The long-awaited day of the tournament had finally arrived, and my excitement surged within me. As the sun emerged, casting its sapphire rays across the sky, I awoke to the sound of a monkeybird's call. Glancing at my clock, I realized it was already six o'clock. I had five hours before registration began, and the countdown had begun.

Eager to seize the day, I hurried downstairs to find my parents. My mother was getting ready for her last day at work, while my father prepared for a day in the fields. Before leaving, my mother reminded me, "Hey Kyron, don't forget our flight leaves at seven. Make sure you pack your belongings and be ready to go, all right?" I assured her that I would take care of it immediately. Then, my father reminded me not to neglect my responsibilities, urging me to perform my chores. With a nod, I acknowledged his instructions, and after bidding my mother farewell, I set to work.

Once I had completed my tasks—cleaning the deer stables, collecting eggs from the leafbirds, milking the earth cows, and tending to the sheepbears—I knew it was time to head to the town. I carefully packed the battle suit my aunt had crafted for me into my backpack and mounted my trusty hoverboard. Speeding toward the town, I marveled at the immense crowd that had gathered. People from neighboring islands had flocked to witness this grand event unfold before their eyes.

Arriving at a nearby alley, I dismounted from my hoverboard and quickly changed into my battle suit. Its vibrant green and black colors, accompanied by a glossy sheen, exuded an air of power and resilience. Equipped with reinforced armor, plasma shields, and a plasma sword, it was the perfect attire for combat. Donning my hood, I joined the registration line with a sense of determination.

As I handed over my card to be logged in, I received the number 939 and was directed to the designated area. Passing through the pathway, I beheld the awe-inspiring sight of thousands of spectators filling the stands. At the front, the esteemed elders sat, surrounded by their vigilant guards. The atmosphere was electrifying, and my heart raced with anticipation. This was it—I had finally arrived, ready to prove my worth and claim victory.

Glancing around, I caught sight of formidable contenders. One individual stood out, dressed in sleek black attire, emanating an aura of strength. A girl possessed an unusual, powerful energy I had never witnessed before. Just as I turned, I locked eyes with none other than Ken and Lyle. Lyle's voice rang out, filled with concern and disbelief, "Kyron, you fool! What are you doing here?" Ken, interjecting, proclaimed, "You were foolish enough to come, Kyron. This is payback for my father, and your lack of power won't save you. Your existence ends here."

Silence enveloped us, and I felt a deep inner turmoil rising within me. It was as if a primal force stirred, ready to unleash its fury. Suddenly, the announcer's voice resonated throughout the arena, bringing everyone's attention to the center stage. Elder Sia, a wise figure among the elders, rose from his seat, followed by the others, and they raised their hands to the sky. Together, they released balls of energy, which exploded into a magnificent display of radiant lights. Elder Sia addressed us, "Welcome, young Ordasians. Today, each of you will be given the opportunity to venture into the wondrous and blessed world of Gia. You are the best on the islands of Barnust. Give it your all."

The announcer continued, expressing gratitude for Elder Sia's words. "Now, the first part of the tournament shall commence! You will engage in a battle royale until only 360 participants remain. The battle will begin when you hear the sound of the drum!" I awaited the signal with patience. My senses sharpened to detect any incoming attacks or opponents. Suddenly, the resounding "Bonk!" echoed through the arena, marking the start of the battle.

Instantly, the air filled with a frenzy of action as contestants clashed with one another. I heightened my senses, swiftly evading Ken's lunge as he called out my name. "Kyron!" I blurred away from his strike, offering a brief farewell, "Good luck," before disappearing from his sight, leaving him bewildered and disoriented.

As I swiftly evaded Ken's pursuit, I found myself surrounded by four other contenders. Landing gracefully from my burst of speed, I observed their sluggish movements, perceiving them like frozen images in a book. Seizing the opportunity, I tapped into my newfound strength and delivered precise punches, carefully avoiding their vital points. With each strike, my opponents were knocked out of the ring, eliciting murmurs of astonishment from the crowd above.

The whispers spread through the spectators, "Who is that kid? Is he from Barnust? Such power! He's holding his own. How did he do that?" Yet, as more contenders approached, my control over my own body suddenly wavered. I struggled to focus, desperately seeking the source of the psychic hold that had me immobilized. Eventually, my attention honed in on Lyle, utilizing his noble power to keep me in place, while a sage and enhancer launched their coordinated attacks.

Summoning my inner resolve, I delved deep within myself, speaking in thought, "I found it." Then, with a resolute shout directed at Lyle, I declared, "Lyle, you can't hold me!" Infused with rage, I shattered the psychic hold, evading the attackers in the nick of time, and causing them to collide with each other. The battle royale raged on, with me confronting numerous opponents until, finally, the sharp blow of a whistle pierced through the chaos, signaling the end of the match.

