Free Web NovelChapter 168: Chapter 168 - Challenging Everyone
The next moment, the arena clerk cleared his throat into a small standing microphone.
’’Will rank 154, Mason Mass, come to the register?’’
Crack!
The clerk disconnected the microphone again.
And within seconds, a skinny young man with brown hair walked over.
A deep frown sat on his face, clearly unhappy at being challenged.
As he reached the registration desk, his gaze fell on Theo angrily.
’’Really?’’ he asked, his voice low. ’’You just had to challenge me now?’’
Theo raised an eyebrow.
’’Sorry?’’
Mason didn’t respond.
His attention had already shifted to the arena clerk.
’’Do I have to accept this first?’’ he asked. ’’I just challenged someone else after all.’’
The store clerk didn’t hesitate.
’’That challenge will be put on hold for now,’’ he said. ’’As it will be deemed invalid if you lose or don’t show up to the battle.’’
Mason let out a loud scoff.
He waved his hand dismissively.
’’Sure, I’ll accept the battle,’’ he said. ’’Just make it quick.’’
The store clerk nodded once, rapidly tapping away on his computer.
Within seconds, an announcement popped up on screens all throughout the arena.
’’Rank 164, Theo Lane VS Mason Mass, rank 154.’’ freēwēbnovel.com
The store clerk smiled as he gestured to the entrance of the arena.
’’Your fight starts in five minutes,’’ he said politely. ’’Please make your way down the path, as a no-show now is an instant loss.’’
Mason turned around without even looking at Theo.
A few of the others who’d put in challenges whistled and laughed, clearly enjoying his misfortune.
Theo didn’t mind Mason’s reaction though.
He simply followed after him with a faint smile on his face.
The store clerk was the only one who couldn’t help but shake his head.
’’Really wish I was allowed to bet,’’ he muttered under his breath. ’’He doesn’t even know his opponent was ranked 121 before this...’’
Neither Mason nor Theo heard him, or anyone else for that matter.
The two quickly made their way down the arena’s corridors.
A lot had changed compared to before.
Instead of having to wait inside, they were actually allowed to walk into the arena right away after picking a weapon and a safety badge.
An employee from Westridge was already waiting for them there.
He patiently guided them to the right arena.
’They sectioned the main arena off into four smaller arenas, huh,’ Theo thought, raising an eyebrow. ’They must be expecting a ton of battles now that everyone’s on campus.’
Theo quietly glanced around.
The stands were much emptier than before.
Only a few students were actually looking at the arenas now, likely having just settled in themselves.
Even so, since none of the other arenas were being used, all their attention focused on him and Mason.
But that’s when whispers began to ring out.
’’Wasn’t that guy way higher ranked?’’
’’I swear I saw him battle some guy higher up...’’
’’Yeah, that’s the umbrella guy!’’
Mason frowned slightly.
He turned around and glanced at the stands in confusion.
Finally, he looked back at Theo.
’’What are they talking about?’’
A faint smile appeared on Theo’s face.
Then he simply shrugged.
’’Don’t know.’’
Mason’s expression darkened slightly, though he didn’t seem fully convinced.
That’s when the Westridge employee came to a stop.
’’This is the arena,’’ he said. ’’I’ll also be acting as judge for this battle.’’
Theo and Mason nodded once.
They stepped inside without hesitation.
As each got to their own side, they took their weapons off their backs.
Theo unfolded his umbrella calmly.
Across from him, Mason drew out a longsword while looking at him with disgust.
’’Really? An umbrella?’’ he said, shaking his head.
Theo didn’t respond.
He just held it out in front of him, water already swirling around it.
’’Tsk!’’
An angry and irritated expression appeared on Mason’s face.
At the same time, a light green mana began flowing around his legs.
’Wind element?’ Theo thought, raising an eyebrow.
Before he could think any further, the judge stepped between them.
’’Both participants ready?’’
Theo and Mason nodded.
The judge quickly took a step back.
He raised his arm into the air, then swung it down.
’’Begin.’’
The moment those words left his mouth, Mason shot forward.
Theo’s eyebrows rose slightly.
’Fast.’
Mason’s feet barely tapped the ground as the distance between them vanished rapidly.
Theo, however, didn’t move an inch.
He lowered his body into a proper stance and narrowed his eyes.
Mason came in hot and thrust his longsword straight toward him.
Theo finally moved.
He gripped his umbrella tightly and swung out.
Clang!
The umbrella slammed into the blade.
Mason’s face changed immediately.
WHOOSH!
The water spiraling around the umbrella crashed against the longsword like a truck.
Not even a second later—
’’Argh!’’ Mason yelped, letting go.
His sword flew through the air.
It only landed a dozen yards away, though it had been dented completely.
Mason quickly jumped back.
’Oh, but it’s not going to be that easy,’ Theo thought, smiling.
He kicked off the ground and shot toward Mason using just his physical strength.
Within two seconds, Theo had caught up to him.
His umbrella rose above him, the water gathering into a small wave.
Then—
He swung down.
BAM!
Mason was slammed into the ground.
’’That’s enough!’’ the judge’s voice rang out.
Theo immediately slid to a halt.
As the dust cleared, a mana barrier had fully powered up around Mason, which had saved him from the majority of the impact.
Even so, the young man’s condition wasn’t pretty.
His clothes were covered in dirt, blood trickled down the corner of his mouth, and his eyes had gone completely wide.
For a moment, even the entire arena remained silent.
’’Damn...’’ one of the students muttered in the stands.
Another gulped as he nodded slowly.
’’Pre-admission students are on another level, huh.’’
’’Did he just catch up to that wind element with just his physical strength though?’’
Even Mason seemed unable to process what had happened.
The entire battle had lasted less than twenty seconds.
’’Winner,’’ the judge’s voice rang out. ’’Theo Lane.’’
Theo nodded with a smile.
Then he turned around and stepped out of the arena.
’One successful battle,’ he thought, humming quietly. ’I’ll need to do that 14 more times...’
He paused for a moment.
’Or I’ll just challenge every slot above me and see if someone accepts.’
