The noise echoed. Screams and boos were the only things I heard as Jacosta came running back. She put her sword away as she ran, and I bet I looked delighted after all the first round was over. Seira was beside her, casually walking as her hips swung back and forth; she and Jacosta came back to where I was. I noticed Seira also had a smile on her face as I put my swords away; I walked up and went on to tell the ladies, "Let us get back to the change room now and prepare for our next fight; you guys did amazing work.” As we exited the corridor and left, the boos and screams of insults slowly vanished.

It was a short walk until we were back inside the change room, I could see everyone was exhausted, and we still had two more rounds; scratching my chin, I looked at Jacosta. She was in her own world smiling as she dotted around the room before she began to clean her blade off, removing the blood covering it and then proceeded to sharpen it. As I walked over to tell her what a good job she did, I was interrupted by the same mage as before. As I opened my mouth to speak, there was a knock, and the mage came walking in. Once we told them Jacosta was injured a little, they started to tend to her wounds, activating magical devices. Seira then next pulled out the device that repaired armour and took a seat down beside Jacosta. Unfortunately, with everything going on, I could not get a chance to tell them the plan for round 2.

So with nothing else to do like that kid who was done first in class, I sat down, and I waited patiently in the corner for everyone to finish, and as the time passed, eventually, everyone did. Once the mage left and closed the door, I asked Jacosta and Seira; turning to them, I said, “So, did you two enjoy the first round?” Lifting her tired head; looking a little physically tired, Jacosta responded, “Yeah, that was the first time I did not have my sister beside me." Now staring off a little into the distance, her face went from a cheery look to gloom as she said, "I hope she’s doing alright in the stands.”

I had forgotten with all the excitement Reena was alone in the stands waiting. The more I thought about it, the more it made me upset. 'I hope she's okay.'

I did not know why. But, Reena alone did not settle well in my head. I had forgotten she would not have anyone to accompany her up there. It completely slipped my mind. Replying to Jacosta, I responded with a confident tone, “I am sure she’s fine. If anyone’s giving her a hard time, they’ll have me to answer to,”

I noticed Seira was quiet; she just sat there on the bench examining me this whole time during the break, and the previous day I found her looking suspiciously at me while we shopped. I could tell something was bothering her as she continued to try to figure me out, staring at me with the odd glance I would catch. I imagined thoughts raced like who was Azurith, looking at her, I tilted my head a little, then Seira said, "Azurith" The announcer's voice cut her off and then called our group to the stage and group 1C, "Groups 1E And 1C report to the arena."

When we got to the end of the corridor where the light met the hallway, Seira tapped me on the shoulder and said, “After this can we talk?” Looking down at the little lady, I got down to her level and, I said,” Yes, I would like that. I have to ask you something anyway,”

When I finished talking to her, I could tell when I looked back at her what I said had troubled her as she began to look a little worried standing there beside me. Placing my hand on my face, I went on to speak with a grin and a smile with a spread hand covering my eyes, “It’s just a question. Don’t look at me like that.”

Now our group was on the stage once again, and the crowd was slowly starting to ignore us as they began to cheer for group 1C who was exiting their sides change the room’s corridor and coming into the daylight. " Damn looking amazing, might I add" Jacosta turned and then said to me, "What was that, Azurith?" Looking left and right, I said, "You heard that?" As the announcer went on to say, cheering himself, “Now introducing the mighty group 1E with the Demon Azurith leading them, as the other group this year to look out for approaches, it is the fearful Adventurer group 1C. As they approach the stage, will their opponents win, or can the group of friends do it? Let us find out!!!”

This round, the plan from the start was, I was going to scan them this time and figure out what we were dealing with. Not like before and be caught off guard mid-fight to find out they were pathetically weak. As they entered the arena and walked up to the fight, I scanned them to see their level and classes; as I used my scan ability, I could see all kinds of information like stats level name, guild. I really could not care what their names were or who they were with, as the only information I cared about was their levels and class. As all the info flooded my sight, the only information I paid attention to was the three opponents in front of us levels. I also saw their classes. They were all different classes which seemed like the normal around here. However, there were two female Elves level 44 and 38; one was a Combat Mage, then there was a Human male level 47 Mentalist, and the last was the other female Elf, level 38 and a Ranger class.

Standing across from each other with the magical barrier separating us, Our opponents said not much. Nor did they pay too much attention to us. It was not until they raised their weapons I could hear the roars of the crowd and screams. The fight was now about to begin.

The familiar symbols and numbers began to float down from above onto the arena's flooring. Jacosta was beside me, and Seira stood behind us using a low tone so the other team couldn't hear me. I leaned over and said to them, “This fight was going to be harder than the last one, so keep Jacosta safe, Seira, at all costs. I am counting on you.”

The announcer went on to count down in his usual fashion before the fight saying out loud, “10..9...8...7...6..5...4...3...2..1..0 GOOO.”

