Act: 57
Shizu sprung out of bed, following his everyday routines, and left for school. Arriving on time, he saw Chul-Moo greeting him as he waited beside the gate, and the two proceeded to enter, continuing their conversation about star conversion, which was yesterday's topic. When the two boys changed their shoes, they gave each other a fist bump followed by a big smile. They proceeded to their classes. Shizu checked in and got the ok from his homeroom teacher to partake in the tournament, and in Chul-Moo's case, he got the pass needed to watch the fights when they occur. Some students stayed back to work on their studies while most of the school went to watch the fights.
Chul-Moo swiftly made his way to Shizu's class.
"Big bro, when is your fight?"
"An hour and twenty minutes. It was also mentioned that my fights might happen sooner depending on how long the other fights take, so who knows? I got placed in the third bracket, so the only thing I can do now is wait."
Chul-moo clenched his fist in joy while listening to what he said.
"I can't wait to see you shine out on the battlefield. My big bro taking the first place title, my heart is melting with joy thinking about it."
*Hehe*
He softly shook his head.
"We should head to the outside stadium; I'm sure Taku is supposed to be fighting soon."
'Big bro, you sure sympathize in giving that man more credit than he deserves. Though I will follow any action you take!'
They headed to the stadium, and because Shizu participated, Chul-Moo could stand beside him until it was his turn to fight instead of sitting amongst the crowd. However, Chul-Moo chose to sit with the crowd and let Shizu remain in the locker rooms where they technically had a front-row seat to who was fighting. As some matches finished, the next in line was Taku. Shizu tried looking for him but couldn't find him in time to converse. The only thing he had been able to do was to make eye contact with him as he was leaving the locker room for his fight.
Taku gave him an odd look. That snarky look on his face made Shizu stop in place, only watching him walk away.
The announcer's proud voice caught the crowd's attention as he read off whose turn it was to fight.*
*Up next is number 17: Taku vs number 32: Utano. These two strong contenders will face off, both being 4-star users, one cold as ice and the other burning with passion. We shall see how this fight plays out; I won't take up any more time. Get them out here already!*
The crowd started to rile up as the two boys entered the arena from opposite ends. They kept their distance from one another because of the white line on the concrete separating them. Taku showed off an eager yet laid-back expression, and the boy across from him, with dark brown wavy hair and a slender build, seemed quite nervous, trying to keep a serious face.
*Are you ready? Fight!*
*Beep-Beep-Beep*
The timer starting from 10:00 dropped. Indicating that the fight had begun.
Taku started the fight with his ice shards, standing in place with his hand out, following Utano while he ran, avoiding the ice and trying to get up close. Utano had to keep his guard up, but when he noticed that Taku dropped his hand, he took the opportunity to strike him down.
"Star Activate. Burning Spear!"
*Information time*
[ Star (4): Burning Spear. This allows him to summon a spear made up of flames, which he can use as a melee weapon or launch at his target, inflicting intense burning. More Star energy added to his attacks can increase his weapon's length, height, and overall damage. ]
*???*
"Taku tilted his head wondering what he was about to do, watching as he bent forward and a bright red star appeared over his arm.
"What a sad boy you are."
He said with an unenthusiastic tone. A misty haze began to emit from underneath Utano's feet slowly. Before he could get the last words out of his mouth, a massive wall of ice shot straight up from the ground, somewhat crushing his jaw.
"Ice Wall."
The wall of ice knocked his body far back, and he landed heavily on his stomach, knocking him out cold. Declaring Taku as the winner.
*The winner isss. Taku! Finishing his fight at 8:00 minutes flat. What a splendid fight! Taku will now be advancing to the next rounds.*
Taku walked back to the locker rooms on the east end, looking at Shizu with a boasted expression.
"It only took me 2 minutes. For how easy that was, what a joke. I bet I can beat your ass in less than 30 seconds."
He broke eye contact with Shizu and walked away, most likely re-grouping with Oto. Shizu only stared and remained silent, waiting for his time to shine. Going on to the next rounds. Time passed, and students progressed. Finishing off half of the first bracket. Starting on the second bracket Hano had been placed in, he quickly stormed past his opponent with a solid 8:30 on the timer. Concluding that half of the second bracket. Up came Shizu. Placed in the third bracket, So it began.
"It's my turn now. To show off that even 2-stars like me have a place in this world."
Standing at the entrance, he waited for the announcer to call his name to progress forward.
*Up next, we have number 63: Wakumi vs number 92: Shizu, two low stars at the finest. Wakumi has a 3-star, and Shizu the 2-star support entering the ring. Let's get this fight started. Don't worry, people; we know how this will play out. Get them out here already!*
Shizu's head dropped after hearing what the announcer had said, though he didn't allow that to bother him. Stepping out, he looked around the crowd, seeing all the students cheering but only for Wakumi; he noticed Chul-Moo angrily flipping off the announcer before realizing Shizu was out, and he started to wave aggressively and shout louder than everyone else, even he saw a little star energy burst from how worked up he was. Shizu raised his hand back and waved with a soft smile before chuckling. Stopping at the line, he took a deep breath while looking down, not paying any attention to his opponent, and began focusing.
*Oh, Shizu keeping his head down? It can't be a smart move by him. The fight starts now!*
*Beep... Beep..... Beep...*
Wakumi shouted!
*Star activate-*
Shizu's body disappeared, and a mini cloud of dust blew from his feet. He appeared behind Wakumi. He was realizing that Shizu no longer faced him. It was already too late. Shizu drove his fist deep into his rib cage, which flew his body toward the edge of the wall. Chul-Moo stood up, shouting with tons of excitement and cheering on Shizu.
*Uugh*
"What the fuck. How did that 2 star do that?"
"I'm not done yet."
Shizu walked over to Wakumi, facing his hunched-over body; Wakumi tried to use his star again, although he gave him no time to do so.
*Pow*
With his right hand, he pounded his face deeper into the wall, resulting in a knockout and concluding the winner.
*Woah, students, we did not see that one is coming... The winner is Shizu! Please give it up to him*
Surprisingly, the crowd got wild, yet all Shizu could hear was Chul-Moo's screaming and shouting, even some little dance moves he threw in. Glancing back at the timer, it read. 8:59.
Shizu slightly bowed down to Wakumi before raising his head.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you that bad.."
Turning away, he returned to the locker rooms, and funny enough, he spotted Taku next to Oto. He looked over in his direction with a smile on his face.
"My time was shorter."
*Thud*
"Watch it, Shizu, don't get a high head because you beat Wakumi. I was certain he would've won against someone with resurrection, but I put too much doubt on you, and I'm glad! I better see that same energy, if not better, in our fight. Got it!"
"Huh!? What was his star?"
Oto looked at Shizu.
"Auto-Lock. Basically, it's a form of high alert leading to your death."
*Up next is number 2: Tora vs number 45: Mika!*
[ Star (3): Auto-Lock. Within a ten-foot radius of the user, a radius will activate. It gives the option of three different effects to take place. Any hostility within the circle will result in spikes emerging from the ground, impaling wherever the target is. The spikes will follow the said target until its source is no longer traceable. This, too, will expand the ten-foot radius to follow that target. The second effect is slowness. Any target stepping in the radius will have a slowness debuff that will stay with them for twelve seconds, dropping the "target's" base speed by 70%. The last one is knockback, which is short and straightforward. When the target enters the radius, they will get knocked back. Auto-Lock won't drain star energy, but activating its primary ability will drain the most, which is knockback, and the least draining is the spikes. ]