The next day, Delight and I scrambled to get ready. The first match was about to start, and we were already running late.
"We're not going to make it in time," Delight groaned, frustration creeping into her voice as she pulled on her shoes in a hurry.
I glanced over at her, grinning. "Dude, just merge with a cheetah or something."
Delight shot me a look that was half-annoyed, half-amused. I had already started extending my hair into long, powerful legs, feeling the rush of excitement build as I took longer strides, the ground beneath me barely able to keep up.
Without hesitation, Delight nodded and, in a smooth motion, merged with her cheetah. The transformation was fast — one second she was standing there, and the next, she was a blur, darting past me with unbelievable speed. I wasn't about to let her beat me, so I pushed myself harder, but I could tell it was going to be close.
I caught up quickly, though, and in no time, the stadium came into view. As we neared the entrance, Daniel came charging toward us, his face already scrunched in irritation.
"You're late, girls! Do you have any idea how worried we were?" he said, his voice strained with frustration.
I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. Was he really that upset? Seriously? Delight, of course, immediately started apologizing, her tone full of genuine concern, probably trying to smooth things over.
But me? I just stood there, rolling my eyes as I watched them. I couldn't believe I'd ever wanted to be friends with him. He was a total weirdo.
Devin, sensing the tension, walked up to me with his usual calm expression. His arms were folded across his chest, his posture relaxed but confident. "So, ready for the fights today?" he asked, his voice smooth, as if nothing had happened.
I smiled, feeling the anticipation build. "Yeah. I'm more than ready. I can't wait to punch stuff."
Devin gave me a small chuckle and we walked into the waiting room together. The atmosphere was different from the last event. The room was packed with squads, but unlike the Labyrinth contest, no one was socializing. It felt like yesterday's events had drained the fun out of everyone, leaving only the tension and nerves in their place. I could feel it too — the pressure was mounting, thick in the air.
We found a little corner to stand in, trying not to draw too much attention to ourselves. The longer I stood there, the more the tension seemed to seep into my bones. But before I could dwell on it too much, Mathew approached our group.
"Hey, guys! Can't wait to see you in action today," he said, his smile wide and friendly, though his eyes held that familiar glint of competitive fire.
Devin and I waved back, exchanging a few words with him. But Delight? She just stood there, unsure of how to respond. She wasn't one for small talk, especially not when things were tense. And Daniel? He completely ignored Mathew, his eyes focused on something in the distance, acting like Mathew didn't even exist.
Mathew didn't seem bothered, though. He looked directly at Daniel, his smile never fading. "You might want to keep your guard up. I'm not going to hold back in our fight."
Daniel's shoulders tensed. His jaw clenched. "What?" he muttered, his voice barely above a growl. But Mathew had already turned on his heel, walking away with that same confident stride.
I wasn't surprised that Mathew knew who he was fighting. After all, the matchups were posted all over the walls. As for me, I already knew who I was facing — a girl named Amanda Doll. The name didn't ring a bell, but that didn't matter. I was determined to win, no matter who stood in my way.
A low murmur passed through the crowd, and the commentator's voice suddenly boomed through the stadium, calling for everyone's attention.
"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen!" he began, his voice amplified, echoing off the walls. "The first round of today's competition will begin shortly! Let's go over the rules one last time!"
The crowd went silent, hanging on every word. The commentator explained how the fights would go, making sure everyone understood the safety protocols and the different stages. The arena today was set in a grassy biome, filled with trees, patches of water, and uneven ground. It was a great environment for using the terrain to your advantage. The kind of place where a surprise ambush was just as likely as an epic showdown.
I felt a rush of adrenaline as he described it all. The anticipation was killing me, and I couldn't wait to get into the ring.
Finally, the commentator called up the first two contestants — two boys, both looking tense but ready. They stepped into the center of the biome, and the countdown began. The crowd hushed in unison.
"Three, two, one… Fight!"
And just like that, the battle began
The commentator's voice echoed over the speakers. "And now, our first match of the day! In the red corner, we have Jason, who has the ability to turn invisible at will and wields a deadly sword. And in the blue corner, we have Liam, who can create explosive bombs from thin air and fights with a spear. Let's see how these two unique abilities will clash!"
The crowd's energy shifted, an electric buzz filling the air as the fighters stepped into the arena. The grassy terrain stretched out before them, with trees swaying gently in the wind and puddles of water scattered across the ground. The entire setting felt like a trap, a place where ambushes could come from any angle.
Both fighters were clad in the standard-issue black bodysuits given to all combatants by the army. The suits were designed for speed and flexibility, built to withstand a variety of conditions and keep the wearer light on their feet. Jason's sleek suit clung to his lean frame, while Liam's tall, broad shoulders were outlined under the tight fabric. Both men were ready for whatever the fight would throw at them.
Jason, with his dark hair tied back in a tight ponytail, flexed his fingers around the hilt of his sword. He knew his invisibility would be his biggest weapon. The moment the fight began, he'd vanish, and Liam would be left guessing where the strike would come from.
