Chapter 287: Chapter 287 The Beginning.
As they saw the figure of Jiang Wei's body stuck into the walled Arena, his body slowly slid down and dropped to the ground, letting him out of the Arena. Looking at his condition, Jiang Wei had already passed out after he received that strike from Soma.
Silence descended upon the stadium venue; all the students and teachers who saw the event happen sat or stood there stiffened like statues. The earlier commotion, curiosity, and doubt had been blown away as they saw the power of that strike and what it had caused.
The only people who could still retain their normal state were from Hina's group, as they knew how strong Soma was.
Hina and the other three girls clench their fists in delight, looking at the idiot senior who dares to ogle their figure. Lucy, who also got involved, sighed and thanked Soma in her heart.
"Is it over?".
Somehow, Soma's calm voice, which seemed normal for him, echoed throughout the stadium; it brought everyone's attention back. Their bodies flinched, and they turned their absentminded stare at Soma.
Teacher Lee, who received the word directly, raised his right hand and opened his mouth.
"Out of the Arena, the match is over! Also, for the medical team, please bring your men to check the student's condition."
A couple of teachers wearing their uniforms hastened their pace and surrounded Jiang Wei.
They began to check his condition from pulse, mana circuit and internal damage, for they found nothing in his external appearance.
Soma, who had nothing else to do, turned his attention toward the girls who waved their hands at him. He pondered what he should do for a moment before he went toward the corridor and started tracking the girls' presence.
Deep within his consciousness, the first star of his constellation began to emit a glow, accompanied by the other two dim stars, after which his body underwent a rapid change. All his senses get heightened, and he can faintly feel the girls' whereabouts.
Meanwhile, as Soma had disappeared from the Arena, on the upper platform of the stadium spectator, which was built for a special occasion, the place for VIP people to gather, the headmaster and his assistant sat comfortably while looking at the match's result earlier.
"Hm, what do you think, Viana?".
"Yes, it was tremendous for someone who just arrived at the academy".
The woman who answered the Headmaster's question was none other than the vice headmaster of the school. She is a stern and beautiful woman in her late forties, almost the same age as the Headmaster. She acts as his assistant and also his wife in private. Her name is Viana Montrage.
Viana was calm and calculative. She spent her days busying herself in the Headmaster's office as his substitute. She was also aware of Soma's existence, as shown by the report from the other teacher and the news that spread about the incident in Okinawa.
However, reading and seeing are two different things, and for that reason, she is convinced that Soma is genuine.
"How was his background?".
Headmaster turned his head to Viana, but she could only sigh and shot back a glare.
"He is a relative of the President of the Awakeners Association in Japan, so I am sure his background had been concealed, deep. No, It was the truth; as a matter of fact, I have been trying to search for it".
"I see".
Viana had tried once to search for Soma's background, but no matter what she did, she couldn't find it, and it seemed someone had hidden it for good without leaving any trace.
Initially, she once thought Soma's existence could be dangerous to the Academy, but after she confirmed it herself with Mr Ito, he swore that Soma is nothing of the sort, for he knows Soma's personality well and who his parents are.
Then, after she thought it was enough, she decided to believe what Mr. Ito had told her; she wanted to believe Soma and his irregular power as a first-year who had just recently joined the Academy. Besides, looking back at his track record in the Academy, he has done nothing wrong but only saved this Academy's face several times.
"Don't worry, dear. He is a good kid!".
"...Well, if you value the boy that much, then I won't talk about anything; it's just…".
The headmaster recalled the earlier strike and the way Soma had approached his opponent in the match, which was incredible for a first-year student. The headmaster spread his lips, showing his white canines.
Viana looked at her husband like that and could only sigh, as this was typical of her husband, who always seeks thrills in fighting strong people.
"I wonder how strong he is?".
"Please hold yourself, dear. You just returned from an expedition".
"I know. Let's see if the boy can make it to the final. I can't wait for his achievement."
"Geez, this battle-crazed husband of mine…".
After seeing Soma leave the Arena, the girls, especially Hina, sighed in regret. She hoped that Soma would come to their sides by jumping over from the Arena.
The match resumed, and now, a second-year had to meet with another second-year. Both of them were swordsmen, and the battle was just getting started. It seemed the participant number that got called was random.
"They are both good with swords; even as an amateur in martial arts, I could figure it out."
Serafina, who watched the match, focused her attention on their movement, trying to impart Violet's teaching in her mind.
"The battle is just getting started".
Hina, who observed calmly speaking. She could feel the mana between the two of them intensified, and their attack pattern had become more aggressive.
"Mm, they have a good mastery of their respective weapon, even though they both used swords, but their style is fundamentally different".
Xiao Lian looked toward both of them in admiration; for the first time the match had started, she finally could see the second-year students fighting in a proper match, fighting on equal feet.
The earlier battles were filled with unfair differences in strength. Even Soma was too strong for people his age. There was also one boy with blonde hair—she couldn't remember his name well—who won by some hidden method.
"Oh! the battle is starting already!".
Hearing the familiar voice from the person they cared about most, three girls and one additional girl turned their attention toward the source and saw Soma slowly approaching their side with a small smile.
"Soma!".
Serafina shot up from her seat, her eyes glittering like a child's. Soma approached her side and petted her head several times while she basked in her joy.
"I thought you wouldn't come here".
"What, did you miss me?".
When Hina heard those words, her body flinched, and it was because Soma's words had entered deep into her heart. With blushed cheeks, she nodded and turned her attention aside.
Soma approached her side and began to caress her smooth hair. Hina, feeling the warm, pleasing sensation in her head, closed her eyes in deep joy.
"Soma!".
Xiao Lian, from the side with a twitching cheek, snatched Soma's other hand and placed it on top of her head. The strong and familiar warmth hand that enveloped her head loosened her facial muscles, making Xiao Lian let out her rare smile.
Lucy, who watched from the scene, stared enviously toward the girls who were being spoiled by Soma. Her mind began to drift off, and she imagined what if Leon was to do the same to her, which made her cheeks blush furiously.
A loud 'tack' resonated as the tension and the mana that gathered in the Arena had thickened. Soma and the girl's attention was drawn toward the Arena where the duel had taken place.
The surrounding area was thick with tension and anticipation as to who would snatch the victory. Both contestants' eyes were locked on each other, brimming with unspoken challenges. Tiny shockwaves blasted away the rising dust, and the tack sound of wooden clashing echoed in the stadium. It heightened the battle spirit that lay dormant in every person who saw the match.
Their strikes were swift and deadly as if they were trying to reach each other's lives. The students in the second year gulped their saliva to look at the match that was ongoing in the Arena.
In this atmosphere of intense clashes, time seemed to slow down as both contestants pressed on. Finally, one of the candidates made small missteps.
"It's over!".
As Soma finished delivering that word, the candidates who saw his chance rushed forward, he brandished his wooden sword and struck the opponent's sword ferociously.
Losing his balance and focus in the battle because of the depleted mana, strength started to leave the other candidates. His wooden sword got blasted from his hand, and he realized that another wooden sword from his opponent had passed on his throat.
"Stop! It's over!".
Teacher Lee, who saw that coming, shouted his instruction, and both parties began to leave the Arena in a peaceful manner, along with the cheers from the second-year spectators.
After that, the match continued, and fifteen matches of the opening martial arts competition succeeded without a hitch in day one. The officials or teachers began to create a chart for the candidates' names in the match that would be held six days ahead.
Thus, the arc of the academy competition will be conducted, and it is also the stage that will create Legends in the Academy and shake the world order.