The Tournament Of Champions! (Part 4)

(With a new week starting, a Monday morning arrives with Yinlong awakening from his slumber, with Nerata hugging him as the two were sleeping together once again... without Yinlong's given consent.)

"Yinlong: ...Nerata."
"Nerata: Mmmmnn..."
"Yinlong: Nerata, wake up."
"Nerata: Mmnngh... Morning Yinlong..."
"Yinlong: Nerata, I know you're clinging onto me these past few weeks, but can you please let me sleep in my bed in peace again?"
"Nerata: Mmmm.. No!~"

(With a deep sigh, Yinlong then awakens fully and removes himself from the bed, out of Nerata's grasp, and begins to prepare for today's classes.)

"Nerata: Yinlong, when are you going to be my mate..?!"
"Yinlong: AGH- Nerata! You may be my companion, but you're also my friend. I find it disrespectful to think of you that way!"
"Nerata: Hmph..!! Then what should we do to celebrate your victory over the Tregonwells?"
"Yinlong: ..You know what, good point. Alright, I'll come up with something after classes today."

(With Yinlong leaving his bedroom, he'd notice a napping Thalassa on the couch. Yinlong then expands and places a warm blanket onto her peacefully sleeping body before walking out of the dorm hall, only to be swarmed by his fan club outside the building.)

"Sanyei: Yinlongg!!~ Congratulations on your victory!"
"Yinlong: Huh?!"
"Aurelia: W-We.. wanted to congratulate you for winning...! Those two swords of yours were very cool...!"
"Laumoi: They were very awesome, could we please see it up close?!"
"Yinlong: W-Well, I don't uh-"
"Sumi Yusano (Race: Guardian | Vice President Of The Yinlong Fan Club | Year: Junior): Now, now, everyone, we shouldn't keep him from his classes, he's a student just like we all are too."
"Yinlong: Well, I wouldn't mind showing my swords only once, but I need everyone to stand back."

(With the fan club in anticipation, Yinlong would pull out both swords one by one, first revealing the demonic presence of Hell's Excalibur and next, the peaceful and heavenly presence of God's Flaming Saber, both 6-star weapons. With the fan club cheering for Yinlong in front of the dorm, a loud, authoritative voice shut down the commotion in one yell.)

"???: HEY! This isn't a damn rave, this is a dormitory, and it's too early for all this yelling!"

(Approaching the fan club was Worldly Conquest Academy's Disciplinary Unit. Led by their Senior leader, Kousa Yokeno. One of the academy's top fighters with an Awakened Werewolf sub-class.)

"Kousa Yokeno (Race: Beast (AWK) | Subclass: Werewolf | Disciplinary Unit Leader | Year: Senior): Well, well, it's the Militia Terrorist!"
"Yinlong: ..."
"Kousa: You're really making a name for yourself on my campus, aren't you, kid?"
"Yinlong: Your campus? Okay, first of all.. Who the hell even are you?"
"Kousa: WHO AM I?! YOU ASK WHO I AM?! I'M KOUSA YOKENO, LEADER OF THE WORLDLY CONQUEST ACADEMY'S DISCIPLINARY UNIT AND YOUR UPPERCLASSMAN!"
"Yinlong: Okay, ew, the breath is bad. I expected all werewolves to practice good hygiene."

(With Yinlong's fanclub oo'ing out of a strong verbal comeback, sticking up for their leader were both Guardians, one male and one female, as both were known as the Disciplinary Unit's Enforcers.)

"Iyo Kaneka (Race: Guardian (AWK) | Disciplinary Unit Enforcer | Year: Senior): You should know who you're talking to, human terrorist!"
"Joda Enogana (Race: Guardian (AWK) | Disciplinary Unit Enforcer | Year: Junior): Seems like we'll need to beat the respect out of you!"
"Yinlong: In front of my fan club? You assholes really don't know respect. So fine, let's fight."

(With Yinlong prepared for combat, Thalassa suddenly emerges from the doors of the dorm, yawning as she leans onto Yinlong's shoulder, attempting to wake up.)

"Thalassa: Mmm.. Hi Yinlong..."
"Yinlong: T-Thalassa?! I thought you were sleeping-"

(With the fanclub shocked with their eyes on a woman as attractive as Thalassa leaning onto Yinlong, most believing she was his girlfriend.)

"Kousa: Is that a- Water Folk?!

