Five years prior to the tournament, Remy was no more than an average high school senior. He had joined the band class of his school, being a baton thrower. For his senior year, his school was in charge of the main show at the festival of the year. The royal family would personally be attending the show, placing an unimaginable amount of pressure on the school. Remy felt every part of his body shake as the fateful day got closer and closer. Despite the fear that filled his body, on the day of the festival, Remy had done a masterful display with his usage of a flag of the nation. The flag was much longer than the baton he was used to using, but every motion felt natural to him. The show came to a close, each student being congratulated on their performances. As Remy took off his hat and wiped his forehead of sweat, the teacher in charge walked up to him.
Teacher: Remy, we have a special guest that wishes to talk to you.
Remy: A special guest? Any idea who it is?
Teacher: I was only told through the principal, I don't have the slightest idea who it could be. Do your best, kid. It might be your big moment.
Remy gulped as the new pressure was placed on his shoulders. He walked to the designated room that he was informed to reach. Several guards surrounded it, forcing Remy's fear to shoot through the roof. They opened the door, Remy's eyes opening with an unexplainable shock.
Remy: K-K-KING THEODORE ONEIROI AND QUEEN THERESA ONEIROI! I-I-I-IT'S AN HONOR TO MAKE YOUR ACQUAINTANCE!
Remy bowed, clutching his eyes closed.
Theodore: It's quite fine, my boy. There is no need to bow your head. But I must say, I was blown away by your performance.
Theresa: It was absolutely lovely!
Remy: Y-Y-You flatter me. I think I made far too many mistakes. Sandra, the other baton thrower, was far better than me.
Theodore: Is that so? Hmm, then may you please join me on a quick trip? I know you may be exhausted, but I would like you to see something.
Remy joined the Oneiroi family on a ride to a place he had never seen before. He jumped, feeling something had touched his hand.
Theodore: Don't mind her, she just likes to be careful.
Remy's head turned on a swivel, trying to find the person that Theodore had referred to but to no avail. His head came to a halt as the car stopped in front of what looked like a dojo. Theodore and Remy entered the building where Remy was left shocked by the sight that lays in front of him. Several hardened men threw quick punches, struck each other with weapons, and ran at speeds he believed were impossible by human standards.
Theodore: Welcome to the training grounds of The Brigade.
The Brigade, a well-renowned group that worked closely with the king of the Virtus Imperium. They have done missions believed to be impossible across the world. Remy could not believe he was able to witness these men firsthand. Theodore waved to one of the older-looking men.
Theodore: Please get this man a staff and one of the newer trainees.
Instructor: Sir? Are you sure about this? I don't even know who this kid is!
Theodore: That's what I like to hear. Now please, bring him an opponent and a staff.
Remy: W-W-WHAT?! Mr. King Oneiroi sir! I can't fight… Especially not against someone in the Brigade.
Remy whipped around, grabbing onto the staff thrown at him. A younger-looking man with a strong bravado approached Remy. He stood several centimeters taller with a strong physique. He took a stance, aiming his staff at Remy.
Trainee: I'm not sure why I was told to spar with you, but if the King and the teacher say so, I'll do it.
Instructor: Mr. Oneiroi, I believe this is an awful idea! Our men are on the same level as a high-level martial artist!
Theodore: I just wish to see if my assumption was correct.
The trainee ran at Remy, thrusting his staff masterfully. Remy's entire body shivered before moving in a way that took the instructor by surprise. Remy knocked the trainee's staff away, spinning on his heel before stopping the staff just mere centimeters from his opponent's neck. He looked up before jumping with fear, dropping his weapon to the ground.
Instructor: How… How did you find someone like that?!
Theodore: There are all sorts of unfound talents hidden in our world. I simply wish to see them prosper. This boy has the potential to be an outstanding staff user.
…
Remy panted as he stood, the pain of Cero's punch overwhelming his body. His eyes wavered as he tried to focus his gaze on Cero. Cero slowly walked forward, not a single moment of hesitation in his steps.
Cero: You survived that punch, I'll commend that. However, if I were you, I would recommend quitting. You have the appearance of a man moments away from death.
Remy: Hehehe… The moment I stepped foot in this place, I knew I had that look. But wouldn't it suck if I just gave up?
Remy's mind flashed to Nupan's comment at the end of the previous match. He smiled through the pain, pointing his staff at Cero.
Remy's thoughts: I guess I'm fighting for more than just my friends. I even have an opponent I'm trying to win for.
Cero shot off the ground, pulling back his fist before throwing it forward with great force. Remy slammed his staff against the ground, pushing his entire body away from the strike. Cero's eyes darted to his next position turning his straight into a hook. His fist struck the air as Remy's body moved back. An audible gasp was heard in the audience as they watched Remy dodge two close-range strikes. Cero furrowed his eyes as he threw several quick punches at Remy. Remy continued to push his staff against the ground, dodging each strike that Cero threw. Angel, Mike, and Carrie wore a look of surprise as they watched Remy's performance.
Angel: How that hell is he dodging those?!
Mike: They're fast as hell! And Cero is larger!
Carrie: Was that pipsqueak always this agile?!
Hugo: Pft, I could do that.
Li: I doubt that.
Theodore smiled under his mask, staring at the monitor proudly.
Theodore: He's advanced his usage of the staff even further.
