Chapter 1 - Conclusion of The Pangea Ninnuam Tournament

The sun showered a stadium, basking it in a deep orange-red hue. The air was riddling with excitement as the crowd in attendance cheered on the participants. Among pedestrians were businessmen, scientists, even doctors, all wanting to see the conclusion of the tournament. It had been a long journey for everyone involved, but they desired a champion.

The announcer gripped his microphone.

"This is a contest unlike any that has been witnessed in Gale Stadium," he bellowed in a confident, enthusiastic voice, feeding off the energy of the crowd. Not wasting a beat, he continued.

"To recap for those joining us, this is the Finale of the Pangea Academy Ninnuam Graduation Tournament! Remember everyone, "Ninnuam" is one of the 50 names of Marduk! Now, for our participants..."

At that moment, a pair of Jumbotrons, situated opposite one another, lit up with an image of the participants, their rank, and academy.

"Luke Pruever, slated to graduate as the fifth-ranked member of the this year's class of Pangea Academy, but -

Feron Baton, slated to graduate as the third-ranked member of the same class stands in his way! Both are gunning for the tournament crown.

Although lower ranked in terms of U-Gene Activation, Luke has ferociously pushed Feron into several difficult situations throughout this match! Feron, staying true to his 3rd class rank, however, has relentlessly pushed back! The momentum between these two swings back and forth throughout Gale Stadium as neither person has given up yet!

The momentum swings makes this announcer's head spin, but I'll continue calling the action until there's a decisive winner!"

The crowd continued to roar as the announcer played off them to keep the energy as peak levels.

Below, dirt was kicked up as two men were taking each other to the limit.

Luke connected with a kick on Feron, knocking him back a couple feet. Both men were heavily sweating. Their clothes had a fair amount of cuts and scrapes from their match. Even though the tournament wasn't bloody by nature, their skin did possess welts and bruises, showing the pain was real. As if their pain was trivial, they dashed toward each other.

With neither men giving an inch, their fists connected. A huge crack echoed throughout Gale Stadium. As up-kicked debris settled, the two men disconnected and swung their legs at each other.

Seemingly telegraphing each other's moves, Luke fibbed his attack. Changing his momentum, Luke, instead, delivered a spinning backward leg swing which knocked Feron's legs from under him. Their match weighing heavily on him, he was unable to catch himself. As Feron fell to the ground, the crowd cheered Luke on.

"Get up, Feron," Luke told Feron over the roaring crowd, his light brown eyes confident. "You must be nearing your limit by now."

A smile appeared on Feron's face as he revealed his dark blue eyes that conveyed he was enjoying their fight.

"I knew that you were powerful," Feron responded. "But I never knew you were so powerful! It's safe to say you've been holding back your real strength all this time. I'll definitely beat you and become the Champion."

After Luke allowed Feron to pat himself off, the two took their stances again, and dashed toward each other.

x…x

Within the numerous skyboxes overlooking the stadium, a man, clad in a white scientist coat, was whistling a perpetually jolly tune while watching the match.

His brown, almost black eyes were currently fixated on a tablet containing information about the participants. He glanced down at them and back again as they were exchanging moves and maneuvering around each other. While his gaze was fixated on them, his attention was split between the tablet and one of his two assistants as they were finishing an explanation.

"...These are two Peak-Level Humans," a male assistant was saying, with a heavy coarse voice. "Their level of individual strength is further enhanced with their U-Gene Activation. This, in turn, allows them to manifest Energia."

"Yes. These are all very good points, Dr. Panila," the man gleefully responded, in a slight Japanese accent. Adjusting his glasses, he continued. "Lin, I see here their U-Gene levels are at an all-time high?"

"That's correct, Director," Lin, his second assistant, answered in a very calm, professional voice. "Currently, both of their activated U-Gene levels have surpassed records set by several Pangea Academy graduates when they were their age. In the past, those graduates have gone on to inherit Dragons."

"I believe these two have proven they're ready for the Dragon Host Program. I had several others in mind, but how about Feron Baton inheriting Wolfram?"

The three pondered on that idea as they usually would for such an idea.

"I'm on board with that," Dr. Panila responded. "He's certainly got the build for it."

"And you, Lin," the man asked, fully turning his attention toward his other assistant. "What do you think?"

Lin, nodded, silently with a stern look.

"Okay!"

The man's joyful tune was reverberating throughout his body. He suddenly went serious.

"Now, about Luke and the dragon he could inherit..."

x…x

On the limestone pitch, Both contestants were screaming as they locked hands for a test of strength. With their muscles pulsating as they expanded, small amounts of blood started dripping from their wounds.

Feron suddenly let up his strength which allowed Luke's momentum to make him fall forward. While Luke was momentarily weightless, Feron brought his left leg back, and swung it through Luke's body at full force.

This attack rattled Luke, so much so, the olive skinned participant was taken off his feet and smashed into the ground several feet away. He landed head first with a hard thud.

"And Luke is down," the announcer's voice strained through his microphone. "What an incredible combination! Follow along folks!

One!

Two!

Three!

Four!

Five!

Feron raised his fist into the air as the sun illuminated him, amidst the roar of the crowd.

Six!

Seven!

Eig- !!"

Luke's hand twitched, which caused Gale Stadium to fall silent. He slowly started to show signs of life.

Feron was surprised as he was sure that was a knock-out blow. His brought his arm down, as Luke struggled to get to all fours. Luke spat out some blood as he worked his way to one knee. Then up to two feet. All the while, the crowd started chanting his name, not wanting him to give up.

"The rules say a match can end when one person gives up," Feron joked.

Luke took a deep breath, and stared as Feron.

"Remember our bet, Feron," he trailed, as he was barely holding onto his consciousness. "If I win, we'll exchange ranks! So...I...Won't...Give...Up!"

Luke stumbled forward and threw a strike.

"That's a fool's way of thinking," Feron said, easily side-stepping the attack. "Luke, even if you could beat me, improving your rank from 5th Class to 3rd Class this close from graduation is meaningless."

With Luke further off-balance, Feron put out his foot, tripping him.

"You've got a concussion, Luke. You can't keep fighting like this," Feron commented as Luke struggled to get up again, this time more slowly. "The rules of the tournament will stop once you're incapacitated, by ten-count or by fainting. Giving up is also an option...Well I guess it isn't, now, huh?

Luke got up, his eyes glazing over. He was seeing several Feron right now. He took a step forward.

"I...told...you...," Luke said as his voice seemed to echo, and he felt his body suddenly become cold. "Your rank is mine..."

His vision tunneling, Luke took a step toward Feron.

"This is the end," Feron bellowed, as he started twisting his hips.

The full force of Feron's knee connects with Luke's stomach, causing him to instantly faint. His mouth was gaping open.

The sun had dipped behind Gale Stadium. The moment was surreal: one person had bested another. The crowd was becoming more silent as Luke's consciousness left him. The dust had been kicked up, and the grass in the immediate area had acted like it was trying to escape the punch. It was as if Feron had kicked Luke's soul out of his body.

Luke's body went limp as he was helped to the ground by Feron. The announcer started counting. The crowd was buzzing silently to see if Luke would be able to get up.

"5!

6!

7!

8!

9!

10!

The match is over! Luke Pruever is down!"

A whistle echoed throughout the stadium signaling the conclusion of the match. The crowd erupted in a cheer for the victor. Feron raised his reddened fist in a relieving moment. The announcer's voice appeared over the system.

"We have a decisive winner, everybody," he screamed, as the crowd roared once more.

"I announce your new champion of the Pangea Academy Ninnuam Tournament: Feron Baton!"

The crowd bellowed with cheer as Feron stood tall.