210 Rivals

After rehearsing the advertisement for a few days, the event finally rolled around. Placed in a dome built by Mr. Frank, which was also the place Adam was injured, Adam found himself the center of attention.

"Thank you all for coming! Today's event will be held in collaboration with Golden Lion High School, Blue Pegasus High School, Ringing Valley High School, and Green Oak High School!" [???]

A female voice echoed over the dome. Somehow, it was a bit familiar to Adam. He observed his surroundings, surfing over the people in the bleachers and managed to locate a room up above.

("Isn't that… I forgot her name.") [Adam]

A blonde haired girl sat in the room, speaking through a microphone. Adam could recognize her, but wasn't quite sure where.

"For the start of this event, we will have a demonstration! Please welcome our fighter, Adam!" [Blonde Haired Girl]

The crowd cheered along with a bunch of whistling.

"Humans… Always so invested with useless entertainment." [Astos]

"Who cares? It's fun." [Krino]

Ignoring the two, Adam waved back at the crowd.

("Now should be the time the voidling appears.") [Adam]

Just as he thought that, a hologram of a large voidling appeared. It appeared to crawl on all fours and was twice his height. It had the body of a tiger, a head of a bat, and its tail was built like a hammer.

("The hell is this thing? This wasn't in our practice routine?") [Adam]

"Hm… Humans are quite proficient in imitating Cavos." [Astos]

("Cavos? Is that the name of this monster?") [Adam]

"No no… I believe you call them… voidlings? Their true names are Cavos." [Astos]

("...Weird name.") [Adam]

Distracted from the inside conversation, the voidling lunged at Adam.

("Uh-oh.") [Adam]

He leaned back, allowing the voidling to fly overhead.

"That was close." [Krino]

("I wouldn't say that.") [Adam]

Landing and turning towards Adam, the voidling let out a deafening screech.

"Shut up." [Adam]

Closing the distance, Adam dropped his foot onto the voidling's mouth.

"Implode." [Adam]

Bursting air from underneath his foot, it quickly separated Adam and the voidling a few meters apart.

"Wow, you're doing a number on it." [Krino]

"I would have killed it already." [Astos]

"Cool. No one asked." [Krino]

The voidling reared back from confusion. Shaking its head, it leapt into the air and spun towards Adam.

"Better watch its tail." [Krino]

"I know." [Adam]

The voidling swung its hammer-like tail downwards. The power behind the blow was crushing, but Adam simply side stepped it and placed a hand by its side.

"Pressure Cannon." [Adam]

With a single burst of air, the voidling fell with a hollowed out chest. Moments later, it vanished.

"What an incredible fight! Please give a round of applause for Adam!" [Blonde Haired Girl]

The crowd cheered and clapped for Adam, who was a bit embarrassed by the attention.

"Now that the demonstration is over, there is a special offer from the disciplinary committee. As of this moment, anyone can challenge Adam to a duel. If you win, you will receive a free MOE." [Blonde Haired Girl]

("Huh?!") [Adam]

"A free Mobile Offensive Equipment… Too bad that doesn't apply to you." [Krino]

("This definitely wasn't part of the advertisement!") [Adam]

Adam felt a bit worried after hearing that. He saw people lining up backstage, which caused a bit of a panic since the number of people wasn't small.

"The first challenger has been decided! Please welcome, Noah!" [Blonde Haired Girl]

("Noah? I feel like I've heard that name before.") [Adam]

Up came a boy with white hair. Wearing a casual set of a white T-shirt and gray shorts, he smiled at Adam.

"Hey. Remember me?" [Noah]

Adam gave him a confused look.

"...No?" [Adam]

Noah looked displeased.

"Seriously?! Look at my face! Actually, look at my hair! Who else has white hair!" [Noah]

"Old people?" [Adam]

"I didn't mean that you idiot! Don't you remember me from the first collaboration?! The one with a forest!" [Noah]

Adam scratched his chin.

"Forest… Forest…?" [Adam]

"You got a free MDE? The shield?" [Noah]

Then it hit him.

"Oh…! Yeah! Noah! I remember fighting a level 5 voidling with you!" [Adam]

"Finally! God! How dense can you be?!" [Noah]

Letting out a sigh of relief, Noah quickly aimed a finger at Adam.

"Last time you won and got an MDE. This time, I'll win. That's my duty as your rival." [Noah]

Adam gave him a questionable look.

"My… rival? Uh… dude, I already have one." [Adam]

"Huh?" [Noah]