The host has declared the match to start but.
me and the protagonist are having a staring contest, I guess he's wary of the body I was in?
there's nothing to be cautious about though.
I'll at least beat him in this staring contest even if he beats me at fighting.
-Ding!
this sound It's the same as when I created an ability.
A string of translucent text appeared in front of my eyes.
[You've been branded as an antagonist and will receive a strength increase.]
[Notice: The following will only be seen by the person from another world and won't be seen by the people of this world even if they're branded as one.]
what?
I could feel my eyes widening at this absurd text.
[explanation: Because a person from another world is sent into this world, The flow of events that were supposed to happen would inevitably alter in some way or another.]
[If you interfered in the events that would unfold, people that are supposed to turn into a villain and faced the protagonist later may not turn into one and people that isn't supposed to turn into a villain may appear due to being affected by a direct or indirect actions caused by you]
[as such the strength increase would also apply to new existing villains caused by your actions. villains that the protagonist considers as: an enemy in the way of his goals, A person that threatens the safety of those he cares about, A person or a whole organization that threatens to cause chaos in the world and more]
[The strength increase would disappear once the villain is killed, No longer a threat or no longer in the way of the protagonist.]
[You've been branded as one because you're an obstacle to the current goal of the protagonist: Which is to give Iris Ephzi a peace of mind that you can be beaten despite the rumors of your strength]
[Applying the 50% strength increase]
[Adjusting status]
======
Stamina - 1 star(low) > 1 star (intermediate)
Perception - 1 star(low)> 1 star (intermediate)
Vitality- 1 star(low) > 1 star (intermediate)
Special ability [Shapeless weapon] is easier to materialize and control.
Body ability [Stellar body] is 5 minutes longer.
Body ability [battle sense] is enhanced.
======
This… No fuck this. I'll think about all this information later.
The man that labeled me as an obstacle is starting to make his move.
His wooden sword was slowly being covered in a bright light as more and more light particles gather and it's only getting brighter as time passes.
It's only courteous for me to respond as well.
"Stellar body"
[Body ability activated:Will you distribute the stats evenly or put it into one single stat?]
Distribute it evenly.
[All stats are raised by one star for 15 minutes]
======
Strength - 2 star(low)
Agility - 2 star(low)
Perception - 2 star(Intermediate)
Stamina - 2 star(intermediate)
Vitality- 2 star(Intermediate)
Mana capacity - 2 star(low)
======
[First time activation of a body ability has no cool down, only applies to you]
My stats were increased by a star that even I could feel the difference.
My muscles feel sturdier and stronger, My senses feel sharper as well.
Although I'm not really confident in my chances since I still don't know how to fight, I'll at least last 30 seconds-no a minute, I'll try a minute.
Looking at the protagonist again his whole wooden sword was now completely covered in pure bright light.
Our eyes met again and as if on cue he dashed in my direction.
He was fast.
So fast that he was already in front of me while his sword was over his hea.
I didn't know which part of my body would be hit.
But my [Battle Sense] was screaming danger hurling at the left side of my body.
I tried to block his sword with my left palm.
I couldn't see it.
But I felt my left hand and his sword collide.
-BANG
I was pushed back by the force of the collision.
A deafening sound entered my ears
black smoke covered my surroundings.
And pain so agonizing that I wanted to scream.
My entire left arm.
I couldn't move it.
The smoke cleared up and I could now see my entire left arm until my shoulder.
limp and bleeding almost without skin.
My uniform and the glove that was supposed to protect my hand was also gone entirely.
"Hahh.. hahhh.. Urk"
Sounds and breathing that I couldn't suppress escaped my mouth.
It was agonizing, so painful. I wanted to cry.
But the match hasn't ended yet.
I can't cry. and even if I wanted to, it won't help my situation.
I tried looking for the protagonist and he's just standing there holding his sword with a look of shock on his face.
As if he couldn't believe what he was seeing.
[Strength reverting: no longer seen as a threat]
======
Perception - 2 star(low)
Stamina - 2 star(low)
Vitality- 2 star(low)
======
Just as these messages appeared in front of me.
The light from his wooden sword was slowly dissipating until they were completely gone.
The protagonist again dashed.
But this time I wasn't able to see him let alone react.
