"Damn it! Is this really a Grappler or a Nuker??"
The older brother was struggling while facing Batya Milov of John.
It was round 2, and Willhart had just been hit by a command grab, causing his health to drop drastically.
He kept making Willhart retreat, and Batya Milov kept advancing, hunting him down.
"I think you should give up! Batya Milov is the strongest Grappler you've ever faced!" John said confidently.
"Tch, don't think I'll give up that easily!!"
Just as Batya Milov got close to Willhart and was about to grab again, Willhart burst, sending Batya Milov flying.
Burst is an amazing tool to escape combos or anything extremely dangerous, even though it can only be used once per round—it's more than enough.
He moved Willhart forward, setting up a combo as much as possible.
Willhart attacked continuously, not giving the old man a chance to do anything.
Although the health drop was small, if he kept attacking, it would surely cause a significant loss of health.
After all, Rushdown is about putting pressure and not giving the enemy any opportunity.
But damn it! A Grappler only needs a few hits to kill a Rushdown—where's the fairness in that??
John saw that things weren't going well and used Burst, sending Willhart flying.
Then he tried to command grab, but Willhart regained his balance and quickly moved back.
"WOAH!" The crowd was surprised by how quickly he reacted.
Oh, I forgot to mention, the whole audience had been captivated by the match.
Imagine the fighting game fandom one day getting to play a title with great graphics, smooth combat, satisfying gameplay, and many characters with unique playstyles.
Plus, the match was moving so fast that the crowd had trouble keeping up with the pace.
But this is what they needed! This game had everything they wanted!
"GO JOHN!!"
"SHOW HIM THE STRENGTH OF WILLHART!!"
"I should have saved money to buy this game instead of wasting time on that damn gacha game."
Willhart kicked in a circular motion, then punched continuously, followed by two more rapid kicks.
As the old man was about to fall, Willhart immediately grabbed him and hit his stomach.
Batya's health was down to 40%!
As soon as Batya stood up, Willhart continued his combo, forcing him to block.
Because Willhart attacked so quickly, John couldn't predict the next move and made a huge mistake, leaving Batya Milov vulnerable to a low kick.
Just as Willhart gathered 3 energy bars, he activated his ultimate!
"My will won't fade, even if what I treasure most is taken from me!"
He opened his now glowing orange eyes, and the flames on his forehead erupted fiercely.
He charged at the enemy, enveloped in flames, delivering a punch to the stomach, two punches to the face, and a final uppercut.
As Batya was launched into the air, he looked up and brought his hands together.
"Doomfire Blast!"
Willhart shot a fireball at him, burning and draining most of his health.
Then Willhart performed an anti-air move, punching Batya in the chin.
Batya Milov's health dropped to zero!
Down!
After the victory, the flames died down a bit, and Willhart sighed.
"DAMN IM GOOD!" The older brother stood up, grinning arrogantly at John.
"Ugh... Just you wait! Hey, you! Turn up the music!" John pointed at a guy typing on a keyboard.
"Huh? Me?"
"Who else?"
"Fine... wait a moment."
"Hold on, wasn't there background music playing before?" a spectator from the audience asked.
"I mean, it's kind of a habit for us now. Who wants to listen to the same old battle music on repeat?"
"But this is a brand-new fighting game! The music has to be modern!"
"...Fine, just don't disappoint us."
As the music started, Round 2 began.
A piano melody played, surprising everyone. Suddenly, a young male voice sang through the game:
[Give me back those days
Tears, happiness, and hope
Do they still exist?]
Then, an orchestra resonated across the arena.
"Holy f***, this game even invested in the soundtrack," someone exclaimed.
The older brother was stunned but quickly focused on the game.
Round 2!
Go!
Batya leaped into the air and performed a downward kick, which Willhart immediately blocked. Batya kept pressing the attack, forcing Willhart on the defensive.
Seizing the opportunity, John executed a Command Grab. Batya caught Willhart, threw him into the air, and slashed him with an axe, dealing 15% damage.
As Willhart hit the ground, Batya approached for another grab. But just as Willhart got up, he used Burst, sending Batya flying back.
"That's not going to work anymore!" John declared as Batya quickly regained balance.
But something unexpected happened. Willhart crouched, both hands on the ground, like a sprinter preparing to take off.
[THE WILLFIRE! YOU GO
I'M THE METEOR YOU CAN'T STOP!
THE WILLFIRE! YOU RUN
THE FLAMES SURROUNDING ME WON'T BE EXTINGUISHED! ]
Willhart became engulfed in flames and charged forward at incredible speed. He unleashed a fiery kick, roaring as flames surrounded his leg.
"Phoenix Kick!!!"
...That name was terrible.
The kick struck Batya, landing a 5-hit combo and dealing 23% damage.
The older brother gawked, mashing random buttons, which triggered some move that consumed one and a half energy bars but dealt less damage than Willhart's first special.
Batya was knocked back as Willhart closed in, delivering rapid attacks.
Willhart struck with an elbow to the stomach, followed by a flaming punch, a kick to the chin, and another kick to the head.
Willhart retreated momentarily, firing multiple ranged attacks at Batya as he recovered.
The crowd was in awe as the Willhart player unleashed a terrifying series of combos.
John sweated as Batya's health dropped dramatically.
"BURST! BURST! BURST! BURST! BURST!"
