The second round of the tournament started on the next day. 64 of the 128 contestants were able to make it after defeating their opponents.

A lot of fighters made an impression from the first round like the Brooks Sisters, and Black Bull Omar; which was to be expected because of their fame and positions in the military. However, two people also left an impression.

These people were obviously Rory and Amelia. The two made an impression for two different reasons. Amelia took down someone twice her size with a single punch, and even made him lay in his own vomit. As for Rory….

After getting humiliated by his opponent, he proceeded to beat him into submission and then turned him into a horse, which he preceded to keep as a pet. It was obvious why he would be remembered.

“Can’t you let him go now?”

Amelia asked after waking up to see the man, who Rory beat, tied outside the inn they were staying.

“Even I’m starting to feel sorry for him.”

“Alright. I forgot about him anyway.”

Rory walked up to the man and freed him.

“Get.”

Seeing himself finally free, the man ran away while crying for his mother.

“Did you have to go so far?”

Amelia asked while watching the man run away.

“I didn’t, but I needed to send a message to someone. I’m back.”

Amelia was confused by what he said. As she was going to ask him what he meant, he started running.

“Let’s go. The second round is about to start.”

Amelia looked at him for a bit, before running after him.

‘I don’t like the fact that he keeps hiding stuff from me.’

She thought as she quickly caught up with him.

The two quickly reached where their fights will be held. Luckily, this time they will be sharing the same stage, with Rory having his fight first.

The two took a seat and watched the fight that was going on before their eyes. Well, Amelia was since Rory didn’t have any interest in it.

Amelia was watching the fight with a sharp eye. She played close attention to how the two persons fought. They weren’t nearly as strong as her, but that didn’t mean that she would look down on them.

Even a master painter can get inspiration from a child’s doodles.

With such a thought in her mind, she watched the men’s every movements. She noted every mistake they made, and devised how she would get out of that situation if it was her. She also recorded their fighting styles and habits to see if she could learn anything from them.

She stayed like this until the fight finally came to an end.

“Oh~.”

She exhaled getting rid of the tension from her body. That’s when she felt a hand on the top of her head. She didn’t need to look to know who the hand belonged to. She was far too familiar with it’s touch.

“It’s good that you want to be studious and study everything you can, but you need to give your brain some rest every now and again. The brain is also a muscle, hence it needs rest to experience true growth.”

He said beside her.

She looked at him and saw him smiling at her.

“Relax. You have a tough fight coming up.”

“A tough fight?”

He nodded.

“I’ve seen your opponent. He’s weaker than you, but he can defeat the current you if he gets the chance.”

Amelia was surprised to hear that, but she soon calm down.

‘It’s not like I’m invincible or anything, so there’s no need for there not to be people who can give me a hard time or defeat me.’

She thought to herself.

“Well, I’m up.”

Rory stood up and walked to the stage. The moment he got on the stage he drew everyone’s attention.

“It’s him, the guy who turned his opponents into pets.”

Such whispers could be heard. However, Rory didn’t seem to mind and stood on the stage with a smile.

Not long after, his opponent walked on to the stage. It was a rough looking woman carrying a club.

“You, you’re the bastard who did that obscene act yesterday.”

The woman asked. She was clearly upset with what Rory did the day before.

“Obscene. I did no such thing.”

Rory replied.

“My opponent was acting like such an ass that I thought that he was one who somehow learnt human speech, so I tried to help him out. I admit that I was in the wrong for making such a mistake.”

His words were spoken with a polite tone, but the context consisted of pure disrespect.

“Such a vulgar man.”

The woman lifted her club over her head.

“I’m going to have to punish you for displaying such mindless behavior in a time that’s supposed to be filled with cheers!”

She jumped and swung down her club down on Rory’s head.

“This can’t do.”

Rory lifted his hand and caught the club with ease. This clearly shocked the woman.

“A woman shouldn’t use such a crude weapon.”

After saying that, he crushed the club like it was paper.

Even Amelia was shocked by this. The woman’s club clearly was made from a special type of metal, and was strengthened by her anima, yet Rory crushed it like it was a dry leaf.

After seeing her weapon destroyed, the woman stepped back and looked at Rory with terror.

“Normally, I believe in equality and would destroy anyone regardless of gender, however since you seem to have a pure heart despite your rough appearance, I’ll let you go.”

Rory threw away the bent up cub and said.

“Surrender.”

He said with a smile. When the woman saw that smile, a chill ran down her spine. She knew that that smile was a last warning, if she continued to push the fight it won’t end well for her.

“I-I surrender.”

As such, she gave up.

Seeing that, the announcer pronounced Rory as the winner.

Rory walked past the woman and got off the stage.

“It’s your turn.”

He sat beside Amelia and said.

