The Tournament II : Elimination Matches

The blue-haired girl watched, her sorrow growing heavier with each passing moment.

"YOU MUST BE KIDDING ME!"
"NO WAY! I'm still sweating!"
"What?" Leo asked, his voice pure confusion.

"And... the first match!..
LEO versus GROMMAN!"

The Herald smirked.
"That man seems to enjoy tormenting them," Alfred observed, his tone icy calm.

"Sorry, kid. It's over." The Herald's palm met his face.

The ground shook as Gromman emerged — eight feet of scarred muscle, dragging a warhammer taller than Leo.

Leo entered the arena calmly, tightening his grip on his sword.

A seismic laugh erupted from the giant.

Spectators roared, frenzied beyond reason:
"KILL HIM!"
"KILL HIM!"
"KILL HIM!"

"3...2...1... START!"

That man is huge... I've never faced anyone this large. A sweat drop slid down Leo's temple.

No time to think. I must do it.
Leo charged at Gromman.

The giant stood motionless, waiting.

What? Why isn't he moving?

My chance! Leo surged forward even faster.

Gromman's fist rose like a boulder.

Is he going for a punch?!

Hit first... before it lands!

Leo's eyes locked onto the massive arm.

A smirk split Gromman's face.

I'll win. Just wait, Lin—

"Got you, kid."

Before Leo could react—
THUD!

A single kick sent Leo crashing down like a kicked puppy.

"Too easy to trick—just like the other fools."

"Be thankful I didn't kick you enough to kill you."

No... I lost?
...Too early for this.

"Hm. He's being tossed like a doll," Alfred observed coldly.

"LEO!!!" Alice sprinted to Leo's side.

He lay motionless on the ground.

Gromman loomed over them. "Huh. No killing? Stupid rules."

Alice shook Leo's shoulder desperately.

The giant raised his flail, then froze, staring at Alice.

"... His sister?" A vicious smirk split his face.

"I'll take you both then!!"

The flail plunged toward them—
only to be caught mid-air by a gloved hand.

"Enough."

"I said no killing." Alfred's voice was ice, but fury crackled beneath it as he held back the massive weapon.

"How?! He was across the arena!" Gromman recoiled, stunned.

Alfred's gaze locked onto Leo and Alice.

Something's wrong... An immense spiritual pressure was spreading.

Is it the boy? Or...?

Alice held Leo's limp body, her eyes fixed on Alfred, her expression unreadable.

A hush fell over the crowd, as if the air itself waited.

"Empty the arena." Alfred's clap echoed.

"YES, SIR!"

"What's... this dizziness... it's terrible..." Alfred clutched his mouth while resuming his seat.

THUD!

"Call for help!" the Herald shouted.

"The giant's down too!"

"What?!" a spectator blurted out, visibly stunned.

"Did the boy use hypnosis?"

"No, idiot, look over there—the boy's unconscious!"

The Herald's shout tore through the chaos:
"TWO FIGHTERS DISQUALIFIED! SECOND MATCH—BEGIN!"

The crowd's roar surged back, a tidal wave of bloodlust drowning concern.

But for Leo...?