Zero to Hero (Prequel/prototype)

Chapter 40. Upset

"Morning everyone."

"How come you didn't wake up on your own today, Ken?"

"Genesis, do I look like the type of person to stay nervous long enough to wake up on my own two days in a row?"

"Nope, you look like the type to never get out of bed unless a cute girl sweet talks to you."

"I would prefer more than just sweet talk but yeah, I did well enough yesterday so whatever happens today happens. Hopefully I put up a decent fight against Clare and maybe she will talk to me again."

"When are you going to give up on her? Maybe she just doesn't love you anymore."

"Well Seraphina, if any of you stop having feelings for me, better say it to my face instead of ignoring me. As long as she acts the way she does now, I will assume she is just being her stubborn childish self."

"I bet he is only acting this way because Clare is his favorite. If one of us doesn't talk to him for half a year, probably won't even remember our name anymore."

"Emma! Don't encourage them please!"

As the group headed back to the stadium for day 3 of the tournament and the final day for the students, Ken was ready to get through Luke's goons and have his first chance to be close to Clare in months without her just walking away and ignoring his attempt of communication.

After getting a light meal backstage, Ken resumed his domination against Luke's goons but he did notice the improvements compared to day 1. Unlike those he had beaten on day one, at least the ones that made it to day 2 seem to have some basic knowledge on keywords and are much faster at reacting and some made Ken sweat a little about having to take damage. But all in all, no matter the level of enhancement or how strong their spells are, the lack of actual combat practice made them easy targets for Ken to easily overcome.

After a small lunch and some fun bantering with the girls, Ken was back at the stadium ready for his first match in the afternoon against none other than Clare.

Walking onto the arena with the crowd and everyone around the world watching and Lucia hyping the match up, but all Ken could see was the beautiful elf girl and her lack of emotions.

"Been a while since we talked Clare, you stopped showing up to the dining hall, I think those commoners who depend on you are worried about getting bullied again."

Instead of getting a reply, an ice blast flew past his face and impacted the protection wall before it exploded into pieces.

"You know Clare, I don't want to believe it's the case but if you actually no longer have feelings for me, tell it to my face and I will leave you alone."

Rapid ice blasts and fire balls flew at Ken's face instead of a response but Ken was ready for her attacks, Ken suddenly dashed at Clare at full speed that shocked the elf princess.

"Explosion!" Ken shouted as he went for a full powered swing with his broadsword that created a massive fire blast on contact.

Barely able to block in time with an ice shield, Clare's emotionless expression suddenly changed. Shocked and surprised at Ken's speed and power because she refused to watch any of his matches up until now, she was more angry at the fact that if he hadn't shouted out his attack, she would have taken the full forced blow but him shouting out his attack was just enough to allow her to instinctively put up a ice shield just in time to block the hit.

"Good! You can still look at me with emotions. I rather you get mad or upset than just look at me like I no longer exist."

Realizing that Ken is no longer the same boy who couldn't even conjure a fireball, Clare focused her full attention onto the battle instead of worrying about her feelings.