-Tak!
I felt something hit the back of my head.
"I'm sorry"
an apologetic tone was the last thing I heard before I lost consciousness.
-Thud
***
"Sacred healing"
I was again awakened by the sound of a woman's voice today.
but this time I was facing the deep blue sky and clouds that slowly drift in the air.
I was probably still on the platform.
I stood up to observe my surroundings and sure enough the stadium was dead silent.
Well it's understandable they just witnessed a guy with all sorts of dangerous rumors lose.
I tried checking my left arm and It was now back to normal.
The blazer and uniform on it was now gone but it's probably fine.
I wasn't even surprised anymore. The substitute teacher did say that even if you're critically injured you'll still be saved.
Hahh… although I was healed, the pain that my entire left arm felt still lingers.
I just have to ignore it don't I? I still have to fight 11 students after all.
I looked at the host and he had his mouth wide open.
It didn't take long for him to recover though.
"What a turn of events! Arthur Wertz won against the famed ruthless king!"
His voice echoed in this silent stadium.
"The next student who will face The ruthless king is Phil Spiro!"
Haha.. hahahah that's funny the host is still calling me by that nickname huh.
After a little while a normal looking guy with blue hair and black eyes walked up onto the platform.
He then got down on 1 knee with both of his palms also touching the ground.
Kind of like how runner athletes position themselves at the start of a race.
"Well then let's begin!"
"Accelerate"
Those were the words I heard before my [Battle Sense] signals danger to my entire body.
-ZOOOM!
I couldn't even see him.
And my vision turns black again.
***
"Sacred healing"
I was Awakened for the third time today.
And I feel like it won't be the last too.
My entire body feels painful as If I was rammed by a speeding truck.
Add to the fact that my entire left arm still aches.
There's only a single thing I could say.
"Fuck."
I'm glad I put my remaining stats into my mental strength or else I would have cried a lot by now because of the pain.
It wasn't something you'd usually experience unless you're unlucky.
I stood up with those thoughts in mind and I was still on the platform.
It's still silent in the arena.
I looked at the host again and his mouth was again wide.
"Milla Rowa please come up to the stage"
looks like he won't call me that nickname huh.
A girl with pink twintails and pink eyes comes up into the arena, She has a bored expression on her face.
"Please start"
As soon as those words were said.
6 fireball materials near her.
And then she pointed her index finger at my direction
The fireballs flew into my direction.
It wasn't slow but it wasn't too fast either.
I moved my feet or at least tried too.
But I couldn't.
I look at the ground and sure enough.
My feet were encased in ice preventing me from moving.
I looked at the fire balls again and they were now close enough for me to feel their intense heat.
Ahh.. I'm I going to experience being burned alive right now?
-SWOOSH!
A gust of powerful wind blew the fireballs out and broke the ice that encased feet.
"Milla Rowa wins by making her opponent unable to fight"
It was the referee that stopped the match.
Should I be relieved I wasn't able to experience being burned alive?
[Notice: Stellar body is deactivating]
[All stats reverting]
======
Strength - 1 star(low)
Agility - 1 star(low)
Perception - 1 star(low)
Stamina - 1 star(low)
Vitality- 1 star(low)
Mana capacity - 1 star(low)
======
[Partial exhaustion is placed on the body]
[Shapeless weapon is dematerializing: No more Mana]
Ah seriously? My fights didn't even last 15 minutes and my abilities are already deactivating?
Looks like I got knocked out for far longer than I think.
More than that I felt sluggish.
And I probably won't be able to sense or react to any of my classmates' attacks.
"Zoe Aries please come up to the stage" The host whose voice was enthusiastic earlier was now gone.
Hahh… looks like I'm going to get beaten more severely.
***
It was my 9th match.
My last 5 battles can't even be called as one.
It was just a one-sided beat down.
The pain was even worse because of my stats reverting.
It was more vivid that I could still feel it.
I was punched, almost stabbed by a rapier in the throat.
I was struck by arrows that got stronger the more I was hit.
My last match against the princess was fortunately just her using some kind of black magic to hold me down.
"Luna Cress please get on the stage"
A girl with black hair that reaches until her shoulders and white moon-like eyes walks up onto the platform.
So that's her name? It matches her eyes.
