Chapter 140 Third Round— Three-Way Fight I

The center stage of the Inter-High Coliseum had already been prepared the night prior for the third round. This time, it was just a flat area with a thin transparent dome on top of it. Apparently, this dome was put in place just in case something goes wrong and an attack would pierce through towards the audience. Although this dome can block misfires and most attacks, it can't really block a super powerful attack like the punch from the USA's Principal. It was just put up for precautionary measures.

While the candidates slowly entered the stage where the third and final round will be held, the spectators started flooding in as well. The huge screen on one of the sides of the audience was turned on and the cameras started rolling. The live stream had resumed and the broadcast had commenced for the day.

On one of the pathways that led to the seats, a certain white-haired girl entered with a huge grin on her face. She slowly walked towards her seat as if she was the happiest girl on earth, looking around, as her eyes started to tear up. The cacophony of the audience started getting louder as they eased into their seats but that didn't annoy her in the least bit. Surprisingly, she even smiled upon hearing it! A young child who was sitting on her mother's lap was waving a light stick and giggling all over when she realized that someone was looking at her. When she turned around, she noticed that a girl with white hair was looking at her as well. She smiled and giggled for a second time before waving her arms.

Meanwhile, Emma couldn't help but be amused at the sight of the baby girl. She wiped a stray tear from her eyes before taking another look around the audience. "It's been so long since I've seen this many people. They look like trash from over here." She said to herself since she was seated on one of the last row seats.

.....

A few minutes ago,

"Now that that's done and over with, what's your next plan? Are you going to stay here or are you going to go back?" Satoshi asked with a light tone as he opened a portal that would lead to the Inter-High Coliseum. He was already running late as it is so he was getting impatient when he asked Emma the question.

In response, Emma shrugged and wore a clueless expression on her face. She forced herself to smile but it was evident that there was sadness in her being. Satoshi felt a bit suspicious of her facial expression but he didn't pry nor ask any questions about it. There was a reason why she kept quiet and he knew it was not ethical to stick his nose into it. "I'll... I'll probably stay?" She finally said, but even her answer was unsure.

"If that's what you want then you can stay if you want. I'll talk to my parents to see if we can do anything about your identity and all those complicated things. You do know you can't just go around unregistered, right?" Satoshi asked.

"Of course," Emma bobbed her head up and down in agreement.

"For now, I'll ask one of my acquaintances to accompany you. With that, you can at least stay where I'm competing, and then we can talk about your next steps after that. You sure you don't want to go back to your world? I'm guessing it's not that hard to teleport from here to there, right?"

Emma shook her head. "No, I'll much rather stay here for now,"

"Suit yourself," Satoshi said.

Unbeknownst to Satoshi, Emma didn't tell him all the reasons why she went to Earth. The only details he knew were that Emma was looking for him and that Emma went to Earth in order to put a stop to the Gates. Those reasons were only two of the few, the rest Emma kept a secret. There was a reason why she didn't want to go back, and why she was keen on destroying all the Gates that appeared on Earth.

After all, she was the sole survivor of their planet... but that backstory is for a later time.

.....

"Satoshi, where have you been? Everyone's been looking for you!" Hiroshi whispered as the group started walking into the stage.

"Yeah, you just went to the restroom, and then you disappeared. Is there some sort of secret tunnel there or something?" Shidou asked.

"Of course, he used his familiar that can create portals," Sassu shot back at Shidou. "In any case, where did you go this time, Satoshi?"

"I just hope you won't scare us again like what you did during the second round. Did you know, I saw your limbless legless figure in my dreams last night and the maniacal face of Primal repeatedly appeared as he stabbed you through the heart. I woke up like three times last night, breaking out in cold sweat. Look, even my eyebags are heavier than my financial problems." Midori continued, putting his face closer to Satoshi so he would see his evident eyebags.

"Aren't you nervous, guys?" Hiroshi suddenly blurted out. "We're in the finals! How could you all be so calm!"

"Shouldn't you be?" Fuuka responded. "We're in the do-or-die stage. If we get nervous, it would impede our decision-making capability and what's next? We won't be able to act in time. Calm your nerves, Hiroshi."

"Yeah, you should calm down," Siril agreed with Fuuka, but he continuously wrote the kanji for 'man' on his palms and put it in his mouth. It was obvious that he was the most nervous of them all.

"Satoshi, do we have a plan?"

"Let's just do what we can. As it is we don't know what the third round is going to be." Satoshi responded. And he was right.

Right now, they already proceeded to enter the arena but the instructions for the third round are still yet to be given out. What's taking them so long?

In that instant, lively background music started playing all over the coliseum, causing everyone to stop what they were doing and listen. They knew that an announcement is bound to given out soon and they were right on the money.

The screen that broadcasted the entire tournament to tv stations all over the globe suddenly changed its view as a camera panned to one of the hallways that led to the spectators' area. A man in a tuxedo suddenly walked out, balancing a cane in his hand. He wore a plain ivory mask on top of his eyes. His build wasn't that big but he exuded a lot of charisma. It was evident since everyone started hollering as soon as he appeared.

"No way, it's Tuxedo!" Midori's eyes bulged as soon as he saw the man.

"We know, you don't have to say it out loud." Hiroshi pointed out.

They weren't the only ones who were shocked to see Tuxedo in person. After all, the superhero's a busy man and he rarely appears in public. Of course, as someone who's number one when it comes to popularity ratings, Tuxedo wouldn't want to find himself in public since people will just surround and pester him.

When it comes to superhero rankings, there are two rankings to keep in mind. One would be the SAO Rankings where a superhero's reputation and work are judged based on points and one's rank corresponds to their service to the masses. Then there's the Popularity Rankings— rankings based on the physical appearance of the superhero. Of course, a superhero's SAO Ranking could greatly affect their Popularity Rankings since the public votes for that. Tuxedo, although he's number one in Popularity Ranking for male superheroes, he's only in the top twenties when it comes to his SAO Rankings. The Midoriyama Duo don't stray too far in the top ten. It should also be mentioned that the Popularity Rankings of gentlemen and ladies are different. That way, there will be a number one male and female superhero when it comes to popularity rankings.

As Tuxedo walked towards the first row of the audience, a platform was sent there so he could float like the other announcers who have been invited for the first and second rounds of the Inter-High Tournament. He just nodded his head in response to the cheers of the audience and then he was handed the mic.

"Thank you for this great honor. I don't usually present myself in public but I accepted this invitation because I too, think it's about time I expand my agency. I want to express two things as the commentator for this last round. One, I'm here with everyone present and on behalf of everyone who is not present, to watch over the next generation of superheroes. And two, I will just put it out there but I want to recruit young Satoshi and join my Kingsmen Agency."

There were a few gasps and 'ahhs' from the audience but no one reacted in an overexaggerated manner, much to Tuxedo's relief.

"That aside, the third round will be an all-out battle! But! It would be different from the second round of course! Because this time, it will be a one-on-one three-way fight!"