Cyber Colosseum
Many participants exited the colosseum to have lunch. Saber exited with a malnourished face and a growling stomach.
I thought I couldn't feel anything. But this painless mode only eliminates my pain receptors. What a pain, Saber thought. He saw Sophie standing at the gate. What's she doing there?
"Hey," Saber called out.
"Oh! Hey! I saw your match! That was awesome, Saber! You were like, 'Bam! Pow!' I thought the guy was going to fly off the stage!" Sophie exclaimed.
"Th-thanks. I just did what came naturally. Honestly, I thought I was done for good," Saber admitted. His stomach growled. "I forgot about it. I'm starving. Can we go to a restaurant somewhere nearby?"
"No! You might get food poisoning! Eat restaurant food after the enrollment," Sophie insisted.
"Why? You want me to die hungry?" Saber asked, in tears. "I'm sorry if I somehow made you upset."
"Don't make me sound like a villain," Sophie replied.
"So where do you want to eat?" Saber asked.
"We don't have to go anywhere," Sophie said.
"Why?" Saber questioned.
"Be-Because… I brought your lunch," Sophie revealed, blushing, and showing the box.
What's going on here exactly? Saber thought, gulping and blushing.
Sophie and Saber sat on a nearby bench. Sophie opened a packed meal. Saber's hand was on his chest, and loud BA-DAM! BA-DAM sounds could be heard as Sophie handed him his share.
She made lunch for me? No. It must've been overprepped; she's just giving me the leftovers. That's cool, Saber thought. He took a bite, and his eyes filled with stars. "Wow, this is delicious!" he exclaimed.
Sophie smirked, waiting for compliments.
Ah! I see you, narcissistic selfie sultan, Saber thought.
"You like it?" Sophie asked.
"Like it? Love it! I didn't know sandwiches would taste this good!" Saber said, his mouth full.
"Eat first, then talk," Sophie giggled.
Saber gulped. "You'll be a great wife someday! Whoever's lucky enough to be with you will be in for a real treat."
Sophie blushed and giggled, playfully nudging Saber. "Oh, stop it, Saber. You're making me blush! But thanks, that means a lot."
"Did you really make these early in the morning?" Saber asked.
"Ye-Yes," Sophie replied.
"These sure are worth dying for. Thank you so much, Sophie," Saber smiled.
The innocence in Saber's smile made Sophie blush hard.
"Your-Your Welcome!" Sophie stammered, blushing hard.
There's that same feeling. Why do I keep feeling this? It's uncomfortable yet, I like this discomfort. Is it because of his large, sparkly eyes? Or because of his cutesy smile? The way he reacts and makes small things super fresh, feeling like it's his first time seeing this. Is this why? Look at him eating so peacefully like a cat. It makes me wanna… tease him, Sophie thought.
"What's in here anyways?" Saber asked.
"Oh, just a little secret ingredient. It's called 'dragon's breath pepper,'" Sophie said.
"What now?" Saber asked, scared.
"Yes! You heard it right. It's the pepper that grows in the Dragon's empire. It's illegal to even think about it. The pepper that's capable of making your mouth go numb for 3 whole months and you'll constantly feel stomach and neck burn these 3 months, and water will only make it worse," Sophie explained, her tone scary.
Saber trembled in fear.
"Just kidding! It's just some herbs I found during my travels," Sophie reassured.
"Saber?" she called, seeing Saber's soul leaving his body. "Ah! I see, you love it so much that you went to the heavens to thank them! You're too good with compliments," she teased.
I can't hold back any longer, Sophie thought.
She poked Saber's cheek. Saber froze his action.
What's happening here? Saber wondered.
"You left your guard down, squishy tiger. Looking at your face like this, it makes me want to squeeze your soft cheeks," Sophie said, shaking and completely red.
What now? Is she high? Or did she just… discover lust? The way she's talking and shaking, it's definitely lust, and she just can't control her emotions, that's all. But what triggered her emotions? Saber thought, completely flustered.
"Let me take a closer look," Sophie said.