Soon after he finished speaking, the barrier lifted and round 2 began as the eager tournament spectators began to scream in anticipation. I had no time to gather my thoughts as I watched as an arrow flew through the air; all I saw was a blurry image blocked by the sun. Time slowed down a little. I watched as it flew forward at Jacosta at high speeds. I quickly jumped in the way of it to block it as another arrow came flying over my shoulder, stopped by the light again. I quickly moved around using 'Distance close' like a bolt of lightning to swat down every arrow flying at us. Both arrows were breaking on the impact of my sword as I stretched out, cutting them down before they hit Jacosta. Seira then appeared beside me and yelled," Duck Azurith,"

Grabbing my face pulling it to her chest; she then fired a few shots quickly back at them over me as she and their Ranger began to engage her as they ran around jumping and flipping around, firing arrows at each other non-stop, causing me to duck in panic and crawl out of the way. Then, looking at the remaining two contestants, I told Jacosta to "Stay close, as things would get rough."

The Mentalist and Combat Mage drew their wand and walking stick and began to cast spells at us as the ground around us began to shake and quake. Magical circles started to appear like landmines on the field. I could hear in the distance them chanting away as a barrage of spells came flying forth from different coloured magic circles that suddenly appeared in the air as well. I remembered I had a skill for this. I just unlocked magic called 'Nullifying Strike’ It was never good in-game hence why I never spent the points, but perhaps here in a more real-life world, it would work better. The idea behind it was a single magic nullifying strike skill for melee users to combat magic, having none in Gepot, but it was shit as the cooldown took too long, and it used a lot of (FP). Not to mention it stopped your (DPS).

But this world was no game. Would it work? Would thing’s be different here?’

Before I could think whether or not it would work, I unlocked it for this tournament, and I'd be damned if I did not use it. As I saw a fireball come flying towards us with a tornado-like gust flying behind it followed by a lightning strike, I decided to try this skill as it was now or never. But before I had a chance to activate the skill to slice the fireball, it stopped mid-air; being controlled by the mage with her finger, it flew around. With his hands, I could see him pull it back as mana flowed from the two spell casters. Next, the tornado started pulling the fireball in, and that caused the tornado to ignite into ablaze. It was pulling in everything around it with tremendous force and pressure. The tornado was now on fire spinning towards Jacosta and I with a bolt of lightning chasing it.

I looked over at Jacosta, who I could hear, steadily screaming, "No, no...noo!!" The wind picked up everything in the stands blowing it around, pulling it in dust, and dirt was everywhere. Covering my eyes, I began to notice Jacosta fly away screaming. Did she lose her footing?'

I watched next as she started to get sucked into it. I tried my best to grab her foot, but I failed as she slipped through my hands and was torn violently away from me, "Jacosta!"

Now being pulled into the fiery tornado, Jacosta was screaming for me to save her, " Help me, Azurith."

I watched as Jacosta flew through the air. Then, in circles around and around, I activated 'Distance-close’ The colours seemed to warp and distort as I dashed forward at impeccable speeds into the eye of the storm. Each second inside the tornado was literal hell. The flame’s burned my hair and seared my exposed skin. The lightning stung, and the wind felt like I was being split and cut by a thousand knives.

I saw the swords I held to begin to glow in a profound dark purple mysterious aura as mana flooded the blades. A magical red circle began to activate under me like before, sparking white lightning from it.

Without haste, I attacked the tornado drawing forth the skill I chained 'Twirling-Strikes' in perfect sequence with the 'Nullifying strike' to decimate the spell entirely. First, I pulled my swords out, and next, the blades I held began to crackle and turn white as I struck my two swords down and nullified the magic, the storm disappeared as a loud noise echoed. I saw Jacosta high in the air, slowly stop being pulled towards the tornado and fall to the ground from high above, hitting the floor hard, but she quickly got back up, rubbing her but a little, but it looked like she was not too badly hurt. I watched from where I destroyed the spell Jacosta started running up beside me while asking, “What should we do next?”

Now the announcer began to scream as the crowd started to cheer in the background. Never have they seen a strike like that before; I could tell the group was slowly warming up. Now I looked over at Jacosta and replied to her with a smile on my face, “Let us give them a show they won’t forget,” Leaning over, I started whispering in Jacosta’s ear as I explained to her the new plan, ”I am going to throw you at the mage. Hold your sword forward.”

I could hear her say." Wait, what?" Before I picked her up. Then grabbing her tail and breastplate from the back, she did not have time to react before I started spinning with her violently around. It took a second to aim at her, and then I released, throwing her now at the mage; I released her like a jet of air. Catching everyone of the guard, she took flight like a rocket ship. I could hear Jacosta scream, and I swore I saw some tears trailing from her face in a trail from where she was launched. Flying forward, I watched as, Jacosta followed the plan, and held her sword with her hands and impaled the mage flying with her into the wall. Unable to hold it in, I fell to my knees.

That single act made me giggle a little on the floor of the arena, holding my side crying. I then got up and turned my attention to the Mentalist, who had an astonished look on his face; he was now all alone. The Mentalist was looking somewhat nervous. I could see him backing up as I began to twirl my swords around me, creating sparks. They frantically began to back peddle and began to cast ice bolts in an attempt to stop me and all kinds of other novice magic at me. I was deflecting each blow and magical spell away. I continued to approach him as the announcer began to narrate what I was doing action by action. I heard as he also started mentioning that, "The Ranger Seira bested the other Ranger in an arrow shootout, and it was not looking too good for the Adventurers group 1C."

