Standing confidently on stage after hearing who he was going up against, Seth couldn't care much about the match, he was sure of victory already. While not one of the top students of the fourth year, Seth was still an aspiring student with high hopes of rising to the top this final year.
'What were they thinking putting me up against such a weakling? They must think so lowly of me.' He thought in his mind, smacking his lips in disdain for such treatment. Of course, these matches were said to be fixed at random, but like anything, there were rumours claiming otherwise.
Walking towards the arena, Leon could hear quite a few voices pass remarks about him.
"I can't believe he joined this competition? Just what is he thinking?"
"Trash will remain trash, they just need to be shown their place."
"Even the top of the class didn't register, and yet Carter did? This is going to be fun to watch."
Several such remarks were all over. While this was mostly the case, there were quite a few people who had hope in him, if not that he would win, at least that it won't be an easy match. Their points revolved around the fact that his summon was an undead skeleton, which in itself, because of the energy it emanated was a bad matching against living creatures.
High up in the stands, within the VIP section where some staff were allowed, alongside those invited, Mr. Darwit could be seen standing close to the railing, watching from that distance.
Someone walked up to him from behind, stretching their hand to tap him on the shoulder. "Want one?" The man looking more built but of similar age to Darwit asked with a smile.
"Hey, Lex." Darwit greeted, accepting the can of soda Lex handed to him.
"Wow, it really is you. Can't believe you'd attend such a function, and even strain your legs standing here to watch students get at each other. What gives?" Lex asked. He knew Darwit well as a friend, and actually, everyone know his personality, it was no secret. He never had any interest in the students, only doing as much as he needed to train them whenever he was required to. To such a person sacrifice his time to come watch those students was an oddity.
Before Darwit answered, yet another teacher showed up, walking towards them both with a calm greeting.
"I must say I'm impressed, Lex, you actually got this guy to come to such an event."
"Heh, you wish. I found him here too, almost didn't believe it until I touched him with my own hands." Lex said with a chuckle.
"Nice now that you're both here. Who do you think will come out on top this year? I place my bets on the Vale brat. One rude prick, but he's got spunk." Mason said.
"Do you have to gamble every opportunity you get? You gotta stop that bad habit soon, you're getting old, and you don't exactly work around casinos. I'm more interested in what was good enough to drag Darwit here." Lex said. He and Mason turned their focus to Darwit who watched as Leon got on stage calmly to face his opponent.
"Nothing much. I'll tell you one thing, though, that kid is special. Mason, I accept your bet, I place mine on that kid to win. Two months' salary. You in?" Darwit said.
Looking kind of confused, Mason rushed over to look at who was on the arena now. From the names displayed, he immediately recognized Seth, but knowing his capabilities, it couldn't be that Darwit was referring to him. "Leon Carter—" he uttered carefully.
"One's a kid with inferiority complex, and the other is a long time certified loser." Mason analysed.
"I hope you get caught talking about students like that one day, as a teacher." Lex grumbled.
"You're seriously picking Leon Carter? I heard his awakening was a little special, but is it worth two months of salary?" Mason asked, but got no answers.
"No excuses later on." Darwit said, leaving them both as he moved to another spot to watch the match that was about to begin. Lex and Mason grew interested now, their eyes seeming to change a bit as they too watched.
…
"START!" The coordinator called.
Following the brief stare down, the match finally started. Seth called out his summon, a Fire Monkey the size of a baboon. It had red fur and yellow eyes, and looked as fierce as its name. With the beast beside him, Seth couldn't help the smirk running across his face. 'He still looks so calm? Can't believe even first years can look down on me now. No worries, this is all about to change.'
Simultaneously, Leon also called forth his summon. A towering 6'8ft skeleton manifested right in front of him, its ghostly hollow eyes burning with a calm intensity that was overwhelming through its deep blue hue. It was draped in an ancient looking armour that looked eastern inspired, and the scabbard hanging from its waist was just as imposing as its form.
As if visual intimidation was not enough, the wave of death energy the skeleton exuded was so thick that a teacher had to descend into the arena, standing just outside it, to create a shield that contained it so the students and other spectators wouldn't be affected.
Everyone, including the Headmaster looked in complete shock as they could not comprehend what they were looking at. Lex and Mason were even worse, they looked like they had seen an actual monster. While Darwit remained calm without any changes to his expression.
…
Summon: Undead Great Swordsman
Description: An Undead Swordsman that had attained the level of GrandMaster in their life.
Grade: 3 (Peak)
Potential: 3 (Peak)
…
'Just what happened in the last one month when he was away?'