—Well, well. It looks like the two second round contestants are more excited than even the first round contestants. Choose your weapons and get in the ring while the audience bets.
I saw the display case where the weapons were and the truth is that there was everything, even ribbons, weights and bandages. I don't know how they will be used to fight, but I don't think it's the best thing to choose. I turned around without taking anything and went up to the ring where Viktor was waiting.
—I didn't expect to see you here.
—Well, a lot has happened —I smiled at him.
—I'm glad you're doing well. I hope you win with that 'freestyle' of yours.
Viktor laughed. When Basma's voice reached my ears.
—Come on Cam, you can do it, Cam!
I smiled.
—Well, I promised I would win and I can't let my fans down.
—Hey, hey! Less talking and more fighting.
Zareb came up with nothing too and leaned on one of the ropes at the edge of the ring. When I saw his pose I remembered a boy from my father's karate school. He was a blond boy with short hair, he was the best in the school and I never beat him. Remembering that made me more motivated.
The crowd seemed more and more expectant. Viktor stepped aside and for a moment there was a deep silence before the opening bell. I could feel as if everything was in slow motion, my breathing, the sweat, the concentration, the anticipation, I could feel the weight I was putting on each leg, and the bell rang to signal the start.
To my surprise Zareb came running towards me, but before he got there he jumped around and directed a swift kick at my face. It was quite a sweeping motion and gave me time to break away from him.
—Do you fight with your feet?
But I didn't have time to answer my questions because Zareb was already coming back towards me, this time he was coming with a low center of gravity, he was quite crouched. To my surprise, before reaching me, Zareb put his hands on the ground in front of me and lifted his feet towards me. For a moment I was surprised by his flexibility.
I crouched down and when his feet had passed me by because he couldn't find anyone I got up forcefully pushing him from the bottom to the top. As he flew into the air I went to punch him, but before it hit he activated an ability.
—Snake body.
And, as if he had no backbone, his back moved in the air making a kind of weird C shape to dodge my punch.
—What the fuck?
—I'm not done —and he started running back towards me—. Air step.
And he took a step up to go over me and another step in the air. Before I could react I got a kick in my face. Just barely, but I was able to keep my balance.
Seeing that I had lost my concentration he gave me a couple more kicks to my legs, but to no avail. At that moment I activated 'Intimidation', making the guy retreat from me a couple of meters.
—You know, I didn't expect you to be able to jump in the air. Is it because of your fighting style? Well, you don't have to answer. I thought you gave me 3 hits and it's my turn to get serious, so I hope you raise the level a little bit, otherwise it wouldn't be funny.
I said that last thing at the same time that I was crunching my fingers.
—Body reinforcement.
And while activating the skill I ran forward and kneed him in the leg.
He went to react with his other leg, but I caught it in mid-air and sent him flying into the rubber fences. And finally I ran up to him and punched him in the face.
—Winner Caelum!
Viktor appeared at my side before I did anything else and I smiled raising my fists. Many people screamed, but it didn't escape me that a few others booed.
I looked at Zareb trying to get up.
—Hey kid, if you ever want me to teach you what little I know so you can improve your style, let me know.
—Who are you calling a child when I am probably older than you.
Zareb told me while he gave me a hateful look, I guess it was normal, but I was saying it with all the good intentions in the world.
That said I turned and went up to where the rest of them were. When I got there Mason lunged at me.
—Who are you?
That question caught me by surprise.
—Caelum?
Why do I even doubt my name.
—Yeah, yeah, but that was impressive. I'm not just talking about the other guy's ability to leap into the air here like a blond with a twisted eyebrow. I'm talking about you. When you came down, the odds on you were 1'1, 1'1! Do you know what that means?!
—What does it mean?
—That the other guy had almost no chance of winning, although I have to tell you, you scared me for a moment when he kicked you in the face.
—Relax, will you?
—But tell me at least what's the name of what you've done.
I smiled. Not that it was something I had to hide or anything since Basma and Igor know about it too, but I want it to be a surprise.
—Let's just say I had some bad luck that led to some good luck.
Then at Mason's back, Igor stood up from his seat.
—Where are you going?
—To participate. I want to fight against other skills too.
—Lucky baldy.
Igor gave me an unloving finger as he walked down to the ring.
With Mason calmer we took the opportunity to sit down and bet on Igor. The bet was in his favor, but the choice of weapons was not. While Igor picked up a wooden dagger his opponent decided on a spear.
—Will Igor win?
—I have no proof, but no doubts either.
A few moments later Igor came up the stairs towards us after proclaiming himself the winner.
—Not bad.
I was going to say something back, but I yawned.
—It looks like the sleeping beauty is back.
—Let me, it's been a long day. Let's go to our rooms, tomorrow will be another day.
—You can imagine the hostess arrives tomorrow, she's going crazy, she starts saying and doing silly things.
I laughed at Mason's comment. And if it weren't for the hostess being the Goddess I think I would have found it funnier. For a moment I imagined the Goddess going crazy and turning this floor from a hotel into hell itself.
—We'd better hope not.
I patted Mason on the back as I headed for my room. As soon as I got there I realized how tired I was and fell asleep as soon as I lay down.
At the same time, at the hotel, two meetings were going on.
One was between people who might become Apostles. They were the fishmonger's hat gang, although their official name was 'The Saviors'.
—Are you going to invite them to join?
—Yes.
—But they can't be trusted. What if they later oppose our ultimate goal?
—I remember it was that guy the hostess called 'honey'.
The group was quickly splitting in two with no clear winner. Although there were reasons to deny him entry there were not enough to at least propose him and keep an eye on him.
So they decided to propose to Caelum and his companions the possibility of joining their band, but without telling them the final objective.
At the same time the demigods held a meeting.
—Are you telling me that this boy knows the truth about us and that he can use mana because of the Goddess?
The others nodded to Lidia, who couldn't quite believe her ears.
—And what was the Goddess thinking telling him?
—She seems to like the boy.
Lidia could no longer listen.
—Agh, whatever, thinking about what the Goddess does gives me a headache. Let's get down to business, Milos.
—Yes. We have received a message from Hermes, tomorrow he and Belona will come. We will meet here the 7 of us again.
They all smiled. Although they had lived for many, many years, there were few times when they all met at the same time.
—And the second thing, she asked us to explain to the newbies the real purpose of the system and how to use it well.
Everyone was surprised.
—But wasn't it for them to learn on their own?
—Yes, but it seems there have been changes on the surface and she is going to increase the level of the trials. It seems she wants them to get strong fast.
Everyone was silent because they knew the meaning behind those words: 'Get ready, the war may be closer than we thought'.