Furn Star

Chapter 13: Ranking Match

Percy's Perspective
I am currently leading Jackson to the ranking match arena.
"I can't believe I'll have my ranking match on my birthday!!! I hope I get a Continental-Class as my opponent!!!"
"Oh, you'll be surprised!~"
His face unraveled confusion.

"Everyone!!!! The first match is a special one!!!" The announcer preached aloud to the packed audience. His voice even trumped the chorus of cheers. "We have a battle between a World-Class and his younger brother!!!"

Jackson's Perspective
     Percy was in the stands as the fight commenced.
I thought I was doing pretty well, although, Obsidian never once looked at me. He kept his eyes shut. Why won't he ever take me seriously!!!? I get I'm way weaker, but he could at least look at me.
I could feel my rage boil as I was enveloped in yellow light. His mouth opened a bit in awe as the chattering audience were silenced.
My brother always told me I had a Cypher, but is this it? I can feel the knowledge of my power expand.

Obsidian's Perspective
With my eyes closed, I couldn't tell what exactly changed, but it seemed as if he reached an epiphany of Magic.

A new Magister is born.

     His Cypher is quite powerful, too bad it won't make him limitless.
I sighed and lost focus. In a split second, a clone of Jackson made of electricity launched a super-fast punch. I barely dodged as I sensed something different.
     Since I couldn't see in the traditional sense, my Magic let me know of a very faint shadow. I avoided a nearly invisible punch as a loud, thunderous noise broke through any opposing sound.
     I darted back and felt a slight, but acute, pain in my ears. I opened my eyes in order to see exactly what was going on. With the heart in my left eye, I can see and understand things others can't.
     It seems to both be him. One as a personification of lightning, while the other being living thunder.
     As the two halves came together, I noticed lots of the High-Class Hunters were very impressed. The audience was in awe of it as well.

Jackson's Perspective
     After my two bodies fused back together, I was ecstatic. Not only did my Cypher indisputably show itself, but Obsidian opened his eyes. Even I have have him wary. I couldn't contain the almost smug smile across my face.
     I noticed something, he wouldn't look me in the eyes. Is he still holding back!!!!?
     With my anger and using my past experience as a guide, I recreated the splitting Magic.
     My lightning half charged with great speed and accuracy, but I couldn't lay a finger on him. Our eyes met for a moment. His eyes widened slightly as he left himself open.
     My other self took advantage, and struck him square in the chin. He basically flew backwards. And fell. Dust kicked up, desperately trying to escape his immense weight.
     He got up slowly. "I declare this match over!!!!" He dusted himself off, the crowd in a standstill filled with murmurs. "I distinguish him as a County-Class Hunter!!!"
     The spectators were confused and some even booed. "Wait, what!!" I exclaimed. "That had to be at least Country-Class!!!"
     He closed his eyes and sighed. "Do you really not understand the Classes. Most High-Tiers are distinguished as City-Class, and here you are as a High County, and you can't accept it?" He shook his head slightly. "Not only that, but I believe the audience also doesn't know the actual strength of the Hunters that protect them."
     He continued on this rare tangent of his, "You people use technology to slow down what is happening, and it dampens your senses." He stared me directly in my eyes, he seemed to be a bit uncomfortable with it, but I also felt as though I could be killed at any moment. "Sleeper!!"

     He's the Country-Class Support Hunter. He's really young, though somehow older than me, and was the protégé of an Inter-Continental Hunter.
     "Sorry kid, but I'm going to have to show you."

     Our fight was brief, even with my new technique, using whips, and even my Encoder, I couldn't lay a finger on him.
     In the end I was smashed into a wall with brute strength.
     Obsidian walked up. "You were helpless in the face of a Country-Class that didn't use a Cypher, Encoder, or any real Magic. He was a Technical Support-Type, and you weren't even close." He relaxed a bit. "I'm not trying to make you feel bad, but everyone here needs to understand that these threats are able to easily take this Hunter out, we need everyone's cooperation and understanding of the situation!"
     "W-why won't you look at me?" I basically whispered it, but the Sound Magic in place made it heard throughout. "You rarely look me in the eye... do you really find me as that much of a disgrace?"