Chapter 22- The S Tournament- Mentality

The crowd cheered and whistled.

"You got this, my boy," Christian heard his fathers' voice echo in his ears as he entered from the right tunnel.

Rebecca walked in confidently with a smile, she knew how timid Christain was, and by the time he'd made up his mind, she would've already finished her off.

"Father, mother and the twins. They're all here," Christian heard his family cheering. Made him more nervous.

A few months ago

"Can't believe you actually graduated from the academy," Mr. Ballack smiled at Christian, who was wearing a graduation gown. "I guess you've really grown eh,"

"I guess I have," Christian lied to himself. He knew he was still the same timid useless kid who'd always need saving. He couldn't bring himself to fight a D class lander because he was too afraid.

"I'm thinking about sending you to Winston," Mr. Ballack said.

"That would cost too much, and It'd be a waste of time, I'll get expelled in no time," Christain said, shaking his head.

"With that attitude, of course, you will, and don't worry about the cost, your mom and I are working really hard, we'll have enough to support ourselves. Let me be the parent and you be the kid." Mr. Ballack sighed. "And if it makes you feel any better, I'll apply for a fee waiver to bring down the cost,"

"I just don't know if I'm good enough,"

"Does it matter if you're good enough?" Mr. Ballack looked at his son in the eyes. Their eyes reflected each other, like an endless mirror. "Comparing yourself to someone else won't do you any good. You have to be confident in your own ability. I wasn't cut out to be a Sentinel, but you are. Hell, I couldn't even get this far, and I blame me and only me. I don't know if I was right to quit or not. But that decision made me who I am today, a man with regrets and flaws, but a man who has a beautiful kind wife, a humble son, and two agitating little twins. And I'm happy I ended up this way, but the question you gotta ask yourself is, will you be glad if you ended up like me?"

Christian didn't know how to answer.

"And besides," Mr. Ballack looked up at the sunny blue skies and smiled. "Elizabeth is gonna be at Winston, isn't she? It'd be easier to get closer to her if you're in the same school." Mr. Ballack teased.

Christian blushed. "I don't know what you're saying,"

Mr. Ballack laughed out. "Be glad the twins haven't realized it yet,"

That was the worst-case nightmare for Christian, they'd tease him the hell up.

"But you're right father," Christian mumbled. "I wouldn't be glad if I ended up like you, because I wanna protect this city and most importantly, you guys and my friends. So, thank you," He whispered to his father who was cracking up.

3 days ago.

Christian noticed the red-haired boy sitting alone at a table in the cafe. He ordered his drink and approached him.

"You alright Red?" Christain asked.

"Oh yeah, I'm all good," Reid smiled. "I like to drink alone in the morning,"

His eyes turned red as he sipped the coffee. "hot,"

"Sorry for bothering you," Christian apologized.

"Don't be, I don't mind a little company," Red stuck his tongue out.

"I wanna thank you, Reid, if it wasn't for you, I don't know if I would be in this tournament."

"Of course," Red said. "In moment of doubt, having a friend with you will always make you see clearly,"

Reid put his coffee down.

"But would you have seriously left if I hadn't said something?" Reid asked.

"I don't know really,"

"Why did you think about leaving?"

Christian sighed. "When I was in that room and realized the kinds of people were in that room, how strong they were, I didn't think I belonged in there. And if it weren't for you, I wouldn't be in class S anyways."

"Why you say that?" Reid wondered.

"The entrance exams, you spotted me so many times, and when you needed help, I was no use at all,"

"You held out against high-class Landers on your own just on brute strength. And you passed the written exams on your own didn't ya?" Reid cheered him up. "And that's how I am, I guess I have been used to fighting alone, so it just came to me you know," Reid scratched his head.

"What I'm saying is don't take it personally, and sorry for making you feel this type of way, I know how it feels like,"

"You do?"

"Mhm." Reid nodded. "What is your dream, Christian? What motivates you? Why do you want to become a Sentinel? You need to answer these questions honestly to be true to your self and find a purpose for all this."

"I want to protect my family and friends...and make my father really proud," Christian said. "I really wanna protect this person though,"

"Who's she?"

"How'd you know it's a she?"

"We actually are in the same shoes. I wanna protect my Belle, my aunty, my teammates, Insunya, you, and the ones close to me," Reid smiled. "But Bell, I want her to smile every time, she has helped me so much,"

Reid remembered the times' Bell would heal him if he'd come back injured.

"Having motivation is what keeps us going as Sentinels," Reid added. "The girl is Liz isn't it," Reid guessed.

Christians' face turned red.

"By your expression, I guess I'm right...she is a cute one too,"

"Does this mean, you like her too?"

"No, I don't like her like that," Reid laughed. "And by the tone of your voice, sounded like you were going to give up,"

"Look at you, you're tall, you have nice hair, strong, you can get any girl you'd want," Christian said.

Reid smiled. "If I was a girl, I'd say yes if you asked me out. Girls dig toned shorter guys too you know,"

"I don't...know how to take that," Christian mumbled.

"Believing in your self is the first and greatest step to finding your strength. Don't compare yourself with others, and do your best," Red smiled. "Your mentality is the key weapon,"

Present

"My mentality is the key weapon," Christian mumbled.

"You have time to quit ya know," Rebecca smirked.

"3,"

"2,"

"1,"

"For Liz, for my family, for Reid and...for myself," Christian took a deep breath. "I will not lose,"

"Fight,"

"I'm tired of feeling useless," "Tired of being seen and feeling weak, my first step at my own redemption, is to beat you, Rebecca Green,"

"Talk however you want, you'll still be the same little brat who couldn't even pick up a sword. Train all you want, all the physical strength is meaningless if you have no mental strength." She screamed at him

"Earth bind- collision course," -Rebecca

The floor gathered and collided into Christain. Who smashed it up with his brute strength.

He felt his orizambi in his arms.

"Orizambi art- Enhancement Path,"

He felt his orizambi throughout his body.

He was faster, more agile but most importantly, stronger.

He charged at Rebecca at full speed, smashing through her rocks.

"Damnit," Rebecca realized she had really underestimated Christian.

"Orizambi Art- Rock Mimicry,"

The floor broke into pieces and covered Rebecca.

It was pure armor. And enhanced strength.

On any other day, Christian would've fallen back. But today was different from any other day. He charged and charged. Ran like hell.

"AHHHH," He screamed as he smashed through her rocks. His punch broke off her rock armor and threw her away into the walls.

"5,"

"4,"

"3,"

"2,"

"1,"

"Christian Ballack wins," The announcer declared.

Christian's orizambi was even visible now. He was glowing green.

"You knew it all along didn't you," Roman said to Reid who was smirking.

"His true power, more than this, in fact, I sensed it. His orizambi reserves are immense, and they are dense of hell,"

"So he's not a weak ass brat after all," Sukai smiled, then looked over at Liz.

"Christian," she mumbled, smiling.

"That's my boy," A man screamed in the stands.

"He just might have a shot, against Maverick,"

Manuel stood at the back, smiling sinisterly.