As I stepped through the gate into the arena, I was blinded for a moment by the sunlight. The open sky above, the roar of the audience, the sheer size of the place—this was nothing like the underground arena. This was something else entirely.
Rows upon rows of spectators filled the stands, their voices booming like crashing waves. My hands were already sweating.
Across from me stood my opponent. A nobody, just like me. A hopeful warrior trying to carve his name into the world.
I took a deep breath.
Okay, John… you've got this.
But then, a voice thundered through the arena—one that made my blood run cold.
— MY DEAAAAAAAAAAAAR AUDIENCEEEEEEEEEEE!!! HOW ARE WE FEELING TODAY!?
That voice. No. Please, no.
— It can't be… — I muttered, my stomach sinking. — It's him. The same announcer from the underground!?
I lowered my head, silently praying he wouldn't recognize me.
Too late.
— TODAY WE HAVE TWO NEWCOMERS TAKING THE STAGE!!!
The crowd cheered.
— ON ONE SIDE, A BRONZE-RANKED MAGIC SWORDSMAN!!
The cheers grew louder. I held my breath.
Then he turned to me.
— AND ON THE OTHER SIDE… W-WAIT A SECOND…
He leaned forward, squinting, and then his face lit up in dramatic horror.
— NO WAY!!! IT'S HIM!!! IT'S JOHN!!! THE WINNER OF THE UNDERGROUND PRELIMINARIES!! WITH HIS INCREDIBLE TECHNIQUES—BLUE BEAM AND CELESTIAL STEP!!! I CAN'T BELIEVE I GET TO SEE HIM FIGHT AGAIN!!!
The audience lost its mind. People were screaming. Chanting.
— ...A-Are you serious? — I muttered, shrinking into myself. — Did he have to shout my name like that!?
— WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY… LET THE MATCH… BEGIN!!!
Before I had time to react, the magic swordsman charged at me, his blade wrapped in roaring fire. He slashed down with precision and speed.
I dodged just barely, the heat grazing my cheek. My instincts kicked in, and I retaliated, firing a streak of blue mana straight at him.
To my surprise, he blocked it.
— What the—?
The beam sizzled and deflected, the sword glowing brightly.
— AMAZING!! — the announcer screamed. — OUR FIERY SWORDSMAN IS USING AN ENCHANTED BLADE, CAPABLE OF DEFLECTING MANA ATTACKS!!!
— …Is he reading my mind? Still, thanks for the explanation.
I kept moving, firing more beams while dashing around him. Nothing was landing. He was fast, and the flames from his sword blurred his movements.
I needed to shake things up.
I aimed a mana shot at the ground near his feet—BOOM—dust and debris exploded upward, filling the air with smoke. I activated Celestial Step, my body launching into the sky like a bolt of lightning.
The world below blurred. My vision sharpened.
From above, I spotted him. Still facing forward. Blind.
Perfect.
I landed silently behind him. Mana gathered in my hand, crackling and hot. I raised it behind him and whispered:
— Give up… or I'll end this right here.
He froze.
Slowly, he dropped his sword, the flames extinguishing into nothingness.
— I surrender.
The moment those words left his lips, the judge raised a flag.
— VICTORY FOR JOHN!!!
The crowd erupted once more. I could feel their energy pulse through me like a storm. For the first time… I felt something stir inside me.
Confidence?
Pride?
I didn't know. But I liked it.
I raised my fist, unable to help myself.
— YEEEEEEEEAAAAAHHHH!!!!
And the crowd roared back.
A wave of panic hit me.
— …What did I just do!?
Blushing furiously, I bolted toward the exit tunnel.
— I swear, I'm going to die from embarrassment before the next match even starts…