The news spread and the fiery eyed teens were more driven than before, when one of the greatest hunters from their city was going to judge the tournament.
"I am here to watch the new training methods employed by this generation and I would be harsh."
A simple comment by him shook the city, making many in the higher standing, who were originally going to ignore the tournament take some interest in it finally.
And why should they not?
Its true, like what Pragati said, this years tournament might be a lot different than the last one with even useless students able to keep up with talented ones due to the training techniques.
The great equalizer just made the situation more chaotic and fun. And one can't treat this tournament as just a novice level event.
So instead of sending their own agents, some of the company executives planned to see the tournament themselves and catch a few prospective heroes or hunters before they get famous.
Though, all of that was something that happened among the influential people. Luvi was ignorant of it for the most part.
Instead, he received a message from FIX.
FIX: Someone is aiming for your life.
Hearing which, Luvi just laughed.
'No wonder he came.'
FIX was the perfect tool in his hand, someone on the same level as his father was doing his bidding due to the gift he obtained. And due to her work ethics and since she arrived close to him, she had been watching over him all this time.
The reason being, the dream demon incident was too dangerous and from what he understood, the demon has still not been caught.
So FIX was on red alert and watching every move of Luvi as well as those around him.
FIX: And some of your classmates, unknowing, are helping those people as well.
"You shouldn't act for now. My brother might treat me like a stone on the side. But he won't let anything happen to me. He is somewhat of a tsundere."
FIX didn't speak much after this, but chose to follow Luvi's instructions for now.
Not to mention, she was still struggling to pinpoint the true location of those that were planning on harming Luvi, due to the high concentration of powerful people in this hotel. Which in turn made her hide her existence and not dare to use powerful drones for a while.
Though, it didn't mean that she won't be able to react on time when needed.
Just two minutes and that will be enough for her to arrive with her drone army.
But that was for the worst case scenario. Because, if Luvi's words were to be believed. He really thought that his brother came here for this reason.
'But how did he even know this?'
She wondered. From what she has researched on this bizarre family. Pragati didn't seem like the one to care for what goes around him. He just takes the mission and completes it without many questions asked. Making him the perfect Hunter.
*****
"Idhant, don't panic. This is not the test on how good we are on the hunt. But how cool we can maintain our head under pressure. Don't you want more money?"
At Luvi's question, Idhant nodded.
"So start practicing now, this is the perfect opportunity." Luvi said resolutely and then turned toward the crowd while shouting. "Follow me bro. Or we would lose the chance to meet Kano-chan~~"
"Step aside you bastards… I am the biggest fan here."
Like a giant drill, Luvi dug into the crowd that surrounded a Japanese voice actor that came here to support the hunters.
Though married and older, the love for her among the youths due to her characters still remained strong. And Luvi, an avid weeb broke through the crowd with Idhant following behind him, as he shouted. "Pl… please… an autograph?"
His shout turned into fart as his voice broke like Idhant and he lost his cool the moment he saw his idol in front of him.
With an embarrassed face and stuttering personality. He looked like a nerd through and through, ignoring his massive build.
And though a bit scared at first, seeing someone massive as Luvi with horrific scars on his face to approach her.
But hearing his words, the woman understood.
'This man just looks dangerous.'
"Of course, please bring it forward."
She said, with a soft smile on her face, which melted Luvi's expression, as he presented her with his poster of a certain anime character he used to watch as a kid.
"Ma'am, you..you don't know. But as a kid, I want..ed to be a hero like Sasaki." Sasaki was a male character from the show he used to watch as a kid. And as it was, usually, the majority of kids were voiced by women in the industry. So it was not that odd here.
Idhant on the other hand was left flabbergasted.
'Is this the same man?'
Idhant also considered himself an anime fan. But this was the first time he saw what kind of anime fan Luvi was.
*****
On the other hand, far up in the office, overlooking the lobby and the riled up teens who are lining up for the voice actor, who will also act as the announcer for the upcoming tournament.
Pragati looked at the back of a certain individual, who he was very familiar with.
'Hmm, the fat has decreased… He is stronger than before.'
'But if still keeps getting distracted with useless things, he won't ever achieve any greatness.'
With those words, he turned around and looked at the current organizers of the tournament, along with the previous two old men who were eyeing the students not so long before.
"I believe there is no need to continue this conversation. You used me in promotion and I used you to weed out the enemies of my family. I believe this transaction is worth it."
"Worth it?... The safety of the participants is at risk because of the enemies of your family. If something did happen, we would become a joke."
"Should have thought that before using me to promote it."
"..."
"That was before you told us the danger your brother was attracting." One of the old men pointed out Pragati's own fault here.
"Those men wish to make a drama out of it, they want the whole world to see your brother die on live broadcast. But it would not only besmirch your family name, but the prestige of the tournament as well." He continued, without intending to hear no from Pragati.
After knowing the truth, their plan was simple. Kick out Luvi and send him back to the safety of the academy. And besides, the enemies wish to make a mockery out of Prathan family, so they would not care about Luvi as long as he is not in a midst of a competition.
So in a way, by taking away the attention, they are saving the young man's life.
"And lose this chance to catch those rats so easily?" But Pragati was not one to back down. Looking at his stupid little brother down in the lobby, he continued. "Mister Saleem, I am also a bit surprised over how little trust you have over the tournament security. There is someone in this room, who might not appreciate that much distrust."
At those words, Pragati toasted his glass of wine toward an old man, who started to fume at the implication.
"You."
And like that, there was no going back.
Kicking Luvi was no longer an option anymore, this would be the same as accepting their own incompetence.
So, even though none of them liked it. They were forced to accept the danger.
As for canceling the tournament altogether, there was no chance.
It might have been possible if it was some other year. But this time, it was not. With the amount of interests backing the tournament and how much funding they received through sponsorship. It was close to impossible for them to cancel it.
'So this is their choice?'
On the other hand, back in his room, Luvi smiled as he looked at the message he received from FIX.
How did the tournament organizers learn of this truth?
It was Luvi himself that did this. He leaked it to the organizers and planned to see how it would go and how a certain someone would react.
'A bait, eh?'
Of course, in a way, this was a stupid choice to make. As it would put his main goal at risk. And he came close to failing it due to the chance of being kicked from the tournament.
But there are certain things that should be given priority. And Luvi's was not so averted to the idea of changing his goals mid way. That is life and one always has to choose and give up certain things.
As for the danger to his life?
Well, not like this happened for the first time.
The amount of times he suffered for being a weak link of Prathan family have been countless.
He also had been kidnapped two times. With one of them being from his mother's neglect.
So, none of it was new to him. Instead, he found himself in his element and his mind was racing as fast as he could.
And unlike all those times before, he was not powerless. There were also people that were overlooking his safety.
Then the bell rang and Idhant entered the room. Obviously showing a bit of worry over the tournament.
As the time came closer, the more worried he got. Even letting him go and meet with his Idol didn't do much for Idhant.
A weak willed individual, who might fumble when the time of battle comes.