He spammed the button, and Batya used Burst, flinging Willhart away. Batya rushed in for a grab. He caught Willhart, squeezing tightly, the sound of cracking bones echoing as 30% damage was dealt.
"WHAT THE HECK?! That damage is insane!"
After slamming Willhart to the ground, Batya prepared his next move. Suddenly, John did the unexpected. Batya's three energy bars disappeared.
"OH F*** IT'S THE ULTIMATE SPECIAL!"
Batya threw his golden axe aside, grinning as he lunged to hug Willhart. Willhart's face was smothered in Batya's massive chest as he struggled to escape.
"WILLHART! FEEL THE LOVE OF A FATHER!!"
The ground cracked beneath them, Batya's muscles tensed, and he leaped with tremendous force, shattering the ceiling.
The jump took them above the clouds, revealing the sun. The scene turned oddly romantic as two statues of a nude Batya, in seductive poses, appeared out of nowhere.
"THE FATHER'S EMBRACE!!"
The two then flipped midair, headfirst, reminiscent of a certain green-suited kung fu kid slamming Sandman.
"Old man! This is a terrible way to show your damn love!" Willhart shouted as they plummeted to the ground.
With meteor-like speed, they crashed, causing a massive explosion. When the dust cleared, Willhart's head was embedded in the ground, while Batya stood laughing triumphantly.
K.O.!
Willhart's health was instantly depleted.
"…ah."
Everyone froze, stunned by the ultimate move that annihilated Willhart, who had plenty of health left just moments before.
"Did I just lose? Even with my character theme song playing?" the older brother muttered in disbelief.
The screen then showed Batya tossing his axe aside, lighting a cigar, smoke curling from his mouth as he smiled.
"Boy, seems I went a bit too hard on you. No worries! My hug will heal you!"
...Batya Milov is definitely S-tier. He's ridiculously overpowered.
***
"It's time to hand in your exams! I hope you all did well!" Nicholas Flamel cheerfully announced while motioning for the proctors beside him to collect the test papers.
Willhart watched as his nearly completed test was taken away, prompting a sigh.
"Just one more question left..."
He glanced to his side and saw the bread vendor, currently in goat form, munching on his test paper before it was also taken away, reverting him back to his human form.
"...Heh?"
...
As everyone stood up and began leaving the examination room, I stretched and got up as well. Next to me, Eugene was still fast asleep.
I nudged his shoulder, trying to wake him up.
Suddenly, I felt a dangerous aura and instinctively dodged to the side.
Eugene threw a lightning-fast punch that grazed my cheek.
...Was he still asleep while doing that?
Eugene suddenly opened his eyes, sat up straight, and yawned, a trail of drool running down his chin.
He looked around, then at me.
"Is the test over?"
"Uh... yeah."
"Hmm."
He stood up, cracking his knuckles and stretching, the sound of his joints popping was oddly satisfying.
Okay, his appearance really screamed "brute." A black tank top, a necklace, a red jacket, a red headband, and spiky black hair with an ahoge sticking up. Most striking were his red eyes, sharp like a predator's.
"What time is it?"
"You could look at the clock on the wall, you know."
He glanced at the clock, then back at me.
"...You don't know how to tell time, do you?"
He stayed silent.
Alright, for someone who looks like a thug, he's surprisingly reserved.
How did that guy Robin even manage to get into an argument with him?
"It's 9 o'clock."
"Hmm..."
Eugene walked out of the room, leaving me alone.
I followed soon after.
...And somehow, Eugene appeared at a different door of the same exam room.
"...You lost or something?"
"No."
He closed the door and walked in another direction.
Three seconds later, he appeared behind me.
"...Do you need me to show you the way out?"
"...Maybe"
Great, I had a feeling we were going to be stuck together for some reason.
I ended up leading him to the academy gates.
"Alright, goodbye."
"Yeah, yeah."
I started walking away.
...
...
Why is he just standing at the academy gates?
"Hey, why are you still standing there? Aren't you heading home?"
"..."
"...Don't tell me you don't have a home?"
The wind blew gently, making both our hair flutter.
"Yeah, coming to this damn city left me broke," he said, finally stringing together a long sentence.
"Oh. Where are you from?"
"Don't remember."
"What did you do before coming here?"
"Adventurer."
"Oh, as an adventurer, even low-level quests should cover at least one meal."
"But I don't have the documents to register as an adventurer here. The places I worked before didn't require paperwork."
"Then how the heck did you enroll in this academy?!"
"Dunno. Someone sent me a letter telling me to enroll, saying I wouldn't regret it."
'What the heck is the principal thinking?'
I rubbed my chin in thought.
Though I didn't know him well, leaving him to fend for himself felt wrong.
'Our organization runs a low-cost dorm for students. I'll take him there.'
"Eugene."
He looked at me.
"I know a place where you can stay. Since you're broke, I'll pay for it. You don't have to pay me back—it's free money—"
"No."
?!
What did you just say?!
"I'll earn my own money. I don't like relying on others," he said while adjusting his black gloves.
"But hey, once I've made enough, I'll check out that place you mentioned."
With that, he walked off in some random direction.
...I hadn't even told him where the dorm was.
*****
Fact about this novel, I am a big fan of Guilty Gear and other fighting game make by Arcsystemwork, so when i was watching some dude get beat by Sol DRAGON INSTALLLL!!! in guilty gear xrd2, i have an idea to write this, so yeah