Both Poison and Kibo shouted, "Yes!"
"Alright, now begin!" The general stepped back to observe the fight with the pharaoh.
Both Poison and Kibo fell into silence.
Poison blinked, and Kibo was no longer in front of him. Poison looked around frantically, but as soon as he turned, Kibo struck him in the face. Poison stumbled back but quickly regained his balance.
"You were so silent; I couldn't hear you.
Why is that? Is it something to do with your power?" Poison asked.
Kibo smiled. "Who knows? What are you even talking about?"
"Ha... You know why we're all here. Don't play dumb."
The pharaoh observed, saying, "That boy is quite knowledgeable, isn't he?"
"Indeed, my lord," the general responded.
Power? Does this mean they all possess a power like me? Magnolia thought as he looked around at the other children.
Nevertheless, I guess it's my turn. Poison charged forward, mist slowly seeping from his body. He threw a punch, but Kibo blocked it. Poison followed with an uppercut, but Kibo caught it with his right hand and swung at Poison with his left. To Kibo's shock, Poison caught the punch with his mouth.
"What the hell?" Kibo exclaimed as
Poison's grip on his fist tightened. "Let go, weirdo!"
Kibo managed to pull his hand free, but not without a cost. Blood dripped from his hand as he clutched his wrist. Kibo fell to his knees, dizziness overwhelming him as he grabbed his head with his uninjured hand.
Poison licked his lips, tasting Kibo's blood, and grinned as he approached. "You lost the moment you inhaled my mist. The wound on your hand just confirmed it. Tell me, is this a part of your power?"
But Kibo passed out before he could respond.
"Who knows..." Poison muttered.
After Kibo was taken to the infirmary, Saijew spoke up. "Poison will be on Squad Two since he won, and Kibo will be on Squad One. You guys get the picture."
"So, the winners and losers are going on separate teams? I presume it's based on how we perform, isn't it?" Matthew said, adjusting his glasses.
"That is correct. Those who lose will receive less attention and training than the winners."
Some of the children gasped in shock, while the more confident ones smirked.
"But that's not fair," Abraham protested.
The general turned towards him with a glare. "Fair? This isn't a daycare where one kid gets more toys than the others. This is the military-no hugs, no kisses, only death and fighting. Now silence."
Magnolia and Ren stepped up as Abraham shrank from the verbal lashing. Ren slid off the table he was sitting on, and Magnolia stood from his chair, the general's words sinking deep into his mind as he and Ren made their way to the center.
"Begin!" the general commanded.
Magnolia was still lost in thought when Ren's punch connected with his face, sending him flying. Magnolia struggled to his feet, his cheek bruised. I wasn't ready!
"The hell? On the battlefield, am I supposed to wait for my opponent to get ready?" Ren sneered, rushing Magnolia again. He aimed a punch at Magnolia's stomach, landing it with a grunt of pain from Magnolia. Ren then sent another fist toward Magnolia's face, but by sheer luck, Magnolia dodged it, much to Ren's surprise. He was even more shocked when Magnolia grabbed and twisted the arm still pressed against his stomach, forcing Ren to the ground.
What the hell? How did I do that?!
Magnolia had no time to think as Ren wrenched his arm free and kicked him away. Ren got up, scowling. "That was luck. It won't happen again!"
Ren went on the offensive, faking a punch that Magnolia fell for. Ren then delivered a powerful kick to Magnolia's chest, sending him flying back. Fortunately, Magnolia managed to catch himself. His head hung low, but then his right arm began to smoke, turning a bright orange. When Magnolia looked up, his expression was unreadable.
For the first time, Ren smiled.
Now this fight is getting somewhere, Ren thought.
This time, Magnolia was the aggressor, closing the distance quickly. He unleashed a punch with his flaming arm, which Ren tried to block but burned him. Ren attempted to retaliate, but Magnolia's relentless assault with his burning arm left Ren reeling. It seemed the winner was decided. Magnolia couldn't help but think, How am I this good at combat? Does Ren not possess a power like everyone else?
Ren fell to his knees, while Magnolia stood motionless. This slight hesitation gave Ren the opening he needed. In a flash, Ren sent a kick to the side of Magnolia's head.
Magnolia collapsed, and Ren emerged victorious.
Suddenly, Magnolia's body glowed a bright orange before he passed out.
"Huh?"
The general observed. "Now look at that, the sun shines... well, partially."
The general suddenly grabbed Magnolia's body and vanished, reappearing beside the Pharaoh, laying Magnolia next to him.
The Pharaoh nodded approvingly before the general returned to the arena.
…
"Now, Round 3: Valentina versus Luna," the general announced.
The two participants slowly approached each other.
"Begin!"
Valentina dashed towards Luna, punching her square in the face. Luna stared back, unfazed, with an expression of emptiness.
"Are you just going to stand there?"
Valentina demanded.
Suddenly, Valentina's fist started bleeding.
How did she... I didn't feel anything, Valentina thought, alarmed.
Valentina quickly dashed back, wiping the blood from her hand as she circled Luna.
But before she could react, Luna closed the distance and delivered a powerful blow to Valentina's skull, sending her crashing to the floor. Blood now streamed from Valentina's face.
"I will win." Luna whispered.