Prey and Predator

The fighting continued. When Yumi was about to stand up, she was kicked by Captain Hiro that sent her flying to the other side of the arena. Yumi's physical condition was terrible, she wasn't even standing a chance against Captain Hiro.

“Let's warm things up, Yumi...” said Captain Hiro.

Captain Hiro was getting ready to cast a spell against Yumi, but how could she defend herself?

“Tiger's Claws!” said Captain Hiro.

Captain Hiro's hands took on an aura. The aura in her hands seemed to create even a tiger's claws. She advanced towards Yumi who was still helpless.

…

“Yumi... why don't you go play with the other kids?” asked a man.

“I... can't...” answered Yumi.

“Because?”

“I'm too weak, they might end up hurting me.”

“So what if I help you get stronger?”

“How would you make me stronger?”

“With training we go there.”

*Guffaws*

…

Captain Hiro was about to hit Yumi when...

“QUEEN'S FOREST!!!” shouted Yumi as she got up.

Several tree roots started coming out of the arena floor and attacked Captain Hiro. Everyone in the arena stood up, even the king.

Captain Hiro smiled and said:

“That's better, but it's still not enough.”

Cutting through everything like it was nothing, Captain Hiro got to Yumi with ease and dealt her the final blow. The excitement in the stands eventually faded.

“The victory of the first match goes to Hiro Mino.” said King Victor.

Although Yumi lost and the excitement of the stands had faded, everyone gave a standing ovation to the effort she made to counter Captain Hiro.

“Yumi, let me help you.” said Captain Hiro.

Captain Hiro helped Yumi to her feet.

“Today you were my prey, but tomorrow maybe things will be different.” said Captain Hiro.

“I... I'm going to get stronger...” said Yumi smiling.

…

The first round of the tournament continued. When the remaining matches of the first round had ended, King Victor announced the match that would close the first round:

“The last match of the first round will be between Kin Fugimoto and Norio Shiraki! Get ready!”

“Kin, do your best!” said Yumi that she was already with him on the stands of the arena.

“Yes.” replied Kin.

…

Both Kin and Norio were already set for fight. In the stands there was only talk that it would be an interesting fight, as both were hand-to-hand fighters.

“Ready?” asked King Victor.

Both responded that they were ready.

“Very good. Begin!” said King Victor.

Both ran towards each other and exchanged a punch. Norio backed off and, immediately afterwards, directed a kick at Kin. Kin saved the kick.

“Not bad, Kin.” said Norio.

“Thanks.” said Kin.

“But here you are my prey...” whispered Norio.

Kin was distracted by what Norio said and Norio somehow increased the strength in his leg, thus forcing Kin to retreat.

“What have you done?” asked Kin.

“Nothing more. I'm just using my “Brute Force” spell.” replied Norio.

“What spell is this?”

“Basically, I can activate it without using an enchantment, and it gradually increases my strength over time.”

“What?”

“Let's stop the talk.”

Norio walked over to Kin and pretended to direct his fist at his face. The Kin who was going to defend his face only realized a second later that the fist wasn't going to his face, but over his head.

Norio's punch was so strong that it left Kin lying on the ground with his head bleeding. Everything indicated that he had lost consciousness.

Everyone in the arena was surprised and scared at the same time, except for King Victor, Captain Hiro and a hooded man who in his fight had finished off his opponent with ease.

King Victor was about to declare victory for Norio when...

“Not yet...” whispered Kin.

“What?” said Norio.

Kin got up and punched Norio full in the stomach. Norio stood his ground, but he started to feel a little dizzy.

“What did you do, Kin?” asked Norio.

*Guffaws*

“I'm no longer a Class 3.” said Kin.

Everyone was surprised by Kin's counterattack and knowing that he was no longer a Class 3. What spell would he have used on Norio?

Kin started an onslaught of blows on Norio. Norio, feeling a little dizzy, couldn't defend himself 100% from Kin's attacks.

…

When Norio was almost finished and with everyone in the arena thinking he was going to be defeated, he said something:

“Kin... Don't forget my spell...”

Without giving Kin time to react, Norio hit Kin's head with a blow similar to the previous one, but this time he had hit it harder, since more time had passed since his spell had been active.

This time, it looked like everything was already decided, but Norio himself collapsed from exhaustion.

Everyone was silent to hear the king's final judgment, but...

“I'm not the prey, but the predator...” said Kin getting up once more.

King Victor spoke:

“The victory of the last match of the first round goes to Kin Fugimoto.”

Everyone applauded and cheered from the fantastic match that had just taken place.

“Kin, it looks like I really have become the prey.” said Norio, still down.

*Guffaws*

“I was lucky that no one knew about my ace up my sleeve.” said Kin, laughing.

“It's true.” said Norio, laughing too.

…

“Your attention, please.” said King Victor.

Everyone fell silent and waited to hear the king's words.

“Tomorrow we will start the second round, be prepared.” said King Victor.

Everyone looked excited.

…

The next day arrived. Even the defeated knights were excited for the fighting to come. Kin was a little nervous, as he still didn't know if his opponent would be much stronger than him or not.

“Kin, keep calm. At least you got further than I did.” said Yumi while laughing.

“Yumi, but you immediately went with Captain Hiro, one of the strongest knights in the kingdom. If I go to fight her, I lose faster than you.” said Kin.

“I don't think you're going to get along with her right now.” said Yumi.

“I hope so.” said Kin.

…

“They are all present, right? So let's start.” said King Victor.

Everyone was very excited.

“The first match of the second round will be between Yoshiyuki Ishii and Osamu Shiro!” said King Victor.

There was silence in the entire arena. After all, the man with the name of Yoshiyuki was the hooded man who had so far the easiest fight of the tournament. What would this fight be like?

…

Everything was ready for match, all that was needed was the king's permission.

“Ready? You can start!” finally said King Victor.

Osamu, not knowing his opponent, put himself on the defensive, but...

Nobody believed what had just happened. Yoshiyuki had just gone at great speed towards Osamu and at the same time he was jumping he landed a full kick on him leaving him instantly incapacitated.

“The victory of the first match of the second round goes to Yoshiyuki Ishii.” said King Victor without showing any astonishment.

No one wanted to believe how quickly Osamu had been defeated, but one thing was for sure, no one wanted to fight Yoshiyuki, except one person...

“I HOPE YOU GIVE EVERYTHING AGAINST ME, YOSHIYUKI!!!” shouted Captain Hiro.

Yoshiyuki just walked out of the arena without saying a single word.

Who will this man be? Will he be the possible winner of the tournament?