(With the Disciplinary Unit laughing at Yinlong's choice of backup, they'd still believe the fight would be easy.)

"Iyo: This is going to be such a piece of cake, Water Folk can't survive without water!"
"Thalassa: Mmm.. What's going on..?"
"Yinlong: Well, to make a long story short. I was appeasing my fan club, and I'm introduced to this jackass group called the Disciplinary Unit."
"Thalassa: ...Did they challenge you to a fight?"
"Yinlong: Yes, they did."

(With Thalassa's eyes opening and revealing her deafening glare, she'd stomp her heel onto the ground, summoning her 6-star Trident, belonging to the 3rd King of The Seven Seas, which is her, and surprising Aurelia and Sanyei on who she was.)

"Sanyei: AHHHHH!! SHE'S- SHE'S---.. SHE'S THALASSA!!!"
"Aurelia: SHE'S THE THIRD KING OF THE SEVEN SEAS!!!"

(With the commotion reaching all eyes and ears all over the campus, eventually the headmaster would overhear the commotion and decide to watch the fight between Thalassa and Yinlong and the Disciplinary Unit, who believed they could still defeat her.)

"???: Sir, what is happening out there?"
"Chiolek Armborgh (Race: Guardian (AWK) | Worldly Conquest Academy Headmaster): Oh, it's just Yinlong and his companion, Thalassa, in battle with the Disciplinary Unit."
"???: ...Did you just say, Yinlong and Thalassa..?"
"Chiolek: I did. Why do you ask?"
"???: ...I will handle this myself."

(With the Human adult woman jumping out of the window of the headmaster's office, gliding to the fight zone. Meanwhile, Thalassa would await the Disciplinary Unit to attack first.)

"Thalassa: You all dare challenge my companion? I'll wash this stone pathway with your blood."
"Kousa: Oh, you're done for, you're coming with us to the headmaster's office, both of you!"

(With all within the Unit attacking at once with multiple abilities, Thalassa would raise her Trident once, as the fight was then halted suddenly by a landing figure standing between the two parties.)

"???: Disciplinary Unit, I'm ordering you to stand down."
"Kousa: ..Aww, come on! You're here?!"

(Emerging from the smoky debris is the Academy's Strongest and Student Council President, Kurine Suyo.)

"Kurine Nya (Race: Human (AWK) | #1 Strongest | Year: Senior | President of The Yinlong Fanclub): While I do not condone illegal battles on this campus, I refuse to hold any harm toward the man I've admired who is not afraid to take a stand for himself."

(With Kurine's medium-length hair flowing from the debris and her brown eyes focused on Yinlong and Thalassa, she'd straighten out her clothes before bowing formally.)

"Kurine: On behalf of the Student Council and The Yinlong Fanclub, I gravely apologize for the ruckus so early in the morning."
"Thalassa: ..I will back down when these jerks apologize to him."
"Kurine: Disciplinary Unit, I will elaborate to you all who this woman is, since you clearly don't understand your Folklore Studies. This woman standing before us is Thalassa, the third king of the Seven Seas, or in this case, a queen. And as we all know, there are seven realms where one of each of the Seven Sea Kings resides as their home."

(With the Disciplinary Unit then seeming not to care, what comes out of Kurine's mouth next would shake them with fear.)

"Kurine: The lower the number, the stronger the King. Thalassa could wipe us and this entire realm out and turn it into her own ocean if she chooses to!"
"Kousa: ...!"
"Kurine: Now. Apologize to them both."

(With Kurine giving a forceful glare, the threatening stare of the president has forced them to kneel and apologize. With the commotion at last receding, all parties would then go their separate ways in front of the dorms. Meanwhile, Yinlong is walking the halls with Thalassa's head resting on his shoulder, shocking all who see them together, as the two were already deemed a couple by Yinlong's classmates and those in the same year as him.)

"Thalassa: ...Mmm.."
"Yinlong: Thalassa.. Are you actually sleepy?"
"Thalassa: ..No.. I'm sorry."
"Yinlong: Well, I don't have a problem with this, but.. I'm a little too nervous when you do this around other people..."
"Thalassa: Mmm.. Five more minutes..?"
"Yinlong: Well, my classes for today are going to be an hour and fifteen minutes, so I think-"
"???: -Are you freaking me?! I EXPECTED MORE OUT OF THIS!"

