One hour after the second half of the competition came to a close, there were only five teenagers sitting in the reserved section for participants.
Different from the usual, they weren't anxious or nervous. Having been already granted a spot in the top five, there was no need to be tense.
The only thing they needed to do was to directly rank themselves.
Every one of them, including Jake, had their eyes closed as they tried to recuperate to their prime state.
Exactly thirty minutes after, they opened their eyes just in time for the referee to begin.
"I will repeat the rules of the final half. Each of you would get a match against each other. There will be five rounds which will be played out incessantly, without any break."
He further explained, "Each round will have you fighting against someone you have not fought with before. However, due to your numbers. Only four will have the opportunity to fight, while the fifth lucky participants would be giving a freeroll. Don't, everyone would get a chance to be that "fifth" participants"
"Finally, the point system. As stated previously, a win is three(3) points. A draw is one(1) point. A loss is zero(0) point. And a Freeroll is three(3) points, the same as a win. So, everyone is guaranteed an extra three(3) points."
He looked straight at the remaining participants and asked, "Any questions?"
Dean Forst raised his voice, "Yes. In the case of grievous injuries, what would happen to the person? Would he be given the option to continue? Would he be automatically be disqualified for the remaining rounds? Or would he postpone his fights until he is considerably healed by the healers?"
Dean Forst asked the questions in everyone's mind.
Jake had also thought of this. The goal of his fellow competitors would change based on the answer provided.
"Good Question. In the case of an injured person, he would be held responsible for his injuries. Also, he would have two options.
One, to forfeit and seek the medic bay.
Two, to continue to fight and risk aggravating his injuries!" replied the referee.
His words were like cold water thrown on a person's head.
Despite Jake liking the format of the match, he knew that the cruelty of the final half has reached the peak.
This new format would enable the participants to indirectly team-up. However, such a team would not be balanced. There was sure to be someone benefitting more than the other.
Also, reaching this match, Jake was sure most of the participants would be able to resist the temptation of teaming up. Jake, himself, did not concern himself with teaming up as he did not trust any of them to hold up their end of the agreement.
However, that was just Jake. What of those that were already allies before the start of the competition. In a way, it was a good thing there was only one of the royal family present among them, or else, it would be catastrophic!
Jake was sure the same thoughts coursed through all of them's minds.
After the referee was sure that the participants had absorbed everything, he called out names, "These are the fights in the first round. Jake vs. Joshua Vargas. Cheyenne Aztec vs. Dean Forst. Jaya, you are the first to be on a free roll."
He then shouted out loud, "The first match, Jake vs. Joshua Vargas. The rest, prepare yourself!"
Obeying the referee, Jake got up from his seat and walked to the stage.
He reviewed himself, 'My outfit is not more reliable for defense. However, I still have my sword!'
He watched as Joshua came up stage, all the while gazing at Dean Forst with a hidden meaning.
'So, that's how it is,' smiled Jake.
He knew it was bound to happen. However, when he saw Joshua's expression everything clicked.
Though it was not his business, it was certainly amusing to notice it.
While thinking, Jake channeled his [Spirit Essence] into his body.
The moment he heard the green lights, Jake bulldozed to his opponent, "Match, Start!"
He dashed to Joshua and unsheathed his sword, following his training.
*Shing!*
Joshua managed to block his sword, and unleashed his technique, without trying to go the slow path, "[Red Sword]!"
Joshua's broadsword glowed hot red, exuding a temperature that made Jake exceedingly sweat just by near it.
'Sh*t! He is going full strength,' sighed Jake.
Jake parried an attack from Joshua and jumped far away to plan his next move.
Following the path dictated for him, Jake decided to go a hundred percent(100%) for the first time.
He blinked from his position and appeared above an unsuspecting Joshua.
Unsheathing his sword in a peculiar manned, Jake brought it down to his opponent's shoulder, but Joshua's sword managed to get there in time to block the attack.
