Round 2: Facing the Chosen Hero!

"A-Ash?" Marie called out, her voice trembling with recognition as she stared at the familiar figure.

"...," Eli snapped out of his thoughts, his eyes narrowing slightly, "Ash? Who?" His voice carried a note of indifference as he stared blankly at Marie, trying to piece together the situation.

Marie was taken aback by his response, her heart pounding in her chest, "I mean, your name is Asher, right?" She asked hesitantly, her heart racing as she reached out to touch his head. Those glossy reddish-black hair... She would never forget them, not in a million years.

"Eli!" Ania's voice broke through the moment, hurried and slightly breathless. She was carrying another heavy box and quickly set it down. She looked at Marie, who had frozen mid-reach, her hand awkwardly suspended in the air.

Seeing Marie's outstretched hand, Ania misunderstood her intention. She handed Marie a bottle of water and some snacks, her voice apologetic. "Here, sorry for the wait, Miss!"

"Eli, let's go!" Ania urged her tone firm yet gentle. Eli just nodded, lifting the box effortlessly. He gave Marie one last, lingering look before turning and walking away.

Marie stood there, staring at Eli's retreating figure, her heart trembling with a mix of emotions, 'I-It's him... right?' she thought, her mind racing.

Those shoulders, broad and strong, were the ones that had always stood before her whenever she needed support.

She would never forget them.

She was certain that was Asher, her childhood friend.

Just as she was about to confront him again, a familiar voice interrupted.

"Marie?" Luna called out, her tone a mix of impatience and concern. She had grown tired of waiting and had come to find Marie.

Upon seeing her friend's trembling form, Luna frowned and asked worriedly, "What happened? Did some jerk tease you?" She thought to herself, 'Did someone upset her?'

"H-he... M-my childhood... friend," Marie stammered, her voice shaky as she pointed towards the direction Eli had gone.

"Childhood friend?" Luna's frown deepened as she looked in the direction Marie indicated, but Eli had already disappeared into the crowd, leaving only a distant silhouette.

Meanwhile,

"Did someone hurt you?" Ania asked with a frown, her eyes scanning Eli's face for any signs of distress. She had never seen this particular expression on him before, and it worried her. She feared that someone might have mocked him for helping out a staff member.

"Hmm," Eli looked at Ania and smiled gently, trying to reassure her, "Am I that obvious? Or," he leaned in close to her face, lowering his voice to a playful whisper, "... are you starting to stare at me with those lovely eyes?"

Ania's face instantly flushed a deep red. She glared at Eli, flustered, and took a step back. "Y-You!" she stammered, her embarrassment evident.

Eli smiled, clearly amused by her reaction.

She was undeniably cute when she blushed, he thought.

Soon, the break time was over, and the staff members moved out of the stadium, leaving only the participants on the field.

"Enjoyed your date?" Amber asked with an amused smile as she saw Eli returning to his spot.

"Well, not quite enjoyed," Eli replied with a smirk, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Are you jealous?"

Amber snorted, her pride stung. "Jealous? Why would I be?" she retorted.... She wasn't really jealous just annoyed that someone disturbed her punishment!

That's all!

"That's a little sad..." Eli said with a pained expression as if he had genuinely hoped she would be jealous.

Veins popped on Amber's forehead. 'This man...!' she thought angrily, gritting her teeth in frustration.

"Now, shall we begin?" Falcone's voice boomed across the stadium, drawing everyone's attention as he appeared on the field.

The field had been prepared with multiple small stepped platforms, allowing many battles to take place simultaneously, adding to the excitement.

"Now!" Falcone waved his hand, and a list of battles with their call numbers and floor numbers appeared on a large screen, illuminating the field with a bright glow.

"Oh! My call number is 25... quite far off, and my floor number is 13," Amber said, her face showing a hint of disappointment.

"My call number is also 25, but my floor number is 2," Eli said with an amused look. He glanced at Amber, "We have something in common."

"Haha..." Amber giggled despite herself. "My opponent's name is... Shin. What about yours?"

"Mine is... Kayden," Eli replied. Hearing this, Amber's face turned to shock.

"That's the chosen hero who stole our key before!" she exclaimed, her eyes widening with recognition and disbelief.

"Hmm... That green-haired boy...." Eli thought for a second, recalling Kayden's face. He mumbled amusingly to himself, "What a small world..."

"Small world? You idiot! Do you even know what it means to be a chosen hero?" Amber said, her face serious and incredulous.

"What? Are they big or something?" Eli asked, genuinely curious.

"Yes, they are!" Amber exclaimed, her tone dead serious. She couldn't believe there was a man who didn't even know about the significance of chosen heroes yet was coming to the admission.

Then she launched into an explanation, her voice filled with urgency, "Chosen heroes appear every 1,000 years after the disappearance of the Gods.

They possess far more power than normal transcendents. Moreover, they have the bloodline of gods, making them almost stronger than anyone of their age.

This academy was built specifically to train chosen heroes, not for nobodies like us!" Amber's face was earnest as she spoke, but seeing Eli's lack of reaction, she grew frustrated, "If you think I'm lying then— HIII!!"

Eli flinched her nose playfully and said with a smile, "Whoever they are... I don't care."

Amber rubbed her nose, her eyes tearing up slightly. 'This bastard!!' she thought angrily. Then, without warning,

"OUCH!"

She bit him again, her frustration boiling over.

Meanwhile,

"What's the meaning of this?" Rock demanded as he confronted Falcone.

"What do you mean?" Falcone asked, his tone nonchalant.

"You know what I'm asking. Placing a Soulless against a Chosen Hero... Even without the battle, we know who will win," Rock said, his expression furious.

He knew Eli had a strong will, but his body was not as strong.

After all, Eli was still a Soulless man. How could one expect a Soulless to fight against a transcendent, let alone one stronger than normal transcendents?

Falcone just sneered, saying, "The system chooses them, not me!"

Rock's lips twitched in frustration. Though Falcone was right, it was still his block, and he could alter it if he wanted to.

Falcone smiled, seeing Rock shut his mouth. He glanced at the other two examiners, who nodded with smiles. In truth, Falcone had changed the pairing. There was no way they could allow a Soulless to top over others. It would be a direct slap in the face to every transcendent!

Already Eli slapped everyone before so they were determined to finish this Soulless guy!

All they needed to do was wait for Kayden, the chosen hero from the Crest of Olimbos Kingdom, to defeat the Soulless without mercy.

"It's fine, Father," Aadya interrupted, and Rock just sighed.

Soon, both Amber's and Eli's call numbers appeared on the screen.

"Don't forget what I told you. If you somehow manage to defeat him, people won't take it kindly.... Just show your skill and surrender, Please keep it my mind... Heroes and their followers are dangerous!" Amber's tone was dead serious.

"... I understand," Eli nodded, his expression unreadable.

"..." Amber could see he was still carefree as if he didn't care. 'I warned him,' she thought, shrugging, though she couldn't help but feel a little worried.

'W-Worried? Me? For a stranger?' She thought, horrified at the realization, before shaking those thoughts away and walking towards her designated floor number.

Meanwhile,

Eli stood before a green-haired boy with piercing green eyes, wearing armour that gleamed in the light and a silver sword strapped to his hip.

"Hello, my name is Kayden Eos, the chosen hero!" Kayden introduced himself with a haughty and proud smile, his demeanour exuding arrogance and self-importance.