Avo came to congratulate her on her victory as Sala jumped off the ring.

“Good job ! You were still adjusting your power level, right ?”

“Yeah...” The woman seemed a bit flustered. “Actually, I wanted to scare him a bit and it worked ! But... I didn't plan on scratching him. Well, at least, he'll think about it twice before hitting on someone !”

“You probably would have taken his head off if you missed, you know ?” Avo said, teasing.

Sala just ignored him. Anyway, it was a fight, right ? They should expect things to go wrong sometimes... Especially with magic. The duo separated once more with Avo going back to his platform.

The fights continued and as expected, the two of them progressed without much problems. Although most of these people were just as young as them, none of them ever went through drastic trainings like theirs. Avo was beaten the magic into him by a ruthless master and Sala studied with dedication (almost obsession, really) everything she could during her months spent in the academy. After that, they both sharpened their own skills against the monsters roaming the wild lands outside the city.

Still, as the fights went on, they also increased in difficulty, if only slightly. Sala had to use her anti-gravitational function in her suit, as well as her gauntlets a few times... Avo, seemingly without efforts on his part on the other hand, just changed his way of dealing with people every time. Sometimes, he'd create an illusion that would force his opponent off the platform. Sometimes, he'd just push them with his telekinesis or use seeds and grow them to restrain and force someone to surrender. Against the few who used magic as well as their bodies to fight however, he always did the same... As a way of showing respect or something. Even he didn't know, really... Perhaps it was just to test himself, or his adversaries...

One time, he even tickled a prideful girl half to death with his healing magic... A side effect of this particular use of magic was, when you were wounded, you felt it act on your body with an itch impossible to scratch ! Both because of your wound closing and the fact that it was useless... When you were in perfect condition however, it tickled. And the more you used it on someone, the more it did ! So, a little annoyed by how high and mighty she acted, he'd decided on a little punishment for this particular foe...

Anyway... Despite a few troubles, Avo and Sala qualified for the finals. After the losers left the premises (encouraged by the referees to try again the next year), the top 32 contestants were led towards an arena. The same student who explained the rules earlier was now guiding their reduced group while clarifying why they changed venue :

“Although you're already considered students of the College, the fights you'll have now will determine your importance in the eyes of professors and instructors. If you do particularly well, you will be granted access to more resources or restricted books... You could even be enrolled in the elite classes for intensive training...” He then detailed what they could get : “For the first place : freedom to study anything you want, unrestricted access to the library and the chance of becoming a personal disciple to your chosen mentor (Not to mention almost unlimited resources...). Second place : Library access up to the fourth floor, a chance to challenge the right for a mentor... Resources, of course. The ones who lose in semi-finals : Enrollment with the Elites, Library up to the third floor, a choice of four courses out of eight. Quarter finals : Library up to the second floor, two classes out of eight chosen. That's all... You can get a bit more depending on if a professor particularly liked you or some such... There's also your examiners' remarks when you passed the qualifiers.”

At the end of his explanation, the student had to speak a lot louder because of the ambient noise as they got closer to the arena. It was a big stone building in a circular shape and pillars jutting all around it. From inside, they could hear cheer and the sounds of loud conversations. They were only four entrances to the building with a hanging banner reading 'Welcome to BM Military College !' dangling from one of them : obviously, that was their intended destination and the one the student made them cross.

One of the contestants asked, when it was apparent their guide wasn't coming with them :

“You won't come ?”

“Nah !” The young man said nonchalantly. “I did my job and now the commentator and a few other students will take over.” He waved their group goodbye as he headed toward a different entrance, yelling over his shoulders : “Give us a good show, guys !”

As soon as their group passed the threshold, they were greeted by a beautiful upperclass woman with human features. Long blonde hair and light blue eyes, neat rows of teeth displayed in a sparkling smile. In turn, she gave them an account on how the finals would take place :

“Greetings and congratulations on your victories so far ! We're pleased to have you join us ! However, as Misha probably told you, things will get more complicated now... The finals aren't just about the way you fight and how effective you are ! It's about your use of magic... How capable, innovative and masterful you are with it ! The College expects great things from you !” A moment of silence, when she just continued walking deeper into the building, passed before she continued : “Here's how it's gonna go down !” She opened a double door wide in a flourish and directed her upturned hand toward a high counter with a box on it : “Your contestant numbers are useless now. We'll use your names on the board for the spectators. With this box, you will determine the order in which you fight. When I call you out, retrieve a piece of paper from it and tell us what's written on it, alright ?”

Another female student gave her a clipboard and she read out loud :

“Avo Cado ! Step forward, please !”

