The Vitality Academy student section erupted in cheers, their voices nearly deafening.
"No matter how big he is, Christopher will defeat him."
"Yeah! Christopher is the strongest."
"Go Master Christopher!!"
"We are behind you!!"
The governor, intrigued by the commotion, leaned over. "Hmm... Who is this young man? He seems to be famous in the academy."
Zenith, recalling their previous encounter, responded, "He is the eldest son of the Valhalla family, and very powerful."
"Yeah... Even from this distance I can feel his life force... The only surprise here is," the commander interjected, a grin spreading across his face, "He is concealing his true strength."
Both the governor and Zenith were stunned into silence.
"Don’t worry, Amara... This guy is just a legendary level tamer, he can’t do anything to Christopher," Ethan reassured his wife, placing a hand over hers.
Amara scoffed, "What are you saying, old man?! Do you think I don’t know that! I am just upset that an ant is standing before my son."
Ethan was left speechless.
The Guardian Academy Dean let out a booming laugh:
"Good! Very good! We can use this opportunity to see his strength! His opponent is a high-stage legendary level awakener, this is too good."
"It is true awakeners are a lot stronger than tamers in close combat, but Christopher isn’t just any tamer," Monica added, remembering Christopher’s past battle with the sky-stage fox.
’If Christopher were to use his powers here, everyone will be speechless... Please use it!’ she thought, a silent plea.
The announcer, a wide smile on his face, roared into the microphone:
"Okay participants!! The rules are simple! No use of Beast! Or any beast boost! When discovered, you will be disqualified, and your team will lose 1,000 points!! Second rule: When your opponent falls off the stage, and hits the ground, you win! If your opponent surrenders... You also win! You can use your personal skills and abilities! Now start!!!!"
A collective hush fell over the audience as all eyes fixed on the two figures on the stage.
"Hey Kid... This isn’t personal, bu---"
The entire arena was momentarily stunned as Christopher literally vanished from his spot, reappearing behind the man’s back. Before his opponent could even react, a swift kick connected with the side of his head, sending him flying twenty meters from the stage itself.
He crashed onto the ground, off the stage, vomiting a mouthful of blood before fainting.
Medics rushed to his side, checking his pulse.
"He is alive... Just fainted from the blow!" one of them yelled, his voice cutting through the stunned silence.
His words snapped everyone from their shock. They turned to Christopher, who stood calmly on the stage, both hands casually tucked into his pockets, his expression utterly flat.
That was the only question echoing in everyone’s minds.
"Yes!!!" "We knew he could do it!!!"
"We love you Christopher!!"
"He actually won with one hit." Adrian muttered in utter shock.
Advika, Mitchell, and Mariana stared at him with widened eyes. None of them had even seen him move; the next thing they knew, someone was soaring across the arena.
"Christopher won this round! And his team receives 1,000 points!!!" the announcer bellowed, a triumphant smile on his face.
Christopher simply turned and walked back to his spot, taking his place before his team.
"That is a real captain," the commander muttered, a genuine smile gracing his lips.
"I have to admit, Christopher really took me by surprise," the Guardian Academy Dean said, his gaze fixed on Christopher.
’His speed is just like the twins, or even better,’ he thought, before turning to Howard and Monica, who both wore triumphant smiles. ’Why did such a talent join the Vitality Academy?’
"That is my brother!!" Adonis yelled, finally settling down in his seat.
"Hey Adonis, who are those guys?" a nearby guy asked, pointing at two distinct groups of people sitting in two of the platforms in the arena.
Adonis turned his head to the platforms and quickly pulled the guy’s hand down. "Are you mad?!!" he hissed in a low voice.
"You see that guy with red eyes! He is known as Devil Hand! He is a supreme-level awakener! While the two ladies beside him are X and Phoenix... Phoenix is a peak master-level awakener, while X is also a peak master awakener! Any of them can kill you with only a glance!!" He explained, adding:
"Even the strongest family in the world won’t easily go against them; even the governor herself must still be respectful, because those guys are known as the beast kings, who command troops that can take down a small city overnight."
He then turned his head to the other platform, staring at Alex, Danzig, and Gabi.
