In the hubbub, no one noticed a remarkable pattern: almost everyone in the Stone family had an opponent who was either equal to them or stronger by one stage. Thus, the chances for the family members to win had significantly reduced. With each next round, less and less of the Stones would move up the grid.

Kyon had fixed everything in such a way that by the 6th round out of 8, Lee and he would be the only Stones in the battle.

Gradually, the commotion subsided. Xiao Bai was about to speak when someone pointed up and yelled:

«Look! The Stones have a fighter who is only at the seventh stage of the basic phase!»

Everyone noticed a participant named Kyon.

«Ha! What is he doing here?! He is just a little baby! Where is his mom? Hey, you’ve lost your son!» … «Is he really from the Stone family? They are number one, after all. Oh yes, he is! He is a Stone!» … «Kyon... What a redneck name! Ha ha!» … «My brother is three years younger and the same stage of development! I was ashamed to take him to the party. Well, I should have! It turns out that the scum is welcome here! Haha!» - The guests gloated. They wanted to hurt the family that had long lost its greatness but was still holding the first rank in the kingdom.

«He has no opponent so he goes to the second round without a battle!» … «It means he is better than every second at the event, isn’t he? Haha haha!» - The malicious hyenas kept laughing.

«Gentlemen, stop it! What if he comes from the new legendary generation of the Stones who will conquer the whole world in the future! Ha ha!» - A boy from the Brown family burst out laughing and those around him cackled loudly.

The humiliated Stones wished the ground would swallow them up. How could they have known the patriarch had invited such a waste of life?! Many of them wanted to beat the weakling up but restrained themselves. They had no choice but to bite the bullet and curse quietly. They felt shame, and it’s, as the masters said, was a sure sign of the collapse of the family. What about their pride in the heritage? What about their greatness? They had to defend it in the battle!

Everything went according to plan... Kyon had attracted the attention he needed. He looked at the Browns with a cold smile. It was they who were making sarcastic comments for the most part. Small wonder given their strained relations with the Stones. History bore witness to that.

When Juno heard the hated name she swallowed nervously. {Fools... You don’t know who you’re talking about... You will choke on your own words and laughter!} It was ironic that she was glad the “master” was actually inhumanly strong, contrary to the opinion of the idiots from the competitive families.

«Hm? Do their words hurt you?» - asked Kara. – «If you want, I will bring them to heel in front of the Stones.»

Juno said nothing.

«Get it out of your head, dear. There’s a black sheep in every family. In mine as well... Why did they invite him at all? It’s weird. I would never wish to see this scum at the party in my honor.»

«Actually, I’m at the 7th stage myself.» - Juno snapped, her arms folded across her chest.

Kara tried to lighten things up. «I am sorry... I'm sorry, my sweet! No offense. You made contact with your soul less than six months ago. You will overtake everyone, even Elsa. I am never wrong about people. He is scum and he will get nothing here.»

«You wish.» - muttered the young lady.

Kara looked inquiringly at Juno but decided not to ask anything.

XiaoBai did not like what was happening. The patriarch’s grandson took hard the insults towards his family, but he was anxious about one thing... It was exactly what he was about to remind the guests.

«Ladies and gentlemen, your souls are burning with unquenchable fire! I suggest you make bets on your favorites! Who will win? Lee, the king of the battles or Tsayan, Kiyan’s younger brother?! The official banker of the Stone family will take your bet! You don’t need to be modest, there’s enough money for everyone! The commission is minimal!» - The fat guy shouted enthusiastically pointing to a well-fed man (most likely, the banker).

The unfortunate bookmaker turned pale when the crowd rushed up to him. As a result, more than 60% bet on Tsayan, and only 40% bet on Lee. Another slap in the face of the Stone family.

XiaoBai rubbed his hands in anticipation of his handsome profit. Who knew it was easy to make money on the competition between families.

When everyone made bets, XiaoBai spread his arms and solemnly said:

«May the battles begin!»

There was a storm of applause. The guests divided into ten groups, each representing a family, and surrounded the four arenas.

XiaoBai gave the sign. The judges loudly announced the names of the participants.

Two people went to the center of the arena, stood opposite each other, after a signal, they started to fight. The arena was protected with a nearly invisible barrier, the attacks never left the area.