"Begin"
Now just what kind of things will this girl do?
The girl phases to the ground slowly until her entire figure is eventually swallowed leaving nothing behind.
I was dumbfounded as I could only stare at the ground she disappeared into.
-Chop!
Eh?
-Thud!
I felt a stinging sensation on the back of my neck as I lay face down on the ground.
It didn't take long for me to understand what had happened.
She most likely appeared behind me.
Fuck, well at least I wasn't unconscious.
Wasting everyone's time watching me get beaten over and over as well as getting knocked out was embarrassing.
Although I only get second hand embarrassment at most because this technically isn't my body.
The pain I felt wasn't second hand though.
It wasn't long till the female priest healed me again.
"Sacred healing"
She had a fed up expression on her face.
"Isabel Illorus please come up to the stage"
Ahh how rude he didn't even let me get up.
Slowly standing up I faced my 2nd to the last opponent.
She has light purple hair that falls down until her waist and purple eyes.
She looks like someone that is reserved and shy.
"Begin"
I was waiting for her to move but she looked like she was hesitating?
It wasn't long until she started her move.
A Long purple whip materialized in her right hand.
Her light purple hair darkened and her purple eyes shined.
She got visibly taller as well.
I looked at her feet and the shoes that the school provided were nowhere to be seen.
It was instead replaced by Dark purple heels.
Her reserved and shy demeanor earlier had disappeared and she was now looking at me with disgust visible in her eyes.
Looking at the changes that happened to her.
I was sure that I was fuck.
She swings her whip.
The way she swings was slow but I couldn't see the whip.
The next thing I knew was that something coiled around my feet and forcefully dragged me to her direction.
"Ack" The back of my head hit the hard ground.
I closed my eyes to try and endure the pain.
By the time I opened my eyes again I was met by the girls' purple eyes as she towers over me looking at me as if I was pathetic her lips formed a grin as well.
She raises her heels and puts it over my stomach.
She was pressing her heels hard.
I tried getting her feet off using my hands but it was no use if it won't budge.
The only thing that changed was Her grin getting wider the more I struggled.
"Ar-are you a sadist?"
Those words escaped my mouth by accident.
"I was joki-"
"I-I'm not!"
An embarrassed scream was the last thing I heard before I felt her heels drive really hard into my stomach.
Ahh I'm going to pass out again.
***
At a certain arena.
A student with blonde hair and deep blue eyes was looking at the platform where a student had passed out once more.
His eyes were seething with anger.
"Oi lowlife" He called to a random teacher near him.
And the teacher respectfully goes to his side.
"Yes young master Harris"
"Tell the headmaster exactly what I'm about to say"
"Don't interfere in my match against that fraud. That's an order from me the heir of the steel family "
"Yes young master Harris"
The teacher quickly made his way.
***
"He's commanding me?"
A man who's visibly old with deep black hair said with a confused expression.
"That's what he said head master"
"I see"
He closed his black eyes as he contemplated.
"Do as he ordered but interfere if he's planning on killing him."
"Yes headmaster"
He looked over at the man with greyish white hair being healed.
"Even if he's not as good as the rumors say."
"a person with a special ability is still valuable."
***
I am once again standing on the platform waiting for my last match.
Although my entire body hurts from the lingering pain from my previous beat downs.
And I'm really exhausted because of my body ability.
I'm a little bit relieved it was my last because even If I was raised to not quit easily.
There's a limit to how much a person could endure through sheer tenacity alone.
Even if the mind wants to keep going, a human body doesn't last forever.
It's not like I'm a superhuman, I'm weak.
I was just a regular student the other day before I was sent here.
"Ladies and gentlemen it looks like there will be a change in referees so please wait patiently!!"
Hmm?
A referee change?
Another person came up and replaced the current referee.
"Harris steel please come up to the stage!"
The host became wildly enthusiastic again.
Not long after that a man with blonde hair with a dignified demeanor walked up into the platform.
His hands were covered by steel gauntlets.
"Begin!!"
Fuck I'm going to get knock out again aren't I?
But then he did something that confused me.
He takes off his gauntlets revealing his bare hands.
-clang!
The gauntlets fall to the ground.
"I don't need this to beat a low life like you"
No shit that's obvious is he dumb?
