The ground echoed from the speakers attached to the school walls, carrying a voice through the microphone.
Ladies and Gentlemen!
Ironfall Academy Fighting Tournament is taking place today!
Our participants are ready.
Some are afraid. Some are excited.
To see who actually wins, We have to watch till the end.
So, our first matchup is:
Chris vs four people from the same group called "Nerdy Group".
Boy 1: Hey! That's not our group name.
Boy 2: Let him be. He got the mic, so he thinks his commentary will be funny.
Chris: Pft, Nerdy Group. That's disrespectful. I think they are decent fighters. All are D ranks.
He glanced at them.
Well, let's begin then...
Wayne: Hey, Mark.
He whispered to Mark. Is it okay to send Chris first?
Mark: Yeah? Why do you ask?
Wayne: Well, you know him. He gets excited while fighting.
Chris cracked his knuckles.
Wayne: And he doesn't really go easy on anyone.
Mark: It's all good as long as he doesn't go in "that."
Chris stood and asked: So, Who's coming to fight me first, you Nerdy Group?
Boy 1: Even he is calling us that.
With a hateful expression.
Boy 2: It's okay. We are D ranks. He is C. We probably can't win in 1v1.
Chris: Okay, I will fight all of you at once. How's that?
Chris lifted his finger and said:
"Ladies and Gentlemen, what we have here: Chris is going to fight four D ranks at once! Is this a good idea or is he going to regret it?"
Boy 1, 2, 3, 4: Alright! We will fight you together then.
They all clenched their fists and stood in front of Chris.
Wayne: He's being cocky. But the Chris I know would surely do something to win.
Chris smiled as one of them attacked him.
He blocked it and punched back, but before that the other blocked his way using his forehead.
Chris smiled.
In the same moment, the third grabbed Chris's waist from behind and the fourth jumped on Chris's face, landing a solid punch.
"This is insane! Their teamwork is overwhelming Chris alone. Can Chris win this fight or is he losing in the first round?"
Chris: Fascinating, this feeling of getting overwhelmed in a fight. It reminds me of that guy...
"Bob shadow appears."
That ugly guy from Blackridge back then. I would love to crush him if I meet him again.
With that, he slammed his fist on the fourth one and flipped, punching the third one who was holding him.
"Ladies and gentlemen, Chris is starting to turn the tables here. He's trying his best. But looking at his expressions, it looks like he's enjoying it too much."
Third and fourth boy: Dammit! He got us with a clean attack.
Chris charged at the first and second boy and slammed a split-leg kick on their faces.
Chris: Is this all you got? Come on... don't put shame on D ranks. You're four.
They all stood again and charged at Chris, but he dodged most of the attacks.
Chris: A fighter without skills is nothing.
Chris grabbed one of them and slammed him down.
Chris: That's one down...
He looked at the second and charged at him but got punched by the other one first.
Chris held himself on his feet.
Chris: That was a good attack. But it's still not enough—
The fourth one kicked his face, only for Chris to block it with his forearm.
Chris: That was close.
He punched him.
Chris: That's two down.
The remaining two gasped as Chris charged at them and took them out with one punch each.
"So the winner of this round is, Chrissss!!!!!"
Everyone applauded and cheered.
Chris stood and waved.
Chris: I am the best!!
Chris went to them and gave them a hand.
Chris: Sorry if I hit you too hard. I can't hold back when I am fighting.
One of them: It's fine. We are your juniors after all...
Chris: But you can grow. You guys have good teamwork but lack ability and strength.
Chris stood and as he was about to go back, someone called him:
Henry: Are you bullying the juniors again?
Chris: Huh?
He looked back at him with a serious expression. It's just a tournament! Not bullying.
Henry: Well, I can't let this slide. They are my boys, and I am the leader of this so-called new Nerdy Group, as the commenter announced.
Chris stared at him. What are you trying to say?
Henry: Huh, it's obvious! I will take you on! Right here. Right now.
Henry smirked. His title popped up: (C Rank Fighter – Boxer)
Chris: Huhhh? Are you sure about this?
His expression was serious as he stared at Henry.
"Ladies and gentlemen! We have Round 2 here: two C ranks, Chris vs Henry! It's going to be a tough match between them. I'm so excited to see this."
Chris: Well, I guess your ego really got hurt by what I did—
Henry attacked, punching his face.
Chris barely dodged.
Chris: No hesitation, I see.
Henry: I am not here to talk. I am here to beat you up.
Chris: Funny. Let's see then.
Wayne to Mark: This is crazy. He's not even fully healed yet.
Mark: It's not like Chris got much damage from the previous fight, but for sure he isn't at his peak yet. It will be troublesome!
Henry knew this all along. He probably wasn't sure if he could win against Chris at his peak, so he decided to strike at the perfect moment.
Wayne: That bastard!
Chris blocked his punches; Henry laughed and managed to hit his stomach.
What's wrong, Chris? Are you tired? You're not focused at all!
Chris: Shut up.
He kicked Henry, but Henry blocked it.
Henry: I am a boxer! Try something better than this!
Chris managed to kick him, but he blocked again.
Henry: I am disappointed. You're going easy on me, or what? Your kicks have no power.
Henry punched his face so hard his nose bled.
Chris wiped his nose as he charged at Henry and grabbed his face, slamming him onto the ground.
Henry: That, was what you actually are... that power. You're not holding back anymore.
Chris: I thought I should give you a beating.
Henry rolled on the ground and stood again.
Chris charged at him, but Henry managed to attack him—six jabs in a row.
Chris: Dammit... I can't fight at my fullest. Besides, this bastard knows how I fight. I have no fighting style. Why am I so weak?
Henry: Stop zoning out in the middle of the fight.
He landed a punch on Chris's face, slamming him to the ground.
"Oww, that hurts! Looks like Chris isn't in the mood today. He literally stood like a dead man and got hit clean."
Henry: Utter disappointment. You never were a real C rank. Looks like you got a new opponent after that guy 'Bob,' now huh?
But let me tell you one thing. That Fatty isn't special.
You lost back then because you were weak. Or should I say, you're still weak? You would probably lose again if you meet him.
Chris lay on the floor on his stomach, recalling the fights in his mind years ago when he lost to Bob, Andrew, and Coner.
I got stronger so I can win, but right now... I am just here, lying down in front of someone I dislike as much as that guy.
If I can't beat the one I am fighting right now, then what's the purpose?
Chris: Should I give up today?
Henry: Keep lying down like a good dog.
He wiped his face with the back of his hand as he walked away.
Henry: Announce it. I won. The dog is not waking up. No one is proud of that fucker. Not even his parents.
Chris's eyes widened. He clenched his fist as he struggled to stand again.
Wayne: Mark.
Mark: No, let him. We don't have to stop him, not yet.
Henry: Why are you not announcing it??
He looked around at the speaker of the school building, then saw Chris standing.
Henry: Huh? He gets mad
You really don't give up. I will break one bone so you don't stand again!
Henry launched his fist toward Chris's face.
But the next moment, he saw the boxing wristband he was wearing torn and falling to the ground.
At the same time, he felt his hand, as if it were slashed by something. Light bleeding came out from his hand.
Henry: What the...?
"What's this? Chris got back up, and he did something to Henry's hand."
Henry looked behind him, seeing Chris staring back from his shoulder to him.
His eyes normal yet burning with red madness.
His posture was like a werewolf. His breathing was hot as he stared at Henry.
Henry gulped: What happened to him?
Chris: I will discriminate you!!
Focused on Chris's eyes.
To be continued.