The namekian did as he was told. Meanwhile, the commentator (he presumed) watched him with rapt attention. She'd already read the series of comments from the referees before her. His effortless and very different victories, the way he preferred to use his body to fight contrary to other magicians... Even the rumors of him taking strolls outside the gates.

The alien fished out a piece of paper, unfolded it and declared in a calm voice :

“Number 4...”

The woman nodded and told him :

“Second fight. My colleague will write your name on the board now... It will appear on the board outside for the spectators to see !”

Through the walls, they could hear the crowd making a ruckus a few seconds later. Apparently, this event was highly anticipated by the students and personnel alike out there... Avo wondered if they really had nothing better to do... If he had a choice, he'd rather not watch something like this. If he were asked to participate on the other hand... As long as he was amongst the fighters, he wouldn't have a problem with it. Well... Unless they were only worthless opponents.

Sure, it was fun to see how much he improved in less than a year, but it made the fights so... dull ! It was almost like nobody could keep up with him. He really hoped things would be different at this point, otherwise he might just forfeit altogether ! What was the point in a fight he couldn't learn anything from ? The only advantage of this whole thing was that at least he got the chance to see new magic... Too bad he couldn't figure out how to use any of it just yet !

The namekian rejoined the group of contestants, scanning the mob to see if any of them could be interesting. Maybe the two teens eyeing him with hostility... From appearance alone, they were remarkable : chalk white and jet-black skins with matching long-hairs and similar facial features (although one was a girl, and the other a boy). Only their eyes were a reversed color : while the little miss with her white skin had jet-black eyes without pupils, the youth had a pair of immaculate orbs on either side of his black nose. For some reason, he thought about the old philosophy from his world... the yin yang.

He continued to gaze at the crowd, and stopped when he saw someone unexpected...

“Even the joker's here... Can't believe it !” Avo muttered.

At his side, Sala followed his gaze and nodded :

“Yeah... I've seen him fight ! Let's just say... he's weird ! And unpredictable. He doesn't seem to have that much power, though !”

The clown, with a big smile stretching on his face, waved at them and jumped a bit when a name was called. Since he hobbled forward right away, it seemed to have been his... A few seconds later, he exclaimed cheerfully as if it was wonderful news or something :

“Number 8 ! I'm in the fourth fight, right ? Yeaaaah !” And he pumped a fist in the air while jumping around... He stumbled and fell face first, bringing snickers to their crowd. With shoes like his, it was no wonder... However, Avo watched him carefully. There was... something about him. But he wasn't sure...

There were two other people Avo felt might be strong. A middle-aged man with black and grey hair, exuding a quiet strength. The other... the reason why he noticed him was because he just couldn't feel anything from him. It was like... an empty husk with no magic power, no thoughts or a mind of his own. He was completely covered from head to toe in a purple and black garment and only two red lights could be seen from under the hood.

“Sala Malik ! Please, come forward !”

The young woman in armor obliged, walking with heavy steps and the sounds of clanking metal accompanying her. Because the hole in the box was too small, she had to take off one of her gauntlets before taking out her own number... She said with an unknown feeling permeating her voice :

“Number 32. Last fight...”

The commentator retorted gently :

“Far from it ! Only the sixteenth... Whether you win or lose, the tournament will continue !”

This young woman who obviously came from a race similar to her own was interesting too... Plus, she hung out with the green-skinned guy ! And the comments about her also were full of praises... On the other hand, she didn't really know what to feel about the fact that she obviously used a power that wasn't her own... Not really. She may have build her wonderful armor, but the magic used came from an external power source... Even if the designs were hers, inwardly, the commentator thought her weak. There was only so much someone could do with borrowed powers, no matter how advanced the technomancy...

Once everyone (except the last one) had drawn their lots and the board was full of names, the commentator spoke up to everyone :

“We'll give you all an hour to rest before the first fight begins. You can use the facilities on your left if you need anything...” She approached the doors and opened them with the same move she used earlier : “There are comfortable couches and chairs, a kitchen and the staff manning it in case you go hungry... Even a few deckchairs for a quick nap. Although, my guess is you'll be too nervous for any of that. Anyway... Go ahead ! You'll be able to hear the speakers announcing your fights from here !”

The mob followed her instructions, chatting and whispering to each other. The weakest of them seemed to be the loudest, claiming they'd win and it was pointless for the others to continue... They should just withdraw ! The ones Avo and Sala noticed, however, kept to themselves, ignoring the others. Maybe they were preparing themselves mentally...

Sala stayed up, because even if she sat, it wouldn't be comfortable at all in her suit. Avo, on the other hand, chose to sit cross-legged right next to the entrance. Just like a few others, he went silent, closed his eyes and entered meditation...

By his side, the young woman sighed heavily. What was she gonna do, now ?