The tournament went on as expected. Though there were few knowledgeable in the audience who noticed a steep increase in security personnel the longer the tournament went.
Making them wonder, if something wrong was afoot, something that the organizers were hiding from the general audience.
Though, only few noticed it and asked this question. For most of the audience, their attention was on the screen as well as the portal setup, waiting for the new record holder to exit the portal in the middle.
"Please give a round of applause to Team Acorn, from the Blue Mountain academy, for their time of 15 mins and 48 seconds."
Finally, the time of Rose's team The Thorns, was broken by the one of the seeded teams of Blue mountain academy.
But as the time only comprised 30% of the marking, there was still hope and the Team Acorn also made multiple mistakes during the civilian saving section. Which would remove some points from them.
That would make this competition a lot closer than expected.
Which got harder as some underdogs surfaced from smaller academies, almost reaching the same level as the four great academies.
That doesn't mean that they have a chance, these academies never wished to compete with the four great academies to begin with. Their goal was always something simpler and that ws to compete for the last spot in the top five.
As the first four are always taken by the four great academies.
Hence, the competition among them was also going at full force.
But Luvi was not here. He was in no mood to watch the gauntlet tournament. His mind was focused on the perpetrator and the individual behind everything.
The person responsible for messing up his peaceful life.
'FIX is old and like a kind grandpa, I don't think he would help me in killing, if I ask him to.'
Though, why would Luvi have to kill using FIX anyways?
There was a killer in his group to begin with. But bringing him would put his identity in jeopardy. And in truth, Luvi still was suspicious of Lev to a certain extent. He had backstabbed them once and as it was for people with that kind of nature. He might do so again.
And in case he does, Luvi's own life would be in danger, as his real identity would be out through Lev's mouth.
Which makes him an asset that is like a double edged sword in this context.
Not to mention, if it was like before. Then the one behind it all would easily take down Lev.
'But he did take down two purple stars on his own, without powers at that. This still doesn't change the fact that I can't use him for personal reasons.'
'Which means, I would have to make this personal goal appear as a group one.'
'Though, FIX would probably question and deny this suggestion of mine. He knows who I am. No way would he allow me to use the group for personal gains only.'
FIX was the perfect tool, as well as someone who won't let mLuvi abuse the money as well as power he has in his hand.
Though, this is what happens when something is too good to be true, the same was the case with FIX. And Luvi didn't mind it much.
He can always go the traditional route and deal with that bastard on his own.
Now all he needs is a dungeon pass.
Which makes winning in the tournament very crucial.
'Let's do some body training.'
*****
The Gauntlet run competition ran for three days in total and the audience between this fluctuated a bit depending on whether there was a seeded team involved, which had high hopes of winning.
There was even an active gambling ring running in the background of all of this and Luvi himself, with his past, actually chose to put some of his money into it. But he set a limit of five hundred dollars.
Because to him, it was nothing more than a sport. An excuse so that he may generate some enthusiasm toward the gauntlet runs himself.
Which he got bored off too fast, making him wonder. Why is the audience so entertained by this?
It's not like these are industry veterans, showing their immense powers and abilities while hunting down enormous breasts in the dungeons.
They were just noobs, playing hero and nothing more.
Which makes him question, how is the gauntlet run more famous than the hunt?
At least in that one, there is actual challenge and the desire to take down a beast that is impossible for noobs like them.
Only through research and careful preparations can one take it down easily.
'Ah yes, the time.'
Luvi seemed to have grasped the reason to some extent while lost in his thoughts. Before closing his laptop and going back to his bed.
No way in hell would he leave his room until the hunting tournament begins.
There was a threat to his life and he was also too lazy to go to the stadium and sit in the crowd to watch the giant screen which showed the performance of a bunch of students under the sun.
Doing so from the leisure of his own room was a much better experience.
Then with a ring, the door opened and Idhant entered it, sweating profusely and seeming to need a shower.
"You know, there is a shower in the training arena?"
Luvi asked, but Idhant didn't speak and with his head down, went into the shower.
'Seems like the guy is under too much pressure.'
Luvi smiled, knowing full well, why this man was turning into a ball of worries.
So when he came out of the shower Luvi continued. "I know, watching the mistakes as well as the performance of other students might scare you somewhat. Wondering if you can do it or not."
Luvi emphasized on the "do it" stronger with his speech. While he continued. "But do know that our training was for nothing. And in the hunting arena, there would be no one there beside a few cameras and security personnel to save us if we made a mistake."
"Remember, there is no pressure in there. Go in there with your mind blank."
At these words, Idhant struggled a bit, before answering. "Su..sure. I will try it."
"Not just try… you must do it. Remember the goal, the reason you came to me. Don't forget the money."
"Yes… YES Money… I need to get money." At those words, Idhant suddenly energized, then after struggling a bit more. He talked with Luvi about their plans to hunt down the mushroom cow, before going to sleep.
Then Luvi soon received a message.
FIX: It's dangerous, what you are doing.
DreamMachine: It's worth it and there is always you to save me. And besides, there is nothing to be gained without losing something.
DreamMachine: I just pray, my foolish brother doesn't make a mess out of the situation.
FIX: There are easier ways to achieve your goal. No need to put your life at risk.
DreamMachine: Yes, there are. But I wish to become a superhero. Not killers like my family. And experiences like these are too juicy and attractive to those superhero companies.
FIX: There are already two member's whose life has been ruined. Do you wish to experience the same? I am still warning you Luvi, stop when there is still time.
FIX: Not to mention, this is too cruel to that young child. He is ignorant.
DreamMachine: Then it will be a great learning lesson to that child.
With those words, Luvi took a look at sleeping Idhant, before smiling himself to sleep. Imagining his great future.
*****
"This family has been nothing but a stain on our city."
"Sir, please speak calmly. We don't know who is listening and whether they would go and say that to the killer."
"Stop it, it's not like you don't know the truth about those killers. I don't even know why they could live in the public with their head held high… Bastards like those belong in an asylum."
The security chief of the tournament was drunk at the moment, alone in his room with his secretary listening to the woes of his boss's workload as well as hate for the Pragati family.
"Sir… I don't think an asylum would accept someone like them."
"Oh.. hahaha! You are right, those crazy bastards need to be shot dead."
".... Sir, please don't put words in my mouth and don't talk about killing so easily. If someone hears it, they might take it the wrong way."
"Don't be a coward kid… people might say words are like bullets. But in this industry, words matter not. Only might."
The words of the drunk man continued, unaware that his words as well as actions were truly being recorded by someone.
And that someone was none other than the secretary himself.
When he saw that his boss was so drunk that he couldn't even hold a proper conversation, he helped him to his room, but not before downloading certain files from his boss's computer.
"Can't believe, fucker drank so much sleep poison."