Chapter 36 - Impact.

''That was the end of the Round of 32! Only 16 teams are remaining, next round teams will fight to qualify towards Quarterfinals, but first, we have another lottery to decide match-ups.''

''Lottery will start shortly, but before that, let us show our highlights of Round of 32.''

...

(Ichiro POV)

Ok, something is not right.

I noticed that my punches and movement seemed stronger and faster, I ignored it during the fight, but something definitely happened overnight.

''Ichiro, you alright? You look pale.'' I heard the club advisor ask me with a worrying tone.

I gave small smile and told him that I am alright, but he still kept looking at me with doubt.

I am only pale, because some recoil from the match, I have noticed that I can use [Ironic Edge] without any drawbacks, but [Iron Lance] is different, if I used it without proper training or before I used Recreaction Token, my fingers would break from the impact if I try to hit someone with it.

Now the drawback of the attack is nonexistent, not sure how it works, but my body is FAR from enough to handle the recoil from Iron Lance, but once my fingers are in point of impact while using it, my bones and fingers ignore the shock coming from the impact, therefore I don't get injured and I manage to use Iron Lance.

But there is a drawback... Technique Recreation Token removed the drawbacks when you perform the technique, but to use Iron Lance, you need to use your whole body in sync, to use the Iron Lance, your arm needs to move with sync with the rest of your body, but there is a thing which System didn't remove, I only won't receive the impact when I attack with Iron Lance using my arm, but I get some small shocks from the impact towards my body, the shock probably traveling through my bones towards my organs, which causes damage to my body and organs, it is not big enough of a shock to break a bone or cause an organ failure, but if I use it consistently, then I have a big problem, just like now, I used the Iron Lance about 5 times during the match, and my body is screaming in pain in the result.

My body is WEAK! I feel frustrated, but I need to remember that I am only 15 years old, my body is only growing from now on, my muscle density and bone density will only improve from now on.

I looked around the stadium and saw the tournament organizers about to hold the Lottery ceremony.

'My body needs rest, I hope it's team weaker than Snakeland..'

''You alright Ichiro, you really don't look fine,'' Lucas asked me, I gave him wry smile and told him that I am alright, which he didn't believe one bit.

'He is injured because of me... I should have fought instead, fuck!' Lucas thought while blaming himself.

''What's up?'' I asked Lucas who looked at the ground with frustration.

''..I should have fought, sorry, you got injured because of it..''

I kept blinking while looking at him, I chuckled a little bit and said to him.''It is my fault honestly, but it is also a good thing that you let me fight alone... I found something very important in this match..''

If I didn't fight alone, then I probably wouldn't have found the fault at Iron Lance, which could have cost me a match in the future, but I did and now I know that I need to be careful while using Iron Style.

Lucas looked at me and gave small smile and nodded.

''Lottery ceremony commences!'' I heard a loud voice, I looked at the central arena and saw one of the tournament organizers talking to the mic.

They started doing the lottery.

Match 1...

Match 2...

Match 3...

''Match 4 match-up will be!''

''The first team is... Armya!''

*Cheers!* Loud cheers erupted in the stadium, I also started clapping, I looked at the Armya stands and saw them looking at the center arena with boredom, i looked at Slych who looked indifferent, I haven't seen Ledorman at all, I wonder what he did to him, I need to ask from him later.

''The second team in Match 4 is...''

All fighters except Ichiro and Lucas, hold their breaths, praying that it won't be them.

''IRIO!'' the Announcer shouted, Match 4 will be Armya Vs. Irio!

''Fuck.'' I said aloud with Lucas at the same time.

We looked at each other and wryly smiled.

I looked at Armya's stands, they weren't sitting with boredom anymore, they had very solemn faces, Slych noticed my gaze and looked at me with fighting intent with a small grin.

I grinned widely while shaking in excitement.

*CHEEEEEERS!* Stadium erupted in the biggest cheers so far, the ground was almost shaking.

If Taryn Vs. Armya was a championship match in the hearts of the audience, then Armya Vs. Irio was a fight between the Top Two of Time Attack phase. the audience still thinks that Armya will win, but the name of Irio has already been imprinted in their minds as one of the powerhouses.

