I stood up from my seat, shocked.
Ruby had won?
That wasn't supposed to happen.
Why?
Why did this result change even when I didn't interact with either of them?
I couldn't understand it so I decided to ask the system what I did wrong, but the answer I got was,
*...*
*The reason is unknown.*
Even the system didn't know why this happened, so what could it be that changed things?
Was it a butterfly effect I caused, or was it because they watched my fight or... I dont know what the hell is happening here.
I sat back down, my thoughts swirling.
Was the story I knew only one version of this reality, with other possibilities always existing?
Little did I know that I would only get the answer far into the future.
***
The arena staff began clearing the field, and Lena was escorted out by medics.
I was going towards Lena, a girl I never met, because the system tasked me with doing so.
[Quest]
Talk to the defeated Lena Hemelmaan and comfort her.
Rewards: Knowledge about the whereabouts of Hermods helmet.
Failure: Immediate Death.
'Why is my system so harsh' I thought to myself as I sighed.
"Do I really have to talk with this pretty girl, system?"
Y--, U$£R mu$₺ €○mpl£₺e ev£ry task.
"Also why are you this glitchy?" I asked but the system didn't respond.
I finally got infront of the room Lena was staying in, and after hesitating for a while went inside.
"Hi Lena, you may not know me but I know you and I just wanted to talk for a while."
I said to her who was barely awake.
"Who... are you?" She asked.
"I am..."
***
After around 30 minutes of wandering around and trying to think of reasons, I finally gave up.
I sat back down at my seat and watched as the next matchmaking started. Today they would finish the Quarter Finals and the Semi Finals.
And tomorrow would be the Final for the ranking exams.
[Lucas Maxgrave vs Ruby Bianca]
[Sam Dagon vs Cain Stark]
The world around me continued as usual, the crowd buzzing with excitement.
None of them knew this was never supposed to happen, and none of them knew what was going through my mind.
If the story already changed just by my presence, what else might have changed?
I dont think, or at least I hope, I would cause a big enough change that some of the world might change but it makes me wonder to what extent did my existence stir things up.
While I was lost in my thoughts the AI referee announced.
"The next match is, Lucas Maxgrave vs. Ruby Bianca."
"The fight will start shortly, please get to your places."
I sat back, trying to calm my racing thoughts as the crowd began to settle down in anticipation of the next match.
Lucas Maxgrave and Ruby Bianca.
This match wasn't supposed to happen either. Lucas was supposed to face Lena in this round.
But with Ruby defeating Lena, the tournament was now on a completely unpredictable path.
Lucas stepped onto the battlefield, looking forward with a cocky and arrogant grin.
Ruby entered next, her icy demeanor unchanged, walking to her position without sparing Lucas a single glance.
The AI referee's voice echoed across the arena.
"Begin!"
Lucas immediately summoned magma blocks around him, intending them to throw at Ruby.
Ruby, unfazed by the heat, responded with creating tons of Icicle shards and aimed them at Lucas.
Both of them knew what to do and thre their attacks at the exact same time.
This was going to be a battle of opposites, magma versus ice, or as some people called, Hell versus Ice Age.
Their attacks met at the middle of the arena, shattering each other and making particles of magma and ice scattered around.
Lucas took the offensive, hurling a few magma blocks at her just to test the waters.
Ruby countered by forming ice walls and deflecting the attacks with minimal energy wasted.
Each clash sent shockwaves through the arena, the elements battling against their exact opposites.
Lucas, meanwhile, seemed to be analyzing Ruby's movements, searching for an opening.
But he couldn't find one. Her footwork was just that good.
Unlike Lucas, Ruby found an opening in Lucas and went straight for it.
She darted forward with her eyes locked onto Lucas.
Lucas barely had time to react. He raised his hands to form a wall of magma in front of him, but Ruby had already anticipated his move.
With a flick of her wrist, a barrage of sharp ice spikes shot forward.
And she striked Lucas in his side, making him stumble back.
The crowd gasped as Lucas barely managed to stay on his feet.
But Lucas wasn't done yet.
Roaring in frustration, he summoned a massive wave of magma, launching it straight at Ruby with ferocity.
He knew she could break out of his Grave of Ashes if she had enough energy left and it consumed too much from him to use it.
That was why he decided to force her into wasting her energy but it didn't seem to be working.
But although from the outside, it looked like Ruby was the same, Douglas could clearly see the exhaustion she had.
Ruby had not yet recovered from her previous fight and not only that her stamina was just at F- rank so it was natural for her to be tired.
It was only a matter of time Lucas realized it.
Ruby looked towards the massive magma wave coming towards her and tried to block it, but her movements were slightly noticeably slow.
This time Lucas didn't miss it but thought she was just baiting him.
As Ruby reinforced her ice shield with another layer, Lucas noticed her stance falter for just a fraction of a second.
That was all he needed.
And he was now convinced it was not an act but genuine exhaustion as it seemed too real.
"Grave of Ashes."
Walls of magma began to close off the arena and just when Lucas thought he was going to have some fun,
"I forfeit." Ruby declared.
"ARGH- NOT AGAIN YOU LITTLE"
The AI referee's voice cut Lucas off.
"Participant Lucas Maxwell, Advances to the next round."
"Please stop the usage of your Talent. The match is over, participant Lucas Maxwell."
It was safe to say the battle ended after Ruby forfeited and Lucas definitely did not try to harm his opponent.