Standing in the middle of the arena amidst the cheers of the crowd, I basked in the moment. The announcer's voice resonated, "Congratulations to our winner! The 360 victors will progress. To those who were defeated, we bid you farewell to the 1140 contender and hope to see you again next year. Now, the 360 winners, please assemble in a straight line, side by side, to receive your ranking cards."

Descending gracefully, a lady with flowing fair hair, clad in white, floated down, presenting each of us with a card bearing the symbol of an "R." A smile adorned my face as I held the card—tangible proof of my newfound rank, granting me the privilege to journey further into the world. Among the victors, I noticed both Ken and Lyle, along with a few formidable contenders I had observed prior to the battle.

Elder Sia's voice carried across the arena, "Congratulations to our champion!" The crowd erupted in applause once again. "Your next bout will commence in ten minutes. Prepare yourselves for one-on-one combat, and in the meantime, please wait in the waiting room and await your names to be called in the back. Until then, let us give another cheer for our champion!" The resounding cheer of the crowd filled the air, fueling my determination for the challenges yet to come.

We gathered in the waiting room, patiently anticipating our names to be called for the next phase of the trials. It was at this moment that I made the decision to turn off my gravity watch. Leafwis had advised me to do so before the battle, but my curiosity got the better of me. I wanted to see how much my father's training had molded me. As I deactivated the watch, a surge of power coursed through my being as if I were effortlessly carrying a cart laden with bricks that had transformed into feathers.

Lyle approached me, utterly astounded by the shocking revelation that I had awakened my powers and acquired the impressive battle suit. He exclaimed, "Hey! What the hell, Kyron? You've got powers now, and where did you get that suit? What's going on?" I calmly responded, "I suppose you and Ken were the only ones who realized it was me. Let's keep it that way. I'm here to climb the ranks and then embark on my journey to Mal-Ra."

Lyle tried to open up about our friendship, seeking solace in our bond, but his words fell upon deaf ears. While I cherished both Lyle and Ken as dear friends, my destiny was calling, and I had made a promise to myself to explain everything once I had unraveled my path. Suddenly, the announcer's voice reverberated through the waiting room, "Lyle Coinbanner and Marshal Blackscythe, please proceed to the arena." The tournament resumed as the two of them confronted each other, prepared to commence their fight.

As the drumbeat resonated, Lyle was swiftly knocked out, collapsing to the floor, and subsequently rushed to the infirmary. The sight of my friend seemingly lifeless on a stretcher pained me deeply. Meanwhile, Marshal Blackscythe returned to the waiting room. I confronted him, unable to contain my anger, "If you knew you were so much stronger than him, you could have simply knocked him out of the ring. You didn't have to unleash such overwhelming power." He looked at me coldly and retorted, "This is a battlefield, not a place for losers. Beat it, peon!" The energy emanating from him made it clear that he was no ordinary opponent, but thoughts of Alex Ward surged within me, and I defiantly declared, "Oh yeah? Well, don't lose until you face me. We'll see who the real loser is."

As the matches progressed, I managed to regain my composure and patiently awaited my turn to enter the arena. The announcer called out, "Can Kyron Westbook and Wilson Waterlily step into the arena." I walked towards the stage calmly, while Wilson took it upon himself to taunt me, belittling my friend and predicting my defeat. I remained unperturbed, standing as calm as a leaf, ready for the battle to commence. Wilson, towering over me, charged forward, his fists enveloped in sage energy. However, I swiftly intercepted his attack, grabbing his fist and halting his assault. He stood there bewildered, unable to comprehend what had just transpired.

With a surge of strength, I enhanced my own fist and delivered a powerful blow to Wilson's face, propelling him out of the ring. I returned to the waiting room, composed and unaffected by the outcome. The announcer declared me the winner, astonished by the outcome of the battle. My mind was set, and I knew that Marshal Blackscythe would be my true opponent going forward. After the first round, with 180 contenders remaining, the initial 360 had been halved. We all ascended to Rank I, our positions determined by our combat skills and how we had navigated the trials thus far. The rankings ranged from Q to J, granting access to corresponding guilds or academies.

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I took a moment to express gratitude for my upbringing and the guidance of my parents. I recognized that our roles could easily have been reversed at any point in time. As round two commenced, the crowd erupted in cheers—battle after battle, and I climbed the ranks, each opponent stronger than the last. Strangely, I found myself thoroughly enjoying the battles, reveling in the excitement and challenge they presented. I discerned the structure of the matches and realized that I only needed to win one more bout to face off against Marshal Blackscythe.

Given a 30-minute break before the next match, I decided to visit Lyle in the tournament infirmary. To my surprise, Ken emerged from the room. Our eyes met, and he uttered spiteful words, claiming that the suit I had created to harness my power was a cheat. However, I knew he was simply blinded by anger and disbelief. The suit was standard tournament equipment, or else I would have been disqualified in the first match. Ken walked away down the hallway, and I proceeded to Lyle's room.

