The group followed Micheal to an isolated building within the corner of the school campus. It appeared that many people frequented it, seeing as how there were a lot of voices echoing from within.
("...Cheering?") [Adam]
The cheers grew louder as Adam entered the building. Just by glancing around, Adam was amazed by what he saw.
("A… stadium?") [Adam]
There were rows upon rows of seats surrounding the center. Within the middle were multiple arenas with people battling using their abilities. It appeared that almost all the seats were filled to the brim, people cheering while watching the fighters as entertainment.
"Come place your bets!" [???]
"Two dollars per hotdog!" [???]
Adam passed by booths for gambling and vendors selling snacks and refreshments.
"You guys find your own seats. Adam, come with me." [Micheal]
Adam looked at Mark, who then shrugged and headed off somewhere with Erik and Klein.
("Guess I'm going with Micheal.") [Adam]
Adam was led around the arenas, that is until Micheal spoke to another student wearing a black shirt.
"Can you set up a match at arena 4?" [Micheal]
"No problem. The wait will be seven minutes." [Black Shirt Wearing Student]
Micheal motioned to Adam, who then followed him to a boxed platform labeled with the number 4. It appeared that two people were already battling within, so Adam tried to make small talk while waiting..
"So uh… What's your ability?" [Adam]
There was no reply.
("Not the talkative type, huh…") [Adam]
"Pretty sure he just doesn't like you." [Krino]
The seven minutes passed without a word exchanged. After the specified amount had passed, the two fighters stepped down.
"It's our turn. Step up." [Micheal]
"...Sure." [Adam]
The two climbed into the arena and faced off.
("Are there no railings?") [Adam]
He looked around him, checking if other arenas had any railings to prevent students from falling off. Unfortunately, there weren't.
"Are you ready?" [Micheal]
"Uh… Yeah?" [Adam]
After confirmation, Micheal looked downwards.
"Arena number 4. Requesting access to duel. Student ID: 12103944." [Micheal]
"Affirmative." [???]
A voice spoke from below, and the arena was blocked off by a thin transparent film.
("That's… interesting.") [Adam]
Inspecting the wall that surrounded the arena, he found it almost indiscernible to air.
"Battle starts in three." [Robotic Voice]
Snapping back to reality, Adam faced Micheal.
"Two." [Robotic Voice]
"...By the way, can I use my soul weapon?." [Adam]
Asking that question, Adam was sure Micheal would refuse.
"...You may." [Micheal]
"One." [Robotic Voice]
The moment the sound of a bell went off, Micheal thrust his hand forward.
"Lock!" [Micheal]
"Huh?" [Adam]
Adam suddenly felt his right leg become heavier, forcing him to drop to one knee.
"What just…?" [Adam]
"In front!" [Krino]
Looking forward, Adam saw Micheal's knee a few inches away from his face. Luckily for him, he leaned backwards and managed to evade by a hair's breadth.
("He dodged that?!") [Micheal]
Adam regained his posture and reached out for Micheal.
"Lock!" [Micheal]
Just like before, that word seemed to make one of Adam's limbs become heavier. More specifically, his arm dropped.
"Bro, what?!" [Adam]
Seeing an opening, Micheal slammed the side of Adam's head with his fist.
"Urk!" [Adam]
("Eh?") [Micheal]
He expected Adam to stagger, however, it didn't go to plan. Adam withstood the blow, staring Micheal down with eyes that seemed to burn.
"You've got to hit harder than that." [Adam]
Unflinching, Adam reached out for Micheal again.
"Lock!" [Micheal]
Adam's arm felt immensely heavy once again, but he wasn't planning on stopping. He pushed through the burden and grabbed Micheal by the collar, leaving an expression of shock on his face.
"How?!" [Micheal]
"I have an unyielding will!" [Adam]
He handled Micheal like a ragdoll, throwing him against a wall and body slamming him to the ground.
"Agh!" [Micheal]
"Yikes… That's gotta hurt." [Krino]
Adam immediately stood up and lifted his foot to stomp on Micheal.
"Not yet!" [Micheal]
Reacting quickly, he barely managed to roll away before Adam's foot hit the ground.
"Lock!" [Micheal]
Upon uttering that word, Adam's last unburdened limb became heavy as well.
"...Bruh." [Adam]
All parts of his body felt much heavier than before. As to how much, Adam would think it to be about three times compared to normal.
"...Heh." [Micheal]
Making some distance, he expected Adam to waste his stamina to give chase. Even so, the plan did not work.
"...How about you come to me?" [Adam]
Extending a hand outwards, he activated his ability.
"Compression." [Adam]
The air within the arena suddenly became turbulent. So much so that Micheal thought he would be swept off his feet if he wasn't careful.
"Wh-what are you doing?! That's not a level one ability!" [Micheal]
"Oh, but it is!" [Adam]
Just as Micheal was about to slip, the air current froze.
"...Eh?" [Micheal]
He looked at Adam, who was now holding a transparent swirling mess in the palm of his hand.
"...What is that?" [Micheal]
"Something. I think I'll call this Pressure Cannon Mark three." [Adam]
Aiming it at Micheal, Adam smiled.
"Checkmate, yeah?" [Adam]