Especially Ichiro - Top 2 In Time Attack - Fought 2v1 against Snakeland and won!

The name of Kurogami Ichiro is definitely a name to be reckoned with in the Middle School scene!

But that is only the beginning...

...

''So unlucky!'' the club advisor said while scratching his head in frustration.

''When is the match?'' I asked

''In 1 hour 30minutes, why?''

''I will go rest,'' I said and stood up to start walking towards the break room.

''I'll come with you,'' Lucas said behind me.

Lucas arrived next to me and said.''Quite unlucky.''

I gave a grin and thought to myself. 'Not sure will I be fully recovered in time..'

''Round of 16 will be Man Vs. Man, who will fight whom?'' Lucas asked.

''I will fight Slych.''

''Are you sure? I think I would be the best choice since you are obviously injured.'' Lucas said with a raised eyebrow.

I nodded and said.''I didn't come all this way to not fight against Slych.. and if I won't fight against him... I am sure he would be disappointed.''

''So what? Our victory will depend on that fight.'' Lucas said with slight annoyance.

I stopped walking and turned to look at Lucas.''Please let me fight.'' I bowed towards him, which caught Lucas off-guard.

Lucas scratched his head and sighed.''Fine, it seems that this fight is important to you.''

I gave small smile. ''Thanks.''

''Just don't lose.'' Lucas reminded

I gave weak smile and nodded. ''I'll try.''

''What will be the order of fights?'' Lucas asked.

''Let Liam go first, you second, I will go third,'' I told, Lucas nodded

After talking for a few more minutes, we arrived at the resting room, which had benches, couches, and some small beds.

''Time to rest!'' I loudly declared and jumped at one of the beds.

''Can you be quiet! I am resting here.'' I heard someone's voice, I looked towards the sound and saw a young girl in her 15s with a fighting outfit, which was violet-colored with some lines in the color of orange.

She was laying on the bed while looking at me with annoyance, she had brown colored hair, with a ponytail, she had an attractive looking face with a curved nose and delicate eyebrows, even though she was wearing her fighting outfit, it didn't diminish her beauty at all, but it increased her youthfulness and attractiveness.

''Shut up thot!'' I yelled and closed my eyes to start sleeping.

''W-w-what did you call me?!'' she screeched in anger.

''Thot!''

''Don't repeat it!'' she screamed in frustration, with veins popping out of her forehead.

Lucas was sweatdropping while scratching his head.

''I am sorry miss, but he is mentally retarded.'' Lucas bowed his head, the young girl's anger diminished a little bit and looked at me with pity.

''I AM NOT!'' I screamed and sat down on the bed.

The young girl had raised an eyebrow while looking at me in doubt.

''Shut up Ichiro, go back to sleep,'' Lucas said, I showed him a middle finger.

''So are you mentally retarded or not?'' The young girl asked.

''I am not, I am a healthy young boy,'' I told with pride.

''Then why did you call me thot, you man whore!'' The young girl screamed in anger.

''M-man whore? WHAT THE FUCK!'' I stood up in anger.

''What? You got a problem with it, you M.A.N W.H.O.R.E.'' Young girl said and stood up while cracking her knuckles like a gangster.

''GRRRRH!'' I growled in anger and walked towards the young girl while fuming in anger.

We were face-to-face while, she was at a height of 168cm, making me taller than her, I looked down at her with a smug grin.

The young girl gritted her teeth in anger.

''Ichiro, stop bothering her.'' Lucas came to calm things down.

''''FUCK YOU SIMP!'''' I and the young girl shouted at the same time.

*SPEW*

Lucas spat a mouthful of blood and fell to the ground.

''Fucking simps.'' The young girl growled in disgust.

''I am disappointed in you Lucas.'' I told with disgust.

Lucas passed out in anger.

I looked at the young girl in front of me, while she looked at me with an unreadable expression.

''Yo, my name is Ichiro,'' I told while putting my hand forwards for a handshake.

''My name is Tania, nice to meet you..'' She told while shaking my hand.