As darkness gradually enveloped the land, signaling the end of the day's competition, everyone had dispersed to their respective places. The locals returned to their cozy homes, participants made their way back to the accommodations assigned by the town, and the VIPs from various prestigious leagues retired to their luxurious five-star hotels.
The only ones left at the arena were the dedicated workers, toiling away in the dim light, putting in overtime to repair the damages caused by the day's intense battles. The arena, now silent and empty, echoed with the sounds of their tools and murmured conversations, a stark contrast to the earlier roars of the crowd and the clash of combatants.
"The competition was thrilling to watch, to say the least," he remarked, savoring the taste of the dango he had bought from a nearby stall. "But I didn't see anyone who would give me a tough time. Among all the combatants in my rank, there was only one other person who was a four-star aurar aside from me."
He paused, contemplating the day's events. "I might be underestimating thinking that no one underreported their level," he mused aloud.
Lloyd had a gut feeling that he wasn't the only one who had masked his true power and underreported it to avoid drawing suspicion. To the organizers, he had presented himself as a three-star aurar, a strategic move designed to keep him under the radar.
The rationale behind this deception was rooted in his desire to avoid unwanted attention. He yearned for recognition, but not the negative kind that could jeopardize his plans. By underreporting his level, he hoped to evade suspicion because if he disclosed that he was nearing the level of a five-star aurar, it would undoubtedly raise eyebrows and invite scrutiny. Only one person, Daven, was known to possess such extraordinary talent, and Lloyd knew he was nowhere near that level.
Lloyd was undeniably talented, but he was not yet on par with the formidable Daven. Revealing his true rank would not only attract excessive attention but also arouse suspicion, given that he had no significant backing to justify his rapid ascent in power.
"Man, I want attention to come slowly and naturally," Lloyd said, reflecting on his ambitions. "Just as the saying goes, 'Slow and steady wins the race.' That's the kind of growth I want."
He chuckled softly, adding, "Disclosing my true level is like giving a skinny guy class-one steroids."
---
Morning arrived once again, signaling the start of another day of fierce competition. Lloyd returned to the arena, again as a spectator. He watched the matches with keen interest, eager to learn from both the victories and defeats of the combatants. Each fight presented a new opportunity to understand different techniques and strategies, valuable lessons for any warrior.
Thanks to the comprehensive teachings of Alaya, Lloyd could easily decipher the moves and strategies being employed by the participants. Alaya's instruction had given him a deep understanding of combat, allowing him to see beyond the surface and appreciate the intricacies of each battle.
"Mana Blast!" one of the combatants shouted, their voice echoing through the arena.
"It's over now. Ann's won this match," Lloyd commented, his eyes fixed on the fighters.
As the words left his mouth, the sound of Ann's attack erupted like a thunderclap, almost deafening the audience. The sheer power of the blast was awe-inspiring. Her opponent, however, reacted swiftly, raising an aura shield in an attempt to block the formidable attack.
The blast struck the opponent's shield with a force that shook the arena. A massive cloud of dust surged up, obscuring the view and creating a barrier between the combatants and the audience. The spectators gripped their seats and bit their nails, their minds racing with questions. Had Ann triumphed, or had Javier managed to withstand her powerful strike? The suspense was overwhelming.
"What an amazing display of power by Ann! The whole arena has erupted with shouts asking for what's is happening inside the arena!" The commentary said.
Everyone was on the edge of their seats, straining to see through the dust. The anticipation was palpable as they waited for the dust to settle and reveal the outcome of this intense confrontation. The crowd's collective breath was held in suspense, their eyes wide with excitement and nervousness.
"The single attack has caused everyone to keep their open and wait for the results!" The commentator added.
As the dust slowly began to clear, the figures of the combatants emerged, still standing but visibly exhausted. The audience leaned forward, their hearts pounding, eager to see who had emerged victorious from this fierce battle. The tension in the air was thick, each second feeling like an eternity as they awaited the final reveal.
Finally, the dust settled completely, and the arena became clear once more. The outcome of the battle would soon be known, and the crowd's anticipation reached its peak. Would Ann be the victor as Lloyd had predicted, or would Javier's swift defence have turned the tide in his favor? The answer was imminent, and the excitement in the arena was electric.
"Everyone, stop biting your fingers! We can expect to see the winners any moment now!" the commentator spoke excitedly, his voice resonating throughout the arena and adding to the already electrifying atmosphere.
As the dust finally settled, the surprising scene revealed itself: both combatants had sustained injuries. The narrow gap between Ann's powerful attack and Javier's defensive manoeuvre had been too close. Javier's timely aura shield had not only deflected some of the blasts but had also sent a portion of its force back toward Ann, causing her to suffer as well.
Both fighters were panting heavily, clearly at their limits. Their clothes were torn, their armor was dented, and they looked utterly exhausted. They were barely standing, each one swaying unsteadily as if they might collapse at any moment. It was evident that a single, simple attack from either of them could decide the match, but neither had the strength left to deliver that final blow.
*Thud*
"What! What an unexpected outcome! It's a draw!" the commentator yelled into the microphone, his voice filled with astonishment and disbelief.
The arena was silent for a brief moment, the spectators processing what had just happened. Then, both combatants collapsed simultaneously, unconscious and utterly spent. The crowd erupted into a mix of applause, gasps, and murmurs of surprise. The dramatic turn of events had left everyone in awe. Medics rushed onto the field to attend to Ann and Javier, ensuring they received the necessary care.
As the medics carefully lifted the unconscious combatants onto stretchers, the audience slowly began to stir. Conversations broke out across the stands, with people discussing the incredible match they had just witnessed. The buzz of excitement and amazement was palpable.
The commentator continued to speak, his voice filled with excitement. "Ladies and gentlemen, what a match we have just witnessed! Let's give them another round of applause and head to the next match!"
The crowd responded with thunderous applause, their cheers echoing through the arena.
"By the blessing of the Goddess of War, Athena, defeating his enemy, the victor is Anad."
"The winner of this fight is Evelyn."
"Victor is Hamil."
"Aeris emerged victorious…"
The commentator's voice continued to announce the outcomes of various matches, each victor earning their moment of glory. Lloyd watched a few more matches, carefully observing the combat styles and techniques of the participants. After a while, he decided to head back to his room, knowing that tomorrow it would be his turn to step into the arena.
"Well, from what I have observed, I can say I can easily make it to the top three or even win if I want. It won't be any trouble," Lloyd said confidently to himself as he left the arena.
"If there's any interesting match, I can watch the recordings later," he added, making a mental note.
With his confidence bolstered and his mind at ease, Lloyd confirmed that there was no significant threat to him in this competition. None of the potential opponents he had seen appeared capable of giving him a tough challenge. Satisfied with his assessment, he decided to head back to his hotel room to train and prepare himself for his fight the next day.
Although Lloyd had no intention of winning the competition outright, he wasn't in the mood to get eliminated in the early rounds either. According to his plan, he would like to make it to the top five before orchestrating his own elimination. This strategy would allow him to showcase his skills without drawing too much attention to himself, maintaining his cover while still making a strong impression.
Back in his hotel room, Lloyd settled into his routine. He stretched and practised his combat techniques, ensuring his body was in peak condition for the challenges ahead. His mind raced with thoughts of the upcoming battles, analyzing potential strategies and outcomes.
After a rigorous training session, Lloyd sat down to relax and gather his thoughts.
With a sense of calm, Lloyd prepared for bed, knowing that a good night's rest was essential for the battles ahead.
*******
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Had to repost this chap cuz it wasn't appearing on webnovel.