CRAP! I think the dopamine's kicking in, that's why she's talking nonsense, Saber thought.
System: RUN!
"Gotta go! Thanks for the meal!" Saber exclaimed, dashing off.
"Wait! Come back here!" Sophie called after him.
Near the gate
That was a close call, Saber thought, panting heavily.
System: You sure are a hotshot, attracting chicks like a chick magnet.
"Language," Saber reprimanded.
System: Apologies. Translation—Exhibiting traits that enhance mate attraction, akin to a gravitational pull in potential mates.
The system sure knows how to poke me, Saber thought.
System: But I didn't poke you, the one who wanted to poke you is still in the garden.
"Don't get on my nerve," Saber said, serious but nervous. "Whatever, let's do it."
System & Announcer: Let the show begin!
The arena was charged with anticipation as two powerful mages faced off.
On one side stood Volt, the electric mage. Sparks danced around his fingers, and his eyes glowed with a crackling intensity.
Opposite him was Blaze, the pyro summoner. Flames flickered at his fingertips, and a fiery aura surrounded him.
Referee: And go!
The signal to begin was given, and Volt wasted no time. He shot a bolt of lightning towards Blaze, the air sizzling with energy. Blaze raised his hand, summoning a wall of fire to intercept the attack. The lightning crackled and dispersed as it hit the flames.
Are they sure they're not Wielders? It doesn't look that way, Saber thought, shocked.
Blaze countered by summoning a fiery serpent that slithered through the air towards Volt. With a swift motion, Volt summoned a shield of electrical energy, and the serpent exploded in a burst of sparks upon impact.
The smoke vanished. Both were smiling and enjoying the fight.
Are they… smiling? Saber thought.
Blaze raised his hands, chanting an incantation. Flames erupted around him as he summoned two powerful creatures:
Inferno Hound: A large, menacing dog with fur made of fire, growling and ready to pounce.
Flame Serpent: A sinuous creature of fire that slithered through the air, leaving trails of flame in its wake.
Beasts? And more like, fire beasts, Saber thought.
Volt watched as Blaze's fiery creatures appeared. He knew he had to be strategic to overcome this blazing duo.
The Inferno Hound charged first, growling and lunging at Volt. Volt created an electric barrier, causing the hound to recoil, its fiery form flickering.
The Flame Serpent hissed and struck, aiming to wrap around Volt. He responded with quick lightning bolts, but the serpent weaved through the air, avoiding direct hits.
This 'Volt' guy is sure fast as hell, Saber thought.
Realizing he needed to think strategically, Volt combined his electric attacks with the surrounding elements. He summoned a storm, causing rain to fall, which weakened the fiery creatures.
With the rain dampening Blaze's summons, Volt struck with precision. He tangled the Flame Serpent in lightning nets and repelled the Inferno Hound with electric shocks.
Blaze, seeing his fiery minions defeated, conceded with a nod of respect. The crowd erupted in applause.
Referee: And Stop! Volt Wins!
It's my turn now, Saber thought nervously.
Saber and his opponent stood facing each other.
"So you're the feared one they've been talking about," the opponent said.
"There are talks? About me?" Saber asked.
"Yes, and how you deceived that giant," the opponent replied.
"What deceive?" Saber asked.
"So you were genuinely scared?" the opponent continued.
"Yes, I had to run to the restroom after the match," Saber admitted.
The left section of the audience was irritated.
"Be careful then, there are false rumors spreading about you," the opponent warned.
"What are the other rumors?" Saber inquired.
The right section of the audience was irritated.
"So far, I've only heard this one and…" the opponent started.
Referee: CAN WE FIGHT!
"Oh! Sorry," the opponent and Saber apologized.
Referee: And start!
The opponent rushed forward. Saber looked up in confusion.
"What's wrong?" the opponent stopped and asked.
The audience was confused.
The king and the principals looked up too.
"Something's up there," Saber said.
The referee looked up too.
"Where?" the opponent looked up.
Saber swung his hand up at full speed and hit the opponent's nuts.
"There. Is it normal to be there?" Saber asked.
The audience was disgusted.
