"Stop! The round is over! Give a round of applause to these 5 contestants that have made it to the next round!" The announcer said as he indicated for the round to be over.

Clap Clap CLAP

The audience clapped and cheered as they looked at the five contestants with respect and awe. Of course, they would, anyone who passes the first round can already be considered better than most. And the winner would be a prodigy of prodigies.

"Hello there, what is your name?" The boy asked her as he came over to her.

"Maal," Maal stated her name as she continued walking back towards the group.

"My name is Tate, nice to meet you." The boy said as he introduced himself.

"Nnh, why'd you help me nya?" Maal asked him.

"Because you're strong. I only want to face strong people in the later rounds so I can get stronger myself." The boy said as he looked at Maal.

"Oh, okay nya," Maal said as she got back to Lance and the others.

"Good job Maal! And who's the guy behind you?" Maria asked her.

"He's Tate nya," Maal said as he introduced Tate to the group.

"They're Maria, Lance, Elise, Benji, Chad, Sam nya," Maal said as she introduced the group to him.

"Wow! They are all strong people. I can sense it, and more than half of you guys are already top 5?" Tate said as he looked at them in astonishment.

"Yeah, we trained hard! We ended up doing reckless stuff so the Adventurer's Guild has to keep us monitored now." Chad said.

"... Just what kind of reckless stuff do you need for that to happen…" Tate muttered.

"Anyway, who's going next nya?" Maal asked the group.

"I am," Chad said.

"Nnh, good luck then nya," Maal said as she sat on her seat. Tate took a seat next to them as well, as he was interested in them.

"Did you forget your cards?" Maria asked him when he was about to go.

"Of course not! Why would I forget them!?" He asked her.

"I mean, you forgot them when we went to do missions a bunch of times. You ended up having to punch the monsters." Maria said as she reminded him of his mistakes.

"T-that was a mistake! Why would I forget my deck of cards!" Chad said as he left hurriedly so Maria wouldn't say anymore.

"Ah, he left. Hopefully, he didn't actually forget his deck of cards." Maria said.

"He wouldn't forget it on an occasion like this," Lance said.

"Well fair enough, Sam how much are you going to eat…" Maria said as she stared at him.

"Until this round is over. I need to fill my stomach before I fight you know. You can't fight on an empty stomach." Sam said.

"Yes yes, whatever you say," Maria said as she turned back to look at the ring.

"Okay folks! I am getting tired of this! I just want to go home right now but. Welcome the contestants of bracket E!" The announcer said.

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Author : SO SLEEPY LET ME SLEEP

*poof*