Angel: What does that mean?
Theodore: Remy knew how to block and strike fairly well with his staff, but he had an issue with mobility due to it. The staff is a large weapon, making it hard to move against opponents with physiques like Cero's. However, he's constantly pushing off the ground with his staff, moving his body just enough to dodge each strike.
Carrie: No way… He really was improving…
Carrie looked at the ground sadly, Mike giving her a side glance.
Mike's thoughts: Are you really surprised by that?
Remy's eyes followed each of Cero's movements, slamming the bottom of his staff against the ground and away from Cero's punch. Cero threw a straight kick forward, Remy dodging it with little issue.
Remy's thoughts: Gonzalez forced me to experience strikes like this. He kept throwing faster and faster ones to make sure I could keep up. Who knew he would be faster than you?
Cero threw a far hook, Remy dodging just below it before slamming the top of his staff into Cero's jaw. His head moved up, watching Remy jump back. He charged forward, aiming for a low sweep against his opponent. Remy jumped over the strike before slamming his staff into Cero's shoulder. Remy's weight threw Cero off balance as a quickly spinning staff end slammed across his face. A small scratch formed as Remy continued to move away from Cero.
Cero's thoughts: He's playing a coward's game.
Cero threw yet another quick jab, Remy spinning his staff to knock the strike away. That slight movement threw Cero off balance. The moment was small, but it had been what Remy was waiting for. He charged forward, aiming the butt of his staff directly at Cero's eye. Cero caught the staff with his free hand as his eyes opened wide. Remy slid under his staff and Cero's arm, swinging his leg into the air and striking Cero in the face once more.
Remy's thoughts: I'm not as strong as you. I'm not as durable as you. So I'll use everything!
Cero staggered back, dropping the staff that Remy swiftly grabbed. He thrust his weapon forward several times, each strike landing directly on Cero. Cero quickly slammed his forearms together, catching Remy's staff between them. Remy ran around Cero's blocked vision, landing a full-strength punch on his cheek. Remy's eyes trembled as Cero's face remained unmoved. The only reaction the punch had received was an annoyed grunt from Cero. Cero slammed an elbow into Remy, sending the boy flying back. The staff dropped to the ground, only for Cero to pick it up. He walked over to Remy, who quickly scrambled to his feet. Cero landed a heavy uppercut on Remy's gut, having the smaller fighter let out a gasp of pain. The audience let out sounds of pain as they watched Remy fall to one knee. Remy picked himself back up, only to be knocked off balance by Cero pushing the end of the staff against Remy's shoulder. Cero pulled back his left fist, throwing it against Remy. Remy's face flared up with a look of determination, jumping over the punch with a scissor kick. Cero was impressed by the small moment of ingenuity that Remy had in the face of defeat. Remy jumped on Cero's arm before wrapping his legs around the giant's neck. The audience let out a gasp as they watched Remy pull out the flag he had shoved in his pocket moments earlier. He quickly wrapped the flag around Cero's head, pulling it tightly.
Remy's thoughts: I… refuse to lose! I'll use everything!
Cero stumbled, his face in surprise as his vision was covered by the white and light purple of the Virtus Imperium flag. With his left hand, he threw punches at Remy, but the angle had drastically weakened their power. Ryan and Kammy looked in shock as they watched Cero's large body stumble around. Remy fought against the pain of Cero's strikes, refusing to weaken his hold of the flag. Cero slammed the staff into the ground, its sturdy material keeping it in one piece as it was dug into the ground. Cero held onto Remy's legs with both hands, his opponent refusing to move an inch. Cero's fingers felt as if they dug into his legs, but Remy ignored it. His mind only had one goal in mind. Cero's face contorted underneath the flag, the audience looking in shock.
Zachary: U-Unbelievable! Remy is using the tactic of choking out his opponent to win!
Zenzo: He's pretty damn resilient! He's not moving an inch!
Remy's head pounded as the pain dealt to his lower half felt unbearable. He knew that if the damage continued, he would be left immobile for a while. But he was well aware that the biggest obstacle he and the Imperium had to face was this man. Cero halted, his grip on Remy's legs staying tight. He dug his feet into the ground before dashing towards the wall in a great burst of speed. Everyone leaned forward in their seats, and Jason and Gonzalez left waiting in anticipation.
Jason's thoughts: This doesn't look good…
Cero's foot slammed into the ring's wall, where he ran up it in an unbelievable feat of strength and speed. He ran to the top of the wall, standing at the ledge in front of the audience. Remy looked at the audience in front of him as a final look of fear overcame him. The audience could do nothing but look at him in disbelief. Cero jumped backwards off the wall, flying back towards the ring. Remy looked back, his eyes shaking in fear. What he saw below was none other than his own staff below them.
Remy's thoughts: H-He's going to impale me!
Remy gritted his teeth, trying to think of a plan. He closed his eyes, his mind only coming to one conclusion: self-preservation. Remy pushed off of Cero, sending both fighters away from the staff and rolling on the ground. The flag of the Imperium fell to the ground, Remy rolling before coming to a halt. He looked up, his eyes shaking in fear. Cero's expression could only be described as "pissed off." The fighter walked forward, stomping on the flag of the Virtus Imperium as he closed the distance between himself and Remy.
Cero's thoughts: Your luck has run out.