Chương 110: [The Round Of 32]

The left tunnel curved away from the waiting area, stone walls close on either side, torches set into brackets every few feet. Underground, the crowd noise came through the ceiling rather than from ahead, the stone dampening the sound somewhat but not completely. He rolled his shoulders and kept walking. While this was new to him, the experience of nerves while waiting wasn't. It was a little like the wait before knowing you'd need to stand up and speak in front of the rest of class in school.

Well, if that class had a few hundred people, not thirty. Phil had been right. The nerves were still there but somewhere between the viewing step and the tunnel entrance they'd changed, less like worry and more like excitement. For an overthinker like Leo, that was unusual. The corridor curved upward and the noise built around him as the stone thinned. He saw light ahead as the curve ended and the entrance came into view, the dirt floor beyond it, the open air above the arena walls. Leo walked out into it.

As the sun hit his face, the noise of the crowd hit him in full; he looked around, the crowd cheering, their eyes focused on him. It was a little overwhelming. Across from him, Meira walked out of the right tunnel and he focused on her rather than everything else. Compact, maybe five-seven, ginger hair pulled back, fox ears sitting high on her head and a bushy tail behind her that moved with an easy confidence.

Shield already up, sword held low, and a smirk on her face that said Leo's height had registered and hadn't impressed her. Blue eyes found his across the arena and stayed there. She'd looked comfortable in the waiting area, a confidence borne from having fought in this tournament before. Her eyes went to his sword, then to how he was standing. She'd be expecting reach and patience which meant she'd come to him. He could use that. He looked over to Grimgar who raised his hand as the noise from the crowd grew louder.

It stayed there for a few seconds and then, it dropped. Leo waited as Meira came forward, shield up, eyes over the rim. He kept his stance relaxed but tried to appear like he was ready to step back at any second, the reach and patience she was looking for on full display. When she got into range he threw a downward cut, waiting for the moment it covered her vision. It came up and he pivoted left and forward.

What she'd braced for never came as he redirected mid-arc, the Sarren slipping round it to leave a red mark on her shoulder. One. The crowd came back up around him. He hadn't noticed the quiet until it broke. She reset, tucking the shield tighter, the sword hand coming up more active. a different approach. She came at him this time, driving a stab toward his left. He angled the Sarren to meet it and pushed — harder than she'd expected, the deflection knocking her sword arm away from her own body.

She turned instinctively to close the opening her displaced arm had left, shield coming round to cover it. It closed one gap and opened another. Leo stepped right and brought the Sarren round in a full arc overhead, the blade coming down to her left side while the shield was still travelling the wrong way. The red mark appeared on her ribs. Two. Why does she feel so slow? I know she's good, she wouldn't be here if she wasn't. So why does this feel easier than sparring in the pit?

She came at him again, not tracking this time but taking space, cutting his angles off as he moved. He stepped left and she was already there, forcing him back instead of across. He threw a strike to create separation and she pushed through it, the Sarren passing close enough to her shoulder that he was sure he'd hit her. This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. He stepped back. She continued to press.

After this went on for around half a minute he found his moment. Her weight shifted before she moved. A lunge. He kept his feet where they were, gave her the gap in his defense she was looking for, a little longer than felt comfortable. She drove forward with everything behind it. He stepped, quick, already gone from where she'd aimed, and moved forward and past her as she carried through, the Sarren coming round in the same motion. Just like Kai had drilled it. The mark appeared across her back. Three.

The crowd's cheering increased in volume, the match over just like that. It took Leo a moment to realise he'd already won, Meira slumping slightly finally doing it. The adrenaline was still in his hands, the way they wanted to keep moving even though there was nothing left to do. Three hits. He'd expected it to feel harder. He stepped back. Meira stood where she'd carried to, staring at the dirt, jaw tight. Her shoulders dropped after a moment. She looked up at him.

"You're faster than you look," she said, and gave him a nod before turning back to her tunnel. Locke was near the viewing step entrance when Leo came back up.

"Congratulations. Leo, right? That was quite the showing; Meira's no slouch," he said, his voice sounding as relaxed as he looked.

"Can't wait to fight you next round."

"Yeah, thanks. Your fight was great too." Leo glanced at the kolven at his sides.

"I've seen something similar to those before. Never seen anyone use them like that though. Looks like something that rewards you the more time you put into it."

"That's one way to put it."

"Fun to fight with?" Locke grinned.

"Most fun I've had with a weapon. I got into a lot of fights as a kid; these felt like a natural upgrade to my fists."

"Man, I wouldn't have guessed that. You seem like nothing really bothers you. Looked like you were going to fall asleep earlier."

"Yeah, I don't know why but everything outside of fighting just feels so boring. I spend most of my time training when I'm not fighting."

"That explains why you looked so proficient with them. You're going to find me harder than Ren though."

"I'd already worked that out. I prefer that though." He smirked and looked toward the arena.

"Your friends fighting today?"

"Yeah, should be pretty soon. Worth watching all three."

"Oh, don't worry. I plan on watching every fight. You never know when you might see something new." Locke looked at him for a moment.

"See you out there." Leo found Shai on the viewing step after he made it back. She'd been watching Klaus's fight, Leo caught the tail end of it with Klaus winning cleanly. He moved along to join her.

"Nicely done. I was expecting you to do well but Meira usually makes it pretty far into the tournament. She's good at grinding people down. You made it look easy."

"Thanks, Shai. Honestly, the sparring back at Monkhaven felt harder. Any idea why?"

"Well, everyone from Monkhaven has the UI, so you're all enhanced. The gap in experience should have made that less of an advantage for you but apparently not." The pair were joined by the others, Torren clapping Leo on the shoulder.

"Well fought, my friend."

"Cheers, man."

"Yeah, GG mate," said Phil.

"Was it as easy as it looked from up here?"

"Honestly, yeah. I don't know if it's cos it's the first round, but Shai and Locke said Meira is usually really good so. Maybe she had an off day?"

"We'll find out if the rest of us get through so cleanly I guess," said Sam.

"Yeah, fair point." Kai walked over and nodded.

"Nice movement. You read her well, good job."

"Thanks, Kai."

"You spoke to Locke?" asked Shai.

"Yeah, before I came back up here; I think he was waiting for me. Said congrats and we spoke a little. I'm looking forward to fighting him."

"Nerves not an issue out there?" asked Luka, who looked like he was dealing with a few of his own.

"The walk was worse; once I was out there, the crowd was a little intimidating but I focused on Meira and everything else kind of faded into the background." Phil smirked.

"Told you."

"Yeah, man." He looked over at Luka.

"I wouldn't worry, dude; you'll be fine. Try to enjoy it." The group went back to watching the fights below, Leo and Shai again left alone. The fight ended and a short while later Phil's name was called to the arena.

"Good luck, man; try not to get knocked out early," said Leo as Phil made his way down the ramp.

"Just watch me win. I'll be back before you know it." He disappeared and Leo looked at Shai.

"I hope he wins, but him losing after all his bullshit about winning would be hilarious."

"I'd agree with you but that'd make me look bad, so let's hope he doesn't mess it up."