It was only then that their bench drew everyone’s attention. The two had indeed made an impression last round, but it wasn’t enough for people to for people to make a huge fuss, but it was different now after the strength Rory just displayed. The two sitting together made people curious of where the two came from.

Amelia stood up and walked towards the ring. Shortly after she got up, someone else sat beside Rory. It was the man called Sir Allen.

“So you’re the current King’s Guard?”

Rory asked without taking his eyes off Amelia.

“That’s right. I as thought, you’re not from this kingdom.”

Allen said while watching the ring.

“So, did your king send you to fetch me?”

Rory answered with another question.

Allen nodded.

Rory smiled and said-

“I’ll think about it once the tournament is over.”

Allen didn’t say anymore, and just looked towards the ring. Him sitting with Rory drew even more attention, especially since the two seemed to be talking like equals. This made more people curious about who Rory was.

Meanwhile, Amelia was facing her opponent for the second round.

‘This is my opponent.”

Who stood in front of her was a slim built man, dressed in only a loose pants and boots. He left his torso for all to see and showed off his lean body. He also had his hands wrapped with bandages, which drew Amelia’s attention.

“That’s quite some pressure he’s giving off.”

Rory said while looking at the man.

“His name is Steel Fist Benson. He’s our country’s best boxer.”

Allen said beside him.

“I see.”

Rory only smiled and looked at Amelia.

Amelia looked at the man from head to toe. She then pictured herself as a tank with multiple pipes attached to it. She poured anima in the pipe that was labeled as eyes.

Immediately after, she could see a green aura surrounding benson. She was now able to see an anima master’s anima, which was normally hidden from the naked eye.

‘This guy….he’s strong.’

She thought to herself.

“Start!”

The announcer’s voice resounded.

Immediately after, Amelia moved to attack her opponent.

“Too slow.”

However, he was the one who reached her first. He threw a quick jab at her face. She immediately leaped back to avoid it, but the tip of her nose was caught.

“……..”

She held her nose after feeling a sharp pain, despite only getting grazed.

“I can’t let those fists hit me.”

After mumbling to herself, she took a boxing pose similar to Benson.

“Oh? Is she a boxer as well?”

Allen asked.

“Nope. She just want to compare herself with her opponent. Testing the waters, you might say.”

Rory answered.

“Interesting.”

Benson started hopping in place, showed Amelia and ‘Come’ gesture.

“Then I’ll take your challenge.”

Amelia moved towards him and threw a punch. Benson smiled and threw a jab in return.

“Hm?”

The collision between their fists that he was expecting never came. Amelia suddenly accelerated, entered his personal space, stooped under the jab and threw an uppercut.

*Bam!*

Benson was hit under the chin and had his feet forced off the ground.

“The hit was shallow!”

Amelia cursed. Benson wasn’t forced off the ground by the punch, he jumped up to decreased the damage to his chin.

His feet landed a few meters back. He had a smirk on his face.

“You hid your true speed just to try and finish this with one hit. Not bad.”

His feet started moving at a fast pace. He then ran towards Amelia. No, this wasn’t running. His feet moved in a way that made it seem like he was moving without actually putting his foot forward.

He immediately entered Amelia range. She instantly started attacking him with swift punches. However, Benson would move his body out of the way and avoid them.

He then threw a heavy punch.

*Bam!*

Amelia blocked his punch by crossing both arms in front of her.

“Ugh!”

She leaped back and formed some distance between them.

“Wow. Impressive footwork.”

Rory praised.

He looked at Amelia’s arm and saw a huge bruise on it.

“I see. So his name Steel Fist comes from the Iron Fist technique.”

Rory said.

Allen nodded.

“It’s his specialty.”

“Elia, you should already know that you can’t afford to test the waters any longer.”

Said Rory.

Amelia rubbed the bruise on her arm. She then drew her saber from her waist.

“Oh? Are you going to use your Animus?”

Benson asked.

“Animus? I don’t know what that is, but it’s time I take this a bit more seriously.”

After she said that, fire started dancing around her blade.

“So you’ve given up, on copying my style.”

Benson rushed towards her.

“A good decision!”

He quickly entered her range and threw a right a hook.

*Bam!*

Amelia blocked it with her sword and made earth wrap around her feet to prevent herself from being blown back. She then pushed Benson back and freed her feet.

“Hm?”

She noticed that Benson’s bandages caught fire. He quickly ripped them off, and what she saw surprised her.

Benson’s fist looked like it was made from iron, and even had that metallic shine to it.

“Is that an anima technique?”

She mumbled. She understood why Benson’s fist felt so heavy.

“For your sword to not break under my Fist, you’re have a knack for strengthening don’t you?”

Benson ripped the rest of the bandages off his hands and revealed his metallic fists. It was obvious that he was going to get serious from now on.