Lyle lay amidst a bed of flowers, bathed in particles of light. I sat beside him and vowed to avenge what had been done to him. Lyle advised me to stay focused on winning and forget about Ken. He acknowledged the strength I had displayed when I broke free from his psychic grip and expressed curiosity about my journey during the past years. I shared the doctor's report on Lyle's injuries—12 cracked ribs and four broken ones, along with two broken legs—but he assured me that he would have the chance to fight again next year or even be recruited into the army. I seemed unfamiliar with the significance of the "R" rank, he then told me R ranks are recruited into the army academy, but I encouraged him not to give up and to attempt the tournament again next year.

Suddenly, the nurse entered the room, urging me to allow Lyle to rest and referring to him as my close friend. In that fleeting moment, I glanced at my watch and realized it was 4:29, leaving me only one minute to return to the arena. With a tinge of sadness, I responded to the nurse, "Yes, he is my best friend." I dashed away, utilizing my enhanced speed, and swiftly made my way back to the arena.

Upon my return, the announcer's voice boomed, "Ken Coinbanner and Kyron Westbook, please enter the arena now!" I found myself torn between facing my former friend and seeking vengeance for my injured comrade. However, I reminded myself to remain focused on my destiny and my ultimate goal of reaching the top.

here we stood, facing each other on opposite sides of the arena, our eyes locked, both focused and waiting for an opportunity to strike. We circled each other, analyzing every movement, searching for that crucial opening. As I observed Ken, memories flashed before my eyes, reminding me of the innocent child who had once mourned his father's loss by the family pond. A momentary hesitation gripped me, but I knew I had to defeat him for Lyle's sake and to satisfy my own ego.

With my determination renewed, I enhanced the power in my legs, preparing to launch forward and end the battle with a single blow. Suddenly, Ken pounded the arena floor, creating a cloud of dust that enveloped the surroundings. Amidst the haze, I sensed a projectile hurtling toward me. Swiftly, I evaded it, but soon countless projectiles rained down upon me. I had to rely on my Enhance senses to dodge them, but it was clear that Ken's accuracy was impeccable, each stone finding its mark with lightning speed. Then, out of nowhere, Ken materialized beside me, delivering a powerful blow that sent me reeling toward the edge of the arena.

I needed an opening, a chance to turn the tide. I darted towards the center of the arena, opening my senses, desperately trying to locate Ken amidst the swirling dust. But he seemed to have found a way to conceal his presence within the cloud. Determined to get his attention, I shouted, my voice carrying through the chaos, "Ken! I fell off that bridge, and I almost died! Three montilians were about to devour me. It was that deer we used to chase that saved me. If not for that deer, I would have perished. I was scared and helpless, and when I looked into your eyes, all I saw was disdain. You wished I had died."

I continued, pouring out my emotions, "I'm sorry for your loss, Ken. Truly, I am. But what good is a friend if they aren't there for you in your darkest moments?" Suddenly, Ken reappeared, delivering yet another crushing blow, driving me further toward the edge of the arena. He taunted, "You should have died! My father went into that jungle because of a loser like you. Don't think I don't know about the Trimorphfia. You were the one who sparked everything, and today, you will pay with your life!"

With Ken's words, my heart turned black with certainty. I knew his secret of concealment. In a surge of determination, I dashed back to the center of the arena, desperately searching for any trace of Ken. But my senses failed me. Nevertheless, I had a plan, and I set it into motion. I began running as fast as I could in a relentless circle, creating a swirling tornado. Unbeknownst to me, Ken had dug a hole in the arena, concealing himself from my senses. The tornado I conjured forcefully dragged him out of his hiding place, spinning him around and around.

In the midst of the whirlwind, I shouted with a mixture of frustration and affection, "Ken! You've always been selfish, only thinking about yourself. You never considered what would have happened if none of our fathers returned that day, or if your father had returned while mine didn't. You're nothing but a coward hiding in your little hole. But I still cherish our friendship. This ends now!" With a decisive act, I dissipated the tornado, leaving Ken suspended in mid-air. Enhancing my speed and power, I leaped into the sky, winding up for my final punch.

As I descended, I declared with a mix of conviction and compassion, "Move on and live your life, Ken. Make your father proud!" My fist connected with Ken's body, propelling him out of the ring and crashing into the wall of the stands, leaving behind a sizable crater upon impact. I landed gracefully back in the arena as the announcer emerged, exclaiming, "What an incredible battle! Someone get that guy to the infirmary. Don't worry, folks, our medics have the ability to heal any wounds."

Standing there, witnessing Ken unconscious on the floor, I didn't dwell on the past but instead focused on the future. If I had allowed him to face Marshal Blackscythe, the outcome could have been devastating. I did my best to hold back against Ken, but I had to admit he was far stronger than I had initially anticipated.

