Central arena felt massive. Compared to the previous one where Soren fought his first match.
The other rings had been deactivated. All attention focused on the main platform. Holographic displays surrounded it showing both fighters' profiles. Three hundred students filled the stands.
Soren walked to his starting position. Every step felt heavier than normal.
Mira was already there, waiting on the opposite side.
The crowd noise chattered in excitement. Some betting exchanges happening through AR interfaces. This wasn't just another normal preliminary match anymore.
"Never thought I'd see this in my entire life," someone said nearby.
"Two insect DNA users in one year is already crazy enough. But them fighting each other?"
"This is historic."
Instructor Vale stood at the edge of the platform. Her yellow wolf-eyes swept across both fighters.
"Cross. Zhang." Her voice carried throughout the crowd . "You're both aware this match has drawn significant attention."
Soren nodded.
Mira said, "Yes, ma'am."
"Good. Standard rules still apply. Non-lethal combat. Match finished immediately if someone surrender, knockout, or until I call it." Vale's expression was unreadable void of any extra expression. "There are guild recruiters in the stands. Corporate scouts. Military contractors. Your performance here will be remembered."
Vale stepped off the platform. The referee, same senior from before took her place.
"Choose your weapons."
Mira walked to the rack. Selected the same two short swords from her previous match. She tested their weight once before coming back to the platform.
Soren grabbed his batons. Familiar grip. They'd worked before.
They returned to opposite sides. The holographic barrier activated around the entire center arena. larger than before.
"Ready?"
Soren fell into stance. His enhanced perception kicked in automatically now.
Across from him, Mira stood perfectly still. Her posture had that mantis quality—patient, coiled, ready to strike.
"Fight!"
Neither moved.
The crowd's noise faded. hundreds of people watching. None of it mattered to them.
Just two insect DNA users. Two people who'd survived what killed most. Two enhanced humans with perception that processed the world differently than everyone else watching.
Five seconds passed. Ten.
Mira's eyes tracked him with perfect stillness. Not just watching. But processing every micro-movement.
Soren did the same. His enhanced perception caught the slight shift in her weight distribution. The way her fingers adjusted on her sword grips. The rhythm of her breathing.
Twenty seconds.
The crowd was getting restless. This wasn't the explosive start they'd expected. But it felt like hours have passed for both of them with their enhanced perception.
But anyone who understood insect combat knew what was happening.
Two ambush predators refusing to commit first. Waiting for others to make mistake. Both waiting for the perfect opening. They knew whoever moved carelessly would lose.
Thirty seconds.
**[This is unusual.]**
*She's testing me. Wants to see if I'll break first.*
**[Will you?]**
*Never.*
Forty seconds.
Mira's eye twitched. Barely visible to naked human eyes.
Soren caught it.
Patience had limits. Even with mantis DNA. She was nineteen, standing in front of hundreds of people, knowing scouts were watching. She never showed it but she is under pressure and feeling nervous. But on other side Soren have experienced two life so he was able to handle it little better.
He took one step forward. Slow. Deliberate.
Mira's grip tightened on her swords.
Another slow step.
Her weight shifted.
One more.
She struck.
Both swords came simultaneously, one high, one low. Designed to eliminate dodging options. Classic mantis attack pattern, strike from two angles.
But Soren was prepared his enhanced perception had seen the shoulder rotation coming before she moved.
He burst backward.
Three steps at full speed. The swords cut through empty air where he'd been.
The crowd gasped. The burst was faster than they expected. It almost felt like he teleported from one place to another
Mira's eyes widened. Just slightly.
Then Soren stopped. Went completely still again.
**[What are you doing?]**
*Making her doubt herself and nervous.*
Mira reset her stance. But something had changed. The breathing rhythm was broken.
She'd expected him to follow his dodge with an attack. That was standard tiger beetle pattern, burst of speed, strike, retreat, repeat. Predictable. But like most new enhanced humans, specially new students always make this mistake they always think that their opponent will follow the same pattern as the merged animals and mostly even do it. But they forget they are human capable of thinking making new patterns new strategies.
And he wasn't following the pattern.
Around the arena, people were leaning forward. This wasn't playing out like they thought. They thought it would be a fast agile battle like when two speed type combatants fight. But it was different.
Fifteen seconds of new stillness. No body moved even the movement of eyes were nonexistent.
Mira moved first. Her patience broke again. Testing thrust—not fully committed, just probing his response.
Soren sidestepped. Just avoided. Didn't commit any counter.