(With the yell of an angry senior overlapping Yinlong's speech, catching their attention and everyone else in the hallway was an echoing slap that drew the attention of all those around. The conflict focused on a timid young student with glasses being bullied by a nine-tailed male Kitsune, despite both races being awakened.)

"???: I-I'M SORRY..!! I WAS PROMISED THIS MUCH AS ALLOWANCE..!!"
"Jausno (Race: Kitsune (AWK) | Worldly Conquest Academy Senior | Clan Leader): Tch, for a saltlicker, you're a pain in the ass!"
"Abysrou (Race: Water Folk (AWK) | Sub-Class: ??? | Worldly Conquest Academy Freshman): PLEASE DON'T.. HURT ME ANYMORE..!"
"Thalassa: ..."
"Yinlong: Go ahead."

(With Yinlong's permission, Thalassa raises her arm and then points her finger in the direction where Jusano is currently standing. With no hesitation, Thalassa fires a Water Bullet, piercing the shoulder of Jusano and catching his attention on Thalassa.)

"Thalassa: "Saltlicker?" You dare show discrimination in front of a queen?"
"Jausno: AGGHHHH!! Y-YOU... You're Thalassa...! Oh, I'm going to tell the realms about this, you'll be stripped of your position as a Queen!"
"Thalassa: As if I'm going to show fear to a furball. If you want to challenge a Water Folk, I'm right here."

(With Thalassa removing her badge from her uniform, she'd throw the badge at Jausno's feet, shocking all that Jausno has been challenged by the 3rd King of the Seven Seas herself.)

"Jausno: Alright, fine! You're on, "queeny"! After class. Main campus plaza. Tomorrow at noon!"

(With Jausno then rushing to the nurse's office to get checked on his shoulder, the Water Folk freshman was then helped up and tended to by Thalassa.)

"Thalassa: It's all over now, little one."
"Abysrou: I hate bullies like him... And.. t-thank you, miss.."
"Thalassa: You're welcome. Sigh, did he hurt you this bad in front of everyone?"
"Abysrou: Yeah... It hurts."

(With Thalassa then immediately healing his injuries, she'd help him up to his feet.)

"Thalassa: I'll keep an eye on you from here on out."
"Abysrou: T-Thank you..."

(With the two then walking off together, Yinlong smiled as he was able to head to class in peace, and Thalassa was on the verge of making her own friends after so long. Meanwhile, outside the realm of Worldly Conquest Academy, Saya Kuraiko was deep in thought in her office at the Militia Main HQ, housed in the Militia's Spawn Realm, knowing that a horrifying figure she herself fears is part of the Tournament of Champions in the Northern Bracket. To snap Saya out of her thought was an approaching long white-haired female Admiral, carrying a massive Greatsword for a primary weapon.)

"Saya: ..."
"Vulne (Race: Guardian (AWK) | Militia Admiral | Bounties Collected: $120,000,000): Captain, are you okay? You're looking a little.. pale."
"Saya: ...Admiral Vulne. Are you familiar with the Admiral Disappearance Case from eight years ago...?"
"Vulne: Of course, that was the day I lost my little cousin... The day I find the bastard who killed him, I'll have their head!"
"Saya: ...That person... is in the tournament."
"Vulne: ..HUH?!"
"Saya: "The Ice Dragon", "Eye Of The Snow", "Zero Degree". The nicknames of the man I..."

(Saya would then swallow her pride and admit how she really feels about this enemy.)

"Saya: -Am afraid of."
"Vulne: ..What's his name?"
"Saya: ...Rykard."
"Vulne: Isn't he the one fighting tonight in Northern Bracket?"
"Saya: That's right. The Northern Bracket is hosted on Monday Night, and he'll be battling one of our Militia Captains in the tournament."
"Vulne: What is his current location? We'll take him down before the tournament starts and find someone else to take his spot!"
"Saya: As great an idea as that is, it's not doable. The tournament has strict regulations regarding Militia duties; A tournament competitor cannot be halted for any incarceration measures by Militia officials until the tournament concludes or the contestant in question has forfeited the tournament."
"Vulne: So we have to sit back and watch him win the damn thing?!"
"Saya: ...Even if he were to become a Division Leader, he'd have to deal with another Division Leader, and with this year's lineup of potential champions, those odds won't tip in his favor."
"Vulne: He'd better lose tonight if he knows what's good for him."

