"Zeliker, let's go. We have to wait at the podium." Xcerox told Zeliker.
Their friends already left except him, Zeliker and Silvert. They were watching Gizelis putting on his armour and weapons with the help of the palace manservants. The friendly match day finally arrived and everyone couldn't stop him anymore.
Gizelis was stubborn to accept the match. He told them it was his duty and asked them to trust in him more. They would but after looking at the other participant, they really wanted Gizelis to change his mind.
That person was a high-rank demon controlled by his slave collar. His cold vertical orange eyes look so fierce and sharp, and no one seems to want to get close to him. He was 1.85 metres, looking straight at the royal podium.
Everyone, even Sektar, thought it would be a low-rank demon but never could they have imagined the demon was high-rank. This obviously looks like Drick was showing off. But, such control over the high-ranking demon angered the demons of Eskimos that came to watch the match.
High-rank demons were respected no matter who they were. Now, looking at the controlled high-rank demon, they were furious towards Drick. They prey on Gizelis can win the match and help the high-ranking demon but looking back at Gizelis, they were not so sure anymore.
Instead, they were worried for him. Gizelis have come out from one of the doors to the battle arena. The battle arena was a huge open stadium and was full of Eskimos residents. Only one-tenth belongs to Drick people.
Zeliker, Xcerox and Silvert had gone to the seat under the royal podium where it was prepared for Eskimos and Drick's kings. Zeliker had to wear a hood to hide his face because even if he was free, Drick might recognise him. New trouble would transpire if he was found by them.
"I hope he can win this..." Ashla whispered to Frix.
They, with Riseptos and Silvert, sit behind Zeliker, Xcerox, Stiria and Miulwess. They can see the arena because the seat of the stadium moves up each line, enabling everyone to watch it.
"Yeah. Let's just hope. He did train with Zeliker. Maybe, he can get an upper hand?" Frix turns his eyes to Zeliker.
Zeliker shrugged. "All depends on him now."
"I wonder how strong a high-rank demon is. This is my first time seeing one." Stiria stares at the high-rank demon.
"Erm... We already have a stronger one than that. Why the need to know the strength of that high rank?" Miulwess chuckled.
"Yeah. I really don't want to battle with a royal demon again." Xcerox agreed.
Zeliker looks confused. "I didn't hit you so hard. That was just 10 percent of my strength."
Xcerox rolled his eyes. "That's 10 percent for you but 100 percent for me. Seriously! Why did I even want to train with you? You almost break all my bones!"
"Tsk! You are too weak. You need to strengthen more, Xcerox."
"Hmph! Later I might, but not with you. I'll ask Silvert or Riseptos instead."
"Whatever."
Miulwess and the others chuckled at their banter.
A loud voice sounded from the stadium's speaker and made the whole stadium go silent.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the friendly match between Eskimos and Drick's Kingdoms! Without further delay, let us welcome our guest from Drick, Your Majesty, King Elamos and his crown prince, Your Highness, Prince Zelfon!"
A man with a golden crown on his head and a young serious man walked to the royal podium above Zeliker and his friends' seats. Everyone clapped their hands for their arrival before the speaker once again spoke.
King Elamos have white hair. His golden attires show he was the ruler while his crown prince, Zelfon wore blue-white attires with gold frilly around his wrist and the end of his pants.
He almost looks like someone Zeliker thought was arrogant or could be a blockhead human. Such style always makes him think those princes were fools or stupid.
What kind of style are you wearing?! This place is an arena for bathing in blood! Can't he wear, erm, cool or something?! Look at King Elamos, he looks majestic! Why can't you follow his style?!
Zeliker's cursed in his heart when he sees Zelfon. It makes him itch to hit Zelfon. Silvert looks at him then at Zelfon. He doesn't understand what irritated his prince. The speaker then continued his sentences again.
"And don't forget our king, Your Majesty, Sektar Mirima! Let us welcome our favourite king of the century!" The speaker said while joking.
Everyone immediately cheered loudly while clapping their hands again. Sektar came out from the same door behind the podium and laughed at the speaker's jokes.
Zeliker's eyes twitched. "Hey, is it just me or are these people actually nuts?"
He telepathy Silvert. Silvert chuckled before he replied.
"That means Your Majesty Sektar is loved by all of his people, Zeliker."
"Really?"
His father, Nekruis also got thunderous claps from the residents of Flink when he was checking some demon's fief. But… Their eyes show something else.
Does that mean they love him or do they actually fear him? Which is it?
His attention was brought to the battle arena when the speaker sounded again.
"Now, let's see our participants for this friendly match! On the Drick side, we have our demon friend, Trez Kalis! Let us give him an encouraging clap, everybody!" Another clap was heard.
"And I know everyone here is waiting to know who is on our side, correct? Without further ado, give your best stimulus for our friends, Gizelis Auntom!"
When Gizelis's name was announced, every one of the Eskimos residents cheered loudly. This was enough to show that Gizelis was their favourite to win in this friendly match. Or they hope so.
