"Dominic, what're you doing!" Dominic's friend shouted from the crowd.
He couldn't believe what he was seeing. He thought it was just a bad dream.
However, Dominic couldn't answer as he was unconscious. The punch rocked his brain. Even his strong body couldn't handle the force of the blow.
"A-ah…" The match overseer gulped in surprise and slowly raised his arm. "W-winner, Kiernan Hunter!"
Kiernan slowly bowed and said, "A nice match."
After the winner was finally announced, the crowd erupted in cheers.
A weak person would never receive cheers. That's how the world is. However, now the crowd had to agree that for someone who hadn't reached the Age of Growth yet, Kiernan was strong!
Kiernan left the stage and walked back to the locker room.
After closing the door and deafening the cheers, he took a seat on the bench and slowly removed the white cloth from his hands. Underneath, his hands were red and raw from the intensity of the fight.
"System Interface." Kiernan whispered, and the interface opened up in front of him.
He noticed that he received 10 experience points for his victory.
'I received five experience points from defeating another Martial Recruit. I suppose High Stage Martial Recruit gives more points than Middle or Low stage.'
At that moment, he heard rapid footsteps coming from the door. He quickly closed the interface and saw the door open.
An unfamiliar, slick-haired man entered the locker room with a giant smile. It almost looked like he was beaming.
'Who?' Kiernan didn't recognize the face.
"Hello, young man." Bernard greeted him with a bright smile and offered a handshake. "My name's Bernard—I am the headmaster of Irio High!"
"Nice to meet you." Kiernan shook the hand and was curious what he wanted with him.
Before Bernard could state his business, the door again opened, and cold-faced Azer entered the room. The room suddenly turned cold, as if the freezer were left open.
"Bernard, it's time for you to leave." Azer said coldly.
"Come on, I am just wanting to talk with him." Bernard laughed and turned to Kiernan. "What an amazing match! You're only a first-year, yes?"
"That's right." Kiernan nodded.
'What a monstrous talent.' Bernard thought to himself with a smile. 'Where did he come from? If he has really lived in Irio for his entire life, how come no one has heard of him?'
"I told you to leave." Azer said coldly. "You are unwelcome here."
"The offer still stands." Bernard turned to Azer and grinned. "However, I don't want Dominic anymore. Instead, I want Kiernan."
'He wants me?' Kiernan looked disgusted. 'What the fuckery is going on.'
"I thought about the offer, and my answer is no." Azer said sternly and then looked at Kiernan with a deep look.
'I am a failure as principal because I didn't notice that there was a talent in my school. There's no way I can let him go. In a year or two, perhaps we can defeat Irio High!'
"Well, I'll ask him then." Bernard scoffed and turned to Kiernan. "I have an offer for you. Join my school, Irio High. We'll make you a reserve fighter right away, and you can join us in the National Martial Arts Tournament!"
'National Martial Arts Tournament?' Kiernan looked interested. 'Former Kiernan used to go watch the tournament with Karma. It was the biggest stage for young men to show their skill.
'If one succeeds in that stage, their future is limitless.'
'Line, hook, and sinker.' Bernard thought as he saw Kiernan's interested expression. 'No one can resist the temptation.'
Azer also saw that and felt his heart sink to the bottom of his stomach. If he lost a talent of this caliber, he might as well resign as principal!
He opened his mouth, wanting to convince Kiernan to stay in his school, but he managed to speak first.
"Sounds good, but I'll refuse." Kiernan said and crossed his arms.
"W-why!" Bernard stumbled over his words in surprise.
Azer also looked surprised. He didn't think there was anyone capable of resisting such an offer.
"Ah, well, my father wanted me to study at Karuza High. It's where he studied, so it is a family tradition, I suppose." Kiernan shrugged his shoulders.
"T-that's…" Bernard gritted his teeth and shouted. "We can offer much better studying conditions at Irio High. I am sure your father would want to also see you on the national stage!"
"Oh, I am sure he would." Kiernan smiled. "And I would like to stand on that stage as well."
"T-then." Bernard's eyes shone as there seemed to still be a chance to get Kiernan to join them.
"I'll just participate in the national stage with Karuza High." Kiernan stood up, and even though he was a head shorter than Bernard, his aura was as intense. "We just have to defeat your school, don't we?"
'Such confidence!' He thought while looking at the young man. 'How is he so confident? Is it because he is even stronger than we initially thought? But he is only a Low Stage Martial Recruit…'
"Kid…" Bernard's expression turned serious. "You have no idea who you're up against."
At the doorway, Julia stood with a stunned expression. She had followed her father to the locker room and heard everything. She was as stunned as her father.
'Who is he?' Julia thought while looking at Kiernan. 'It was as if he had changed completely overnight. I remember him being timid, and lacking confidence.'
"You received your answer." Azer grabbed Bernard by his shoulder and said, "We'll see you in the representation match."
Bernard slapped his hand away, scowled at them, and then stomped out of the locker room.
After he left, Azer turned to Kiernan and said, "I don't think we have personally met. My name's Azer Karuza."
"Nice to meet you, principal." Kiernan stood up and bowed slightly, showing respect for his principal.
'He is strong.' Kiernan thought as he tried to determine Azer's strength. 'In Earth, he would be near the top. I don't think I have met many as powerful as him.
'This world is indeed deep. There's already someone so strong in this small town.'
Kiernan was surprised because he did some learning yesterday night. He browsed through the Internet and found something very interesting.
All the countries were ranked using a tier system. The ranks were from Tier 5 to Tier 1. The strongest countries were classified as Tier 1 Countries.
Kiernan's country—New Rakuya—was surprisingly only a Tier 4 country.
'I wonder how strong the people are in Tier 1 countries!' Kiernan's eyes shone with excitement.
"Now that you defeated Dominic, your rank is now eight." Azer said. "The team needs three main fighters and two reverse. We usually give spots depending on ranking, so top 5 ranked students get to participate in the representation match."
"So, I'll need to climb a few more ranks." Kiernan said with a smile.
"Yes," Azer said. "However, it won't be easy. Dominic was strong, but the students above him are much stronger. They've already reached Martial Soldier rank."
"I see." Kiernan nodded. 'I wonder how strong Jonathan is compared to those guys. I've already defeated a Martial Soldier.'
"If you train for another year, I am sure you'll become strong enough to be the main fighter." Azer said. "Then, we can challenge Irio High properly for the seat as Irio's representative!"
"Too long." Kiernan said. "That's too long. I want to participate in the next National Martial Arts Tournament."
"What?!" Azer cried out. "It is happening in a month, and our representation match is in a week. You don't have enough time to increase your Martial Soul rank."
"Is that so?" Kiernan closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and entered a state of intense focus.
In his Martial Soul, something mysterious happened. Slowly, another layer started to peel off, and an even more beautiful soul lay underneath.
A strong wind blew suddenly around the room.
Azer's eyes bulged open. "Impossible!"
[Middle Stage Martial Recruit Achieved!]