(With Saya quietly hoping for the same outcome, time passes for other contestants of other realms, the morning turning into evening and eventually close to nighttime. With the sun soon close to setting, many tournament contestants went about their normal business before their next scheduled match. As for the Guardian Race's own Deuliox, he'd return to the Guardians' Spawn Realm with his clan, the Global Guardians. The clan consists of Deuliox as the leader and a sole leader for each respective race. Each of which was introduced while conversing amongst themselves.)

"Feota: Ah, it's been so long since we've returned home!"
"Corrom (Race: Dragon (AWK) | Clan Member | Nickname: Blue Eyed Dragon God): Hasn't it been only a few days?"
"Groell (Race: Goblin (AWK) | Clan Member | Nickname: The Prophecy): It does feel like forever since we've been gone."
"Yama (Race: Buddha (AWK) | Clan Member | Nickname: Colossial Giant): These raids have been more active than usual lately. With the Tournament of Champions in season, it makes things more difficult to focus on one thing at a time."
"Vaeonus (Race: Water Folk (AWK) | Sub-Class: Shark | Clan Member | Nickname: Deep Sea): Difficult, "schmifficult", who cares, Yama?! We managed to get more credits by the end of it all!"
"Sarlin (Race: Succubus (AWK) | Clan Member | Nickname: Yandere): You're quite the greedy one, aren't you, fishface?"
"Vaeonus: WHAT'D YOU CALL ME?!?!"
"Laurthus (Race: Vampire (AWK) | Clan Member | Nickname: Dracula): Hahahaa.. Ah, I love this group, the liveliness is perfect."
"Osakaga (Race: 4th GEN Animatronic (AWK) | Clan Member | Nickname: Cyber General): I've scanned the area for intruders or challengers with hostile energy; there's none in the area."
"Jukulthor (Race: Wizard (AWK) | Clan Member | Nickname: Wizard King): Perfect, so we can return home, enjoy a nice hot bath, and Aoyii, you're cooking tonight."
"Aoyii (Race: Beast (AWK) | Sub-Class: Werewolf | Nickname: Garou): ...Ughh, alright. I'll cook, but Feota, I'm gonna need you to freshen those vegetables when we get back."
"Sarlin: I'm not eating those evil greens!!"
"Aoyii: If you wanna sleep in a warm bed tonight, you will eat the greens!"
"Deuliox: ..."
"Yama: You're more focused as of late, Deuliox. Is this tournament tickling your fancy?"
"Deuliox: It's not the tournament, persay. But there's a contender in the Northern Bracket that has my interest."
"Sarlin: Is it that one cute-looking Militia Captain? I'd crave for the chance to fight him.. maybe f*ck him after our fight.."
"Feota: Sarlin! Such sadistic thoughts, I thought you knew better!"

(With the group laughing, communicating, and talking to one another more, Deuliox remained deep in thought before returning to their massive home, a room fit to house plenty at a time. The women of the group, Feota, Sarlin, Osakaga, and Vaeonus, were all bathing peacefully in privacy. As for the men in the group, Aoyii was preparing the food for tonight's dinner, Yama was returning to his studies on Buddhism, Laurthus was then training himself in the darkness to master Shadow Magic, Corrom was napping in his self-made nest, Groell was gobbling up as much food as he could in his secret stash, and Deuliox was at his usual spot, the open view of Guardian City as he stands on an unguarded balcony.)

"Deuliox: ..."

(Deuliox would return to the time he's fought Yinlong during the Tower of Combat, believing that Yinlong himself was not given a chance to go all out, and compares it to the Yinlong currently in the Tournament of Champions.)

"Deuliox: ...That is not Yinlong's true strength. While the Southern Bracket has promising champions, including Rakuzora... The Northern Bracket is what has my attention. I wonder how well he'll fight tonight."

(As time passed once more, fans were heading towards their seats while many risky gamblers were betting once again on matches of the Northern Bracket. With replays of Sunday's matches on the screens outside the arena, many tournament participants were also in attendance as spectators for the Northern Bracket matches, including contestants from the Southern Bracket such as Ruked, Yinlong, and Rakuzora.)

