"In case you're wondering Yaksha is a Goliath..." Jay said noticing my intrigue in her.
"Aren't Goliath.... Giants??....." I asked in return.
"Hmmmm..... Giants and Goliath are different races..... They do say Goliath's are descendants of Stone giants... that's why they are noticeably taller than us and greyish in skin colour." Jay answered.
"They generally aren't very wise or smart either." Grace chuckled.
"Yes... it is kind of known that Goliaths are a bit like orcs.... not the brightest of races..... Unless it's to do with fighting or brawling." Jay added.
"She's so awesome!!" Daisy smiled in excitement.
"As you can see from her attire and skin tone..... Bo is from the Eastern Continent... most likely a monk...." Grace added.
"Wait that's the same type of person you will be up against right?...." I asked Grace in return.
"Yes but she's apparently a master level so I assume Bo is way above my opponents level." Grace answered.
"Can she really win in a fight?..." I asked curiously.
"Considering she's ranked five..... I assume she's pretty strong." Jay commented.
"None the less.... she's going to have a hard time..... Yaksha is pretty sturdy fighter.... she's an absolute unit.....some say she took down a fire giant by herself." Grace added.
Both fighters were surprisingly courteous to each other shaking each other's hand with giant smiles on the faces and exchanging pleasantries before making their way back to assigned markers on the floor waiting for the match to start.
"Who do you think is going to win?.." I heard Scarlet ask Paul.
"I'm pretty sure Bo is going to win." Paul guessed.
"What makes you think that?..." Ashley asked.
"Although this generally tends to be a bad match up for her... she has a special fighting style, she's yet to reveal yet." Paul explained.
"And how do you know about it then?.." Scarlet asked curiously.
"You can sense it right?... that slight bit of radiant energy she emanates..." Paul asked.
"Is that it?...." Scarlet laughed.
"Ahhh you and your nonchalant attitude...will be the doom of you" Paul sighed.
The whole Colosseum fell silent as an illusionary countdown timer beginning 10 appeared in the centre, as well as a live view of the match appearing in the sky for the viewers further away. I sensed nothing of the special radiant energy Paul spoke about, only the normal new sensation that everything and everyone else but weirdly enough I felt nothing emanating from Paul... as if he wasn't there at all....
"Ohhhhh it's about to start!!!" Daisy burst in absolute excitement.
The exact moment the timer hit zero Bo appeared on the side of Yaksha with unfathomable speed and proceeded to lay an absolute devastating flurry of blows right into Yaksha's unguarded side, with each blow physically forcing giant to take steps back stopping Bo flank her rear.
"Wouldn't it be more effective if she just used a weapon?..." I asked curiously.
"You guys weren't hit by one of those punches... but the hologram I've been training against its fists were as hard as rocks, I can imagine those punches just now being even worse, even to a Goliath." Grace answered.
"Yup Goliath's are renowned to be extremely sturdy and tough...so if those forced her back a few paces…. They must've hurt" Jay agreed.
Yaksha looked up at Bo with a giant grin on her face letting out a giant roar that could even be heard from here, stepping forward returning swings back with absolute savagery with no concern for Bo's safety.
"Isn't this a bit dangerous for the contestants?...." I asked noticing that Bo wasn't pulling her punches or Yaksha swinging with enough force to cleave her in half.
"It's a bit unsafe but there are the best healers and stuff ready on standby for them when the match ends." Helen answered reminding me of that spell Paul used to fix my legs.
Miraculously Bo appeared unscathed dodging and parrying her swings with upmost confidence allowing the axe to barely graze past her, even using an opening to land an elbow up the chin and a strong side kick straight to the abdomen but this time Yaksha was unfazed almost if those hits didn't even land, her body didn't react one bit.
"She's gonna be upset using it this early in the tournament." Paul said with a giant smile.
Using an opening after dodging another swing Bo rolled back leaping backwards, assuming a different stance and closed her eyes. Suddenly her fists and body began a brilliant yellow similar to Daisy when she's in the heat of a battle.
"Ohhh this just got exciting." Daisy said edging forward on her seat.
