A month later, the students of B22 line up inside a big arena. Ari stands beside Beyce.
"Yo, you seen Saint yet?" Ari whispers while Oshoku introduces the different classes. The arena slowly fills with students and teachers.
"No… I haven't seen him since we got our rankings," Beyce whispers back nervously, his voice shaky.
"Now then, let's announce the matchups. Shall we?" Oshoku says after finishing the introduction.
A massive screen flickers to life, displaying all 1,000 first-year students.
"Everyone, please go to your respective seats. Only the students fighting remain here," Oshoku announces firmly. The screen zooms in on the first pair.
Monita #1999 (B22) VS Echo #4367 (B29)
Monita and Echo step into the arena, standing on opposite sides of each other.
"That scary girl with the teddy bear… her rank's insane, Ari," Beyce mutters nervously.
"I bet she wins effortlessly," Ari replies confidently, leaning back in his chair.
"Dori Dori… I'm gonna finish this quickly, 'kay? Don't you worry… I love you Dori Dori… I love you," Monita whispers, hugging her teddy bear.
Her elegant steampunk outfit clashes with Echo's black half-mask fleece and blue tracksuit.
"All right, let's finish this quickly, lady. I don't have all day," Echo says, cracking his neck.
Beretta steps forward to start the match.
Echo accelerates instantly, circling Monita.
'Psycho bitch can't even see me… eat this!'
He lunges from behind, kicking Monita square in the back and sending her flying into a distant wall. He dusts himself off and pulls down his mask.
"Hey Beretta, you can call the match. She's not getting up from that. She barely reacted." Echo says nonchalantly.
Smoke rises from the wall's impact. Monita emerges, disheveled but clutching Dori Dori tightly.
"I'm so sorry, Dori Dori… It's not gonna happen again, 'kay? I won't let you get hurt, 'kay?"
Echo pauses, stunned for a second, then pulls his mask back up.
'One of those bitches that doesn't know when to stand down… but I just kicked her with all my strength just now…'
He blitzes toward her again, lightning fast. Monita makes a hand sign while hugging Dori Dori.
"Voodoo Style: Nail Corpse."
Four massive nails sprout from Echo's knees and elbows as he approaches. He loses balance and crashes into the wall, screaming while the nails pierce his joints.
"We are so strong, Dori Dori," Monita says, dancing innocently with her teddy bear.
Beretta teleports to Echo and removes the nails with mana.
"I'm calling this match. Winner: MONITA."
Beyce's face drains of color at the scene.
"Geez… wouldn't want to face her… looks terrifying," Ari says casually, still lounging.
"N-no kidding," Beyce stammers, still frozen in shock.
Monita walks back to her seat, expression neutral once more. Medics carry Echo away as Beretta clears his throat, announcing the next match.
Kevo #3883 (B22) VS Beyce #4568 (B22)
"Kevo? Who's that? You know him?" Ari asks, intrigued.
"No clue," Beyce mutters.
"Go out there and win… see you in the finals, champ." Ari says with a grin, fist-bumping Beyce.
Beyce steps into the arena, stretching.
"Let's have a good fight, Kevo," he says, reaching out for a handshake.
"I don't want to fight… I don't want to hurt anyone," Kevo murmurs, peeking shyly from inside his hoodie.
Beyce frowns, confused.
"Begin," Beretta announces.
Beyce jumps backward, creating distance.
'This guy's weird… his rank's way higher than mine… he's gotta be crazy strong. I can't underestimate him.'
He lunges forward, throwing jabs and kicks, testing Kevo. Every attack is dodged or blocked with ease. Beyce jumps back again.
"Please, just give up…" Kevo says, dodging effortlessly,
He jumps back, creating distance between them.
"Very well, then. I have no choice." Kevo removes his hoodie and forms a hand sign, pressing his hands together.
Beyce's eyes widen.
'He has an ability… I can't let him pull that off!'
Beyce bursts forward, separating Kevo's hands mid-motion. He swings, sending Kevo flying across the arena. Kevo regains balance midair, pressing his hands together again, but Beyce's already in the air behind him, landing an axe kick to Kevo's shoulder, crashing him down.
'At this rate, I'll win!'
Beyce smiles as he lands meters away from the smoke. When it clears, Kevo stands again, hands clasped.
"Thunder Style: Flashing Rage."
Electricity bursts around Kevo's arms.
Before Beyce can react, he finds Kevo behind him with insane speed, Kevo throws a punch, cracking Beyce's bones, sending him across the arena. The crowd erupts at the crash.
Beyce staggers out from a broken wall, blood trickling from his mouth, breathing heavily.
He slams a fist into the ground, covering the battleground in smoke.
Kevo's eyes widen as he looks around, he senses Beyce behind him.
'Gotta hinder his movements… can't trade blows… he found me!' Beyce thinks,
Kevo throws a gut punch, his ability enhancing the impact. Beyce crashes into another wall.
"Not looking good, Beyce…" Ari mutters, eyes glued to the match.
Beretta steps forward. "Can you continue, or are you giving up?"
Beyce struggles to stand, grit in his teeth.
"I can't lose here…" He gets in his fighting stance.
"Hit me with all you got! Because I'm never going down!" Beyce yells,
Kevo frowns.
'Why is he still going? He can't win…'
"Very well. Resume," Beretta announces.
...