Today's AFC fight was gaining more attention than anyone expected. It wasn't a championship fight, it wasn't a match between two top rankers, and yet it was pulling in the same numbers.
This was all due to people watching the match from all over. There were those in the AFA themselves. Izzy, Ian, Numba, and their respective families were all watching the bout. They would usually have a high interest in the AFA anyway due to their children, but there was an even more special connection now.
Then there were the others, the students who generally watched the debut matches that happened, but these students included the likes of Apollo, Snow, and Wu. They were all predicted to be the next debut students.
Then there were even those that were no longer a part of the AFA. Xin, who had already moved into a top team, along with Ryan, who had faced Gary head to head when he had become a permanent student.
There were also those that Gary had helped along the way, such as those at Ashen Entertainment, and today, they had actually decided to use their own money. Ash had paid for all of them to come and watch the show.
"Wow!" Rachel turned around in amazement, staring at the seats behind them. "Are there usually this many people at these things?"
The group had front-row seats with the cage just meters away from them. Part of dried-up blood could even be seen on the floor below; they were that close. At the moment, there was no one in the ring, though.
"The tickets weren't too expensive since this isn't a major event, but honestly, I'm quite surprised about the turnout myself. I guess Clem did a really good job presenting Gary." Ash smiled.
Sitting next to Clem, Spring had her arms folded. She could hear many in the crowd spot and notice Clem, yet not a single one had recognized her. There were even a few that recognized Tyson as well.
"Well, Gary, we've all turned up for your debut match, so you better not embarrass yourself and lose." Tyson pumped his fist.
The lights started to dim as the first few matches were about to start.
-----
Gary was sitting down on the bench in his changing room. He was wearing the AFA uniform as was standard for those having their debut match. They were to represent which academy they came from.
"Are you nervous?" Eddie asked.
Eddie was his teacher during this whole time, but he hadn't really taught Gary much, stating that he was already beyond ready compared to the others.
"I'm okay, I just have a lot I'm thinking about," Gary replied.
Eddie then placed both hands on Gary's shoulders before he started to shake them violently.
"You should be nervous! Why is your head filled with other things apart from the fight?" Eddie said. He then let go of Gary and let out a big sigh. He was worried about this match for more reasons than one.
"Look, you know that a match like this isn't usually the main event, yet your fight today is. Do you remember why that is?" Eddie asked.
"Because of those TV interviews I did?" Gary answered, his tone changing at the end as he was unsure.
Eddie slapped the side of his face. "That might have played some part in it, but it's because of your opponent. Usually, in a debut match, they would put you up against something called a Journeyman. An opponent who has had a few fights and also has had a few losses.
"Someone that they are almost certain you will win against but at the same time show a level of your skill. This will allow you to build up your reputation and get your eyes on some scouts to make you a star.
"Maybe it's because in many eyes you already have the upbringing of a star, but your opponent today is not a Journeyman."
Usually, before a fight, one would study their opponent diligently. Gary used to do it when watching his favourite Altered fights to try to figure out who would win. The problem was, there were no videos on his opponent, so Gary was unable to do this, but there was a reason why there were no videos.
"Your opponent this time, it's their debut match, just like yours. They're from the Fighting Bruiser Academy. I'm sure you know they're a competitor of ours."
Gary certainly did know them. The AFA was the most well-known fighting academy but wasn't the only one out there. The Bruiser Academy would often be compared to the AFA, and some would say they produced more competent fighters on average, while the AFA was criticized for only focusing on talent.
"I'm sure they're upset about the amount of attention we received last time, so they must have pulled some strings to organize the fight. The AFC thought this was a golden opportunity, and it seems right, judging by the amount of people outside.
"Either way, they will have sent out their best, so I need you to be on top of your game and not have your mind filled with useless thoughts right now!" Eddie shouted.
---
On the opposite side of the venue, in another changing room, Gary's opponent was also sitting down. He had short hair that was razor-thin with a few stripes on the side, thick black eyelashes, and a focused stare. This was Haze Brunt, Gary's opponent and the number one student at Bruiser Academy.
"Do you have everything ready?" His coach asked him.
Haze looked up and rubbed the side of his mouth. He could feel something tied to the top part of his tooth, a pill that had a black coating all around it.
"I do... but I don't want the same thing to happen again. I felt like I nearly had become a crazed Altered," Haze replied.
"It all worked out in the end, didn't it? Besides, that was a gift from our sponsors who want to make sure we win, no matter the cost." The man smiled.
Inside the capsule, inside Haze's mouth, a dark energy was swirling around.
----
****
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