I could feel my eyes squinting at his dumb words.
While He approached me with leisure as if he's just going for a walk.
It didn't take long for him to arrive in front of me.
"You're not going to attack low life?"
Hahh… this guy really? I have to attack first? Can't he just beat me up already? I have to get accustomed to pain okay?
I threw a punch to his face with my right hand curled into a fist.
He moved his head slightly to dodge my attack.
"You're slow"
-Pow!
"Ugh!"
I felt my chest get hit hard by his fist as I collapsed to the ground.
"You're weak"
"Hahh.. hahh cough"
"Stay on the ground like the low life you are"
-Pow!
"Urgh!"
I was kicked in the face before I recovered.
"I'm not even using my full strength"
-Puck!
"Argh"
"You're nothing but a fake."
The barrage of attacks was stopped.
Did the referee end the match?
Just as I was wondering what happened my hair was grabbed.
-SLAM!
I felt the hard cold ground.
-SLAM!
again
-SLAM!!
and again.
My visions are starting to blur. My mind feels fuzzy as well.
"Oi your not allowed to go yet lowlife"
He raised my head again and he forcefully chugged something in my mouth.
Strange liquid started pouring down my throat.
"It's a healing potion and a potion that enhance your hearing, be grateful that your honored to be feed one by me"
"Cough! hahh haahhh.."
"Now answer me lowlife"
With my vision clearing up my eyes met with his
"How did you even kidnap the heir of duke Eliot and force him in an oath when your this weak?"
"Your lucky that you forced him into an oath 4 years ago or else you would have been hunted and killed immediately"
…What?
"Not going to answer?"
Kidnapped? force to an oath? 4 years ago?
"Fine I'll beat the answer out of you"
-SLAM!!
"Urgh!"
-BAM!
"I'm going to ask you again, how did you kidnap the heir of duke Eliot and force him into an oath, are you even the one that kidnapped the heir in the first place?"
-SLAM
"Answer me"
"Are you just the front that the real culprit put up? Duke Eliot reported that your the person that force him, looking at you now that possibility is more probable"
-SLAM!
"Ughh"
"Did your mother not teach you to answer when asked?"
-SLAM!
"Right most mothers that lived in that filthy place called the slum sells their body to survive"
-BAM!
"In other words your whore mother didn't have the time to teach you then?"
What...did he just say?
"if you're going to be that stubborn fine, I would have like to kill a lowlife scum like you but your lucky the oath is preventing me from doing so"
I feel His hands letting go of my hair.
My whole body is experiencing tremendous pain.
But that's not important.
I raised my head again and saw him slowly reaching the end of the stage.
This bastard is making this personal.
"Cough… Your weak"
I couldn't see clearly as my vision was blurry.
But I was sure he was slowly turning his head around.
I was fine with being beaten up in a fight because of my incompetence.
But to get beaten up like this even though I technically didn't do the things that he's accusing me of.
And to insult my mother on top of that.
It gets on my nerves.
"What did you just say to me? Lowlife?"
"Your.. weak"
I got up albeit slowly.
"You won't even… survive a punch from me.. ughh"
I force my trembling legs to stand up.
I still have something I had saved because I thought it was a waste to use again. It exhausts me too..
"Then punch me lowlife, you're just a one star aren't you? How can you even scratch me when I already have a three star at Vitality?"
He spread his arms to his sides and moved back to me while saying those words.
His words.
I'm going to make him regret it.
'Stellar Body'
[Body ability activated:Will you distribute the stats evenly or put it into one single stat?]
Put it all into strength
[Strength stat increase by 3 stars for 10 seconds]
======
Strength - 4 star(low)
======
I threw a punch with all my remaining strength into the center of his chest more accurately.
The solar plexus.
-BANG!
"Urghh… you! You were hiding your strength!" He said those words while clutching his chest.
Although I punched him in the area where there are alot of nerves, he was still standing.
[5 seconds]
I put my palms on his shoulders.
Using them to boost me I kneed his crotch.
I felt something breaking as I kneed him with all my strength.
"Ughh!!!"
[Notice: Stellar body is deactivating]
[Stats reverting]
[Full exhaustion is placed on the body]
with the translucent text being the last thing I had seen.
everything became dark.
-thud!