Yman made some obvious gestures just to steal the attention of Instructor Goki; however, without him knowing, Goki also was intentionally disregarding him.
Actually, he was wondering if why seems he was purposely ignored by the instructor.
Instructor Goki does not want him to duel so as not to hurt himself. For him, Yman had no need to fight in this duel. What he needed to do was to practice his leadership skill. Being strategist was more suited to him. Maybe he would be the one to lead the academy to group battles on some of the competitions.
Now that Kiko was already out of the picture, Yman was finally able to breathe in relief.
But for some odd reason, after the instructor chose the next trainee to duel, he would whisper in their ears.
Yman just thought of it that the Instructor Goki was giving advice to them. Actually, Yman's thought was spot on.
"You're next," Goki pointed at one of the trainees.
"Yes sir!"
When the trainee stood beside him, Goki whispered in his ears, "Actually, if you want to become stronger choose a stronger opponent or someone as strong as you in this duel. Not the like of that infamous brat who had zero mana and was the least talented in a fight. You won't gain good experience in fighting someone like that. Understood?"
"Y-Yes sir, I u-understood! Thanks for your guidance sir!"
Yman noticed the trainee bowed slightly at the instructor.
The trainee chose his opponent who he thought was a good opponent for him.
Clang, clang, clang!
Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!
Their duel lasted 3 minutes. And both of them took damage. The trainee that was called out first by Goki was defeated but he was happy at the result and even said his thanks to him.
Goki grinned. Not only did he avoid the trainee feeling down after their defeat, but he also was helping them so as to more improve themselves. And not only that, he avoided Yman to go on the duel too.
Just like hitting 3 birds with one stone.
Hehe, Goki giggled.
The duel continued. Many trainees finished their duels.
Bob was able to make a draw result with an opponent that has the same ability as him. His opponent was one of Kiko's friends with the element of earth and wood. While Bob's element was metal.
Their fight was like two boulders crashing into each other. It was the longest fight to finish. And the judges decided to finish it with a draw.
"Damn! I can still fight! Why did the judges stop the fight? I almost got that gorilla!" Kiko's friend roared in dismay behind his breath.
"Chill up, Mario dude! Hahaha, since both of you did your part already, let me handle that Toadman!" Bruno declared with a big laugh.
Kiko and the others could only cheer at him.
Yet...
"I choose that person as my opponent!" Someone pointed at Bruno.
"What? Damn it dude! Why me of all people here? I have a mission you know!" Bruno growled.
His friends chuckled as they thought, 'Mission my ass?!'
Yman on the sideline just forced a dry laugh. After Bruno and the guy who chose him as his opponent finished their duel. Bruno won in a domineering manner. His opponent was having a hard time countering his shield magic that was made from wind. All of the attacks of his enemy were being slowed down by it, and sooner dropped on the ground because of the loss of velocity.
The next duel was between the guy who Yman never forget. It was the guy who pushed him inside the auditorium on the Outerworld.
His enemy was a knife user. And that guy used a dagger.
The two of them contested through speed. Both were agile and used the same elements. However, the fight ended with that guy's victory, using a special move.
Before he left the center, he sent a sharp glance at Yman. He just scratched the side of his face and thought, |How troublesome.|
Chloe managed to win in difficulty against a girl opponent, and Mai won too against a bestial girl opponent with cat ears. Although she was agile and sent a combo of swipes to Mai, Mai's transformation magic dominated her. Chloe sent a cheer on her while Bob's voice dominated the other's voice. Yman just sent a thumbs up at her.
She said her thanks to them. Although they were not in the same section, both of them were able to get close to each other from that horrendous travel.
Keremi won against a bestial opponent without receiving a single hit. Yman was wondering about Keremi's speed. Although he didn't look fast while he was fighting, the enemy could not land a hit at Keremi. Just like before when they fought with the Mustang Spider. The spider failed to land a hit on him too.
Brai and the other Elite members dominate their opponents easily.
Goki was grinning broadly, actually, he wasn't only avoided calling Yman, he also avoided choosing those trainees who had clear animosity towards him. Until the other trainees would choose them.
Chief Henderson, Mayor Chan, and principal were very pleased with the results of every match.
"Haaah~ Now I agree that this batch of trainees has many talented individuals. Hehehe! This is getting more exciting. I wanted to train some of them personally!" Instructor Musk said while chewing a small piece of a tree branch.
"Yeah! Hahaha. But that Kiko kid shall be taught by me alone! Gyahaha!" Instructor Torr declared in a loud voice.
"Ufufufu." Beth just laughed.
Kiko on the distance felt proud of himself after hearing the instructor's words.
Yman on the other hand raised his hand and called out, "Instructor Goki, sir!"
Goki glanced at him, "Yes? You have something to ask?"
"Yes, sir. What about me? I did not take part in the duel yet." Yman asked him.
The other trainees went into random murmurs again after hearing him.
"Pufft, that guy again."
"Haha, who would want to duel him? It's just a waste of time, anyway."
"Yeah, and we would probably not learn anything if we did fight him."
