Divine Beast Ascension

Chapter 204: Round One Begins in a Flaming Torrent!

Time passed quickly for Oli. He didn’t pay much attention to Worrik and Jezza, who were both going on about crushing their no-name opponents. Instead, Oli closed his eyes and pondered how to test his own opponent and how far he should take it. He was the ninth seed but the differences in true strength only got wider with every jump in seed, so Oli’s expectations weren’t too high for someone not even in the top five.

When the bookies finished their work, the announcer came back to center stage. “And now, let the tournament begin!”

Cheers cried out but not as enthusiastic as before. But who could blame the crowd when they were anxious for the second fight, not the first?

“A reminder to both the crowd and our competitors, no killing shall be tolerated!” The announcer shouted emphatically, “Injuries are bound to happen but slaying your opponent will result in immediate disqualification and possible criminal investigation, depending on the scenario. As the referee, I hold the right to call a match with the approval of our hosts should we feel a fight has reached its climax, regardless of whether someone refuses to forfeit. Anyone may surrender at any time and matches may also end if an opponent is thrown from the ring or unable to remain conscious. Remember, there will be an hour intermission between each round. The Medic Guild is on standby to help our contestants recuperate their strength to the best of their abilities between rounds.

“And though our first contestants may not compare to the juggernauts in our second match, the fight should still be spectacular!” reasoned the announcer, knowing how to work the crowd. “As the nineteenth and twelfth seeds, our competitors are both competent and capable, making them a great match-up that’s sure to lift our spirits for the first round!”

The cheers increased as both contestants were called up to the platform. One showed some slight nervousness but quickly got over it with help of their competitor’s smile. Showing respect for each other, they bowed and took to their stances.

Despite the announcer’s hype, it ended rather quickly. The twelfth seed ended the match in the first series of strikes, leaving the nineteenth seed on shaky feet as he was knocked off the platform.

.....

“There you have it, ladies and gentlemen! Our first victory!”

As if priming a water pump, the result of the first fight awakened a newfound fervor in the crowd. They screamed as the twelfth seed stepped away and the announcer prepared for the first collision of giants.

“Are you ready for this?” the announcer shouted with a playful grin.

“Yeeeesssssssss!”

“I CAN’T HEAR YOU!”

“AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!”

“Oooohhhh, it’s time! Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time! Sooner than anyone expected, we’ll now get to witness two titans among our competitors laying it all out on this stage. ARE YOU READY?!”

“YEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!”

“Then HERE! WE! GOOO!” Summoning energy from the depths of his being, the announcer smiled down on the two brothers.

“As the heirs of their family line, today we’ll witness a preemptive test of who may claim the title of Forell Patriarch in the future, a sight rarely available to the public! It’s time for Trantor Forell, our third seed, the first-born son of the current Forell Family patriarch, to face off against his phenomenally talented, younger brother, Trenk Forell. Who will come out on top? Which brother will assert dominance? What will result of this battle worthy of the final round? Ladies and gentlemen, there’s only one way to find out!”

Kissing his fiance’s hand one last time, Trantor chuckled to release the last of his nerves.

“You’ll do fine,” encouraged Freele. “Don’t hold back. There’s no need to anymore.”

“I know... This is for us.”

Trenk said nothing as he wasted no time. Casually, he got to his feet and walked toward the platform, beating his older brother there. As Trantor stepped up, Trenk offered a lowly bow to his older brother. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet... Today, I don’t hold back, so you shouldn’t either,” Trantor replied with a playful laugh. Teasingly, Trantor twirled his arm before bowing. “I’m grateful for this opportunity to face the talented Trenk, rumored to be the strongest cultivator born to the Forell Family.”

“Stop that. You dishonor yourself,” Trenk scoffed with a slight smile.

“Either way, I’ll be proving that rumor wrong, once and for all.”

“Please do.”

Sensing the end of the brotherly back-and-forth, the announcer lifted the cone back to his mouth and raised his other arm to the sky. “Are you both ready?”

A flaming staff appeared in Trantor’s hands and a single shortsword appeared in Trenk’s. In unison, the brothers smiled. “READY!”

Shooting his raised arm straight toward the ground, the announcer shouted, “BEGIN!” Both young men rocketed into each other as the referee hopped to the side of the spacious platform.

Leading with his staff, Trantor’s flames parted the air as he sped into his younger brother. But Trenk wasn’t off guard at all, replying with his agile shortsword to parry and narrowly step in front of his older brother. Trantor burst into flames but Trenk did the same, countering each other’s defenses. Forced to block with the other end of his staff, Trantor knocked away Trenk’s first sword strike and stepped back to avoid the following swing. Neither brother showed any hesitant stares, only proud grins.

“You’ve improved, Little Brother.”

“You’re putting up a fight, Big Brother.”

Chuckling, they continued to show their electric chemistry for the whole crowd to see. Oli wasn’t the only one admiring those two siblings, nor was he the only one that felt he had underestimated his competition.

“They’re both high-adepts?!” Jezza shouted in question.

Worrik responded while shaking his head. “I’d heard rumors about Trantor, but Trenk too?! And he’s not even twenty?!”

Hearing the live commentary, Oli’s respect for the flaming duo shot up yet again, especially for Trenk. To be a high-adept at the human equivalent of Oli’s age was more than enough evidence of the rumors surrounding him.