"Rakuzora: HA-HA-HAAA!! Another wondrous day for Tournament of Champions action!"
"Denar (Race: Beast (AWK) | Sub-Class: Hecaton | Beastly Kings Clan Member): Are you certain we're allowed to be here as spectators, Rakuzora?"
"Rakuzora: NONSENSE! We're here to watch, not to fight! After all, there's been a lot of buzz about a powerful force in the Northern Bracket today!"
"Denar: Well... You're right, boss! Who wouldn't want to miss this?!"
"Yinlong: Rakuzora, good to see you again."

(Approaching the seats as well was Yinlong with Thalassa and Nerata by his side as usual.)

"Rakzuora: OHH! HAHAAAA! Yinlong, my friend! I see you've brought company too?!"
"Yinlong: I have. These are my friends, Nerata and Thalassa."
"Nerata: Nice to meet you up close, Rakuzora!"
"Thalassa: Evening, Rakuzora..."
"Rakuzora: A pleasure to meet you two!"
"Male Ring Announcer: Attention, Ladies and Gentlemen, may I please have your attention?"

(With all eyes on the ring announcer, the following was then put into effect immediately:)

"Male Ring Announcer: A match swap before the continuation of the tournament has been used! In relation to this update, our first-round matches for the Northern Bracket will begin momentarily. Please view today's anticipated first round matches for today's bracket!"

(With a count of eight matches for Round 1 of the Northern Bracket, many were cheering in surprise for the familiar names to those in attendance, as many were baffled at the many possible outcomes for this tournament.)

"Nerata: Hm, so this Rykard everyone's talking about is going up against a Militia Captain."
"Yinlong: Rykard?"
"Nerata: He's what people are now calling the "Dark Horse" of this entire tournament now. He may be in the Northern Bracket, but everyone now believes he'll be the Division Leader."
"Yinlong: Hm... This is interesting. I wonder when he'll get his match-"

(With the bell ringing twice, it is time to begin the first of the eight matches for the 1st round. As fans were in anticipation, both challengers were then introduced by a stunningly gorgeous female ring announcer for tonight, a swap made by the overseers for the tournament, the Council of Origin, for this is the woman's debut as an announcer. With the gate to the South opening, it was revealed to be a fully awakened Human in combat, experienced in Divine Arts.)

"Female Ring Announcer: Introducing first, representing The Militia, hailing from the Arrowshade Kingdom! He is an experienced warrior of the Divine Arts and a four-time Division Champion in the Tournament of Champions! The "Arrowhead", Khaze Coniki!"

(Walking out to the ring with adoring fans cheering his name would be the 6'8 Human with a slightly muscular body, the scar of an arrow directly slit from his chin to the center of his forehead, his fists wrapped in protective tape, and lastly, his presence was well known, sparking the interest of many who are interested in his power. With the door to the north opening, the weather immediately began to sharpen inside the stadium, with even fans feeling exposure to the sharp cold emitting from the North gate.)

"Female Ring Announcer: And now, his opponent... Hailing from the Iced Caverns in the 288th Realm, he is making his first-ever debut in the Tournament of Champions! He's known as the "Eye of the Storm," The Behemoth of Snow," and "The Ice Dragon!" The first seed of the Northern Division, RYKARD!!"

(As multiple steps entered the ring, his presence was now increasingly high, widening Yinlong's eyes to his very steps, shaking and changing the atmosphere of the realm. As Rykard was wearing a white mage's cloak with his hood covered, his partner, who was accompanying him to the ring, was a short 5'7 female with long violet hair and wearing a hooded cloak in all white as well. With Rykard taking his final steps to the ring, his partner would stand on the sideline, awaiting for this match to end quicker than expected.)

"Khaze Coniki (Race: Human (AWK) | Militia Realm Captain | Bounties Collected: $1,625,000): Heh, a nameless runt like you made it to the first seed of the tournament and cause trouble for my friends? I expect this to be an easy victory for you it's a one and done deal!"
"Rykard (Race: Dragon (AWK) | "Eye Of The Storm" | Militia's Most Wanted): ...Your bounty doesn't scratch any surface, and you think you're going to walk out of here alive."
"Khaze: Oh.. Cocky it seems, you're gonna regret underestimating the Militia!"
"Male Ring Referee: Are both contestants ready?!"

(With Khaze's fists glowing in a yellow aura, indicating his Divine Arts were equipped, Rykard keeps his hood and cloak on while nodding in response.)

"Male Ring Referee: LET THE MATCH... BEGIN!"