Standing in the arena with cheers and shouts all around, Ash still wasn't quite there.
Although he was able to get back in time for his second match, he was mostly absentminded still.
"START!"
The announcers voice carried through the arena reaching Ash's ears.
In that instant without wasting a second he launched himself at his opponent.
The man standing before him was someone well established around the arena going by the name Steelman.
His defining feature was his metallic skin which covered most of his body, allowing him to defend himself from most attacks.
He was also one of the few awakened fighting in the arena, while also being one of the steel attribute, which allowed him to handle more cybernetics than most.
As a seasoned fighter he was someone that often times made sure to watch the matches of his competitors. He did the same with Ash watching most of his prior matches.
From what he observed from the prior matches Ash always paused a bit before moving, afterwhich he either waited for the opponent to do something or attacked them head on.
But now the momentary pause wasn't present and Ash just rushed at him from the first second.
If not for the fact that his reaction speed was quick the fight may have already been over by now.
Ash's slash sent him flying back, giving him a moment to adjust to Ash's new way of fighting.
The fight kept going on and as he was watching it became apparent that Ash was fighting recklessly, not focusing on defense at all and just repeatedly slashing.
Realising this Steelman stopped defending himself and punched Ash in the gut.
The punch landed rather easily and Ash was sent kneeling on the floor.
Another punch came down this time to his head, hitting like a steel hammer thanks to Steelman's steel body.
Ash could now feel the world spinning, but thankfully the punch also made his mind clear up a bit.
Being able to focus on the fight once again Ash pushed himself away with all his strength.
Now he was far enough away to collect himself, but there was a problem.
His sword wasn't present.
The sword that was supposed to be in his hand was now sitting on the floor right where he was a moment ago.
'...Fuck.'
Steelman seeing Ash back on his feet didn't wait and rushed at Ash.
Without his sword Ash had no way of fighting against Steelman.
'I should have used Delusion earlier.'
Ash proceeded to use Delusion in the time it took Steelman to approach him.
'Steelman will fall.'
In the next moment just when Steelman was expected to fall... seemingly nothing happened.
Realising his situation was bad Ash started running toward where his sword was, but it was too late and the punch connected.
Ash's face was now bleeding, just like it had been a few hours ago.
But he didn't give up and tried using Delusion again.
'He will fall, he will fall, he will fall, HE WILL FALL.'
As Steelman was once again closing in it seemed his ability worked for a moment, and although Steelman didn't fall fe lost his footing for a moment.
But for Ash that's all that was necessary, as he quickly grabbed his sword from the ground and did a fully Aura infused slash upwards.
The slash caught Steelman on his back a clean cut appearing despite his steel skin.
Blood started streaming from the wound.
Still Steelmam didn't give up either, he still stood exerting all his remaining strength.
On the arena ground now stood two men, both with blood flowing from them.
As the two went ahead to clash head on once again, Ash quickly dodged the punches and delivered the deciding cut to Steelman arm, severing it completely.
"WINNER IS ASH!"
Hearing the announcer shout Ash could feel a weight being lifted from his shoulders.
Soon the medics came rushing in and just as they were getting close Ash felt his strength leaving him completely his world becoming dark.
...
Waking up, the scent of alcohol entered his nose, not the type of alcohol you'd find in a bar, but the kind you'd find in the hospital.
Looking up at the white ceiling and at the white curtains around him he quickly realised he was in some sort of infirmary.
He wanted to get up, but couldn't, his strength just wasn't there.
Soon the curtains opened and two faces appeared.
One was a woman wearing white, presumably a nurse. Next to her stood a man with a long brown hair and round sunglasses, it was Caesar.
"You were pretty reckless out there, charging like swoosh and slashing endlessly, while not bad it isn't your style. Did something happen, kiddo?"
The question carrying genuine concern, showing a new side to the supposedly ruthless Caesar, that Ash didn't know he had.
"It's nothing... I guess I just have a bad mood."
"Hmm... I see I guess that's fine, still you should refresh your mind before tomorrow's fight so this doesn't happen again."
Ash nodded, despite finding it hard.
"Why do I feel so shitty, how long was I out?"
"You were out for about ten minutes and as for your injuries you should ask this nurse rather than me."
Caesar pointed at the nurse next to him.
With both Ash and Caesar now looking at her, the nurse quickly explained.
From what he'd been told it seemed his head suffered major damage, with his spine also receiving a decent amount of it.
It seemed he was only able to push forward for so long because he of the adrenaline.
Had he not gotten quick treatment it might have even been fatal.
"Thankfully our healers are good so you should be fine by tomorrow."
Ash was surprised by the words the nurse just spoke.
"I'll really be fine by tomorrow?"
"Ab-sol-utely my arena has the best healers all around. I don't even charge extra for the participants, generous, right?"
Caesar said in a bragging tone.
'How old are you even to be talking like this?'
Ash wanted to voice it, but in the end he kept his question to himself.
"Sooo no worries Ashy Boy you'll be perfectly ready for tomorrow's fight."
"Thanks, Caesar..."
Ash simply thanked Caesar for the service, while ignoring the fact that he was called by that nickname again.
"Hmm..."
"Huh?"
"Hey, Ash... would you be interested in joining my gang?"
A seemingly important question came out of nowhere delivering another hit to the already badly beaten Ash.
"...Where did that come from?"
Caesar pondered for a moment before sending the nurse away as her help was no longer needed anymore. He also just wanted to talk with Ash in private.
"It doesn't come from nowhere. You may have guessed this already, but I initially only helped you so much because of Old Bill."
Ash nodded confirming what he had already somewhat guessed. And maybe thanks to the painkiller Ash wasn't able to hold back from asking a follow up question.
"You're guilty about the bakery?"
"He told you that?!"
Caesar started massaging his forehead.
"I kinda guessed it already, but he got it wrong... that was really a coincidence, I wasn't behind it."
Ash wasn't too surprised hearing this as in these past few days he already somewhat understood Caesar's personality. Still there was something he still didn't understand.
"Then why help now? If you didn't do it why do you feel guilty still?"
"...That's..."
Caesar paused for a monent before continuing.
"Even if it wasn't my fault I still should have helped him. Invited him to work at the new bakery or something, but I didn't do that so... I guess I want make up for that mistake."
'Huh, he really is a good guy, despite being a gangster.'
"Anyways about me recruiting you."
Caesar looked at him fully focused now on the subject.
"You have decent skills, it would be a waste for you to just keep fighting here and it would especially be a waste to leave you to be homeless."
Ash couldn't deny what Caesar was saying and just nodded along.
"Still I'm not forcing you, and if you have other goals I can understand that."
"I..."
Ash couldn't finish realising mid sentence that his goals were now unachievable without the ticket.
"I don't have them anymore"
"Have what?"
"GOALS I don't have them I lost them."
Caesar's expression became more serious, while still not being overly serious.
"Could it have something to do with why you were so reckless?"
Ash thought for a moment, but with now being sure of his personality and the ticket already being lost, he decided to tell him straight up.
"I was robbed, and the ticket to my goals is gone."
Caesar's expression remained the same before becoming more serious.
"Could it be... Icarus Academy?"
"How did you know?"
"Are you kidding? I own these streets, my people told me that there were rumours of someone with a special admission ticket being present in these streets. Still no face was attached to it, so I didn't know it was you, but I guess it makes sense."
Ash was shocked at how far the rumour had gotten.
'I guess that really was a major mistake, and to think I thought no one would notice.'
"So you entered the tournament to get a ride to the academy?"
"That... is about it."
Caesar paused for a moment before speaking up again.
"About Icarus Academy... I can help you with it."
"HUH?!"