A New Light

Chapter 24

"Hah?What is a little girl doing here?"

In front of my face was a bulky man with a roughy and rectangular looking face. His body structure was very large, and he carried a sword that was two times to big for him. It seemed like a heavy sword too.

I didn't actually bring a "real" weapon unless if you count my cloth. So technically, everyone else was at an advantage.  I turned my attention back to my opponent while he was busy talking.

"Oi! I'm speaking to you!" He shoved a red face flushed with anger, into my immediate vision. I blink once and motion for him to continue. Strangely enough, after I made that motion he started yelling at the referee to start the match. The referee only glared at him for a bit before blowing the whistle. The man leapt right at me. Feeling that he would jump on top of me if I stayed in the same spot, I quickly moved over by a foot.

This man seemed like he was moderately experienced in these types of battles, so I decided not to take any harmful actions and just watch him. I observed, and watched, and studied. But it seemed that this man only knew how to tun and swung his fists. There was no sword action, or usage of any technique. Growing impatient I swiftly grab the wrist of the fist swinging at my face and toss him over to the other side of the arena. Then, as I wait for him to rise, I take my time in walking myself over to where I threw him. However, when I was half way there the ref suddenly blew the whistle. Confused, I halted my step and tilted my head.

"Participant number 908 is unconscious and no longer able to fight. Number 1042, Aliria is the winner!"

There was no sound while I stepped of the arena and walked back to the platform so that I was able to sit back down. I hope the next match will be more entertaining.

In my mind it was normal for the crowd not to make a sound after I won, but was it really normal for them to stare at me for 20 minutes after the match had ended? Deciding to ignore that I turn back to the arena only to see the ref staring at me and motioning for me to get back down.

" Number 1042, 1042, please come down for you second match. Number 1042."

Having a minor panic attack I quickly jump down from my seat and drive my landing towards the center of arena 2. I heard some people around me scream, and that only startled me into landing even heavier than what I was planning to. My landing crashed down and I winced a bit as I realized that I had created a mini crater in this strange black ground. Quickly leaping out of it, I glance over at the referees expression. Neutral. It seemed as if this was completely normal. A sweet smile appeared on my face one again as I concluded I was safe. What I didn't notice was the cold sweat on the referees neck and the trembling hand of my opponent.

Very brightly, I face my opponent and motion for the match to start. Sadly, the excitement was doused by the words of my opponent.

" I would like to forfeit this match."

The ref said the mandatory reminder that forfeiting this match meant a withdrawal from this tournament and then shooed him away. Just as I was about to step down as well, I was stopped by his arm.

In a slightly less monotonous voice he said, " I was told by the boss that you are to stay in this arena until you win 20 matches."

20 matches... well 18 now. Instead of feeling threatened, I felt rather grateful to the man who allowed me more matches. The next three matches were consecutive forfeits. Much to my disappointment. When finally a girl who looked to be a few years older than me strutted right to me face. In an obnoxious voice she projected her voice and very loudly announced, " Hah! All these cowardly men, backing down from fighting a little girl? How old can she even be? Nine? Ten? How strong can she actually be by this age. After all, look at her. Not even a weapon on her body. She is obviously poor. Me on the other hand, at from the noble family of Ozgrats. My-"

Before I could finish listening to her introduction the ref cut her off, "Miss we need to begin the match."

Rather shamelessly, her brushed off the fact that she was interrupted and asked the referee, " When are we going to start the match? I'm getting impati-"
The ref blew the whistle rather loudly and motioned for us to begin. As I always did, I waited for the girl to make her move and observe her. She didn't seem to be very fast. Nor were her actions very sharp. Wanting to play with her, I slowly swing my arm at her with my hand in a blade position. She wildly dodged it by turning away while stepping backwards.

Unfortunately enough, her efforts weren't enough. My hand still got a good portion of her waist and she had been knocked a couple feet away. She crouched down on one knee and wrapped an arm around her waist.

" How dare you!" She screeched.

Plugging my ear with a finger I frown at her. This girl was too noisy. I glide over to her in the fastest amount of time possible using my Dance Steps and knock her out her lightly chipping at her head. Not wanting her to collapse onto me, I move back to the spot I was at before and wait for her to fall.

I didn't have to wait long, maybe a couple of seconds? The girl crumpled and the ref signaled for the next opponent to enter. The audience roared with sound as she was carried off. They seemed to be asking each other questions, but I was too far away to be able to hear them.

While the staff was setting up for the next match I checked the time. 23 more minutes until dinner. I should wrap this up. For the next 13 matches I used the same technique of knocking them out right as the whistle sounded. My 20 matches were over in the allotted three minutes I had given myself. When the ref motioned for me to get of the arena, I scanned the crowd for Key.

Once I located her, I leapt up from where I was to her spot. When she noticed me the first thing I said was, " Can we go have dinner now?"

How do you feel about me writing teaser chapters?

And thank you to those who repeatedly reminded me to update.(｡･ω･｡)