"You got it right! Hahaha!"
Such murmurs reached his ears.
Goki forced a drily smile, "Ah, is that so? Oh sorry about that. But that's fine I guess. Since you have no pair."
Suddenly, Judge Beth also asked, "By the way, Instructor Goki, is that the last pair?" Beth asked Goki.
"Yeah, it seems. Actually, there is one person left here. But no need to push him to duel since he has no pair." Goki replied like it wasn't important talking about it.
"Hmm... is that so? Okay then." Said Beth as she was about to stand.
"....."
Yman was speechless, wondering if he was lucky or not. Shall he rejoice? Or be sadden?
"So that's the last pair, huh."
"I guess."
"Then, are we free to leave now?"
The other trainees started to leave.
"Oh, so that's the last pair?" The chief asked.
"Probably." Mayor Chan replied.
"Fufu. Well, we did see a very entertaining performance from these trainees."
"Kuku." Principal Mar laughed.
Yman was in dismay. He wanted to try this duel too. But somehow, he had something more important needed to do.
But...
"Sir Goki," everyone stopped on their feet after hearing this familiar voice.
Goki and Yman glanced at where the voice came from.
"Y-Young Miss?!" Goki with a little shock in his voice called out her name.
"When is my turn to duel?" She asked.
Yman glanced at Goki.
Goki had a sour face. Like he gulped something awful. He forgot her!!!, he thought.
Almina just came back from tending on Kesha.
"Oh right, the strongest girl had yet to duel. Fufufu. How forgetful of you Instructor Goki, sir." Beth said sarcastically.
If Kiko was the strongest male trainee, then Almina was probably the strongest female trainee. But actually, this is just their assumptions, since no actual ranking yet.
Goki immediately announced the last duel.
"Okay, this is the last duel, Almina Amulet versus Yman Talisman! Hah~" Goki announced with a sigh.
Yman with the face like it was his last day of being alive walked towards Goki and whispered, "Instructor Goki, sir, are you perhaps intentionally tried to feed me to the abyss?"
Yeah, he wanted to duel, but not to the final boss!
"Ugh," Goki felt he choked his own. He then put his hand on Yman's shoulder and said in a somber voice, "Kid, I did all I could but a miscalculation happened."
Yman narrowed his eyes from Goki's reply, |So, it was your fault after all!| He exclaimed inwardly after realizing that Goki did something all this time.
He wanted to preach it to the instructor, but Yman thought that it can't be helped now. He sighed in defeat as he thought, |So, that's why no one called to challenge me, huh.| He remembered the murmurs from other trainees.
"Regardless, can I pre-register for medical insurance?" He asked seriously.
Goki glanced at Yman and noticed he's serious, "Pft," Goki was about to burst out laughing but managed to hold it.
Almina who was having a red face at the moment was wondering what these two were whispering about.
Her heart was racing like someone drumming inside. She's not nervous, it's just, she did not expect that she would be fighting him.
In any case, it was also her chance to punish him right?, for forgetting her — that is. She will make sure that he will never forget her again, fufu.
After hearing Yman's question, "Pft! Although, life is beautiful and you are still young. But d-don't worry kid, even your funeral will be on my expense." Goki replied while tears were about to appear at the corner of his eyes because of trying to hold his laughter that about to burst out.
"....."
"And now you're expecting me to die, huh. How mean." He said as he exhaled slightly while closing his eyes.
Seeing his reaction, "Man up, kid, cheer up!" Goki tried to cheer him up while tapping on his shoulder repeatedly.
Actually, he started to think of him as someone like a younger brother to him.
*Sigh!*
Almina chose a dual sword as her weapon. And Yman chose a sword too but paired it with a magic-based pistol.
"A pistol and sword?" Bob asked in doubt.
"Fufufu, I wonder how this duel will come out," Keremi muttered.
Originally, Yman wanted to use a shield and a pistol like Kesha. But he realized that he would become a training dummy against Almina's speed.
The Chief and Mayor were having curious faces. And the judges were excited to see Almina abilities.
Most of the trainees didn't have any expectations towards her enemy.
Kiko on the sideline was having a fierce look on his face, thinking that if that Froggy touched even the slight hair of Almina, he would grill him on the spot!
When Almina and Yman were facing at each other in the center, only Almina who shouted resonance. The people around were puzzled.
"What? Will he give up?"
"No way, that is against the rules!"
Kiko grinned, "Hehe, that guy is afraid!"
"No balls! Ahaha!"
"Man up, Toad!" Bruno shouted.
Chloe smirked, "Look at the person you guys used to look down, he managed to succeed first before us in controlling the mana." She mumbled and looked at Yman with a smile. Then silently said her 'Goodluck'.
Until one of the trainees noticed a collar on Yman's neck, "No. Look! He was in resonance already!"
"Resonance?"
"Resonance already?"
"He's in resonance already? What?"
When they looked at Yman's neck, they saw a collar.
"He already mastered the mana control?" Beth asked with widened eyes.
The others could not believe it. Almina was shocked also. But for some reason, she felt proud of him. Like, that person belong's to her.