Liam, meanwhile, held his spear with a casual grip, his posture relaxed, his sharp eyes scanning the area. The spear was an extension of him — long and deadly. But his real advantage lay in his ability to turn air into weapons. His fingers itched, ready to summon an explosive barrage at any second.
The countdown began.
"Three... Two... One... Fight!"
Jason vanished into thin air the instant the bell rang. His body dissolved, fading from sight like a wisp of smoke. A faint shimmer in the air was all that was left, and Liam's eyes darted around, his senses on high alert.
"Where are you?" Liam called out, his voice steady, but his eyes narrowed, focusing on every rustle of the grass and every shadow between the trees.
There was a soft noise behind him — a faint whisper of movement. Jason reappeared in a flash, his sword aimed for Liam's back. The strike was swift, the blade cutting through the air with surgical precision.
Liam didn't flinch. In a fluid motion, he spun, bringing the spear up just in time to deflect the blow. The sword clanged loudly against the metal tip of the spear. Liam grinned, his eyes sparkling with challenge. "Nice try, Jason. You'll have to do better than that."
Jason vanished again, his form becoming invisible in the blink of an eye. He moved quickly, using the terrain to his advantage, darting between trees and crouching low to the ground. He could feel the cool air around him, the dampness of the grass beneath his feet. He was ready to strike again.
Liam stood still for a moment, listening. He knew Jason couldn't stay invisible forever. There was a moment of vulnerability, a fraction of a second when Jason would have to reveal himself. And when that happened, Liam would be ready.
Jason reappeared, this time directly in front of Liam. His sword came down in a sharp, downward arc aimed at Liam's chest. But Liam was faster. He sidestepped with a quick, fluid motion, bringing the butt of his spear down hard on the ground.
A sudden burst of air exploded beneath him, sending a shockwave through the earth. Jason staggered back, caught off guard by the force of the blast. For just a moment, Jason's invisibility flickered, revealing a shimmer of his body as he regained his balance.
Liam grinned, taking advantage of the moment. He lunged forward, thrusting his spear at the spot where Jason had just stood. The spear tip cut through the air, but Jason vanished again, narrowly avoiding the attack.
"You're fast, but not fast enough," Liam called, his voice steady but filled with the thrill of the fight.
Jason's invisible form flickered in and out of sight as he darted behind Liam once more. He could feel the tension in the air. This wasn't just a fight — it was a battle of wits, strategy, and who could outlast the other's abilities. Jason knew he needed to land a clean strike if he wanted to win.
Liam, however, was quick to adapt. He swung his spear around in a wide arc, anticipating where Jason would appear next. The spear grazed the air just in time, and suddenly, a soft "pop" echoed through the arena.
Jason's sword clashed with the spear once more, the force of the impact vibrating through Liam's arms. He pushed forward with all his might, attempting to overpower Jason, but Jason was already gone, slipping back into invisibility like a shadow retreating into darkness.
Liam cursed under his breath. Jason's speed and agility were impressive, but Liam wasn't backing down. He had his own tricks to play.
Without warning, Liam raised his hand, his fingers crackling with energy. A small, concentrated bomb of air began to form in his palm, swirling around with deadly intent. He hurled it toward the ground at his feet, and the explosion sent a powerful shockwave through the earth, knocking up dirt and grass. The blast rippled outward, creating a temporary distortion in the air.
Jason appeared once more, but he wasn't ready for the force of the explosion. He was thrown off balance, his sword slipping from his grip. He crashed to the ground, just as the air bomb detonated near him, creating a gust of wind that sent him tumbling across the grass. Jason struggled to rise, his body flickering in and out of visibility as he tried to regain his composure.
Liam, sensing his moment, rushed forward. He slammed the butt of his spear into the ground again, sending another shockwave out to destabilize Jason's footing. Jason staggered, barely able to stay on his feet.
"Gotcha now," Liam said under his breath. He wasn't about to let Jason slip away this time.
Jason's sword was gone, lost in the chaos of the blast. He reached for a blade hidden on his leg, but it was too late. Liam was already on him, his spear thrusting forward with the kind of speed and precision that only came from true mastery.
Jason tried to dodge, but the blow hit him square in the chest, the spear tip piercing the air before landing with a thud. He gasped, the air knocked out of him, and for a moment, everything seemed to freeze.
Jason's invisibility flickered and vanished completely.
Liam stepped back, his chest heaving with exertion, his spear still extended in front of him. Jason lay on the ground, breathing heavily, unable to move. He had taken the full force of the spear's strike.
The commentator's voice rang out, breaking the silence. "And that's the match! The winner, by knockout… Liam!"
The crowd erupted into cheers as Liam stood over Jason, watching the fallen fighter with respect. Jason's invisibility had been a strong advantage, but Liam's relentless pressure and control over the battlefield had won the day.
Liam took a deep breath, his heart still pounding from the adrenaline. He glanced down at Jason. "You fought well. But in the end, you underestimated the power of air."
Jason didn't respond. He was too exhausted, but the fire in his eyes still burned with the desire to get up, to fight again.
I was excited for what was to come next, yet I feared what this eye of esper or my malfunctioning hair would do to my fight.