The crowd goes even louder hearing Zephyr talk to them in such charismatic manner. After all, he is the most popular young figure in the modern world.
He even has both a female and male cheerleading group in the crowd! He points at them and with a wink and they all go nuts, some of them even faint!!
The Arena's design resembles a classic Colosseum, just much smaller than the real one. There are about 500 people in the stands, all of which are players themselves. It is possible for any player to come watch the underground tournaments, but once the capacity is full the cages get sealed, and the keeper allows no more people to enter.
The announcer goes on to present the other participating players as well, 16 in total!
Zephyr stands tall with his arms crossed and his enormous sword stuck to his back, he eyes the participants and tries to analyze each one of them.
'…Nothing that interesting, they all seem to have just made it to the 2nd star level.
However, that guy right there is pretty big and muscular! Those are very rare in Babel… Armstrong was his name? Maybe he'll be a challenge in a fight…
Also, who's this announcer?
He's the first old man I see since the game started. I thought only young adults joined in! Maybe he's just a hologram made in the game…'
"And Nooowww!! Let me present to you the rules of this tournament!!
As Written right above all of you, this is the Polymatheus Tournament!
One of the 5 major tournaments in the region of Lor.
The goal is simple, the one who survives last wins all. However, the one who survives must also be the one that collects the highest total points. If not, the prize is split between both players.
The 3rd and 4th places also get some compensation, while the last two spots automatically lose one of their lives and have their arsenal distributed between the 4 top spots!"
Zephyr finds what he's hearing to be exciting, his glowing eyes and his grin is a clear manifestation of his inner state.
The announcer continues. "The game is divided into 4 distinct sections:
1 vs 1 fights / Mind Games / Quiz and Quests / Mental and Physical Endurance
Each player of the 16 will play a different opponent every round as they try to collect as many points as possible. Cheating is generally not allowed, but if you are not caught, it's all fair and part of the contest. Once the challenges start, your watch will do the explaining while I give my super duper exciting commentary.
That is all, do the players have any more questions?"
Everybody remains silent except a female player, who raises her hand and asks. "Is it possible to physically target the opponent in the other 3 rounds besides fighting?"
The announcer. "Players are not allowed to directly attack their opponents except in the 1vs1 section. However, like I said, if you're not caught doing so, all means are permissible."
Another player jumps in. "And who gets to decide that? Does the game automatically detect it?"
"Oh no! if that is the case then no one would get away with it. The one that must point out if their opponent is cheating or breaking the rules is no other than his opponent themselves!"
"So we must detect it and inform you?"
"Correct!!"
On the other hand, Zephyr has no questions, he can't wait until he starts his first ever tournament. Since always, he likes to show off and prove himself to his surroundings constantly. Being gifted by borderline supernatural abilities coupled with immense intelligence and a free going personality. Zephyr is one of the very few people in this world that have no limits or frontiers, neither physically, nor mentally, nor morally… Or so he believes…
Suddenly, a digital countdown begins! Everybody starts counting down with it…
4....3….…2….…1
"LEEEEEEEEEEEET'S BEGIIINNNNNN!!!". Screams the announcer on top of his lungs.
The match ups start forming automatically on the big digital board, each player's picture siding with his opponent, underneath them is the type of contest they will square in.
Most of the crowd is only interested in watching Zephyr, although some dozens are cheering for other names too!
His first match is set:
Zephyr Hanx Vs Heeba Liliya: Mind Games Contest
Immediately, the two get teleported into a different setting with the same mechanism that occurs when teleporting to Kardia (The void).
Zephyr finds himself sitting on a chair in front of a small round table against his opponent! Bright lights suddenly get turned on from above, lightning their faces and appearance.
Zephyr reads Heeba's stats, and vice versa.
Both are 2-star level players, but he knows that not all players in the same star tier are equal, however, it can't be figured from first sight.
Heeba is a very white female, but her black sinister outfit and her make up give her the perfect gothic appearance.
'…I can't see her weapon on her, what could it be?' questions Zephyr in his mind. As he says so, he senses that his back is much lighter than before and quickly reaches with his hand to check.
"My sword… I see, we don't have our weapons here!"
"Correct! I'm glad you won't be using that huge thing on me." She replies.
He cunningly smiles and says. "Well, It's not the only one I have."
Heeba gets the joke immediately and starts laughing, but before she could carry on, their watch flash a new message in front of them!
- Mind game: Cards
- Name: The Cursed Souta
- Winner: 25 points
- Description: A set of 41 cards is split between the two opponents. There exist 10 different types of cards all of which have 4 duplicates (4x10 = 40 + 1 joker card). The Joker card has a distinctive design from the rest of the cards, and It will be placed randomly into one of your decks.
- Rules: The players must throw out all identical cards from their deck and keep the others. Following that, each player should hold his remaining cards in his hands close to his opponent's reach without showing them. Each round, players will take turn in exchanging one card only by picking it from their opponents' deck directly. As the game progresses, more identical cards will be gathered and thrown out, while the joker card will eventually remain in one of your hands.
- Objective: Get rid of the Joker card by all means necessary. Whomever ends the final round having it loses the game.
Both players read the message carefully while trying to understand the game they're supposed to play.
Zephyr is quite fascinated because he has never played or heard of such game before.
"Sounds fun! However, It almost feels pointless!"
"I agree! I don't see how this is a mind game. It solely relies on chance and probability." Heeba replies.
Zephyr notices how she picked up on the same thing he did, which made him think that she is not the casual babelian citizen.
"Well, let's play and see for ourselves."
"Right! Let's start."
Both players click on Ready, and the game officially begins!