"Are you kidding? Such a shameless guy has advanced to the Quarter-final?"
"This guy has never won any match seriously. He only uses sleezy tricks and pay off his opponents."
"Maybe he bribed the Principal too!"
"Personally, I don't think he's weak. After all, he did beat up those guys that ganged up on him in the Battle Royale."
"Tch...What do you know? It was probably just an act. I bet he also paid them to do that."
"Wait...If he can afford to pay his way to the Quarter-final, that probably means he is from a wealthy family, right?"
"umm...I guess so, why?"
"Do you think he's looking for a girlfriend? Do you think he will consider me? Don't you think I'm pretty enough? Hmph, I'll have you know, I've only done face surgery three times."
The other students...
"..."
*****
Soon, the rest of the Round of 16 matches has been concluded. Jared and Kenny Lee both made it through without a hitch. Not if you counted the abnormal booing Jared received during his match, that is.
The Quarter-finals began.
Argo looked at his opponent, an average looking kid with short dark hair.
The average looking boy looked back at Argo warily. He had witnessed all of Argo's matches, and was not as dumb as the audience were. He knew he had no chance of beating Argo.
He wondered whether he should put up a meaningless fight, or just surrender.
He wanted to fight...scratch that, he absolutely didn't want to fight against Argo. He did not want yo get toyed with in front of the whole school.
But If he were to surrender without putting up a fight, people would say he was scared of Argo.
And the truth was...
He wasn't scared of Argo. He was terrified of him!
Immediately he thought that, his mind calmed down. He had already made his decision.
He was not a sissy, nor was he a coward. He was a soldier in training, that was why he was going to grit his teeth and march on. He was going to...
"I surrender!" The average looking boy raised his hands and called out before quickly scampering off the stage.
And just like, Argo reached the semi-finals. Upon teaching the semi-finals, he was now confirmed as a representative for Hitachi High School. He be going to Yaoyang University with four other fellow students to partake in the Entrance Tests.
Two hours later, The rest of the Quarter-final matches were concluded.
"The Semi-finalists are: Kenny Lee, Harry Seth, Jared Omah and Argo Talean
Let's welcome them up the stage" The anchor announced passionately.
A mixture of cheers and boos rang out. It was very obvious who the boos were for.
The four students had varied expressions on their face as they climbed up the stage.
Kenny Lee and Harry Seth were ecstatic, their faces practically glowing with Glee. It was obvious they were feeling happy upon making it to the Top 4.
Even Kenny who always faked a calm expression, couldn't help the grin that threatened to split his face.
That was, until he remembered that Argo was also part of the Top 4 and a slight frown appeared on his face.
Jared and Argo on the other hand, were more calm and composed.
Jared had a an unfazed expression on his face, as if nothing could interest him.
Argo...well Argo was simply pleased because he was a step closer to completing the station mission.
"As all four of you boys have advanced to the semi-finals, you are now part of the five-man team to be sent to Yaoyang University for the entrance Test.
As there are five spots to be filled and only four of you to make it to the semi-finals, there will be a Battle Royale held tomorrow. The participants of the Battle Royale will be the candidates eliminated in the round of 16's and the Quarter-finals.
A total of twelve students. The winner of the Battle Royale will join the four students present to make up the Five-man team needed." The anchor further announced.
The previously eliminated student felt as if they were given a new leash on life. It was as if there souls were drawn up, from hell to heaven.
They started gearing up for a tough battle. It was going to be a fierce competition and the twelve of them knew it. The only thing that worried them, was the presence of Adah Sun among their competition.
Adah Sun was the strongest among the students fighting for the fifth spot. She was originally tipped to have reached the top 4. Unluckily for her, she met Argo who eliminated her from the competition.
The other eleven contestants exchange glances. They could read what was on each other's minds.
'Team up to eliminate Adah Sun first!'
Adah Sun saw their exchange of glances. It didn't take a genius to tell that they were teaming up against her. She gritted her teeth, feeling a bit frustrated. She knew there was no way she could beat them if they came at her together.
She clenched her fists. 'I'm still too weak, I need to get stronger. If I don't want to disappoint master, I must get stronger!'
*****
"Go on ahead, I'll catch up to you" Argo patted Jared in the back.
Without waiting for Jared's reply, Argo hurriedly chased after the figure of a student already sandwiched between the crowd in the distance.
He caught up to the figure just as the figure crossed the west gate of the school. The figure was a stunning girl in shorts and white T-shirt.
It was Adah Sun.
"Hey" He called out
"What?" Adah Sun replied coldly as she turned to face Argo. Clearly she was not fond of Argo.
"Umm...I just wanted to know if you had a plan for the Battle Royale tomorrow" Argo was unfazed by Adah's cold gaze. He had faced worse before.
"It's none of ur business" Adah spat out as she turned around to continue her walk home.
"C'mon, we both know that those guys plan to team up against you. Maybe you can beat them one on one, but you are no where strong enough to beat them all at once..."
"Hmm?" Adah Sun sharply turned around upon hearing the words 'no where strong enough'. Her gaze were as chilly as winter's coldest night.
Argo suddenly felt that the wind was a bit more chilly than usual.
"I dare you to say that, One. More. Time." Adah snarled, her hand slowly inching to the gun holster behind her.
Argo didn't dare.