Scuffle Tussle Against Bruno

"Finally! The time has come. This is one of the most anticipated final stages of the military enrollment we have had in years HAHA! Our young recruits are already here and getting prepared to fight to death HAHA!"

I really can't wait to be free from this guy, his voice is getting jarring. Hopefully, we can get this finished quick.

I looked around the room, at the start there were well over 40 people here, now we have barely over ten. I have been confident the whole time till now, each one of these guys here, is truly a well-trained guy who is dedicated to being a soldier, not for the benefits, but because they have a real goal in mind.

While I was doing some final stretches, a hand touched my shoulder. I thought it was Takeo but I was gravely mistaken.

"Good luck kiddo, you may be strong, however, you have yet to see the full potential of everyone here. Don't think you've seen everything the guys here are capable of."

*gulp*

He walked off without even waiting for a reply, not like I was able to give one anyway. Hino Yuichi is known as the currently highest ranked enrollee. During the last stage, he killed at least half of the waves himself. The only thing he couldn't do alone was the dragon, which none of us could. Now that he's saying this? I am a bit afraid of what is to come. I tried to analyse everyone as much as I could, but clearly, I could have been underestimating them. I could have been assuming that what I saw was their maximum.

The gate to the arena began to open. This is now where it all begins and ends. I looked over at Takeo and nodded to him.

"Good luck," he replied in a sincere yet serious tone.

They slowly began calling our names in pairs. Randomly choosing our opponents. Few people went out and did their fights, and they are truly more talented than I originally anticipated. This, however, will not be an issue now since I'm far more aware of the situation.

Another two names got called out from the arena.

"Kato and Bruno"

Finally, it's my turn.

This shouldn't be too hard, I have seen him fight before. He may be talented with his magic, however, when it comes to fighting he's not so refined.

We walked out onto the arena. The place was overflowing with spectators, all yelling like wild animals.

"HAHA! Here we have one of the all around fans' favourites! KATO MITO! Who will be fighting one of the least liked by most! BRUNO YUUDAI! HAHA! This will really be a fascinating battle!"

So people don't like him, interesting. He doesn't seem all that bad. Though I have yet to talk to him, maybe that's what I'm missing.

"Vassup Kato! I have to zay you do have a very nice face. It vill be a shame to harm it."

I stared at him for a moment. What is he saying?

"The next time I look at the stars and think of hot men, you will be one of them."

Now I'm really confused. Is he okay?

I really should stop getting distracted, I can't let an idiot like this distract me like this. I grabbed my sword and fastened my grip around it. He didn't seem to make a move yet. I strengthened my stance and waited for him to make a move, however, he didn't move at all. Seems we are in a bit of a stalemate here.

"Why aren't you moving Bruno? Scared? Or just an idiot?" I attempted to agitate him, but it seems that he was actually enjoying it. Rather discomforting I have to say.

Time wasting is not my way to go around things. I decided to make the first move. I stabbed the ground with my sword and created a ring of ice around me. As soon as it was completed the earth began to tremble. The whole ice ring began to crack and fall apart.

I looked up at Bruno, he stood still, grinning. So his attribute must be earth or something related to that. Quite the inconvenience.

Without a moment to rethink Bruno made his move. He grabbed his battle axe from behind his back and slammed it from over his head into the ground causing a huge ravine to form in front of it. I quickly dashed to the side, just making the dodge.

Not giving me a chance to recover, Bruno prepared for his next swing. I had no choice but to counter.

I reached out for my sword, however, I didn't make it in time. Bruno had landed his second strike, creating another ravine. I managed to just grab onto the ledge of the ravine.

I dragged myself up onto the ground. This is bad. Very bad. I don't know how to go about winning this. He seems to be playing on the defensive, so maybe if I go full offence he won't expect it.

The only thing I can figure out as of now is to charge at him head-on and attack, hopefully not kill him in the process. I grabbed my sword and began charging straight at him.

"HAHA! Despite struggling, Kato decided to charge straight at Bruno! This is quite a surprise for Bruno, and he did not expect it! HAHA!"

I was getting closer and closer to Bruno and he still didn't make a single move. A few steps before reaching him I quickly swiped my sword on the ground towards him and created an ice ramp, using it I dashed into the air over him and dropped ice pillars around him. Before landing, I made a ramp to slide down back to the ground.

Bruno didn't flinch once. He looked over his shoulder towards me and smiled.

"Kato, Kato, Kato. You zeem to have forgotten that placing your ice around me von't do much against me. I gave you an example at the start." As he was speaking he slammed his axe on the ground, crushing all the ice pillars around him.

Little did he know that although he crumbled the ice pillars, the ice shards still are my ice, and since it's my ice, I can still manipulate it.

