"Before starting this years championship, I would like to congratulate Mr. Smith for getting the duke rank in the previous competition." As those words were spoken echoes of claps and cheers resounded through the whole arena.
Beside the Compartment of the King there were Separate private rooms for the noble families.
In each of the rooms, sat the head of all the noble families. They were accompanied by their families and servants.
The rest of the five families had either serious or sour expressions at the announcement. They wanted to check the grounds with the previous competition, which is the reason they refrained from participating.
They didn't want to jump in just to lose their lives but the head of the Smith family decided to enter the arena by himself and won against the rest.
At the end he got Duke rank and was titled as The first duke. Keiran and Luna just listened as their father continued speaking about the current competition.
" To all the Challengers who have participated in this year's championship i would like to wish you good luck, may you be the next Duke." As the King finished giving his speech, several fire-crackers and color bombs were released, signaling the start of the event.
Everyone was filled with enthusiasm except a few who were not interested in the championship. After the inauguration ceremony was over the door below the audience seats opened and rows and rows of people came out of the openings.
The huge arena was filled with contestants like ants gathering.
" Now, welcome the contestants of this year's competition. They are here to fight in the arena where the sword has no eyes. You guys know the rules, 'there are no rules'.
As long as you have powers you can do anything you want. By anything I mean anything ladies and gentlemen." As his words settled in, all the men and some women started cheering loudly.
" Age does not matter in the arena nor does your gender. as long as you lose, the winner decides what they'll do to you. So be sure to win."
With those words everyone in the spectator's seats was practically howling.
"Let the crucible of destiny rumble."
Drums started beating in rhythm, as their frequency increased the dust on the ground started to vibrate and the adrenaline rushed in both the participants and the viewers.
On the big screen suspended in the air rows and columns of names appeared. "These ladies and gentlemen are the names of participants this year.
We have decided to use this screen from now on so that you can all view the match ups." A loading icon appeared in the middle of screen that was showing thousands of names.
These names lit up and a new screen came forward with fewer rows and names. " These are matches of this month that will take place. The time period may vary on the duration of the match and miscellaneous circumstances."
The sheer number of people ready to gamble their lives shocked the twins in their seats.
Even when there is only one survivor at the end they still decided to join this competition, no it is a slaughterhouse.
'They are really messed up aren't they.' hearing those words Keiran had no choice but to nod in agreement. He had never seen people this eager to die.
"With that ladies and gentlemen let's welcome the first contenders of the day. Welcome Peter Simmons and Gerald." As the commentators announced these names.
The screen showed their pictures. One was a tall man in his 30 dressed in tracksuit, the other was a teenager wearing jeans with a hoodie in his hands was a pair of shiny gauntlets made out of special material.
" On the left hand side is Mr. Peter Simmons, well who doesn't know him. He is our well known tailor after all. You all must know him if you usually gets their clothes from him.
He is a 34 years old man who will definitely be missed if he dies today, He make such fine clothes. What a pity" At the commentators' words the crowd laughed.
Peter hearing the man's words raised his hand showing middle finger towards their room, enticing another wave of laughter from the audience.
" On the other side is Gerald, who doesn't want to disclose his family name if he has one. Looking at the shiny piece of metal on his hands we can say he must be pretty well off to afford that." His words made the man opposite to the boy look at him in greed as a grin appeared on his face.
The boy was unfazed by everything and had a cold glint in his eyes as he looked back at the man.
"Seraphina what's that metal?"
Keiran turned towards the red head with a query who simply looked at the arena with no particular emotions in her eyes.
"That is a special metal that started to appear after ether was discovered. People called it 'the divine metal'.
They are rare metal but what's rarer are their weapons.
They have strong resilience, wear and tear resistance. They are practically the strongest metal now."
Her words caught the twins' attention but as she continued their interest also decreased.
" They are very unstable to process though. The scientist calls it the 'Pulgas metal' the name was derived from Korean mythological beast 'The Pulgasari, also known as Bulgasari' as it has properties to eat away all the properties of the metal that is added to it.
But the surprising thing is that, it works well when provided with ether energy.
Ether strengthens its molecular structure like a piece of puzzle fitting in perfectly."
Hearing her words all the kids were astonished. Keiran and Luna have read about the basics of the metal before in the library but not in this much detail. Aiden who was secretly hearing their conversation was also shocked at the revelation.
Understanding that there are still many things that they have yet to learn, they decided to think about this matter later and moved their gaze back to the front.
Standing against each other both the contestants waited for the announcement of the start, since there were no rules no referees were needed.
The only thing that was left was to fight to death.
"Let the match begin."