In the large city of Solus located in northern America, the streets were bustling with people wearing many strange yet common clothes with various weapons on their person. The one common thing they all had was that they were all fifteen years of age or younger, the age of fifteen or younger being the only requirement to register into the World Tournament which only occurred once every two years. The rewards being the top three being accepted into the Galactic Academy, a school where prodigies and geniuses of all kinds gather to become gods and protectors of the universe. If this wasn't a goal of someone who entered the academy, just having the academy on their record would allow anyone to enter any field they wish in the Universe.
"Hurry up and move it!"
"This is taking forever!"
Young teens of all kinds were yelling impatiently with some being quiet, either through nervousness or confidence. Everyone lined up within a massive colosseum to find out if their journey to greatness was starting, or ending. One such kid with black hair and brown eyes wielding a spear with an oversized arrowhead blade which was half the spear itself. He seemed like the later as he smiled excitedly and walked up to the booth to register himself into the World Tournament.
"Name and age." The lady at the booth asked emotionlessly.
The young fifteen year old smiled as he answered. "Alex Mercer, and I'm fifteen."
"Fifteen and a first timer huh." The lady said as she pulled up any data related to Alex. "I'd wish you luck but this year's gonna be terrible for everyone else but three certain prodigies."
These words peaked Alex's interest as he asked. "What do you mean? Are they super strong?"
"Ha! That's an understatement of the century." The lady said as she handed Alex a white badge with the number seven hundred and seventy seven. "Keep this badge on you at all times and when the tournament begins tomorrow, listen to your name and number as well as the platform number where you're going to have your match."
"Thank lady." Alex said as he walked away looking at the badge intently. "I can't believe I'm going to have a chance at entering The Galactic Academy! Plus, seven's supposed to be a lucky number and I've got three of them."
As Alex's imagination ran wild, a hand grabbed his shoulder and he looked at the person to see a young girl who was maybe thirteen years old with red hair in a twin tailed style and blood red eyes. She had a confident smile and wore a sleeveless black chinese martial arts uniform with red highlights and a dragon symbol on her front and back. As for her weapon, she had a Jian blade on her back which seemed a little big for her.
"You do understand you don't have a single chance at winning this tournament right?" The girl said as she let go of Alex's shoulder and put a hand on her hip.
"Why's that exactly?" Alex asked as he stated. "The lady said something similar but I'm not too sure what you guys mean."
"Are you serious?" The girl asked with a raised eyebrow.
Alex nodded and explained. "I just learned about this tournament two years ago and just started training myself in seclusion to enroll myself into the Galactic Academy."
"Wow, I just, I'm at a loss for words." The girl said before she explained. "The three prodigies are from the top three martial arts family on Earth."
"Ok....?"
Seeing that her words really weren't getting into Alex's mind, she continued. "The three great martial arts family consists of The Long Family of the Dragon Art, The Silver Family of the Lunar Art, and finally The Abara Family of the Panther Art. These are the only families with unique cultivation techniques which can allow a person to enter the B-Rank and higher."
"Oh yeah, I heard about that." Alex said, making the girl sigh in relief as she thought he had understood her, until he continued to say. "Something about needed a specific way to cultivate Aether to rise in Aether Ranks."
The girl laughed as she hit Alex's should quite hard and stated. "You're a pretty funny guy you know."
"My name's Alex Mercer, not funny guy, and you should remember it." Alex said with his chest held high.
"And why's that?" The girl asked.
Alex smirked as he pointed into the sky and yelled out. "Because I'm going to be the winner of this World Tournament and become the strongest in the universe!"
The entire colosseum became silent at this announcement before a roar of laughter erupted with words of contempt coming from everywhere. Alex didn't care as he laughed and as for the girl, she was shocked silent.
After the surroundings returned to normal, the girl looked directly into Alex's eyes and said. "If that's so, then remember my name as well. Jade Long, that's my name and I am in fact going to be placed in the number one spot."
"We'll see about that then second placer." Alex said as he watched her leave, only to pause and mutter. "Wait, Jade Long? Long as in one of the the three prodigies?"
Shocked for a moment, Alex burst out laughing again before he began making his way towards the hotel he had reserved. He knew that tomorrow would be a long and hard day, one which would need him fully rested so he hurried back to his room.