The next morning, Rin arrived at the gymnasium and found Alliong and the others already there, being the last to arrive.
"Hey Rossignol, what's with the dark circles under your eyes! We shouldn't be hurting ourselves so much for a mere inheritance stone!" exclaimed Alliong, shocked to see Rin looking so tired.
The others were drawn in by this remark, and soon everyone began chatting about this and that.
Shortly after, the gymnasium doors opened, revealing Lieutenant Jin in black sports attire. "Come in, let's get started," he announced.
Once inside, everyone sat on the floor, watching the lieutenant sitting on a chair.
"Today, we'll be doing two things. The first was decided a long time ago and happens every year: you'll form two teams to go hunting outside."
Rin seemed surprised, but not overly so. He knew that teams had to be formed and registered with the Guide of the Awakened to leave the bastion. Everything went through there, whether it was resources like monster carcasses or equipment bought and sold, but he hadn't thought of it yet.
"The second thing was decided after Rin's score here and the presence of several people from the slums in the top 10. Million, you'll be facing Alliong amicably. Ebina and Yuuki will be together, and Rin, you'll be partnered with Shen Yi."
Rin was excited but worried. Shen Yi seemed quite strong, but after living with Uncle Ryu for so long, his attitude towards strong people had changed. He liked it, he liked to fight even if he was going to lose.
Ebina and Million, on the other hand, had a completely different mindset. There was total apprehension. Alliong was just a physical monster, and Yuuki seemed unable to hold back.
"Let's go. There are wooden weapons in the back room. If you need them, go get them," ordered Lieutenant Jin, clapping his hands, marking the start of these little friendly duels.
***
At the center of the gymnasium a few minutes later.
Million stood there, dressed in a two-piece combat outfit, torn at the shoulders, his blond hair disheveled framing a face with tense features and a bloodthirsty expression. His gaze was fixed on his prey, on the other side of the gymnasium.
Facing him was a young man, easily a head taller than Million, already reaching a handsome 1.85 meters. He stood relaxed, hands in his pockets, wearing a loose kimono top that revealed a super athletic musculature, neither too thick nor too thin. His brown eyes sparkled with barely concealed disdain.
"Let's go!" announced Lieutenant Jin, giving the signal to start.
Already irritated by the palpable tension, Million exploded in rage.
"AHHHH!" A primal scream erupted from his throat, revealing his clenched teeth, as he rushed towards Alliong, like a madman with no apparent form or strategy.
As he was just a few meters away from Alliong, he noticed that the latter, despite his imminent approach, remained still, hands still in his pockets, his gaze tinged with amusement.
Million gritted his teeth so hard that the grinding could be heard throughout the room. He threw his fist with all his strength, but like on an ice rink rather than in a gymnasium, Alliong dodged without even taking his hands out of his pockets or wiping his smug smile. He stepped aside, but it seemed to give him a supernatural ease, his body gliding on the floor as if subject to invisible forces.
In this surge of rage, he realized too late that he had sent his fist too hard, and by inertia, Million's body brushed against Alliong's, their eyes meeting. In Million's eyes, rage made his capillaries boil, while in Alliong's, looking down on Million, there was a mocking amusement.
Million saw Alliong's lips move slowly, then a word came out, a single word, but it was like thunder in Million's mind.
"Weak."
Before Million could even react, he felt like a heavy charge hitting his hip, propelling him several meters away.
He rolled over, the taste of blood filling his mouth. Lost, he looked at Alliong, his right leg raised, still with his hands in his pockets.
He tried to get up, but he seemed to have no strength left in his lower body.
"No, no, no, no, no, no..." murmured Million, trying in vain to get up by himself.
"End of the first fight! Shaana, please," announced Lieutenant Jin without any fluctuation, no more than the majority of the people present, but two loud swallows of saliva were heard.
Rin looked at Ebina with fear, and she nodded. They were thinking the same thing.
"We're sacrificial chickens today!"
Million, now sprawled on the floor, looked at the ceiling with empty eyes, but a shadow hid the lights of the gymnasium.
"Well tried! That's the spirit you need!" declared Alliong, hands in his pockets, leaning so that his face was above Million's, and he smiled.
A vein on his temple bulged, and Million felt like starting another round seeing that look, but he saw Shaana coming from the corner of his eye and said nothing.
Shaana joined Million and Alliong, and a very pretty crystal crown appeared on her head. She placed her hands on Million's hip, and a beautiful light appeared at the tips of her fingers.
"Interesting! She heals quite well for her low level!" Alliong remarked thoughtfully.
In the other gorilla's mind, it was a completely different atmosphere: "She's touching me!!! She's healing me!!!! She's so beautiful!!"
He felt two taps on his hip and heard, "It's okay! It's healed," and saw Shaana's smile, losing all ability to communicate.
Amused but knowing that Lieutenant Jin was waiting, Alliong ended this little scene by grabbing Million's legs and dragging him to the edge, the latter being very compliant with Shaana beside him.
Everyone"..."