Chapter 95: Chapter 94 : To Qualify (Part 4)

[[...It seems I’ve spoken too soon, correction, nothing interesting so far,]] stating this, Ralf let out a disappointed sigh.

Below him, Iwan lay sprawled out and trembling. The tip of Ralf’s sword was at his chest, Rank 6 Psi impeding any further advance. ‘After all that talk and build-up, how anti-climatic,’ sighing again, Ralf pulled away, not caring to impart any wisdom on his opponent this time.

The bout had barely passed the ten-second mark before it came to an end.

Iwan’s lacklustre performance left Ralf deeply unsatisfied. All the tricks and manoeuvres he had conjured up came to nought at merely five slashes and a kick.

From the Mental Space, Rei shook his head. [[If you wanted it to last longer, you should have stepped off the accelerator. Though, with swords in your hands, I imagine that was hard.]]

Ralf released another sigh.

[Match complete. Ralf wins. That was simply incredible. One trick pony, you’re certainly not. That’s clear to everyone now. Good showing.]

While Ralf’s mood soured at the result, the same couldn’t be said for the crowd. Most had expected a one-sided drubbing, and in a way, got it, except in reverse.

Iwan was a relatively new face and was on a twenty-three match unbeaten streak. In pretty much every match he had so far, he had practicability toyed with his opponent using his incredible physical prowess and lightning-quick slashes.

Ralf’s swift victory over him left the crowd amazed. Loud cheers erupted from the stands, with compliments and congratulations sounding off one after the other.

Hearing them, Ralf’s mood quickly recovered. He reached his starting position before turning to Davy.

[Let’s continue.]

[Of course of course.]

The next six matches raced by. With them already out, Ralf decided to keep using swords, a decision that drastically slashed at the matches’ duration. The Gatekeeper posed no trouble for him, falling in the same fashion as the fifty fighters before him.

[I’ve seen it for myself and still can’t believe it… but you’ve done it. With this win, Ralf, you’ve qualified to enter the main stage, congratulations.]

At Davy’s words, the crowd broke out into applause. Nothing was forced, they were genuinely impressed. Ralf’s performance had awed them to no end. Respect and admiration shone from the crowd’s eyes…well most of them.

Ralf bathed in this feeling with a smile on his face.

[Thanks. It was a pretty fun experience. I’m sure the main stage battles will be more of the same.]

[I’m sure it will be. Okay, now head into the dome. I’ve instructed the staff there to sort out everything.]

Ralf nodded then made his way out. With the event concluded, the crowd dispersed. They left with Ralf’s name on their lips. Whether their feelings were positive or negative, all without fail walked away curious about who exactly the young man was.

Inquiries were launched in mass, and very quickly, those asking were made aware of the incredible stories that surrounded the young man. The more they learned, the more baffled and enamoured they became. Word spread like wildfire, and in a matter of hours, Popleigh’s streets were set ablaze by Ralf’s name and stories.

But this was for later, for now, Ralf was finalising the details with the Combat Arena staff.

*Step*

Having just completed a tour of the place, Ralf and a senior staff member were making their way back to the front.

“...I see, that won’t be a problem. We’ll put your name down for tonight’s bouts. It starts at 8 pm as always, but you’ll need to be here at 19:30 for preparation and inspection.”

“About that, since it’s my first appearance, I want to make it special,” Ralf said.

“Special how? If it’s to spice up the matches, we’ll accept most requests. This place’s primary purpose is to entertain after all. So, what are you thinking about doing?”

Ralf ran through his ideas.

The senior staff member’s eyes flickered throughout the explanation.

“I see, it seems you’ll fit in well here, Ralf,” the staffer said with a slight smile. “The introduction stuff can be arranged for, no problem, but I’ll have to ask about the match request. Though, I’m sure that will be approved. Either way, make sure to show up on time.”

“Understood,” Ralf nodded.

“Okay, we’ve gone over everything and you’ve been registered in our database. Is there anything you’re curious about or need a refresher on?”

“No, I’m good.”

The pair reached the front section.

The staffer clapped his hands. “Then that wraps this up. On your way you go,” the staffer said as he stopped in place.

“Thanks, I’ll be back shortly. Make sure you bet on me, you’ll definitively win big.”

