"Ema (Luwalhati, Isagani, Apo, Danilo) pays respect to Head Araw, Vice-heads and Silver Phoenix." They've greeted simultaneously with self-composed.
"Oh! It's rare to see you all together," Head Araw chuckled.
"What an unusual scene!" Vice-head Luna added.
"We have just coincidentally arrived at the same time in the front gate, so we all decided to walk together, teacher!" Luwalhati hurriedly explained.
"You don't need to explain. It's just so cute seeing my students getting along with others." Vice-head Luna laughed heartily.
"Vice-head Luna, although Luwalhati has a virile character, he is just a child after all!" Danilo stated.
"And his overhead childish attitude, made him sweet," Isagani added while he hung his arm to Luwalhati's right shoulder.
"I'm not a child anymore," Luwalhati knitted his eyebrows, waving his right shoulder to shake off Isagani's arm.
"Children of these days are really full of vigor," Vice-head Venancio said.
"I assume that you are all here to meet Sir Enix!" Head Araw said, turning his head behind to take a glance at sir Enix.
"That's right! We came here to see Sir Enix!" They were all quick witted, realizing the creature Head Araw was talking to.
"Sir Enix, they are the 1st class students. Luwalhati, disciple of Vice-head Luna. Ema, disciple of Vice-head Nina. Isagani, disciple of Vice-head Luntian. Apo, disciple of Vice-head Huan and Danilo, disciple of Vice-head Cesa." Head Araw introduced.
"It's nice to meet all of you!" Sir Enix said, spreading his majestic silver wings. Five majestic silver feathers flew in front of each student, he said, "That will be my little present for our first meeting!"
It was just as big as a human pinky. It was used as a shield and can withstand the might in comparison to Head Araw.
They immediately grab the Silver feather and put it in their holy ring. They then clasped their fist and bowed saying, "Thank you Sir Enix!"
"Thank you for the present, but we are afraid that we don't have a welcome present for you sir Enix. Sorry for our rudeness. Can we make up for it tomorrow?" Luwalhati asked with full respect.
"Of course! You're not at fault. My appearance here is somewhat unexpected!" Sir Enix let out a chuckle.
The opening of the golden gate symbolized the publicity of the hidden place behind the forbidden mountain, as such, sir Enix can leave the mountain freely.
The 1st class students heaved a sigh of relief.
"Now you're all here, why not make this opportunity to spectate the competition? Take your seat beside Adasa." Head Araw stated.
"Yes!" The 1st class students clasped their fist and bowed.
"Adasa nice to meet you again!" Ema greeted him. Only silence responded. 'Looks like he didn't hear me.'
Adasa's attention was in the crowd seemingly searching for someone.
"Adasa. Adasa." A soft voice whispered to Adasa's ear. Adasa looked to his right and found out that there were five students beside him. He scanned the five and notice Ema waiving at him.
He gently smiled as his response.
Realizing this, Adasa immediately stood up and clasped his fist, "Oh! Adasa pays respect to seniors!" he didn't pay much attention to his surroundings.
"You're looking for someone?" Danilo asked.
"Ah, yes!" Adasa replied as he sat.
Adasa spotted Tala making her way in, chatting with Eya. Adasa heaved a sigh of relief.
"I guess you already found him or her!" Luwalhati stated.
"Yes!" Shocked, Adasa nodded. 'Was my action that's obvious? Guess so!'
A middle-age man walked in the center of the stadium. "Guardians of the Heavenly Pearl Tribe! Today, we will witness the competition of the 5th class students in the top 10. They will be given numbers ranging from 1-10. First to battle was the opposing number: 1 vs 10, followed by 2 vs 9 until the numbers went to its end, total of nine matches for each. The ranking will be decided according to their win." The umpire announced. "The competition will now begin!"
The 1st class top ten stood inside the stadium and drew sticks with numbers.
Tala had picked the number two, meaning she will fill up the second match.
To her surprise, Eya was her first opponent, numbered nine.