Kyon leaned against the wall, watching the battle. He didn’t fight in the 1st round because he had no opponent (allegedly). The boy had fixed the grid himself. He asked himself. {What element should I use? And how many of them?}

He shouldn’t reveal his abilities of the heavenly genius at once. It would attract too much attention. 4 elements would be the best start. Kyon had chosen pure energy, the earth element for self-defense, the ether to attack and protect himself from electricity, and the element of cold to avoid residual heat attacks and traps. He might change his choice.

The battles did not last long, from one second to 15 minutes. People from low-ranking families were often inferior in energy compared to those from high-ranking families. Therefore, they quickly gave up and had to leave the arena shamefully to the accompaniment of scornful laughter.

However, there was an exception... The Stones had inexplicably lost three out of four battles, causing sneers at the audience.

All the 9 families thought that the strongest Stones had accidentally happened in the corner of the grid, and the rest of them (medium in strength) were just pathetic mediocrity.

With each defeat, the Stones grew darker than a thundercloud. Their self-esteem decreased, and their sense of inferiority increased.

«Why... Why the hell are you losing one by one?! Is it so difficult to defend the honor of the family?! Do you understand what shame awaits us if it goes on like this?!» - Lee grumbled at his relatives.

«Sir, I fought with all my might, but the opponent was one stage higher!» - A mutilated young man tried to justify himself.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

«I did my best! The opponent was a stage higher! I had no chance... He crushed me with direct clashes and his speed!»

«And mine used the element of fire! I could not counteract with anything... My element of the earth didn’t save me... Forgive me, Mr. Lee.» - Another young man babbled, rubbing his burnt hand.

«To hell with you. Watch how it’s done!» - Lee exclaimed and went to the center of the arena. The leader of the Stones struck his opponent in the chest with lightning speed and gained a quick victory.

When he returned to the family, he was showered with compliments.

Stephanie snorted in disgust:

«You were lucky, Lee... Unlike me and Eric, you're not at the side of the grid. I am fighting with Princess Grand in the second round. I do not cherish false hopes. Eric and I are going to lose. I can't beat Kara even being at the same level of development. It’s on you! You have to take the lead and beat Tsayan if not…»

«I got you, Stephanie… I have promised to beat the insolent prick. Trust me, I won’t disgrace the honor of the Stones. It's my duty to get to the finals.» - Lee said loudly, trying to raise the morale of his friends.

The judge announced the names of the last fighters in the 1st round. «Princess Kara Grand... vs Eric Stone! The peak stage of the advanced phase!»

Everyone was quiet. The fighters in other arenas hesitated to rush at each other. Nobody was watching them.

The gorgeous girl rose from her seat, walked gracefully to the center of the arena and gave the opponent an arrogant, slightly contemptuous glance. A smile was playing on her lips leaving the audience smitten with her.

Eric blushed, bowed and said respectfully:

«Set the mediocrity on the right path, Your Highness. Thank you.»

Kara didn't answer.

~ beeep ~ - went the signal.

Eric rushed headlong into the attack. Large bubbles of water formed around his fists and spun as if in the storm.

«He is going to use the crown technique of a water tornado! Incredible!» … «He can’t! Not right away!» … «Eric is not to be toyed with!» - yelled the astonished observers.

Kara did not budge. She stood haughtily, her arms crossed. When Eric ran halfway, something unimaginable happened. When the princess gently clenched her fist, scarlet sparks streamed into him from all sides, creating an impressive effect of the concentration of powerful energy.

«Part one, the phoenix blast.» - The princess whispered calmly, and without further ado, she charged with her blazing fist in the direction of the storm.

~ baammmmmm ~

There was a powerful explosion.

The water tornado scattered in countless sprays in all directions washing the protective barrier with a thin film.

With a ~ boop ~ Eric's unconscious body crashed into the further part of the barrier, slowly slid down and collapsed to the ground.

Kara looked incredibly majestic like a goddess fallen from heaven. There was not a drop on her beautiful clothes. She seemed to have crushed the opponent with her presence only.

There was a deathly silence. You could hear everyone breathe, their minds seemed to be completely blank. The fighters in the other three arenas forgot about their battle and looked in surprise at the outcome of the battle with the princess.

