"Well, seeing how that went, Zed Pendragon advances to the next round." Asher declared and then turned his eyes to the Principal.
"Well Mr. Ardent, please pick the names."
The Principal nodded, he put his hand into the box once again and pulled out a piece of paper, his eyes widened and he almost smiled.
"Karl Ardent."
"Karl Ardent? The Principal's grandson?" These were the words that came out of the mouths of the bystanders.
He put his hand into the box one more time to fish out his grandson's opponent.
"Jackson Dorello." Michael Ardent said, he sat up intently in his seat as he awaited both contestants.
Lucas stared at Karl who wore a serious expression. Karl got up and then cracked his neck a little bit, Lucas patted him on the back before he walked out.
He walked in through an opening that Asher had created in the barrier. He stood opposite his opponent. A dark haired guy with a simple but rather determined expression on his face.
Jackson's lips curled up. "It's an honor to meet you Karl Ardent, I hope you would be a worthy opponent."
Karl frowned instantly. "What did you say?"
"I had heard you got beaten up by that guy called Zed, and he is weaker than I am." Jackson said, walking around Karl.
"And what makes you think you're stronger?" Karl asked, his frown disappearing from his face.
"This!" Jackson instant clapped his hands together, Ruin erupted in a circle around Karl, cutting the ground before sending him flying upwards.
Karl smiled a little, he jumped down from the part of the earth that was sent upwards. Standing opposite Jackson again, he pointed his fingers at him, making it into the shape of a gun.
Ruin instantly fired from his extended index finger, Jackson swerved his head a little to the right, dodging the blast.
"I thought that would put you out of commission but you're faster than that eh?" Karl said.
'I'm stronger than him, but I need to put his arrogance down. To do that I need to make him face humiliation.' Karl thought to himself as he charged forward with a Ruin-amped punch.
He thrust his fist forward, Jackson blocked. He went for an uppercut which Karl caught, dragging him closer before delivering a knee to Jackson's stomach.
Jackson coughed out spit as he reeled from the impact. Karl delivered a punch to his stomach which sent him flying backwards. He hit the invisible barrier before falling to the ground.
"I thought you were stronger than Zed? But all I see here is someone playing a role he wasn't built for." Karl taunted with an evil grin on his face.
Jackson glared at him, his face showing the immense anger he felt. His Ruin erupted, it's heat almost tangible.
"What happened? Did I hit a nerve?" Karl continued as he amped his body with more Ruin. "But all I said was the truth, you're weaker than a kitten."
Jackson erupted like a huge volcano, his rage could be felt from the heat of his Ruin which came out like a geyzer. He charged at Karl with fury that evaporated the liquids within the barrier but the moment his fist touched Karl's chest, nothing happened.
Karl stood there, unfazed by what he did. He stared at Jackson for a little while before punching him straight in the face, sending him straight to the ground. The crowd was silent, this show of dominance was nothing like they had ever witnessed.
"Wh-what's going on? Why didn't that affect you?" Jackson said, as he crawled backwards, away from Karl. His face showing true fear.
"I told you didn't I? You're weaker than a kitten and that's the truth." Karl replied, his hands in his pockets as he looked down at Jackson. "Pathetic."
"You… you… what did you do?" Jackson asked, his body shivering.
Karl rolled his eyes and then sighed. "I've told you already, the truth."
"That's not enough you bastard!" Jackson screamed back, he couldn't wrap his head around this, he couldn't wrap his head around anything.
"I just changed the truth. You were strong for someone like you, but now, you're nothing more than a stray kitten." Karl replied before turning around.
Jackson fainted, his body couldn't handle the shock of what he had just heard.
"Truly pathetic." Karl said, walking towards the edge of the barrier.
"Winner! Karl Ardent!" Asher screamed into his microphone before turning to the Principal. "Well Mr. Principal, you raised him well. Now, let's carry on with the next match shall we?"
Michael Ardent smiled at Asher's words before dipping his hand into the box again. He pulled out the piece of paper. "Elvis Pendragon."
The entire crowd erupted in excitement, another Pendragon kid which would feed their eyes with entertainment.
He put his hand into the box again, circling through it for a while before pulling out another piece of paper. He smiled a little before speaking:
"Lucas."
Everyone was shocked, who was Lucas? How would a nobody hope to fare against a Pendragon?
Jackson was stretchered out by paramedics, Lucas and Karl stood side by side.
"You were amazing and you're also incredibly lucky." Lucas said to his friend as he patted him on his back.
Karl returned the gesture with a smile. "I wanted to win with my bare hands but I also wanted him to face humiliation."
"Wasn't that a little too far?" Lucas asked, dropping his hands.
"I don't think so. I was saving this ability for Zed but honestly I don't think it'll be
enough to beat him." Karl replied, his head facing the ceiling.
"Why do you think so?"
"The ability is limited to my imagination, if I believe something true then it happens but someone faster than me can attack before I'm able to think about things like that." Karl replied.
Lucas stroked his chin intently. 'I can still beat this guy if I train hard enough,' he thought as he turned around.
"Good luck Lucas. I'm pretty sure Elvis will go all out from the start, but then again I know you'd scrape out a win." Karl said as he waved at him.
Lucas turned his head around a little and then smiled. "I'm pretty sure I won't lose, that's if I can use my Faculty well."
"Haha," Karl laughed, "I believe you."
Lucas walked into the battlefield, the crowd was already cheering for Elvis. His face riddled with anger and a hint of enthusiasm.
"I do hope you came prepared mongrel." Elvis said smoothly as he watched Lucas.
Lucas said nothing, his focus on one thing. Winning. If he wins this match he qualifies for Tokyo so losing was not an option.