“It’s okay, Lora. The both of them don’t even know what’s coming.”
“I know.” (Lora)
“The gap between ‘him’ and us are like the heaven and earth. A mere talented common folk wouldn’t even be able to dream touching him.” (???)
…
“The second round will begin in a few moments! We shall now draw our second round challengers!”
In that moment, the host summoned a comically large drawing wheel in front of the stage rendering the audiences off guard.
“Huh? Why didn’t they do this from the start then? Is the next round supposed to be special or something?” (The audiences murmured curious out of their minds)
(It was in fact not intentional, maybe the author just wanted to be extra this time)
“For the second round! We have…” (The host said leaving the whole arena in anticipation)
Waiting for a single wheel spinning could’ve never been a longer process if not for one thing. The wish to not become helpless prey for the monsters in any round. Everyone who knew they are not such monsters started sweating profusely. Thinking that maybe, just maybe…
They wouldn’t be devoured whole.
“Seiya.”
Silence shrouded the whole event. No one spoke a word, nor anyone had an audible reaction. The audience only stared at his silhouette as he walked quietly into the arena. Even the host couldn’t say a word as Seiya approached the stage. His teammates were, to say the least, not worried for his fight but more so for his opponent.
The Association President stood at the sight of Seiya, anticipating what kind of monster mopped the floor with someone who he acknowledged as someone who he can trust his back on.
The others?
Praying.
…
The wheel spun the second time.
“Stop.” (a figure from afar whispered into the air)
…
“And the second challenger is…”
The wheel finally stopped, pointing into one name.
“Looks like it’s a bad day for that Seiya guy, huh?” (???)
“Man, I wanted to see more of him. Too bad.” (Lora)
The mere mention of his name brought the crowd into craze. He took a step forward and waved before marching into the stage. Then there he stood, face-to-face with Seiya. He did not show an ounce of nervousness as he displayed pure casualty with his movements, expressions, even his mana.
It was as serene as it can be.
“Kent von Darui! The second match of this event will be the official debut of the von Darui family’s prodigy! Rumored to wield two unique attributes, he’s a rising star and a Vanguard in the making!”
Seiya tilted his head and asked Kent a question.
“Hey, before we start… What’s a Vanguard again? It was probably something that was taught on the first day and I was enrolled to Awakener Class not too long ago.”
Kent, with a slightly confused expression, scratched his head and answered him.
“The Vanguards are the nation’s representative awakeners. They are a special group under Uncle- I mean President Aaron’s organization, the Awakened Association.” (Kent)
“Wow, I didn’t know we had something like that.” (Seiya prepared into a fighting stance, planting his foot into the ground)
“You know, your instructor was actually scouted to become one of them.” (Kent)
“Wait, for real? Mr. Leon?” (Seiya)
“Yep, now enough with the pleasantries. We can’t keep the audience waiting.” (Kent)
“Agreed, please go easy on me.” (Seiya)
“You too.” (Kent got into his fighting stance too, with his palm facing Seiya’s way)
“Oho, he seems to be a mage. Wait, isn’t that…” (Seiya)
The countdown of the match started. The host was accompanied by the cheering audience that wrapped the whole stadium with its sound.
“3…”
…
“Is that our next prey? He looks quite decent, not just his face but also his mana. It’s giving off a sweet smell.” (???)
…
“2…”
The two challengers dropped their guard. The two of them approached each  other and laid on their stomach. They locked arms into arm wrestling position as they reinforced themselves with mana. The atmosphere became viciously tense within the stage. To the point where mana was leaking around both of them.
“Uh, so, the two challengers are currently having an arm wrestling match.” (The confused host uttered)
“Is this even within the rules?” (James)
“It definitely is now.” (Alice)
“Hold on, that Seiya can go up against him with brute strength? He’s quite stronger than what I expected. Makes it all the better for me though-” (Lora watched in amazement inside the clinic)
A sharp pain ran through Lora, as if she was stabbed by a thousand blades within a split second. Her consciousness felt as if her whole body was sinking irresistibly.
[Witch’s Curse]
The other students couldn’t help but took pictures at the smiling faces of Kent and Seiya. Judging by their mouth movements, they are having quite the casual conversation, though only the other few challengers near the stage noticed. Such a bizarre event and it was just the second round by then.
“Have you ever seen Seiya like that? He’s kind of high, not gonna lie.” (Jin was also curious and refreshed with Seiya’s behavior and expression)
“He’s excited. I just wish he wouldn’t hold back too much even though he’s weaker since his opponent might stop doing so and surprise him.” (Alice)
“What do you mean weaker? Compared to what he showed in the past, this is like a child’s play for him.” (Jin)
“You’ll know it soon enough. But I feel like I’m missing something.” (Alice)
Meanwhile, the audience did not quite like the way the two of them are fighting. That was until the floor cracked, slowly splitting the stage into two.
The locked arms which absolutely did not move shook a little and crushed mana reinforced concrete like dust along with the doubt of the masses..
“I thought Kent was a mage? Could what we are seeing be one of the rumored attributes of Kent von Darui?! Although on the other, Seiya could keep up with such power. It looks like another hidden talent had risen from the unknown!”
…
“What the hell are they doing now? Arm wrestling?” (???)
“It seems to be-” (???)
“I can hear a cracking sound, the ground is splitting apart!” (???)
“Damn. Well, it’s been minutes now. Their position would be the most optimal to compromise.”
The woman clad in black out a phone to take a selfie with a child clad in white.
“Let’s take a before-after selfie for the report this time. I’m tired of draining bodies and having to smell like blood. Shall we move out, Re?” (???)
The camera clicked along with an explosion within the stadium.
“I can’t argue with that. It’s just a kid like you this time, La, so don’t get any funny ideas. We’re gonna go in and out in a flash since there’s the President who’d be quite the annoyance.” (Re)
The wind blew, lifting the woman’s white hair as the sky slowly darkened. The little kid wore his gloves further covering himself with pure white.
“Now then, let’s go say hi.” (Re)