The crowd cheered as the two warriors walked into the arena.
They looked at each other without saying a word.
The blond red-eyed prince of the demon world and the engulfed by chaotic energy cast-out heir to the Chaos bloodline of the Greek Demon Clan looked at each other as they prepared for the fight.
"I'm excited to announce round three of the second stage! The prince of Hell, Marucse Bloodborne! Against Chaos The One-hundred and Sixty-third!"
The announcer called loudly, and the crowd cheered even louder.
These two were among the best of the first years, and having them fight each other this early was probably a mistake of the organizers.
"Are you two ready?"
The announcer asked.
Without even answering him, the two opponents sprung into action.
"Auctoritas Magicae! Imperium Magicae!"
Marcuse rapidly chanted and, with a spear-throwing movement, threw a spear of pure magic at his opponent.
Chaos evaded the attack and, with a light touch of his finger, morphed the magic spear into a sword made of light.
"What the?!"
Marcuse exclaimed in surprise.
He knew the chaotic energy that engulfed Chaos could morph spells that came in contact with it, but how unlucky was it that Marcuse's spell was morphed so well in his opponent's favor?
Chaos dashed at his opponent. He was just as surprised as Marcuse at how perfect this was, but it wasn't the time to dwell on that. He needed to win!
Chaos swiped the sword at Marcuse's head.
"Auctoritas Magicae!"
But in a split second, the latter summoned a stave of pure magic and blocked the incoming sword.
Swiftly. In a round movement, Marcuse pushed the sword to the side with the stave and used a Hook Kick to Chaos's head.
The chaotic energy around Chaos didn't affect physical attacks, so Chaos was directly hit to the head with that kick.
Marcuse proceeded with a barrage of kicks and punches, and Chaos was down in no time.
There were many loud cheers as the prince was the only one left standing, and Marcuse smiled at the audience.
"The winner is Marcuse Bloodborne, Prince of Hell!"
The announcer declared, and the crowd's cheers were strengthened.
********
Both Chaos and Marcuse returned to the preparation room together and sat on the chairs at the same time.
They were so exhausted!
"This was a good fight. Too bad you aren't very quick. You should go along with the fight. Don't overthink things. Just go with the flow."
Marcuse said as he breathed heavily.
"I'll keep that in mind."
Chaos answered with heavy breathing.
"So next is Naomi versus Momotaro. Do you want a teleport?"
Danny said and looked at the girl.
"No need."
Naomi answered politely and went out of the room to the arena.
"Do you think she'll win?"
Mira asked.
Danny looked at her with an expression that made her feel like there were wrong questions.
"Against Momotaro? She's a full-blooded demon. She should be happy if that psycho would leave her alive."
Danny said, and everyone looked at the screen with worry.
"I'm kidding. I talked with Momotaro earlier and asked him not to kill any of us in this tournament. Though, unfortunately, there's still no chance she'll win."
The white-haired demon added, and the air in the room became slightly calmer.
********
"In round four of the second stage, we have Momotaro, heir to the Oni Clan! He will be fighting against Naomi!"
The announcer proclaimed.
"Are you two ready?!"
He asked.
The two opponents nodded their heads, and the fight started.
Naomi knew that her opponent was far stronger, so she wanted to wait and see what he'd do. But instead of attacking her right away, he bowed slowly and respectfully.
Before she noticed it, he vanished.
She made a mistake! She shouldn't have waited for him. Now she couldn't see where he was.
"I'm giving you this one chance. Give up."
A deep voice was heard behind her, and she felt the cold steel blade brush against her neck.
"I give up!"
She announced loudly, and the announcer sighed.
This fight was too quick and simplistic.
"The winner of the match is Momotaro of the Oni Clan!"
The announcer said, and the crowd cheered.
********
Naomi returned to the preparation room.
"Are you okay? Did he hurt you?"
Marcuse asked her and looked at Danny.
If Momotaro hurt her, then it's Danny's fault for telling them not to worry.
"No, I'm fine."
Naomi said, and Danny shot a condescending look at his brother.
The meaning of that look was easily understood as "Don't underestimate me. Moron!"
Marcuse sighed with relief and looked at the screen.
Danny pulled a book from his bag and started reading. He couldn't care less about the next four fights of the second stage.
Well, there was Ishtar... But she rejected his offer. So she doesn't matter!
********
Already on the same day, after the second half of the second stage had ended, they began the third stage.
The first fight of the third stage was Danny against Shed Gaavtan.
"Are you two ready?!"
The announcer asked.
"Yes. Thank you for asking."
Shed answered, and both the announcer and Danny were stunned.
It's been so long since anyone gave the announcer a proper answer...
But there was no time for this. The fight has begun.
"Sheiva."
Danny said, and with a snap of his fingers, the sand under Shed's feet sucked him underground.
Danny waited for a full minute before he released his opponent, and at that point, Shed was crying and didn't want to go on anymore.
The sand was so coarse and rough, and it got everywhere. It will take years to clean his clothes now.
"Hmm... The winner of the first match of the third stage is Daniel, the smartest low-level demon!"
The announcer said.
********
Danny returned to the preparation room, and everyone looked at him.
"I know I'm the most attractive person in this room, but please don't look at me so much."
Danny chuckled.
"....."
They all remained silent.
"What is it?!"
He asked.
"You are evil."
Everyone answered at the same time.
Danny didn't know what to say to that. They were demons. Of course, he was evil!