Now putting down his weapon, he tried to surrender, but like hell, I would allow this 'have some honour.' So unimpressed, I told him, "Pick up your weapon be a man."

Quickly realizing what I meant, the Mentalist went for his walking stick to cast a spell. Still, it was too late as I activated the skill 'Assassinate' While assassinate was active, the noise around me began to become slowed down. Time itself was at a standstill. I walked forward, but to everyone else, I moved at the speed of light. When I arrived, I casually cut across his chest in a vertical motion as the skill deactivated; the cut exploded with blood as he fell back down in front of everyone. Now, as a red glow appeared across his chest, bloodshot out, and he fell over. Everyone in the crowd looked sickened by what they just saw, and even the announcer closed his eyes and said, “Well, that does happen, folks occasionally...Someone clean up the mess and the body.”

Feeling mentally and physically exhausted, the Demonic presence and my demonic eyes skills I activated earlier deactivated, and slowly I returned to reality from the rage that was slowly beginning to take over. I started to stop hearing the conflicting voices in my head but instead was met with the big sound of "Boo’s" and "damn Demon." I did not understand and was shocked when I turned around to find a lifeless human man lying on the ground. 'Why did the magic not save him?'

Realizing what I had just done, it clicked, the level gap was too high, and I must have killed them by accident while going all out. I felt terrible for the person and remembered my sword's enchantment. 'I wonder."

Looking at my sword briefly for a moment, I walked over to the lifeless man and placed up my Devil short-sword in their hand. I was stabbing myself in the leg with it. I watched as my sword's Life-drain did its job. I could feel the burn from the sword, the itch as it started to glow, looking like it was cracking; the bloodlines on the blade began turning a dark red. Now visibly appearing on the swords was some writing I did not even understand. The sword's hilt began activating with a magical circle, and another formed around his wrist. Slowly he began to twitch. Now, as a magical process appeared under him appeared, the arena's magic took them away, the sword from their hand still lodged in my leg. Now removing the blade, I screamed, "Ahhh,"

I saw a reasonably significant hole above my thigh in my armour. Limping away now back to the girls as blood dripped down my leg, I left a trail of blood, as the crowd stopped booing as it was quiet. When we returned to our changing room for heal, nobody said anything to me, and we were all left in awkward silence. It was not until the Combat Mage walked in and said, “I can only heal one of you per round as those are the rules of the competition. So you will have to decide who gets to heal.”

Breathing in and out, it was getting hard to see, but I managed to look around; I tried to see everyone’s health, I could not get an exact take on their numbers because my vision was blurry. all I could do was ask each of them in an exhausted voice,” Did any of you get hurt in the last match?”

I could hear Jacosta reply as I glanced over to see the room spinning as she said, “No, I am fine, Azurith.”

it was then I could hear Seira say while hearing her breathing was heavy, “I took a few arrows to the side.”

Now lifting her arm, I could see the blurry image of three broken arrows sticking out of her like needles. Was I hallucinating? All I could do was think the nerve of this girl.'

I pulled them out and said to the mage, who patiently waited with a blank look on their face. "Seira." I wiped the sweat off my face and told them, “Heal her, I will be fine.” As I reached into my pockets to locate some items, I began to feel very, very dizzy, and I started to think that maybe I had lost a lot of blood stabbing myself back there, as the wound was still non-stop bleeding, and I could see under where I sat there was a pool of blood. I inhaled and then exhaled the dirty air of the change rooms; the dinge air stung my lungs, I closed my eyes. The bags menu opened in my mind as I navigated the inventory menu; I started locating where I placed all the potions. Once I found them, I next started pulling several (HP) potions out of my pocket. One by one, now drinking them all like I was dehydrated on a hot summer's day.

I nearly threw up, as it tasted like a warm chemical cherry medicine, and I was so used to never tasting them before. Was this what potions tasted like? However, I could feel my health grow but also at the same time. I felt like death as it was also slowly draining at the same time. It was like when you throw up to drink water to throw it up to drink water, a neverending cycle of (HP) points going up and down. I could see the wound continued to bleed, which was a bad sign. Now sitting down next to Seira, I put my head on her shoulder, and Jacosta put hers on mine, and we all nearly fell asleep together, waiting until we could hear the annoying announcer in the distance.

“How exciting what a fast round and they aren’t even going to go to the change room, they are waiting on the stage. It is now the semi-finals, round 3, and facing group 1E is group 1A. Who will win? Group 1E, please report to the arena stage now!! WOO!!”

Getting up was hard, but with some help from the ladies, I managed to leave the change room limping for our next fight, the semi-finals. I could not help but begin to feel sick as a trail of blood followed me wherever I would go; walking down the corridor, I used the wall; when I glanced back, I could see I had made a mess. Jacosta and Seira were far ahead of me while I dragged myself forward, looking like I was 10 seconds from death with each step I took. I was injured and was covered in blood, and well my leg was in bad shape.