The next day…
In the locker room, the participants of the Armed league were warming for their upcoming matches. Within the crowd of competitors, Taylor hung her jacket and hat. She closed her locker and sat down with her katana. She sighed inwardly, recalling the information about her opponent she had previously glossed over.
'Leo Vincenzo…He's gonna be a tough opponent with his telepathy attribute…'
She frowned thinking of all of the possibilities, ignoring the grunts of her fellow competitors.
'He can read my thoughts and emotions…Then, how can I counter it?'
Then, a memory surged from her mind from yesterday. The image of Janus lecturing her on her next match surfaced.
"He'll have a trump card just like me. When you're learning about your opponent, you have to make sure to take everything as the tip of the iceberg. No sane person would reveal their best move. Leo can surely do more than just read thoughts and emotions." He blurted.
Then, the next sentences he spoke made her frown deepen.
"You've got a chance but I don't see you coming out as the victor – Honestly."
She pouted and crossed her arms.
"Me? Losing? No way. I've still got to smash Cain's face in. There's no way I'm losing before that." She muttered under her breath.
Just then, a voice rang out.
"Hey~, I think I heard my name over here."
She flicked her head to the side, her brows furrowing. Approaching in all gray clothes with black accents was her dreaded rival. He halted before her, tucking his hands into his pockets.
"So? What are ya thinking about over here all alone?"
"It wouldn't be none of your business anyways." Taylor replied.
"Ah! That broke my heart." Cain clutched his chest in a dramatic matter.
"Not the first time your heart has been broken, has it?" Taylor sneered.
"Your funny. Maybe instead of an enforcer, you should work in a circus."
"No thanks. I don't wanna be with you."
Just as the conversation was intensifying, the intercom buzzed.
"Next contestant – Cain Rodrick."
Cain spun around the second he heard his naming, waving at Taylor.
"I'll see you next time, Ann Bevan."
Taylor uncrossed her arms, flinching.
"Who the hell is that?! And what the hell is that supposed to mean?"
But Cain didn't reply. He grabbed his weapon from the bench, it weight straining him. He entered the arena. As he walked to the center, he rubbed his sweaty hands. The audience roared in excitement, throwing confetti as the competitors arrived. As the screen displayed the participants, Mack shouted in excitement.
"Welcome back, folks! Today…Today is the Armed league Quarter-finals!"
"And up first we have Cain Rodrick versus Aarush Reddy!" Dante added.
Cain heaved a sigh out of joy. He stopped and took a good look at his opponent. The person standing before him looked older than he should.
'Shesh…bro, looks like thirty.'
Ahead of him, wearing a red T-shirt with green trousers and laceless shoes was Aarush who had a light brown skin tone, overgrown black hair, brown eyes and a rough beard. Cain almost laughed aloud. He covered his face and chuckled slightly. The referee approached and glanced at both. He drew a sharp breath. Both fighters got into fighting stances. The referee whistled and ran for his dear life.
Cain spun his meteor hammer. Aarush drew his blade. It was a curved blade with a disc-like metal hilt – a Talwar. Cain whistled a snarky remark.
"Feeling old school, Unc?"
"Maybe I am." Aarush shot forward.
Cain smiled, tugging at his weapon. Aarush dodged the first swing. He locked onto his target, activating attribute. Cain's pupils dilated. He pulled his weapon back as inferno burst.
"Ohhh! Aarush is already activating his attribute!" Dante remarked.
The crowd's gazed fell on Aarush. Smoke began enveloping the arena as a suffocating scent spread throughout. Aarush lunged, his blade set ablaze. His sword shot forward. Cain reacted a second too late. In the middle of dodging, the flames stabbed his jacket. Cain's eyes widened. He let go of his hammer. Taking off his burning jacket and throwing it at his enemy. Aarush caught it and turned it to Ash.
As those Ashes fell, Cain chuckled slightly – cold sweat rolling off his face.
"God dammit…I almost got grilled…"
He bent down, grabbing his weapon once more. He hurled it around, activating his attribute. Aarush frowned and ran at him. The meteor swung by. He ducked, avoiding strike.
'Is he trying to kill me?' He questioned in his mind.
He extinguished the flames, conserving his mental energy. The meteor closed in once again. He bent back and barely avoided it. He straightened and locked eyes with Cain. His opponent flicked his finger – provoking him. Aarush smirked, rushing forward. Cain pulled his weapon, curving the chain. As it approached, Aarush deflected it in a controlled manner. The next second, he stood before his rival.
Not another moment was wasted. The Talwar was set ablaze. It rose to the sky and fell down like inevitability. But in an unexpected turn of events, the chains blocked his strike. Aarush's eyes widened. Cain didn't waste this chance. Gritting his teeth, he wrapped the chains around the blade. Aarush panicked and pulled back. The flames intensified, turning white. Before Cain could increase their weight, the flames melted them. Cain clicked his tongue, inwardly cursing.
'Dammit…'
"You almost got me there." Aarush stated as he wiped the blood off his nose. "But that won't be enough."
Cain chuckled lightly, glancing at his severed weapon.
"Shit…"
He straightened. The smell of ashes still lingered in the air. The atmosphere became tense as both participants stared each other down. Cain's mind ran wild until eventually…he lunged at his rival. Aarush raised a brow.
"Charging in so recklessly? Is this a desperate attempt?"
Inferno burst from his hand, covering the blade. The metal heated and seemingly turned red as the flames intensified. As soon as Cain was within his range, Aarush stepped once and swung down. But shockingly, his sword stopped mid-swing.
"Huh?" He blurted in surprise.
Cain gritted his teeth. The Talwar rested in his arm which burned with pain. A sly grin couldn't help but spread across his mouth. He activated his attribute. Before Aarush could react, he amplified the mass of the sword. Instantly, Aarush collapsed. The fall shattered the ground and his opponent's hand. Aarush screamed in pain, the inferno calming down. Cain glanced at his would which had cauterized. He neared his rival and titled his head.
"Still wanna go on, ya punk?" He increased the mass further.
Aarush gasped. His hand broke under the weight of his sword. Immense pain shot through his body, causing him to scream.
"I GIVE UPPPP!!!"