I must have been more drained than I thought from the mental focus of the previous day, because I fell into a deep, dreamless sleep the moment my head hit the pillow. I woke up feeling refreshed, the buzz of excitement already thrumming in the air. Today was the semi-finals. The final 16.
The atmosphere in the colossal auditorium was on a completely different level. It was no longer just a school event; it felt like a professional sporting championship. The stands were packed to the rafters. Families of students, local reporters with hovering camera drones, and scouts from even more prominent guilds filled the seats. The Budding Hunter Academy was the biggest second-rate school in the city, and this was its moment to shine.
A new announcer, a woman with a voice like polished silver, hyped up the crowd. She complimented each of the final 16, calling us the "future shields of humanity." It was cheesy, but the crowd ate it up.
I tried to stay casual, slouching in my seat, but it was impossible to ignore the giant holographic screens now displaying highlights from the previous day. There I was, casually lifting Robert and slamming him into the ground. There I was, standing impassively as Fruel's fire exploded against nothing. There I was, pointing my finger-guns while Leo danced his bizarre, bleeding jig.
It was… deeply embarrassing. "Ugh, do they have to show the one where I look like I'm having a seizure while Leo spasms?" I muttered, sinking lower in my chair.
After the highlight reel, the announcer's voice rose. "Ladies and gentlemen, let the semi-finals begin! Our first match will determine who advances to the elite eight!"
A massive bracket appeared on the central screen. My name popped up, and a line connected me to my opponent: a guy from Class 2 named Shin Ford. The screen displayed his info: **Sword Master - B-Rank**.
A swordsman. Interesting. I watched one of his earlier matches. He was fast, precise, and his blade seemed to glow with a faint energy. He didn't just swing a sword; he was an artist.
Before our match, he approached me in the waiting area. He gave a short, respectful bow. "I'm Shin Ford," he said, his demeanor calm and serious. "I saw your matches. Your control is… terrifying. I hope you'll go easy on me." He offered a small, wry smile. He wasn't being sarcastic; he seemed genuinely respectful and aware of the monumental task ahead of him.
I just nodded. "We'll see."
Soon, it was our turn. The walk to the arena felt longer than ever, every step accompanied by the flash of cameras and the roar of the crowd.
The silver-voiced announcer boomed, "**In this corner, from Class 1, possessing a rare and powerful Unique profession—Ron Sanchez!**"
The crowd roared, a mix of cheers and confused shouts.
"**And in this corner, from Class 2, a master of the blade with a B-Rank profession—Shin Ford!**"
More cheers, especially from the Class 2 section.
Then she did something new. "**For the audience's awareness, and to ensure a fair match, we will now display the officially registered profession of each combatant!**"
Text flashed under our names on the giant screens.
**Shin Ford: [Sword Master] - B-Rank**
**Ron Sanchez: [String Theorist] - C-Rank - UNIQUE**
For a second, there was silence as everyone read it. Then, the stadium exploded.
"String Theorist?!"
"What does that mean?!"
"He's not a telekinetic!"
"He's only C-Rank?! How?!"
"A Unique! I knew it! I told you it had to be a Unique!"
"That's why he's so strong! Uniques are built different!"
My classmates from Class 1 were staring at me, their faces a comedy of shock and dawning understanding. "A String Theorist? He beat us all with… strings?" one whispered. "A C-Rank Unique can easily beat a normal B-Rank," another said, as if quoting a textbook. "It's valid. The potential is just on another level."
The revelation swept through the crowd. I wasn't just a strong student; I was a rare specimen. The only Unique in the entire school. The reporters went into a frenzy, their camera drones zooming in for close-ups.
Shin Ford, across the arena, didn't look surprised. He just nodded slowly, as if a great mystery had been solved. He settled into his stance, his glowing sword held steady before him. He looked more focused than ever.
The bell rang.
*DING.*
The battle was on. Shin didn't rush. He began to move, his feet tracing a complex pattern on the ground, his blade humming with energy. He was waiting for me to make the first move, to see the invisible strings he now knew were coming.
I smiled. He wanted to see them? I'd give him a show.