As I made my way back to the waiting room, the atmosphere was tense with the remaining contenders focused on their upcoming fights. I found a corner to rest, but the weight of my actions weighed heavily on me. The image of my friend lying unconscious on the arena floor haunted my thoughts, and I couldn't believe what I had done to him repeatedly.

Glancing at my watch, I realized that time was running out. It was 5:15, and my flight was approaching. I reminded myself that I had to finish my next fight as quickly as possible. The round concluded, leaving only 40 contenders out of the initial 180. We were all upgraded to C rank, and Elder Sia took the stage to make an announcement.

"You forty winners have shown extraordinary prowess in your battles today," Elder Sia proclaimed, his voice echoing throughout the arena. "Without a doubt, you are the strongest group of fighters I have ever witnessed in the Ranking Tournament during my lifetime. Now, ten out of you forty will be given the opportunity to join the grade tournament in Mal-Ra. The next round will begin in 15 minutes. Fight hard and do your best."

The realization dawned upon me that those who fought earlier had more time to rest, while those who had finished their battles would be the most fatigued. The crowd buzzed with anticipation as the announcer declared the commencement of the final round. "Ladies and gentlemen, we now bring you the ultimate round of our Ranking Tournament. I ask Kyron West and Marshal Blackscythe to enter the arena."

The spectators erupted in cheers and whispers, with murmurs filling the stands. "He's a Blackscythe, they always produce strong warriors. That kid Kyron should just give up now. Kyron might have a chance, but Marshal has the advantage. This will be the fight of the year." The announcer's voice boomed, capturing the attention of the entire arena, "Begin!"

With those words, Marshal taunted, "You're here now, so show me your will, peon." I focused on enhancing my strength and speed, unleashing my full power as I dashed toward him. Our clash sent shockwaves rippling through the arena, or so I thought. To my surprise, my attack struck a shield he had erected, protecting him from harm.

Marshal retaliated, shaping his sage energy into a fist and striking with relentless fury. I utilized my enhanced speed to dodge each blow, countering with my own lightning-fast punches. But Marshal's sage energy shield left no openings, and I grew weary from expending my power repeatedly. The fight persisted as Marshal changed his energy into scythes, forcing me to use my plasma shield and sword to parry his relentless onslaught.

Each strike grew heavier, and finally, he landed a mighty blow that sent my body crashing through the tiles of the ring, embedding me into the earth. As I stood there, back against the rubble, a sense of despair overwhelmed me. Marshal approached, taunting me, "Where was that talk before, peon? I thought you were going to defeat me. I must admit you are stronger than your friend, but both of you are trash, nothing but stepping stones for my ascension."

His fists pummeled me relentlessly, and I began descending into the darkest recesses of my mind. But suddenly, a surge of energy coursed through my entire body, and my eyes glowed with a brilliant blue sapphire hue. It was as if my body was set ablaze, empowered by an unknown force. I grabbed hold of Marshal's sage energy fist, lifting myself out of the rubble, and shocking the crowd.

Whispers spread like wildfire among the spectators. "Is that synchronicity? How is that possible at his age? Some people go their whole lives without experiencing it, yet this 11-year-old boy has activated it." Marshal began laughing, realizing the significance of my power. "Wow! To think there was another kid like me who could wield this power."

His eyes started to glow, reminiscent of my mother's eyes on the day I expressed my desire to come here. At that moment, I felt as if I could take on anyone or anything. We clashed once again, trading blows. Marshal's Sage shield proved futile as I broke through it time and time again. However, amidst the intense battle, my newfound power waned, and Marshal landed a scythe strike that sent me tumbling out of the ring.

I rose to my feet, determined to show my courage, but deep down, I knew I had lost. The announcer declared Marshal Blackscythe the winner, and I was swiftly escorted to the infirmary. The nurse and doctor used sage energy to heal my critical injuries, urging me to stay in bed due to the lingering danger. However, aware of the time, 6:15, I insisted on leaving before my parents discovered my absence.

I gathered what strength remained and made my way to the exit. As I reached for the door, one of the announcers halted me, upgrading my card to Rank B. He praised my battle as one for the ages and advised me to use my time in the academy to perfect my synchronicity. Expressing my gratitude, I hurriedly left, heading toward my hoverboard to make the journey back home.

Pain coursed through my entire body as I traveled, the sensation of passing out looming over me. In the distance, I spotted my house on the horizon, and with great effort, I arrived safely. The battle suit my aunt had crafted had absorbed much of the impact, but my ribs and upper body ached and bruised intensely. Despite the pain, I managed to change into fresh clothes and settled onto the living room sofa, awaiting my mother's return.

Gradually, I succumbed to exhaustion and passed out, my body overwhelmed by the toll of the fierce battle.