As the match began, Hakai leapt towards the female opponent on the other end of the ring and she would return the action by doing the same.
The two clashed with their forearms, applying their weight behind it as they tested the waters.
Mimi was a 5'4 female with a dark yellow and green gi on and her muscle definition was extremely dense so Hakai pushed away from it as he realized he might not win that initial struggle.
Hakai looked at his bandaged arm before sighing, this was not the place to use that.
He needed to win with the power that Hieki helped hone.
'' I can't let him down. I spent all these months trying to get away from that life. ''
Hakai thought to himself as Mimi ran towards him with intent on picking Hakai up and slamming him onto the ring with her superior physical strength.
The male jumped into the air and kicked Mimi on her torso, using all the strength he could muster but the female was only pushed back slightly.
Sadly, the strength behind the kick did not stagger her and she immediately grabbed Hakai by his leg and slammed him down onto the ring as if he was a doll.
The strength of the slam had caused the ring to crack and Hakai to grunt as he felt the pain spreading from the entirety of his back.
Sakura and Seiya had been concerned for the male as it appeared that she had him at her mercy and it did ring true as things stood.
Mimi had let go of Hakai's leg as she started cracking the bones in her fist, preparing to jump into the air so that she could elbow the male in his stomach.
Hakai had started thinking about the past as he laid there.
8 months before the tournament happened, Hakai met Hieki for the first time.
All those months ago, Hakai was but a dirt-covered mess of a young male who looked as if he had no home and no one to go back to. His hair was a mess and his clothes were worn out and falling apart at the slightest form of obstruction.
Hieki and Hakai crossed paths one day when the Elder found a group of bandits that were knocked out near the village. He wondered who could've been responsible for this and not too far off from the main road outside the village borders, he'd find the boy.
Hakai was hunched over eating the food that the bandits had in a space between two trees.
'' What're you doing around here kiddo? ''
The question was not answered by the boy who was still eating. Hieki could see that he was hungry and was not comfortable speaking on such an empty stomach.
Hieki decided to walk closer to the boy but before he could get too close, a giant dark ring of energy appeared around the boy.
'' I mean you no harm. I promise. ''
Hieki held his hands up to show that he wouldn't do anything wrong to him. The Elder needed to display trust to him so he'd ask the boy another question.
'' Would you like to have some more food? You can come with me and I'll feed you. ''
The Elder started to walk away and as expected, the black haired boy followed Hieki at a distance.
Now that the boy was out of the shadows, he had noticed that the boy had certain features that may pose a problem.
'' You.... are on the run from them aren't you? ''
The question asked by Hieki was pretty much rhetorical because what he saw made it clear to him that the boy couldn't have been out here like this in the state he's in if he wasn't on the run.
This made him ask another question.
'' Are you.... No, I can't pry if you don't feel comfortable with it. What is your name son? ''
The question was not answered immediately as their walk continued on for a few minutes before a response had came. The words that left the boy's mouth had caused Hieki's eyes to widen before the Elder spoke up in response.
'' You can't go by that name. You won't be able to live a life detached from the past if you go around saying that name. ''
They'd eventually reach Hieki's hideout where the boy would eat as much as he'd like until he was finally free from hunger.
'' Does the name Hakai feel right to you? ''
Hieki asked the boy as he finished his last bowl. He wanted to know if it felt right to him. The black haired male responded not long after.
'' I suppose its fine. Why that name? ''
'' Simply because you demolished the bandits outside of the village and that you decimated my food reserves for the evening. Also, you wish to destroy the bonds of your past and now I won't try to tell you to reconsider because I don't believe in that path they take so I'm happier to see you here than elsewhere. ''
Hieki responded before getting up, Hakai had looked up at him as the Elder prepared to leave however the Elder had a task for Hakai because of what just happened.
'' Since you obliterated the food reserves, tomorrow you will be on hunting duty. ''
Hakai remembered all the days he spent with Hieki and how much work he put into not using his old habits to handle his problems and to do things the way Hieki had described.
Several weeks before Seiya and Sakura had joined Hieki's dojo, Hakai had a meaningful conversation with his Master after having become his assistant.
'' Why do you train all the students despite your age? Shouldn't you retire and live out the rest of your days in peace? ''
'' I can't do that. This world is filled with pain and suffering, constant war and aggression is a legacy that is constantly being given from one generation to the next. I'd like to teach people to have the strength to protect themselves and hopefully save others that have lost sight of what matters most. I believe everyone has at one point or another had good intentions but any matter of circumstance can distort their vision. For as long as I live, I'd like to hopefully sow as many seeds of goodwill I can. I've made many longtime friends this way and I hope that the world improves for the better, even if its a fool's journey to push against a tide like this. ''
Hakai had no words to reply to his teacher but at least it helped him understand him better. He wondered why Hieki preferred to do things this way instead of letting Hakai use his power.
Hakai's mind was settled and as this memory begun to fade in his mind as he saw Mimi coming down towards him, the black haired male had gotten up.
'' I can't lose like this in front of everyone! ''
Hakai raised his hand upward at Mimi who was coming down at him before his middle finger and index finger aimed at Mimi's chest.
He waited just a few more seconds for her to get closer and it was then that he released a beam of energy from his two fingers that would connect with her body.
'' Focus Rupture! ''
Mimi's body flew backwards as the concentrated long-range attack had pierced her defenses and sent her flying out of the ring with a loud crash.
Hakai had been breathing slightly hard as he was a bit ache-y due to his back but he'd live.
The announcer of the tournament had spoken up as Hakai was pronounced the winner.
'' There you have it, the winner of the final match of the preliminary round is Hakai! ''
There was a brief intermission before the next set of matches and Hakai had immediately approached Seiya after his match was over.
'' Don't lose. ''
Hakai had only two words to give to the young prince and with it Seiya responded to him immediately with a tone of confidence in his voice.
'' I've many things on my mind but losing is not one of them. I'll see you guys in the final round. ''
The announcer began telling people to prepare for the match and called Seiya and Friegen.
'' So you didn't run off after realizing you'll be facing me. Should've been cautious and tried to run off during one of the previous matches. ''
Friegen wanted to scare Seiya but the white haired prince had shaken his head before giving his response.
'' I don't think I can run even if I wanted to. I'm sorry but I'm going to have to take you down. ''
Friegen chuckled hearing Seiya speak and with it, the announcer had declared the match's start.
'' The First round of the Semifinals will now begin! Fighters, at your ready.. Start!!! ''