Without him noticing I concentrated my self on taking control over the ice shards. Since they are made by me, my mana is still within them. All I need to do is concentrate and find my mana in the ice shards.

"Don't be so quick to conclusions Bruno. You aren't as smart as you think you are. Your overconfidence is your biggest flaw." As I distracted him I managed to get control over the ice shards. "It will lead to the end of you, Bruno."

I got the shards to point at him and they began shooting towards his back.

"OH HAHA! Look at that, little Kato-boy knows how to manipulate his own mana! HAHA! Truly impressive. This sure will add up some points in his favour!"

Before Bruno got the chance to react to the great spoiler made by the commentator, the ice shards stabbed into his back. He looked over his shoulder and yanked out each ice shard from his back.

"You zee, I didn't vant to break your face, but now I'm thinking a little differently."

Bruno looked back over at me. His posture changed, along with his aura. You could sense the murderous intent from his strong gaze.

I took a few steps back to get out of his battle axe's range. I was hoping to get this over quickly, but it didn't go with my plan.

There wasn't much I was able to figure out now, I need to see what his plan is. However, he seems to be on the edge. His movements might be too unpredictable now. The only way forward will be to just counterattack whenever there's an opportunity.

Bruno furiously grabbed his battle axe and began swinging it at me. Despite it being careless swings, each one was filled with brute force. I evaded each swing as well as I could, but I did manage to get a few small cuts.

"Kato! Running and dodging isn't going to help you vin. Accept fate, you are no match for me."

The madman is screaming nonsense. Rage truly gives you a god complex, can't believe he actually thinks he can defeat me with raw power. Such an idiot, my expectations were overestimated again.

While dodging Bruno's swing, I created a small ice ring around me. Not paying attention to what was happening, Bruno walked straight into the ice, leading to his loss of balance. This is the perfect opportunity.

Considering that if I place my ice on top of the ground Bruno's abilities will allow him to destroy it. It may seem that it's impossible to defeat him, however, using mana manipulation techniques it's possible to make the ice appear over the ground. Since it won't be in direct reach for him, he won't be able to use his earth skills.

Although my plan may be great, mana manipulation isn't my strong point, and I never attempted with large objects.

I quickly began to create an ice wall around Bruno before he got himself up. I tried to make it as small as possible without getting too close to him. As soon as it was done, I took a step back and formed the ice walls while trying to lift them up.

My whole body was getting strained. Manipulating such amounts of mana is hard to even for professionals. Even if I can get it up for a short moment, it would be enough.

I poured all my energy and mana into lifting the ring of ice. Although it went up by a few centimetres, it was enough to prevent him from noticing what was going on.

As the ice floated around in the air, I made a ramp to boost myself into the ring.

"Now then, Bruno. How about we end it here."

"Who do you think you are?" He replied with a mocking tone.

"You are one of the biggest idiots I've seen here."

"You sure are confident, it sucks that you are about to lose." He got up and began to swing his battle axe around.

"What are you doing? Are you trying to summon rain with your dance?"

Bruno looked around, the look in his eyes was priceless. He had no idea what was happening.

"What is this? Why can't I use my skills? Kato! What have you done??"

"Hhahahahhahah, you're such an idiot Bruno."

Even the people watching started to look just as confused as Bruno.

"HAHA! Kato presented some fantastic skills using mana manipulation! Although he's imperfect with it, using the ability at such a young age is fascinating! HAHA!"

Thank you, commentator, you actually said something not so obvious. Glad he actually has use from time to time.

Now, no time to waste, time to finish off this job. I turned back around to Bruno, taking slow steps towards him.

"Kato! Please, it's ok, you don't have to do this! Kato! Kato, I beg, please." Tears were pouring out, and his words started to make no sense.

"Pathetic." I looked down at him trying to crawl away. Disgusting sight. A man of words and no actions. Makes me sick.

I grabbed his battle axe and left the ring. Soon after it dropped down and crumbled on landing.

"Haha… hahahha… hahahha… Kato… you are very foolish!" At full speed, Bruno began charging at me with his fists out.

"You are utterly pathetic." As he charged at me I dropped my sword and his battle-axe, and I returned a punch to his stomach. He bent down in pain.

I pulled his head up using his hair. "Did you really think that after that crying and begging you would be able to fight me? Absolute idiot."

I threw him to the side and walked off. The arena turned silent.

"Well then, we have a winner! HAHA! Kato has once again shown his phenomenal skills and great tactics with good adaptability! HAHA! Let's now bring out the next duel!"

People began clapping and cheering. So the commentator isn't so useless, the more you know.

"Oh, and someone comes and take Bruno out of the arena HAHA!"

Once again, I have used up all my mana. Luckily this time it didn't cause me to pass out.

On my way out, I saw Takeo heading into the arena. I wonder how he will do.