Egologia knew well how the three days had passed, and...
Here he was, Egologia, stepping into the arena, his eyes scanning the competitors, locking with theirs in glances that carried a mix of challenge and caution.
The arena was vast, surrounded by stone walls, with balconies above where only the concerned leaders sat. The floor was solid, a mix of stone and sand, marked by the scars of past battles.
The atmosphere of the competition was charged, tension evident in everyone's eyes, for this was not just a competition but a rare opportunity to them, and losing was not an option.
Three of the guard leaders, observing the scene with sternness.
In the center stood Sir Claude, with his sharp posture, his golden hair swept back as usual, surveying the arena with his usual steely gaze.
The competition had been officially approved by the Warriors' Castle after Claude discussed the idea with the other two leaders.
With invitations sent and announcements made, it attracted many men aspiring for the title—some seasoned warriors, others adventurers seeking glory, and some who had nothing but their dreams and abilities.
The competition was fierce, and the rules were clear:
- Number of participants: 25.
- Number of winners: Only 3.
Evaluation Method:
Before the three leaders was a list of the competitors' names, with a blank box next to each name. They were to place an "X" next to those they deemed qualified.
They could vote for everyone, for one person, or for four, but the rule was: For someone to win, they must receive an "X" from all three leaders.
It wasn't that easy; they had to gain the approval of all three leaders, each looking for something different, and all wanting only the strongest.
After the results were announced, the final decision would be left to the winners: choosing their leader.
A moment of silence fell over the place, then the roaaaar rang, announcing the start of the competition.
Egologia, with quick glances, caught sight of something he couldn't believe for a moment. A young boy...? In the battlefield? Among these fighters?
'Oh... who is he? What is he doing here?' he muttered to himself, his eyes never leaving the child among the participants.
Up above, Sir Claude was reading the list of names until he reached the last one... "Zora?"
He raised his eyebrows in surprise. 'Impossible!'
Chaos erupted. The arena blazed with energy as everyone charged forward. Bodies clashed, fists collided, feet moved swiftly, and energy explosions scattered in the air.
Egologia didn't hesitate. He wasn't interested in direct combat; instead, he shot forward like a lightning bolt, weaving through the fights, slipping between clashes without being touched.
'That speed... is he trying to showcase his skill?... with that?' Claude muttered to himself as he watched.
The speed increased... increased... increased...
Even one of the three leaders, Garoma, with his red scarf adorned in gold, couldn't ignore it.
"Wait... wait... who is that person?"
"Oh, he's just a stranger who asked to join. He has no record," Claude replied calmly.
"Is that so... talents like these...!" Garoma muttered, watching the scene in astonishment.
Egologia, continuing his charge, was now pumping... pumping maga into himself...
Could they feel it? No, they couldn't sense it. He was the most skilled here, the fastest here!
His speed turned into a tremendous driving force, and then he targeted a massive figure, a [human barrel] clad in armor, a solid steel-like body.
The sudden charge, the compressed force within him, collided directly with the metallic stomach, and the result—
An internal explosion!
The armor shattered, the lethal pain choked the giant, the air was sucked from his lungs, and before he could comprehend what had happened, he found himself hurled violently, his body flying through the air before crashing into the wall with a deafening sound!
Silence!
Seconds of shock struck the place. The leaders' eyes widened, everyone raised their eyebrows, some pressed their lips together, trying to process what they had just seen.
"What is this? No... impossible..." said the cat-man, baring his claws in challenge.
'That bastard... did it!' Claude...
But Egologia didn't stop.
He accelerated more... more... more...
A group of fighters tried to stop him, but he was like a mirage, dodging strikes, weaving between bodies as if dancing through the storm.
Then— a sudden strike!
His fist landed on one's face, another fell to the ground, a kick pushed a third opponent back, before—
From behind, a sudden vertical kick! The dry sound of bones cracking under the blow awakened all senses, making Egologia stagger slightly backward.
"Damn it...!!" he roared, the pain spreading through his body.
It had been a clean strike, precise, calculated, aimed directly at a weak point between the bones where blood flows.
He quickly raised his head, his eyes blazing with anger, and spotted the culprit.
The cat-boy... yellow fur draped over his shoulders, his messy, dirty hair, his long tail, and his piercing eyes carrying something undeniable.
That bastard... he really did resemble a cat.
Egologia, without hesitation, pumped maga into himself and charged forward, attacking.
But the cat didn't retreat... he followed!
In moments, the battle turned into a rapid series of movements, quick strikes, acrobatic dodges, swift and precise hits.
The cat twisted, dodged, and weaved as if his body were flowing water, while Egologia attacked with fury, a wild desire to crush him!
Here it was now, the decisive punch in the midst of the clash, no room to dodge—
But…
Instead of blocking or retreating, his tail wrapped around Egologia's arm with a swift pull, then—
CRACK!
"Nah!! Naaah!!!!!"
With a sudden leap, he struck Egologia's face, the force of the blow making him stagger back, but he pulled again.
A kick to the neck! Egologia barely registered it before another came from the opposite side.
Then another kick.
And another.
Right! Left! Down! Up!
The assault was brutal, leaving no moment to catch a breath!
The leaders watched, their eyes following the fight rapidly, their expressions ranging from astonishment to admiration.
"This is entertaining..." Garoma.
"That young man... his name is Senyour. He's already proven himself skilled to me," said Leader Ash with clear admiration.
"I see that," Garoma replied, his interest growing.
But…
'Damn... he's turning into a puppet now...'
Claude muttered softly, his eyes narrowing.
Egologia… was being relentlessly beaten.
The kicks kept coming, nonstop.