She tried a slash. He leaned back.
Each time, with minimum movement necessary. No bursts. No aggressive counters. Just enough to stay safe. He avoided her every attack.
**[You're frustrating her.]**
Mira's patience was cracking slowly. Mantis DNA made her a patient hunter, but she was still human. Still nineteen and fighting in front of everyone.
Her movements got sharper. More aggressive. She started chaining attacks, thrust-slash-thrust—trying to force a mistake.
Soren kept dodging. Enhanced perception made it possible. He saw each strike three seconds before it landed, moved just enough to dodge. He was preserving his stamina.
But still stamina was burning like fire. Ten percent integration didn't give endless energy. His muscles were starting to scream and ache.
He needed to end this soon.
Mira committed to a heavy downward slash. both swords together, aimed to split his defense. She used her all strength in this strike. But she was in every more worst condition than Soren and using enhanced perception while attacking continuously didn't help much either.
There. He found the opening he was waiting for.
Soren burst forward.
Inside her guard before the swords finished their arc. Both batons struck her wrists precise enough to disrupt grip.
The swords dropped.
Mantis reflexes kicked in. Mira's knee came up.
Soren was barely able to react he twisted his body away. But still her knee caught his hip instead of stomach. Pain exploded but he stayed close. But in this process he lost his weapons.
They grappled. No weapons. Just two enhanced humans trying to gain advantage.
Mira was stronger than she looked. Eleven percent integration gave her an edge. She hooked his leg, tried to throw him on ground and gain an advantage.
Soren shifted his weight to wrong side . Intentionally.
They both went down. He made sure to land on top.
His forearm pressed her throat,not choking, just making sure she was under controlled . And other hand pinned Mira's hand by wrist to ground.
"Yield." He said it slowly.
Mira tried to buck him off. But she Couldn't get leverage or any opportunity to set herself free.
But while struggling she found an opening, Her free hand came up. Fingers extended like blades.
Soren caught her wrist. Barely. He was able to react at the last moment before it was too late.
"Yield." He said again.
After Three seconds of struggle.
"I yield." Mira accepted her defeat.
The crowd erupted.
"Winner: Cross!"
The barrier dropped. Noise rushed back in. hundreds students on their feet. Some cheering. Some just staring in shock.
Soren rolled off and offered his hand.
Mira took it, pulled herself up. Her expression was complicated. Frustration, yes. But also something like respect.
"You didn't fight like a tiger beetle," she said.
"No?"
"They hunt in bursts. Speed and retreat." She paused. "You fought like you were playing with prey."
"Mantis do that." He responded.
Her eyes narrowed. Then she laughed once. Sharp sound.
"You watched how I hunt and used it against me."
"Seemed smart."
"It was frustrating."
She picked up her swords, returned them to the rack. "But next time I'll be ready."
"Looking forward to it."
Mira walked toward the exit. Students parted way for her. Some called out congratulations, she'd made top fifty even in defeat.
But before she left the platform, she turned back.
"That was the best fight I've had since integration. Nobody else understands insect DNA combat."
"Same."
She nodded once. Then left.
Soren stood catching his breath. His hip throbbed where her knee had connected. His muscles felt like they'd been melting.
Instructor Vale appeared beside him.
"Interesting strategy, Cross."
"Thanks?"
"Using your opponent's instincts against them. Adapting mid-fight." She studied him with those wolf eyes. "That's not something we can teach. That's survival instinct."
"Had to work with what I had."
"You worked with it well." She nodded toward the stands. "Three guild recruiters just flagged your profile. Two military contractors. And at least one corporate sponsor."
"That fast?"
"Insect DNA users are rare. Insect DNA users who can fight strategically?" Vale's smile was sharp. "You just became very valuable, Cross. Don't waste it."
She walked away before he could respond.
His AR updated.
**Match 94: Soren Cross - VICTORY**
**Performance Metrics: Strategy (Exceptional) | Adaptability (High) | Stamina Usage (Moderate)**
**Advancement: Confirmed**
**Current Standing: Top 50**
**Special Notice: High-Value Recruit Status Activated**
Top fifty. And apparently now flagged by recruiters.
**[Congratulations. For gaining this much interest.]**
*Is that good?*
**[Depends. Being noticed means opportunity. Also means pressure.]**
*Great.* he replied but it felt like he was more disappointed than being happy.
Medical drone floated over. "Multiple injuries detected. Treatment recommended."
"Make it fast."