«Overwhelming power…» - Stephanie said and cringed. Eric was stronger than her and yet he had lost in a moment.

«Holy cow... He is the second in power! How could he lose to the opponent with equal development with a single blow!?» … «Did you see it?!» … «Oh my God, how merciless she is! And so fast! I heard Kara means punishment. The Princess lives up to her name!» - The audience roared.

The fight only lasted seconds. Kara had won without any effort. The girl’s incredible power and regal look mesmerized the juniors who had just known the new boundaries of energy. They were not fit even to welcome such a mighty being.

Kara gracefully turned around, shook her luxurious cherry red hair and took a seat next Juno, gently taking her hand in hers. «Well, how do you like me?»

«As usual… It’s very you.» - The girl replied impassively. She once watched Elsa and Kara fight. It was difficult to surprise her since then.

«You are so cold! Uh ... I adore you, my little snowy lady!» - Kara said and wrapped her arms around Juno. Then she sat her on her lap.

«You… Let go of me!» - She screamed like a bird who got into the clutches of a hungry cat. «Let go of me now! I am Juno Stone! I do not allow even the princess to paw me! Arrr!»

No one dared to help her. Lee coughed into his fist and turned away, hoping that everyone had forgotten his promise to defend Juno.

The princess tightened her arms around the seductive girl. «Purr-purr-purr, the evil kitty wants to get out but you’re no rival to the phoenix. The proud bird respects your free spirit and she will play with you as much as she wants. Hehe.» - Kara joked with a playful smile.

The Juno kicked some more, looking deeply hurt. But soon she realized the futility of her efforts, relaxed and leaned back against her friend’s ample bosom. If Kara felt like having fun, no one could stop her. Even Elsa had to fight her almost to death.

It all began when she was a child. Juno had long observed the more she tried to break free, the more the lustful princess got handsy. Only Elsa could save her even if Juno didn’t really want her help. At the moment, Kara was simply ignoring the glances of the young men around. She was brazenly squeezing Juno’s delicate boobs, kissing her neck. It was useless to resist. Juno had to relax and wait till the girl lost her interest.

«You’re smart. I love you.» - She whispered and passionately bit Juno’s earlobe. Today, her plans were far from ordinary flirt. One step at a time, though.

Juno felt utterly helpless. Just like when she with the master... She glanced over the shocked audience and saw Kyon. The emerald eyes met the black eyes.

{What are you looking at? Jealous?} - a soothing thought flashed across her mind.

The boys watching the two stars drowned in the abyss of their fantasies. {I also want to be on her lap... I wish she bit my ear... Please, just for a second!} ... {It’s a dream!} ... {How I wish I was in lady Juno’s place...} ... {I know what I will be doing next month before bedtime! Hehe!} ... {She is a striking royal person... She is a beautiful swan, and I am an ugly duckling. Gods, why didn’t you give me a talent for development...} - Many of them had similar thoughts.

Meanwhile, Stephanie and Lee helped the doctors put Eric on a stretcher. He will soon be taken to hospital. There was no particular damage, which suggested that the princess had been restraining herself.

«I'll give up right away. I do not want to disgrace myself. She may be a princess but get defeated in an instant... Sorry but I don’t want to be embarrassed.» - Stephanie said grimly.

Lee put his hand on her shoulder.

«I understand you, my friend.»

The Stones sighed sadly. It was foolish to dispute her choice. Eric’s fate was unenviable.

Stephanie changed the subject looking coldly at the Stones. «Well, did anyone find that guy at the 7th stage of development?»

«I didn’t, I am sorry…» … «We have not found him yet…» … «We’ve never heard of Kyon.» - The errand boys answered.

«Right, then let's wait for his round. I want to make sure he is beaten to a pulp.»

«You’re right, he totally deserves it!» … «You are absolutely right!» … «I will punish him myself if he gets off easily!» - The Stones agreed.

XiaoBai touched the nephrite, trying to ignore what was happening to his sister. He didn’t want to anger Kara... The picture on the screen in the sky had changed. The names of the winners moved up the grid.

«Ladies and gentlemen, the second round finally begins!» - The fat guy announced.

The audience cheered. The young people whistled, smiled, praised the winners.

The Stones were unusually quiet. Most of them did not get to the 2nd round.