"Well, that was unexpected…" Ross commented with a bland look.
While the fight was entertaining to watch, it wasn't all that impressive. He believed Percival could have done better, but still decided to play around until it bit him in the ass.
Yes, like everyone else, he knew Abigail was the most likely to lose; in fact, she was the most certain.
Just because he was familiar with her didn't mean he would support her. They were only acquainted.
Her plan of going all out was smart but poorly executed. An opponent like Percival is not someone you could take on simply by going all out at the beginning. He was relaxed, not stupid.
"Hehe… yeah. I guess this is as far she goes." Alex commented with a head shake before his eyes shifted to the other fights that were nearing their end.
Abigial's fight lasted close to a minute before they were both eliminated.
The rule was if any fights remained without a winner, it was up to the instructor's discretion to decide who was the most likely to win.
Of course, the obvious choice was Percival. And while Abigail did show some action at the beginning and then switched to close combat, she failed to land any real hits on Percival.
On the other hand, Percival had the fight within his grasp as he could have ended the fight anytime he wanted. And if it wasn't for the terrain that disadvantaged both, Percival could have come out the winner.
"Honestly, I still don't get why you're helping that girl. In my opinion, you've helped her more than she did.
"Is there another reason behind it? Something Ross and I are missing?"
Julia chipped in. It wasn't her jealousy talking or anything, it was just that Alex had no real reason to help the girl.
"…"
Alex remained silent as he had no reply to give. His thoughtful expression showing his turmoil only attracted the side glances of his friends as they wondered what he was thinking.
A few seconds after the silence, Alex looked at them and replied, "Call it making connections or building a rapport with her.
"Our universe is full of surprises and mysteries, trust me, I know." He stated cooling and revealed a small smile at the end of the statement.
"Help can come from the unexpected of places," He added before turning his gaze to the big screen. There was no serious agenda or ulterior motive, just genuine friendship building.
"Well, that works too." Julia shrugged after hearing his reasoning. While she was possessive of Alex, she was not going to stop him from meeting new people.
And by new people, she meant simply making friends—only friends; preferably males.
Suddenly, the spectating students cheered as the first round of fights came to an end. Unlike the fight between Abigail and Percival, the rest of the matches ended with clear winners.
However, they had their fair share of dangerous terrains and remnants of who knows what and which battles.
The only thing the fighters experienced was the results of their clash that could raze countries off the map, shockwaves and man-made disasters that were off the scale.
"The other fights were good and I can clearly see some good seeds among the first years."
"Yeah, I agree. But… Why do you sound like some ancient master with lost wisdom or shit? You barely know how to wipe your ass."
"Hahaha…."
The spectators gleefully commented on the fights and pointed out their favourites, and what they would have done in their shoes while others made fun of their colleagues.
Minutes passed as the system announced the next set of fights, prompting everyone to quiet down.
[… and in the fifth arena: Zen Henjok vs. Leon Lloyd!] The system voice announced the next set of matches as the contestants appeared one by one in their allotted arena.
"Looks like Zen is going next," Ross commented looking at Alex. He wanted to see his reaction. As of late, Zen had become a pain in Alex's ass, and the only thing that would put the wannabe star in his place was Alex doing so personally.
"I doubt he would show too much of his strength. He needs to take you by surprise after all." Julia said, her eyes narrowing on the figure of Zen who stood with both arms crossed.
"I agree. He may be a pain in the ass, but his strength is no joke."
Hearing the take of his friends, Alex remained silent and just focused on the match about to happen. He had his own plans for dealing with Zen, and he wasn't going to like it.
'But you'll have to reach me first,' he thought as he considered the best approach to ensure he met Zen in battle.
"Guys, I have a proposal…"
He turned to his friends and looked them in the eye as he went ahead to speak about what he had in mind.
.....
The second round of fights was about to begin and Zen stood several meters away from his opponents. From the little he researched about the fellow, he knew Leon was a Class A student, specifically, in Class A2; right behind the class he was in.
But he wasn't most student. Even as he stood against Leon and waited for the countdown to showtime, his mind drifted to Alex, polishing his already prepared plan of dealing with Alex.
As a one-horned human like Zen, he was by no means weak. He may not be a Class A1 student, but his talents weren't any weaker than theirs. Heck. He might even be stronger than some of them.
The only difference he had with those in A1 was their awakening power being higher than his.
This went to show that the capabilities of the boy in front of him were on par with most of the students in Class A1.
"No words for me?"
Suddenly, Zen was brought out of his thoughts when he heard the question of the one known as Lean. While his facial expression was twisted in annoyance, it wasn't directed at the boy.
'What's this moron on about?'