he thought. Kids? Let's talk privately sometime.
"Beat you, and I'll make you spill. I'll outshine her," Tiona declared, grabbing a claymore from the weapon rack, testing its weight with a mutter.
As a level 5, Tiona wielded first class weapons; the arena's standard gear felt clunky, limiting her full strength.
"You probably won't find out," Roy chuckled.
"Ugh!" Tiona shot him a mock-wounded glare.
As the host called "Start," she stomped the ground barefoot.
Boom! The arena floor cracked like a spiderweb.
Tiona charged at Roy with relentless ferocity. Her speed and power dwarfed any level 4's.
Clang! Weapons clashed, sparks flying.
"You were holding back?" Tiona said, sensing the mismatch.
Roy's earlier fights suggested she'd at least stagger him, but he blocked her strike effortlessly, looking relaxed.
"Not holding back," Roy grinned.
"They just weren't worth my full strength."
Read advance chapters at:
200 Stones = 1 chapter
400 Stones = 2 chapter