After the first fight, she and Eya were called to the stadium.
"Tala, don't go easy on me." Eya said seriously.
Tala just gave her a smile and nodded.
Tala draws her sword, glittered by the sun rays. 'I can't drag this longer. I have not yet recovered my energy.'
Eya draws her double sword, heavenly energy activates her heavenly senses. She was ready to attack, but as soon as she thought of taking a step, a cold metal was already resting on her neck. A monotonous voice whispered, "Sorry Eya!"
"There's nothing to be sorry about. It is my incompetence for losing at you in an instant. I really can't keep up with your speed." Eya chuckled. 'I haven't even noticed her presence. What a great battle technique!' She thought.
"Tala won!" The umpire announced. Applause resounded the square.
"What a profound technique!" Sir Enix chuckled.
"Yah!" The elders nodded in agreement.
The battle goes on according to their numbers until it was Tala's fight.
Tala's next match was Sadam, numbered eight.
"Tala, don't go easy on me." Sadam said grimly. He knew he didn't have a chance to win, but he will never lose without a fight. Materializing his spear, surging his heavenly energy and awakening his heavenly senses, Sadam was ready to attack, but as he took one step, a gust of wind passed through him. A cold metal lay on his neck. He slowly turned his head and saw Tala with an emotionless face.
"I lose." Sadam said, placid.
Tala's 3rd match...
Tala won to Odie with a single streak.
4th match...
Tala won to Aide with a single streak.
5th match...
Tala won to Siya with a single streak.
6th match...
Tala won to Asul with a single streak.
7thh match...
"Tala vs Tris!" The umpire announced.
'Tala used the same battle technique throughout the match. She appeared next to her opponent in an instant. Then, I just need to fight with distance!' Tris thought.
Tris activated his heavenly senses, much more reliable than the last opponent of Tala.
He materialized ten illuminate swords made of heavenly energy, swirling around him waiting for his command to advance.
Tala smiled. No one knew what she was thinking. 'If I was my previous self, I would not attack the same as before, but it's nothing to my current perception!' She thought. The previous battle confirmed that the battles and fights of her previous life were remembered, resulting in her battle prowess as nimble as before; just weaker because of her petite body and low level energy.
Tala dashed towards Tris at lightning speed.
Seeing the previous match of Tala, Tris became more sensitive to his surroundings.
"Got you!" Tris muttered as he pointed his index finger towards his right side. The illuminate swords followed. To his great surprise, a cold metal was already resting from his left shoulder.
Tala won over Tris with a single streak!
After the announcement, Tala stayed whilst Tris made his way below.
Adasa walked towards the stadium to face his opponent: Tala.
"And now, the final match will begin!" The umpire announced.
Adasa stared at his opponent with a baffled face. 'I can't wait any longer. I will ask her right now.' He inhaled a turbid of air and said telepathically, "Why did you do it, Tala?"
Tala just gave her a smile. She called out her sword. 'Can't drag this fight for too long.'
She thought of ending it with a single attack just like the other, but as she saw how Adasa surged his energy, she thought, 'Well then, I will help you stabilize your energy. This is all I can do for you right now anyway!'
"You almost die just to give me the key of that library. How do you intend me to accept it?" Tala didn't seem to be bothered by his words, so he continued, "Tala, I don't know what you're planning, but I can't accept it." Adasa gives a sign of surrender. Alas! Tala showed a grimly face.
Adasa doesn't know if he will laugh or cry. He managed to draw her attention, but it was not as he expected though.
"Adasa, I know you're perplexed, but do you think giving it up will change anything?" Tala grimly said. Then, I'll tell you now, you are absolutely wrong."
She put a great risk, but the young man wanted to abandon it? He's getting into her nerves. Tala couldn't do it again for the library can only accommodate two as it maximum, and it was her and Adasa.
Adasa realized that he showed rudeness from his words, but he was determined to know the reason. He hesitated for a moment before he asked, "Then just tell me... Why me?"