A small, round pond filled with white gas rests before me.
The gas peacefully rests in the pond, still but constantly changing. It's occasionally warm, occasionally bright, and occasionally exudes joy.
Pure positive spiritual energy.
I lean back against the apple tree and observe my work. All those afternoons cultivating in the backyard instead of having a life paid off.
My beautiful spirit sea.
A fine silky string swings down to my left.
[I think this isn't a sea chief.]
[Thanks, Julian, it's not like spirit seas is the name for this sort of structure containing spiritual energy regardless of size.]
[Euh, any way you're quite the artist aren't you. Ever thought about adding some lotuses?]
[I was more thinking water spiders. I wonder if I have a good candidate for that role?]
As quickly as he swung down he is back on the tree.
[No candidates that you can touch, bodiless boy. Hehe]
[You sure?]
With a thought, a strand of gaseous energy shoots out of the pond and traps Julian.
With it, I do myself the pleasure of dangling him over the pond.
[What!? How!?]
[Since I first made the pond I could control the energy, everything that enters this Soulscape is refined to by my will. Just waited for the opportune moment to use it.]
And it was so worth it. I can hear his angry thoughts without even trying to read them.
[Doesn't that mean I can control it too?]
[Technically you could, but...]
The moment I feel another his mind grasping at the energy I dissolve it.
"Splash"
Hehehe.
[Alright, gloat I give you this one. You worked hard for it.]
[Awww, are you warming up to me?]
[It's called self-love. Anyway, can't you like leave? Don't you have a big thing coming up soon?]
[Yeah bestie I do, and as much as I love spending time with you. You are right I have to go is that alright with you?]
[Please leave me alone.]
I call upon the bridge, and the wooden door appears.
[Ok, bye-bye Julian.]
In my shabby room, I open my eyes to darkness.
The stupid magic lamp went out of it again. I'm going to have to buy a new one.
Because that can't sully my mood now because...
Tournament!
Tournament! Tournament arc!
My excitement has only increased since Hugo told me that part of our final exam is a martial arts tournament. Tournament arc!
I truly feel like a true protagonist now.
I'm ready.
Like I don't mean to brag, but I got ripped in the past year.
Combined with my shoulder-length wavy black hair, thin eyebrows, and oval face I kind of look like a miniature John Wick.
Alright, Mini Wick let's get you ready for your big day.
Mini Wick for the win!
After a shower and breakfast, I head out into the cold snow-covered path to the church.
On my way, I meet Hugo. He's grown quite a bit this school year turning all his chub into a 1.4-meter giant seven-year-old. Though his red-haired green-eyed face still has that innocent grin on it.
It makes him so punchable.
Nevertheless, he is the only person I've grown to like here. Who would have thought that the class dumbass is the most mature and chill to hang out with?
"What's up Hugo, ready for the tournament?"
"I don't know we're fighting against the upperclassmen I'm not sure I'm going to do well."
"If anyone can do it's you Mr. class genius."
As much as it disgusts me I have to team up with Fred to even stand a chance against him during sparring.
"Alright."
"Let's get something at Dino's to boost our energy."
After 10 minutes, we arrive at the mosque with our flasks filled to the brim with hot cocoa.
Or at least they once were filled to the brim.
"You're late, Alex, Clyde."
Sister Esmay stands at the door, her eyes drilling holes in us.
"Sorry, Sister."
Her expression eases.
"It's alright, your teacher is waiting down in the basement for you guys. I'll be rooting for you two."
"Thank you, Sister Esmay!"
After arriving in the basement, I see an annoyed Hansen standing in front of the door of our usual training room.
"Of all days you could have picked to be late, guys. Had to be this one right?"
"Sorry."
"You'll first be fighting in here so get dressed and then assemble around the ring."
"What's the ring?"
"You'll see."
We quickly walk into the classroom avoiding our teacher's angry gaze.
Inside, a huge octagon-shaped cage has been set up in the middle of the room.
I think I get what wing meant now.
Stoked I head to the lockers with Hugo and get changed.
We head for the changing rooms on the right, and come back out into the slick gray training gear, and sit ourselves down with the rest, not caring for the teacher's pet venomous gaze.
Yeah, we're savage like that.
With everyone here, Brother Hansen closes the door and walks up to us.
"Alright class, you've done your written exam yesterday. Today's tournament is going to be the second part of your final. It is going to be split into three brackets that will be determined here. The brackets are A, B, and C I'm going to allocating you to a bracket based on performance in a randomly drawn duel. Since I won't make you fight twice, and this class has an uneven number, one person will skip the duels."
He's definitely going to make Hugo skip them.
"I'm sure it will surprise no one when I say Hugo will be skipping them and will be allocated to bracket A."
Called it.
"Okay, I'll draw the names for the first fight." Who will it be?
My excitement peaks as he draws two pieces of paper out of a wooden box. He reads them and smiles.
Oh boy, this has to be a good fight to watch.
"The first fight is Amy vs. Alex!"
Fuck.
The class breaks out in cheers.
"Two of the best right at the beginning. This is going to be good."
Being called strongest should have fed my ego, but right now I can only see Amy's malicious smile.
I wanna cry.
"Why does she hate me so much?"
"Because your effortlessly Brother Hansen's favorite, while she tries so hard to be in your position."
"How is that my fault? I never asked from special treatment from Hansen."
It mostly comes from pity anyway.
"Alright, you two get in the ring. Get to your corners."
I follow Hansen's instructions and step into the ring and face my hater.
I can't even appreciate how similar this is to an MMA fight, that I always dreamed of being in.
"Now, you two on my go you're going to have a fair and amicable fight. I can easily heal you, but even so, try not to hurt each other."
Yeah, that's not going to happen chief. I hope you got your rank 2 powers charged.
"One, two, three, and GO!"
Fast!
Before I can even put my guard up Amy crossed the distance between us and aims for my right chest with one of her beloved body kicks.
I move to the side to lessen the impact of the kick while simultaneously lifting my elbow and hand to catch it.
But she was too fast, and before I could really step to the side, her kick caught me full force into my rib cage taking my breath away.
While I'm stunned, she switches to a liver shot. (Author note: Hurts A LOT)
Knowing I can't block this one I just flex my abs to protect my liver and take the blow. Owie!
I luckily manage to check her follow-up punch to my head and use the brief opening created to perform a double leg takedown.
Startled at having suddenly lost her advantage she pauses briefly which I use to mount her.
I successfully pass my legs over her head and straighten her left arm for an arm bar, but just before I can break her arm by driving my hips into her elbow it suddenly feels like I am trying to move a mountain.
"Oh, no."
I am flung face-first against the rings grid by the arm I was about to break, leaving a dent the size of my body in it.
"OUCH! That hurt."
Amy smugly walks over.
"You should give up, Alex. You're too badly hurt to stand a chance now.]
I think my skull is cracked.
I was trying to conserve my spiritual energy for the actual tournament, but Amy's right arm glowing in bright, chaotic spiritual energy tells me otherwise.
I call upon the energy stored in my spirit sea through my bridge.
I'm still in the initial stage, so I can't do much with the energy, so I just let it flow freely through my body. It may be an extremely ineffective method, but It somewhat heals my wounds and strengthens my muscles.
My body filled with energy I instantly close the gap between the gloating Amy and me and aim for a liver shot of my own.
Startled and unable to react on time I hit her with full force completely unprepared.
Having not contracted her muscles on time she collapses in pain from the direct hit to her liver and expels her breakfast.
Gross...
I might have gone overboard on this one.