"Those guys are under Mr. Alex... But I think the main mastermind behind them are the beast kings." Adonis looked around and sighed.
"Now take your attention from those monsters, and focus on the battle... That’s why I like Angus... He already knows all this."
"Well... That match surprised us all... So up next! Number 2!! Please get on the stage!!" the announcer yelled.
Everyone watched as Tori stepped forward, her gaze meeting one of the girls from First Star Academy, Addison, a meek-looking girl from her group.
The two got onto the stage, and Addison smiled.
"Don’t take this personal... I just so badly want to defeat you... Uh?!"
Addison was stunned as Tori vanished just like Christopher and reappeared behind her, sending a kick.
"You lose!" Tori spat out.
The whole arena was stunned.
"Copying other’s movement... Were you so threatened by him?" Addison asked with a smirk, her hand clenched around Tori’s foot, while still backing her. "Come on!! Let’s have a good fight!!"
Her muscles expanded, and with a powerful throw, she sent Tori flying ahead of her.
"Watch out!!" Tony and Zack yelled in unison.
Tori managed to grab onto the stage, stopping her fall. She slowly raised her head to Addison, who now sported a devilish smirk.
"Hehehe... Do you know why I joined the First Star Academy, rather than the Guardian or Vitality Academies?" Addison asked, slowly walking towards Tori, the air itself seeming to burn with every step she took.
"Why?" Tori asked, a frown creasing her brow.
"Because they aren’t any rules against students’ nature."
She disappeared and reappeared right in front of Tori, throwing a blistering punch.
Tori leaped into the air, landing behind Addison.
’What the fuck! Is she still a human?! If that punch had touched me, I would be hospitalized.’ Tori thought, slowly standing up.
"It seems no more playing."
She clenched both of her fists, and a dense amount of life force burst forth from her, rippling across the entire stage.
"My sister has never been serious in a fight... I am surprised this girl made her serious," Tony said with a small smile.
"Indeed," Zack added, his arms crossed over his chest.
"Can you defeat her?" Mitchell asked in a low voice.
"Which one?" Mariana asked back.
"Both, do you stand a chance with any one of them?"
Mariana was silent for a moment before answering, "With the skill I gained from the skill book, I can hold my ground."
"These guys are too weak," Advika said with a bored expression.
Hearing her words, both Mitchell and Mariana turned to her, deep frowns on their faces.
"You don’t believe me? Then wait for my turn," Advika said, staring at the two with a small smile.
"Let’s have a good fight!!" Tori yelled, and shot forward.
"Hahaha! I am thinking the same!!" Addison yelled, lunging towards her.
Everyone watched with flabbergasted expressions as the two powerhouses of their teams collided on the stage, going all out!
The captain of the First Star Academy team scoffed.
"Whenever Addison goes on a rampage, her life force burns faster... If she doesn’t slow down, she will lose," she muttered.
"Captain Stella... You shouldn’t say that," Josephine said with a frown.
"Why? Addison is hot-blooded, let’s just hope she doesn’t kill Tori, or will we lose before we even have the chance of competing," Stella replied.
Josephine was silent, then turned to Mariam, who nodded slowly, agreeing with the captain’s words.
The two girls delivered punches to their chests simultaneously, flying backward, smashing onto the stage, coming to a stop at the very edge.
’No! If I can’t defeat her, I won’t last long in this competition!! I won’t lose!’ Tori pulled herself up, her face grim, seeing Addison was already on her feet.
’What the?! Is her life force endless?!’ Tori thought in shock, feeling the dense amount of energy emanating from Addison.
"Addison! Уҽырҭынч!!"
Addison and her group all turned their heads to Stella, who nodded at her.
Addison frowned, but seeing the look on Stella’s face, she exhaled.
Before everyone’s eyes... Her energy subsided, and she returned to the meek-looking girl everyone knew from the start.
"I surrender," Addison said, stunning everyone.
Christopher was dumbfounded.
The whole audience was speechless. It was clear Addison would be the winner, so why did she admit defeat?
Before Addison could walk away, Tori called out, "Why?!"
Addison stopped and looked at her over her shoulder. "If I continue any further, I will kill you and my academy will be disqualified... I can’t let that happen." She said, and walked down the stage.