The senior staffer smirked. “Yes, I think I’ll do just that.”

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With these words sounding from his backside, Ralf continued moving forward. Spotting the trio of Hana, Samuel and Greg, he naturally sped up.

“Ready to go?”

“Yeah.”

At his words, the group headed for the car. In it, they exited the Combat Arena grounds.

Their next destination was Popleigh’s Admin Centre building. Here, Ralf and Hana had to fill out several forms required to be Popleigh citizens. It was a smooth process, made smoother by Samuel’s presence.

Fifteen minutes later, the two were officially Popleigh citizens. And five minutes later, the ‘house’ opposite Samuel’s Manor became Fawkes’ property. Leaving the Admin Centre with smiles on their faces, the group were once again cruising through the streets.

“What’s next, Ralf?”

“Ganurg,” he answered. “I have a few things to do over there. Rearm, collect the reward money, do a patrol and let Jeff know that I’m going to be fighting in the Combat Arena.”

Greg’s face turned wry. “That’s a must. I can’t even fathom how distraught he would be if you didn’t inform him. The resultant tears would sink Inis.”

Ralf nodded. “I’m going to make it a short trip, basically in and out. I want to catch the first showing at the cinema. I plan to watch movies pretty much all day. Mom,” he glanced toward Hana, “you’re joining me right?”

“Why not, it’s been a while since I last got to watch some,” she replied, her voice telling of a surging excitement.

“The cinema huh, that’s no surprise. It’s super popular in Popleigh, about as much as the Combat Arena. You’re in for a treat. The one we have isn’t just some makeshift cinema, but Enviso.”

“Enviso,” Ralf repeated in questioning. He had seen the words written stylishly above the building but hadn’t thought too much of it.

Samuel didn’t leave his young companion ignorant for too long and began explaining.

“Enviso is an international brand of cinema, under the third Merchant Pillar. It’s one of the giants in the film industry, from funding projects to distribution, and has thousands of branches scattered across the world. Since four years ago, Popleigh has been home to one of those branches.”

“Excellent, so I can expect high quality then.”

“High quality and high quantity,” the Senior Advisor added. “You’ll definitely find something to your liking in their endless catalogue. Fiction and non-fiction, series, videos, movies; it has everything.”

Ralf’s eyes lit up at the description.

[[What say you Rei, excited?]]

[[…a bit.]]

Ralf’s lips curled up at the response. Hana noticed it and knowingly tugged at his cheek. Letting go after a few seconds, she turned to the front.

“Samuel, can you drop me off at the cinema? I’ll wait there till Ralf returns.”

“Right away,” Samuel said as he mentally plotted the shortest route to the cinema.

Ralf showed a look of approval. “I won’t be long, twenty minutes tops.”

“Sure sure.” Hana ruffled her son’s hair before returning her gaze forward. “Care to join us, Greg, Samuel?”

“I’ll have to disappoint,” Greg replied. “I’m going to head back to Ganurg and kill time at the bar, “he rubbed his beard and squinted. “Joan’s probably missing my handsome face right now. I’ll come down later with her to watch the boy’s match.”

“Hmm, and you Samuel?”

“Unfortunately, I have too much to do. Ralf, those toys of yours have been a real handful to deal with. I’m going to have to grow more arms to keep up.”

Despite the complaining nature of Samuel’s words, only excitement and eagerness brimmed from the middle-aged man.

“Good luck with that.”

A few minutes later, the car arrived at the cinema. Dropping off Hana, the car then headed for Popleigh’s southern exit, where Samuel then dropped off Ralf and Greg.

“Viola~,” Ralf said after conjuring a Psi Buggy. He hopped into the vehicle, seating himself on one of the two seats then gestured to the empty seat. “Hop in.”

Greg approached slowly, eyeing the strangely shaped car his equally strange companion had materialised. After a few seconds of studying the contraption, he took his place beside Ralf.

“Most of my Psi is used to maintain this, so you’ll have to provide most of the power. Use your telekinesis to turn the shaft below us clockwise.”

Greg, having participated in many union techniques during his lifetime, understood and had his Psi move to the prop shaft. Starting the rotation, Ralf’s Psi joined in a moment later. The Psi Buggy quickly picked up speed, and before long, the pair would find themselves at Ganurg’s doorstep.

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