The competition grounds were massive—an ancient coliseum with towering stone walls, filled with spectators eager to witness the first round. The air buzzed with anticipation as warriors from different regions stood ready, waiting for the challenge to begin.
Rajiv tightened his grip on his sword. This was it.
A loud horn echoed across the arena.
"The first round is simple," a voice boomed from above. A noble announcer stood on a raised platform. "Survival."
The ground beneath them rumbled. Suddenly, barriers rose from the earth, dividing the arena into sections. From the gates, armored warriors and mechanical constructs emerged—traps set by the competition organizers to test their endurance.
Rajiv's heartbeat quickened. This wasn't just a battle. It was a battlefield.
---
The Test Begins
As soon as the challenge started, chaos erupted. Fighters clashed, energy flared, and the weaker ones were eliminated within minutes.
Rajiv dodged an incoming attack, barely avoiding a blade. He swung his sword, deflecting another strike. His weapon was old, but he relied on his reflexes. Stay calm. Read the movements.
A warrior lunged at him. Rajiv sidestepped and countered with a precise slash, sending the opponent tumbling.
Across the battlefield, Anil was watching. He smirked. "He's struggling. This is going to be fun."
Just as Rajiv was gaining his rhythm, the arena shifted again. The ground cracked open, revealing hidden pitfalls and spike traps. Some competitors fell, while others barely escaped.
Rajiv leaped across a collapsing platform, landing on stable ground. But before he could react, a massive energy construct—a stone beast—charged toward him.
Too fast!
Rajiv raised his sword, but the impact sent him flying back. He hit the ground hard, gasping for air. The construct loomed over him, preparing for another attack.
"Damn it… Move!"
Summoning his golden energy, Rajiv forced himself up. The energy flickered, unstable but powerful. As the construct attacked again, he dashed forward, sliding under its arm and slashing at its core.
A direct hit. The construct shattered into pieces.
Rajiv panted. I'm pushing myself too much. But I can't stop now.
Surviving the First Round
Hours passed. The battlefield was littered with fallen competitors. Only a handful remained.
A final horn blew.
"Enough! The survivors of Round One have been decided!"
Rajiv stood among them, exhausted but victorious. He had made it through.
From the stands, William Hawthorne watched with interest. "Hmph. Maybe he's not just some random fighter."
Anil, however, clenched his fists. "Tch. He got lucky."
Rajiv exhaled, gripping his sword tightly. One round down. Two more to go.