"Heh, we'll see who's going to win this. My slave or yours, Sektar." Elamos told Sektar.
Sektar gives him a grin. "Don't underestimate him, Elamos. You might eat your words later."
Elamos smirked and they watched the arena that finally announced the match to start.
"Ready your stance! And! Start!"
Trez instantly disappears before he appears again on top of Gizelis with his sharp claws. Gizelis stepped back before his sword sliced up but he missed when Trez lowered his body and swung his leg on Gizelis's lower body. Gizelis immediately jumps back.
Everyone who watched it had their heart in their throat. This was too quick for them to follow. What a fast move!
"Wow, you teaching him really did bear fruit. He's getting faster and able to follow the high-ranking demon assault." Xcerox commented about Gizelis' quick reaction.
Maybe Zeliker should be his teacher instead of others.
Zeliker frowned. Trez was angry. Such temperament would make his agility and power increase. Which was the demons' speciality when they were furious. It's what they called berserk. Zeliker has a bad feeling about this.
"Zeliker, trust him. You already taught him about demons and their predicted action after a missed attack. I'm sure he will be alright." Silvert reassured Zeliker when he saw how worried Zeliker was for Gizelis.
And of course, Zeliker won't notice his own worries because Zeliker doesn't understand his emotions much. Only Silvert could understand him.
Zeliker nodded slightly while inside his mouth, he was gritting his teeth.
If that demon tries to kill Gizelis, I will take action immediately!
Gizelis, although didn't say he would be friends with him before Xcerox said it first, and then later said it, was still his first human friend. If he didn't meet Gizelis, he wouldn't be here. That's why he wouldn't let anything happen to Gizelis while he was around. He calms down when he sees Gizelis' expression through the open helmet.
Gizelis's eyes look serious and focused. He wasn't disturbed by the fast assault from Trez. He was in a good condition after resting for a day. And that was after almost a week of hellish training by Zeliker. If given another chance he would not want to practise with Zeliker again. But, the outcome was he could see Trez in slow motion after watching Zeliker's fast speed during training.
This guy is slower than Zeliker. I can defeat him!
Gizelis thought. When he found Trez's blind spot, he immediately took the chance to hit that part of the body. The sudden attack hit below Trez's right armpit but it didn't damage Trez's armour.
Only, the attack stunned Trez a little. Of course, after seeing it, Gizelis took his chance to bump his left elbow towards Trez's face since his right hand which held a sword had hit Trez's side before. So, it was hard to hit or let go of his sword.
Trez felt his nose was broken, including his entire face. He let out a groan of pain. And, he wasn't able to focus when Gizelis assaulted him next with a kick to his chest. His body moved backwards but didn't fall.
Gizelis didn't stop and attacked with another slice down from his sword on Trez's body. In this attack, he used a heavy blow, destroying Trez's front armour. His sword also slashes Trez's body inside his armour, making his sword dripping with red liquid.
After that, he swung his right leg on Trez's helmet from above, destroying the helmet too. Such a blow to his head pained Trez until he fell to his knees before falling forwards to the ground. He doesn't seem to move anymore.
All the spectators watched in shock and surprise at his quick actions again. While Zeliker and his friends, they sigh in relief. The battle looks scary but at least Gizelis have made an attack that ended the friendly match first.
"Oh my god! This is the most exciting and quick friendly match I have ever seen in my life! But, let's give our congratulations to our winner, Gizelis Auntom!"
The speaker said aloud, making the spectators cheer loudly. From Eskimos, yes, but from Drick, they think they have lost their face.
"Damn! Can a human beat a high-rank demon? Sektar, what training did you teach this soldier of yours?" Elamos was shocked by the result.
And it was quick too!
Honestly, even Sektar felt surreal. Is Gizelis that strong? How come he didn't know of it?
"Ehem! Of course from our secret training!" He had to lie.
Somehow, his eyes headed toward Zeliker in disguise. Could it be him who trained Zeliker?
"My god, Zeliker, Gizelis defeated him in just half an hour?! How can this happen?!" Xcerox exclaimed while looking at Zeliker.
Zeliker grins. "It's obvious. I'm stronger than a high-rank demon."
He praised himself. This is new.
Everyone thought quietly while rolling their eyes. However, they had to agree with him. Gizelis winning over a high-ranking demon was something unexpected. They thought Gizelis would need more time or had a hard time defeating his opponent. Obviously, they were wrong.
Gizelis pants heavily. The energy he used was almost gone from his quick action. He had never done this for a long time. The last time was when he abducted Zeliker from his room. He stares at Trez before slowly backing away. Since he won already, he hopes Trez doesn't hate him later after he wakes up.
But, unknowingly to him, Trez's right finger trembled before it balled into a fist.
"Gizelis, go down!"
The shout to him instantly makes Gizelis alert. He also lowered his body immediately. His eyes widened when he realised a big blue flaming blade swinging from above him.
What the heck?!