“Will she be alright?”

Allen asked.

“Benson might not be in the army, but his strength is something else. Only high level commanders can fight him. It’s her bad luck meeting him this early in the competition.”

“Bad luck.”

Rory laughed and pointed at Amelia. When Allen looked he was quite surprised.

There was a big grin on her face.

“She doesn’t realize it yet, but that girl loves fighting. It’s in her nature. So to say that her meeting a strong opponent is bad luck, is an insult to her.”

Rory grinned as well.

“Elia couldn’t ask for anything more.”

Amelia put away her blade.

“On second thought, I’ll keep fighting with my fists.”

She looked at Benson with a big grin.

“It’s been a long time since I have had a good spar without having to worry about life and death.”

Earth wrapped around her fists and formed gloves.

“This should be interesting.”

She was the one who charged forward, and threw the first punch. Benson avoided it with a side step and hit her with a blow to the side.

“Ugh!”

She clenched her teeth and swung around with a hook. Benson ducked under it and hit her in the stomach this time.

“Heh. It’s over.”

He smirked.

*Bam!*

He suddenly felt a powerful blow on the top of his head, which forced him to his knees.

“Over?”

He looked up and saw Amelia looking down on him with a grimace expression.

“It’s only getting started!”

*Bam!*

She hit him on the side of his head with another blow. Benson rolled on the ground a bit before struggling to his feet.

“N-No way. She took a hit in her midsection, her organs should be a mess.”

He said with shock.

“You see, I tend to forget all of my formal training when facing strong opponents and take a more reckless approached.”

Amelia said.

“You probably expected me to spread my anima around my entire body, so you poured all your strength in one punch that could pierce through my defense and hit my organ; hence ending the fight.”

Amelia smiled.

“Unfortunately, you’re wrong. I only concentrate my anima inside of me to protect my organs.”

“What? Then that means that other than your organs, you’re feeling the full blown force of my attacks. Your skin, muscles, nerves, bones, everything other than your organs will receive severe damages…”

“Don’t matter. I want to get to finals but before that I need to get stronger than I am now, so that I can give that bastard a good punch.”

Amelia grinned.

“As for the rest of you, forgive me, but you’re just fodder to make me stronger.”

“!”

Everyone who was watching the fight immediately became enraged. This included Benson himself.

“Fodder….Fodder?”

He clenched his fists.

“Then this fodder will be sure to beat you black and blue!”

He charged towards using his masterful footwork.

“Die!”

He threw a right hook with his body behind it. However, that fist hit air. Amelia wasn’t there, only a spark of electricity.

*Bam!*

“Argh?!”

He suddenly felt a heavy blow to his back, right on his spine.

“I would have it no other way.”

He spun around swinging his arm when he heard Amelia’s voice behind him, but she wasn’t there.

*Bam!*

He was hit on the side of his face from behind and stumbled to the side. He turned and saw Amelia standing there with electric sparks at her feet.

“If he has incredibly footwork that allows him to defend and attack, you just need to make yourself faster than he can react and hit him from his blind spots.”

Rory said with a satisfied expression.

Amelia moved again leaving an electric spark behind.

“Like I’ll let it happened thrice!”

Benson moved using his footwork and charged towards a certain location. Amelia appeared there like he expected.

He threw a hook, while Amelia countered with an uppercut.

*Bam!*

They hit each other at same time forcing their heads to moved. However, they didn’t back down and threw a jab at each other. Their fists slammed in each other’s face and racked their brains.

With blurry vision, Benson stepped forward and threw a hook with all of weight behind it. Amelia twisted her body to the side and avoided it. She then hit him with another uppercut, forcing him back.

The earth around her fists had crumbled, and electricity replaced it. The speed of her fists suddenly doubled.

Her fists then hit Benson’s face one after the other. Her punches rained down on his unprotected face, showing no mercy at all.

Benson stumbled back, but threw another punch which hit Amelia square in the face. This punch caused her mouth and nose to bleed, even so she took a step forward and hit him in the stomach, which forced him to bend forward and cry out in pain.

She then stooped down, and hit him with her strongest uppercut.

*Bam!*

Benson was forced into the air and flew off the stage and landed in the crowd. He was caught by some bystanders, however he was still conscious.

“It’s my win.”

Amelia wiped the blood from her face and said.

“N-Not yet.”

Benson struggled out of the grasp of who caught him, and unsteadily walked towards the stage.

“I-I admit that you’re stronger than me, but I refused to go down like this when you clearly haven’t used your full strength.”

He walked onto the stage.

“I have no problem losing, but declare yourself the winner only after you’ve defeated this!”

Benson’s anima suddenly grew wilder. His body started to grow more and more muscular and his skin turned red.

“Doping?!”