Yet, Joshua realized that there was no strength behind Jake's sword. Looking up, he found no one holding the sword.
Despite catching on to Jake's tail, a kick came out of nowhere and smashed him away.
By the time he stopped himself, he was already bleeding profusely, both from his mouth and ears.
Shocked, he thought to himself, 'All this from one kick!'
He had no idea what force was behind Jake's kick!
However, Jake wasn't without injuries.
Despite not receiving any attack, he had multiple burns on his skin that swelled up annoyingly.
Joshua saw that and took the opportunity of Jake's inaction to dish out his actual technique, "[Red Sword]!"
His real technique was not his hot sword but was came out of it.
Immediately after he announced his technique, a massive red energy slash sundered on Jake.
Despite his immense speed, Jake found nowhere to go as he was blocked by the energy.
Every millisecond the attack got closer to him, Jake's cloth and body burnt increasingly.
'The purpose is not to burn, but to melt,' discerned Jake as he felt the attack coming closer.
He went into a stance mentioned in his technique book.
When the attack was just two feet away from him, he slashed with his eyes closed.
*Whoosh!*
His sword broke the sound barrier and pierced through the attack.
Those that were watching found it hard to believe what happened afterward.
Just one move, one slash, managed to disperse the humongous attack.
The amount of wind force generated from the attack sliced away any obstacle in its path, which, coincidentally, included Joshua.
The wind pierced his armor, his skin, and his bone and threw him out of the stage, leaving his fate to the ability of the med-bay.
"Jake, three(3) points. Joshua Vargas, zero points(0)!" announced the referee.
Listening to him, Jake fell on his knees and panted wildly.
He had just gone a hundred and twenty percent(120%) and used all his accumulated energy on one single slash.
It was an attack that he had accidentally created when he wondered what would happen when one bets their speed on one stroke, instead of the usual five strokes in a breath.
Now, looking at the outcome of his attack, he smiled, not bothering about the person he sent close to death's door.
After a minute, Jake followed the rules and quickly left the stage.
He passed by Cheyenne and Dean, who mysteriously glanced at him.
Jake chuckled seeing this. He already knew that Joshua was in alliance with Dean. Also, following Joshua's nature, he wouldn't do that unless he was obligated to do so.
Jake quickly knew that it was probably the Forst Noble House that saved the Vargas Noble House from their sinking ship. This could be backed up by the fact that the Vargas Family were outcasts and not close to any family. Yet, here was Joshua, throwing meaningful glances at Dean Forst.
That was also why Joshua was aggressive in their match. He wanted to clear a path for Dean. it was probably an agreement made by their families!
Well, it's their luck to target him as the first victim. If not for the rules, he would have killed Dean, right on the spot.
'I have to heal my injuries,' squirmed Jake as he touched his burns.
He sat and watched the match going on.
...…
"Match, Start!"
Some would say it was a revenge match.
Some would say it was a domination match.
While some would just say it was an important match.
However, all of them were right, at least to Jake.
Cheyenne Aztec and Dean Forst had a history together. Previously, she had humiliated Dean despite her lower cultivation base, and now, it would be decided whether her previous win was a fluke or not.
The two opponents continued clashing sword and spear together, bringing forth destruction everywhere their two weapons met.
They quickly went into high drive when Dean used his [Flash Sword] against Cheyenne's [Wind Spear].
It was similar to their last fight, but this time, Dean was more active. Yet, it seemed to not be working well for him.
Cheyenne's attack bypassed his sword and pierced his inside.
She once again showed her superiority in combat despite her lower cultivation base as she left the stage without waiting for the referee's announcement.
"Match, End. Cheyenne Aztec, three(3) points. Dean Forst, zero(0) points."
"Next, Jaya, freeroll. Three(3) points!"
The referee took a deep breath and announced the next match, "Second Round! First Match, Dean Forst vs. Jake!"