Cool gel on his hip. Synthetic wrap on his wrists where Mira's grip had bruised them. Three seconds of relief.
"Treatment complete."
Around the arena, other matches continued. But people kept glancing at him. Whispers followed.
"He beat the mantis DNA user."
"Two insect DNA users and he won."
"Did you see how he moved?"
"Guild recruiters are already circling."
Soren found water at a dispenser. His hands shook slightly. Adrenaline crash setting in.
A message pinged his AR. Unknown sender.
**[Unknown]: Impressive match. Meridian Guild would like to discuss future opportunities. Contact when ready.**
Delete.
Another message.
**[Unknown]: Iron Sky Corporation tracking your progress. Open to sponsorship discussion.**
Delete.
A third.
**[Unknown]: Military Contractor Division 7. Your skills match our needs. Reply for details.**
Delete.
**[They're not wasting time.]**
*I'm nineteen and still at ten percent integration. They can wait.*
**[They won't wait long. Other guilds will make offers too.]**
*Problem for future me.*
He watched the bracket update on main display. Matches continuing. Names advancing or falling.
Two rings over, Lyra demolished someone with bear DNA. Predator versus prey. No contest.
Four rings away, Zara dismantled a gorilla DNA user with clinical precision. Her dual hearts gave her stamina that outlasted pure strength.
By hour four, the bracket had narrowed to thirty students.
Soren had fought five matches total. Won all of them.
His body was feeling it—ten percent integration gave better stamina than baseline, but he was still mostly human. Bruises everywhere. One finger probably fractured. Hip still aching.
The leaderboard updated on main display.
**Top 10 Standings (Preliminary):**
1. Lyra Shadowmane - 5 Wins (10.8% Integration)
2. Zara Steelheart - 5 Wins (11.2% Integration)
3. Marcus Webb - 5 Wins (12% Integration)
4. Soren Cross - 5 Wins (10% Integration) **[INSECT DNA - SPECIAL DESIGNATION]**
Fourth place. Top ten. And now his profile had a special tag. Great.
**[You're marked now.]**
*I noticed.*
**[Everyone knows you're insect DNA. Everyone saw you beat another insect user. You're not just another enhanced student anymore.]**
*Is that supposed to make me feel better?*
**[It's supposed to make you realize the stakes just went up.]**
Instructor Vale's voice boomed through the arena.
"First-years! Preliminary rounds complete. Top ten finalists—check your AR for tomorrow's schedule. Everyone else—you'll receive rankings within the hour."
The display cycled through names. Winners and losers. Performance metrics. The full range.
"Finals start at 09:00. Get rest. Get medical treatment. Don't show up half-dead." Vale's grin was sharp. "Save that for the matches."
Crowd started dispersing. Soren checked his AR.
**Finals Match Schedule:**
**Round 1: 09:30 **
This would be harder than Mira. Different kind of challenge.
**[You need rest.]**
*Yeah.*
**[And food. Your body's burning energy faster than you're replacing it.]**
*I'll eat.*
**[And sleep. Finals tomorrow is against someone stronger and more experienced than anyone you fought today.]**
Soren limped toward exit. Every muscle protested.
AR pinged. Message from Jake.
**Jake: DUDE! Top ten! And you're all over the feeds! "Insect DNA user defeats mantis fighter" is trending!**
**Soren: Great. Just what I needed.**
**Jake: You're famous! Also I placed 47th. Not bad for dual heart path.**
**Soren: That's solid.**
**Jake: Don't worry too much about tomorrow you will do fine. Everyone's got money riding on the insect DNA guy now.**
**Jake: Dinner?**
**Soren: Can't. Need to crash.**
**Jake: Fair. Don't die tomorrow. The betting pools would be upset.**
Everyone kept joking about him dying. Starting to get old.
Outside, night air hit cool and clean. New Geneva's neon skyline stretched forever. Flying cars traced light between towers. Cargo drone hummed overhead.
AR guided him back to dorm.
Tomorrow was finals.
Tomorrow, top ten became top three.
Tomorrow, everyone would be watching the insect DNA user fight against wolf pack tactics.
**[Sleep now.]**
*Yes don't have enough strength for anything else.*
**[Good. You look terrible.]**
He made it to his room, collapsed on bed still clothed.
Exhaustion pulled him under.
Dreams came. Fire and beetles and arena fights. Three hundred people watching. Guild recruiters taking notes. Mira's surprised recognition when they'd met.
*I thought I was the only one.*
*So did I.*
Two insect DNA users in three hundred students.
What were the odds?