Referee: And stop!
"What stop?" Saber asked, confused. He saw the opponent rolling on the ground. "HUH?! Are you alright? Do you need an ambulance?" Saber asked.
The king and the principals were disgusted.
"Is this kid for real?" Principal 1 questioned.
"Even I couldn't have thought of doing like this to troll someone, nice job, Saber," Glenn giggled.
"That kid is a menace to society," Higher 1 remarked.
"Couldn't agree more," Higher 3 added.
"I need to book a therapy slot," Higher 4 said, on a call.
"How deceitful. Using men's weakness as a man? What a shame," Sydney commented as she left.
Saber scratched his head in confusion and gave a fake smile.
All according to plan, he thought with a devilish smile.
"Maybe, not so accordingly to plan," Saber thought as Sophie squeezed his cheeks.
"So soft, so soft! What kind of face treatment do you use?" Sophie asked.
"What am I supposed to say? Water and soap?" Saber replied.
"NO! You'll lose all those natural soft cells," Sophie exclaimed.
I might have to check the bio book to search that word, Saber thought.
"You're that deceiving kid everyone's been talking about, correct?" Sydney approached.
Saber and Sophie looked that way.
"Speak for yourself," Saber squinted his eyes and patted Sydney's head. "You're smaller than me, pipsqueak."
"Don't touch me. I'm here to give you a warning," Sydney said, moving his hand away.
"A warning? What warning?" Saber asked.
"Withdraw from the competition and you may face no serious injuries, you might even get to live a painless life," Sydney warned.
"And why would I be scared of the pipsqueak like you?" Saber retorted.
"What was that?" Sydney said, anger showing on her forehead.
"Pipik-pipik-squeak," Saber acted like a duck.
"Stop it, Saber. And why would you threaten him? Don't you know that talking to the other competitors before the matches is not allowed? Especially threatening," Sophie scolded.
"I just warned him, that's all," Sydney replied.
"Is that so, pipsqueak? Then come at me with full force, I'll take you on," Saber challenged.
"On second thought, join the match. I'll show you the chilling power of this pipsqueak," Sydney said, her eyes glowing blue and misty.
System: Alert! A potential threat detected. Death stare detected.
Sydney left.
"Who was that anyway?" Saber asked.
"I've only heard the phrases, that's all. I don't know much about her either," Sophie said.
"Phrases? And those are…?" Saber inquired.
"The fearsome spine-chilling lady and the girl with breathtaking aura," Sophie answered.
"Are those phrases from any urban legend myths?" Saber questioned.
I was so cocky and eager to reply to her that I ignored all of my instincts trying to signal me. Even the system thinks I'm weaker than her, Saber thought, nervous. "I'll meet you after the match," he said, running off.
"Alright!" Sophie replied.
She had a chilling aura, but I only got a glimpse of it, Saber thought. There she is, he noticed from the upper floor of the arena. The match has already started. Wait! Her opponent, is that Volt? he realized.
"Hey, isn't Volt a Builder?" Saber asked a spectator.
"After the previous match, he awakened the Core Handle and was shifted to the Core-Wielders category," the spectator explained.
I see, Saber thought.
"Volt is actually pretty good, he's able to fight normally and handle the power of that tool like you guys. But that lady is far superior to him," the spectator continued.
Why is she silent and her guard completely down? Saber wondered.
"Sorry, Missy! You let your guard down," Volt rushed forward.
Sydney opened her eyes, and Volt's eyes widened. Volt coughed blood and fell to the ground, struggling to breathe.
All the audience was in shock and fear.
Fogginess? Shit! Saber thought.
"System! Did you catch that?" Saber asked.
System: The camera recording was turned off due to the harsh surrounding temperature around your eyes.
"What now?!" Saber rubbed his eyes with his fingers.
Saber saw and noticed Sydney looking at him straight before she left.
Was she? Was she looking at me? Now I can see the sensation, the fearsome spine-chilling lady, the girl with breathtaking aura, Saber thought, shocked.
Sydney walked with a blue aura around her. "Sydney- The Frost".