"Alright, ladies and gentlemen!" The host roared, his voice reverberating throughout the arena. "As usual, we take a short intermission while the competitors strategise for what's to come.
"However, this intermission isn't going to be the same." The spectators weren't really surprised by the change, as most of them were members of the organisations and sects partaking in the tournament.
"During this break, two special individuals, unknown to any of us, will be competing in this very arena." This part got the people's attention.
"Unknown individuals…?" Someone muttered curiously.
"Mm, they're probably some awakeners from another city desiring to make a name for themselves."
"Whatever their reason, it doesn't really matter. A fight is a fight."
The spectators watched as the host called out the names of the two individuals. Back in the private booth, Alex glanced over to Andrew and asked, "You ready?"
The young apprentice nodded and focused his attention on Alex. He watched as a new body materialised from Alex, wearing the same set of clothes. This body was entirely human and had the strength limit of a Class B awakened.
Andrew did the same, creating another copy of himself. He made sure to make his clone have the exact level of strength as Alex, to keep things fair and interesting. Of course, that line of thinking was subjective.
While the clones had similar strength levels, the gap in knowledge could not be easily bridged in terms of fighting techniques and applications. Then again, there was no such thing as true equality.
"Let's go."
The two disappeared in a brief flash of light, appearing on the stage and facing each other from opposite ends. Their appearance caught everyone's attention as the spectators focused on the two, some trying to identify who they were.
"Do you recognise either of the two?"
"Nah, I haven't come across either of them. But damn, they're good looking." The last comment was in response to how the female spectators suddenly began fawning over the newcomers.
Ignoring the spectators and their reactions, the host went ahead to make the rules clear for the two. This was a real fight where the competitors were at risk of getting seriously injured.
Weapons were allowed. However, fatal injuries that could lead to death were strictly prohibited. Basically, as long as you didn't kill your opponent, everything was a go. Healers were available to attend to severe injuries.
While the host brought his explanations to a close, Alex focused on the barrier around the stage. It served to protect the spectators from the abilities and shockwaves that were bound to occur.
"You have five minutes, challengers." The final words of the host snapped Alex out of his thoughts. "Show your might and may the best fighter win!"
No loud cheers abruptly erupted like the other battles. These were unfamiliar faces, and people were curious to see what they got.
"How do you want to do this?" Alex asked in a relaxed stance. "Weapons or hand-to-hand?"
The apprentice didn't immediately reply. While five minutes may seem like a short time, it was actually a lot of time for beings at their level. Moreover, the fight could end in a split second if one were taken off guard.
"Let's go hand-to-hand first," Andrew replied, releasing a deep breath. "We can switch to weapons mid-battle."
"Of course," Alex nodded and got ready, gesturing towards Andrew. "Come at me…"
The apprentice, of course, had no issue making the first move. Alexander was like a senior he was trying to measure up to. The fact that he was about to spar with Alex made him feel like he was meeting an unreachable being for the first time.
A moment of silence settled in the arena as everyone paid attention to what was about to happen. Back in the special booth, Drakmor turned to Alex and asked, "Do you intend to use any ability in this fight?"
"I'm not sure…" Alex replied with a slight smile. He looked at Andrew and said. "That would depend on his moves."
"Hehe, don't mind if I do." Andrew grinned excitedly. "Head's up, Lord Alexander. Here I come…!"
Right on his cue, his clone made the first move with an excited grin on his face. In a sudden burst of speed that broke the sound barrier, Andrew closed the vast distance, appearing before Alex in seconds.
With a right high kick, he swung for Alexander's head. He knew it wasn't going to be easy landing a kick on Alex. And as he expected, Alex responded with a kick of his own.
BOOM…!
The stage rumbled and the air exploded upon contact, the resulting shockwaves spreading out for several hundred meters. When it crashed into the protective barrier, the spectators gasped in shock as the barrier rippled violently.
"Impossible…!"
"Woah…! Are they really at the same level as the other fighters?!"
The viewers couldn't believe their eyes. However, with how violent that simple clash was, they knew more like that was bound to follow.
"Yeah…!!!"
The spectators cheered loudly, bringing back the roaring atmosphere from before. They sat at the edge of their seats, eager to see more.
Back on the stage, Alex and Andrew ended up in a deadlock as neither of them could exert any more force; they were equally matched.
'His expression reminds me of my former self.' Alex noted with a nostalgic smile. 'Getting excited over the prospect of having fun with your opponent.'
Knowing the first clash would get them nowhere, Andrew took the initiative to withdraw, swiftly switching leg technique to hand technique.
His combat skills were flawless, depicting his abilities as a veilwalker. His punches were fast and struck true. However, Alex would always either dodge or block the attacks with minimum movements; no movement was wasted.
With each strike exchanged or dodged, the resulting shockwaves shook the stage, rippled through the air and crushed into the barrier.
"This is insane…!"
"I know…! Look at them; I can barely follow their speed!"
The spectators couldn't get enough, despite most of them failing to see anything through the blurry movements across the arena grounds. For those who could follow, they watched with avid interest in their eyes.
"That Alexander fellow isn't attacking at all… He's only defending while Andrew goes on the offensive."
"Yeah… What's more, neither of them has used their abilities yet… This fight will be getting far more intense." One of them commented and then looked to the side. "What do you think?"
"..."