Chapter 96: Pre quarter-finals over.

Chapter 96: Pre quarter-finals over.

Eventually, I did manage to find what I had been looking for before Reanas situation had distracted me; some pork ribs glazed with honey. Something about the combination of flavors had always made my mouth water.

When I arrived at the participants booth, I found Cerion chatting with Gaius, the earthbending monk from the previous round. Reana was seated there as well, but she made it a point to ignore me. Surprisingly, she wasnt the only participant that was keeping to themself. Arcellus had yet to break out of his contemplative mood, which stood in stark contrast to the attitude he had had when we first met less than a week ago. Something about his loss to me must have brought about this change. Either that, or his factions tier 6s had given him a severe reprimand after his loss. Regardless, it wasnt any of my business.

Down below, the battle was still raging on. I couldnt remember either participants names, but I recalled seeing their faces in the battle against the hive queen. The two classsers were giving it all they had and using a variety of skills, but the battle was well below what the seeded participants were capable of. I had hoped for some more upsets or a dark horse or something, but besides John I hadnt been impressed by the unseeded participants. The difference between their strength and ours was like that of a chasm, and the poor fools probably already knew that no matter who won, they were bound to lose to Gaius in the quarter finals, since he would be up next.

I sat down next to Cerion and handed him a paper bag that was leaking some sauce, though he didnt seem to mind. As I greeted the monk I offered him some of my own sweet pork ribs, but he refused, stating that he practiced vegetarianism or something. I couldnt imagine the nightmare of not eating meat, but to each their own, I supposed, before chowing down on Helios greatest gift to man.Visit no(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience

Halfway through my meal, I decided to make some conversation.

Gaius, youre up next, right?

Still holding his hand in prayer, Gaius nodded.

Indeed, you remember correctly.

If your opponent is as tough as these guys, I dont think youll have much trouble I mused, before tearing off another chunk of meat and noticing some of it getting stuck between my teeth.

Gaius frowned a little when he heard my assessment, but agreed in the end.

Not to speak ill of my fellow competitors, but if your assessment of my future opponent proves to be correct, then I believe I will be able to defeat them rather quickly. he lamented while sighing. After a moment, he recovered and that inviting smile returned to his face. There are more important things than strength, of course! Did you know that one of the elders at our temple is just tier 1 and practices pacifism? His wisdom is deferred to by many in their hour of need! he described animatedly.

Arthur, are you alright? Cerion asked, concerned.

Of course. I mumbled absentmindedly, only glancing in his direction momentarily before focussing on the match again. Cerion gave me a strange, overly happy smile, but didnt say anything when I asked him what he was smiling about. It didnt matter, anyway. The match was over, and Emeri had left the arena. The match had lasted about thirty seconds, which meant that Gaius was all but guaranteed to keep his record, as long as the tier 3s and 4s didnt show any significant differences in skill compared to their own opponents.

Now that all the matches had finished, I made a list in my head of who would go up against who in the quarter-finals.

First, I would face Reana, the wood-using classer who knew me from somewhere.

Then, Gaius would face an unseeded classer, which might allow him to beat his own record, as long as the tier 3s and 4s didnt have any significant differences in power compared to their opponents.

Thirdly, Arcellus would be facing Cerion, in what could be one of the best fights of the tournament. Hopefully, my friend would win, but I could only give him even odds at best. As much as I hated to admit it, Arcellus was a monster.

Then, Emeri would face Karon which, in my opinion, would probably be a clean sweep. Emeri was too skilled and methodical, too free and constrained at the same time to be defeated by a scheming idiot like Karon.

I left the stands and headed to the waiting room since, after a twenty minute break, the next quarter-finals would begin, and I was up first. On my way there, I happened across Emeri, who was headed back towards the stands. As I passed, I felt it a good idea to compliment her prowess.

That was a beautiful fight. I said. The blond, stoic girl paused and stared at me. I wondered whether she would be offended by me kind of giving her opponent partial credit, so I rephrased my assessment. You fight beautifully.

Hearing that, she quickly turned away and quickly walked off, disappearing around a corner. I scratched the back of my head, confused and afraid that I had pissed her off somehow. Shit.

Well, I couldnt exactly run after her, since I had a match to focus on. Reana would not be an easy opponent, and I needed to place my focus on what was in front of me.