"Is that what you do??..." I asked Daisy curiously.
Daisy concentrated a little, focusing on her..... "Nope this feels different... I defiantly don't feel any blessings from her.....specially Serra" Daisy answered.
"Hmmmmm..." I pondered wondering what it could be.
"Can you do that?.." I overheard Scarlet asking Paul.
Paul chuckled giving Scarlet a small dig in her arm, "You know I need to keep some secrets for the next time you decide to challenge me again..." Paul chuckled with a smile.
"Ha you know... if we was to ever duel again I'll be victorious." She laughed back with an equally giant smile.
"Ohhh most defiantly..... You went easy on me last time and even then I barely came out on top." Paul smiled, "But no harm in keeping some stuff in the tank." Paul chuckled.
"You know I'll never challenge you again or even dream of hurting you...." Scarlet replied in a very solemn tone.
"I know..." Paul smiled in a similar sombre tone.
"By the way.... what's the deal with Anna?.." Ashley asked curiously.
"Well we all know it's not easy to get into our team....." Ashley began to explain, "Like.... being exceptionally talented or strong kinda feels like the per-requisite.... but even then that's not enough normally." Ashley explained.
"Nothing special Ashley... just building a family here." Paul smiled.
"Well rumours has it that the council isn't happy with our 'Family'..... They are increasingly worried of our power level." Ashley replied.
"Old bureaucrats are just worried of thing they can't control." Paul sighed.
"Yeah especially since you're now a recently appointed council member of the Perpetua....." Ashley added.
"Who cares if they have a problem, if they want they can come talk to us personally." Scarlet said pounding her fists together.
"That's the problem.... Scarlet.... they are afraid of a Coup.... especially now I have more pull as a council member." Paul replied.
"A What?..." scarlet asked totally confused.
"My bad.... it means overthrowing the council and royal with brute force." Paul replied.
"That's so absurd.... if they got off their asses and did a little research they would know that we aren't even remotely interested in taking control of a city yet alone a nation.... We're just too lazy." Scarlet laughed uncontrollably.
"That reminds me why did you accept to be a member of the Perpetua council?..." Ashley asked.
"Just so I'll be freer to help those in need..... And it stops any of the other council members using the orphanage and school as leverage against me." Paul answered.
"By the way..... What's the pay for the next job?.." Scarlet asked.
"About Ten Platinum." Paul answered.
"No way….. Ten platinum just to attend a social dinner?!" Ashley asked in shock.
"EASY MONEY!!!!" Scarlet yelled with a giant smile from ear to ear.
"Yeah don't let all this fool you, in the end they still see us as filth." Ashley said with disdain.
"I know I know... But it's easy money..... Plus gaining favour or two from a noble family might come in handy." Paul smiled.
"Well.... as make sure you're on your best behaviour!!! A healthy tip would be nice." Scarlet smiled wrapping an arm around Paul's shoulder.
"... All you care about is money....." Paul sighed.
"HEY!!! Don't forget fighting!!! But yes I do love money!!!" Scarlet smiled.
"I mean some extra cash would go along way for my research and experiments." Ashley agreed.
"Well.... Time for work." Paul sighed as the whole Colosseum erupted in roar and applaud.
"And the winner is BO MASTER OF THE SEVENTH WIND!!!" the announcers voice yelled out.
"Woah... I really hope Min isn't anywhere near as strong as her.... the fact that she was able to shoot bolts of lights out of her hands and feet was insane.... and her speed....." Grace commented.
"Yup being able to take down Yaksha was such a sight.... I've read she's gone toe to toe versus giants...." Jay added in awe.
"ONE DAY I WILL BE CHAMPION!!!!" Daisy shouted full of excitement, "wait are there any paladins in the tournament...." Daisy pondered.
"I'm sure there are a few but none in top 16 sadly." Helen smiled.
"WHAT??!!!!" Daisy shouted looking really upset and defeated.
Smiling and nodding along with everyone and pretending to have watched the fight, I kept an eye on Paul as he bid farewell to Ashley and Scarlet and walked out the seating area..... A part of me wondering what on earth he's up to.