Amelia was shocked by his appearance and immediately remembered Murder Jack.

She shook her head.

“No. Now that I can see anima clearly, I can see that the power source of this form comes from his natural anima. So it’s not doping.”

She said to herself.

“But what is this?”

“Oh? So that’s his Animus?”

Rory said with an impressed tone.

“It’s a power type, huh?”

Allen nodded beside him.

“Benson’s Animus is called The Champ’s Last Stand. For a short period of time, all of his physical abilities have been boosted to the next level. It’s like when our body experience an adrenaline rush.”

“So it’s like natural doping. All I can hear in his heart is power power power. So his Animus fits him.”

While Amelia was wondering what happened to Benson, he charged towards her with a speed that was at least twice his previous speed.

He swung his thick arm, Amelia sensed danger and jumped back.

Even after jumping back, she was hit by a powerful gust that was generated from benson swinging his arm.

Benson quickly entered her range before her feet properly touched the ground.

“Shit!”

*Bam!*

Amelia was hit by his thick fist and was forced off the stage.

“Ugh!”

She twisted her body and kicked off a bench that was behind her and charged back into the ring. As if he was waiting for her, Benson swung his thick leg aiming at her head.

Wind gathered at her back and helped her to move out of the way. She pulled her sword and swung it down.

“What kind of boxer uses his foot?!”

Benson quickly moved out of the way to prevent his leg from being chopped off.

“A kickboxer!”

He charged forwards and thrust his fist forward. Amelia charged forward as well and thrust her saber.

*Bam!*

The fist and the saber clashed and caused cracks to appear on the stage.

“Ugh!”

Amelia groaned when she felt pain running through her entire arm. Benson stepped forward and grabbed at her. She leaped back and avoided him.

“I can’t take too much hits from him. I need to finish this quickly.”

She sheathed her sword and clasped her hands together. Multiple elements started swirling around them.

Seeing that she was up to something, Benson charged towards her and quickly stood in front of her aiming a fist at her head.

Amelia quickly pulled her hands apart, and Benson’s fist stopped before it touched her face.

His fist was entangled in some rainbow colored wires.

“Wha?”

Benson was shocked that these wires could stop his fist. Amelia leaped over him and landed behind him. On her ten fingers were some colorful strings.

“Those wires….they’re made of elements weaved together?”

Allen asked with doubt.

“Elemental Wires. They’re created from various elements and also carry the properties of each element. For example, the hardness of earth which she used to stop his punch.”

Rory explained.

This is a technique that Amelia developed with the help of Rory after she gained better control over her anima.

“It isn’t an overpowered technique, but it sure is versatile.”

He said.

Benson once again charged towards Amelia. The time he could maintain his technique was limited, so he had to finish this fight quickly.

Amelia waited for him, and watched as he leaped into the air and aimed a flying kick at her.

‘Even if she dodges, I’ll still be on my feet. All I need to do spin around and finish her when she tries to attack from my blindspot.’

Benson thought.

As he expected, Amelia dodged the attack and his kick was changed to a two foot stomp, so that he could land on his feet.

He spun around to finish Amelia, who was gonna attack from behind.

“Huh?”

But to his confusion, Amelia wasn’t there.

That’s when he felt a tight sensation around his neck.

“Keh?!”

There was something wrapped around his neck and squeezing it. Turned back around and saw Amelia standing there, pulling the wires around his neck.

“Let’s go for ride.”

He pulled the wires and Benson was forced off the ground and into the air. She pulled it again and was slammed him on top of his head.

“Guah?!”

There was a crack in the ring’s floor. Blood started flowing down Benson’s head onto the floor.

“Up we go.”

Before he could think properly, he was dragged into the air again, before brutally landing on his head. Amelia repeated this a couple times, slamming him harder on his head than before.

“That’s enough! Stop the match!”

The announcer shouted.

When she heard that, Amelia let Benson go, and he fell motionlessly on the ground.

“Looks like I overdid it.”

She said after seeing the bloody marks caused by Benson’s head, all over the ring.

“So brutal….”

The crowd was shocked after witnessing Amelia’s merciless display.

“I-Is Benson even alive anymore?”

Someone asked the question that was on everyone’s mind.

“Of course he is.”

Amelia’s answered.

“If I had killed him, I would’ve been disqualified.”

When everyone heard that, they wondered if she would’ve killed him if it was allowed. Just the thought made them tremble.

“The winner is Amelia Rosa!”

The announcer shouted.

“So strong. She defeated Benson without even using her Animus. No, maybe those wires were her Animus.”

Said Allen.

“Her Animus?”

Rory burst out laughing.

“That’s not her Animus.”

He smiled and said.

“Amelia is a complete novice. She doesn’t even know what an Animus is. She just learned to control her anima after all.”