Ranked Match

A classroom was bustling with activity as students returned from their short holiday. Some discussed the results of the local martial arts tournament, while others joined their friends in playing games on their phones.

At that moment, Kiernan entered the classroom with a backpack slung over his shoulder. He looked around and saw the familiar faces of his classmates.

He wasn't that familiar with anyone, and he wasn't friends with anyone. Instead, he had an unfortunate role in the classroom—he was the bread boy.

Whenever he was ordered, he had to leave the classroom to get bread from the cafeteria for his classmates.

That was because he was the weakest one in the class.

'1-A, this is indeed the classroom.' Kiernan found his seat in the back row and sat down beside the window. It was definitely the best seat in the class.

"Yawn…" Kiernan lazily rubbed his eyes and leaned against his arm as he awaited for the teacher to arrive.

At that moment, he remembered that the former Kiernan forgot to do homework as he was occupied practicing for the tournament.

'Aish, I'll get earful.' Kiernan looked at the backpack and contemplated whether he should try to do the homework, but then he shrugged his shoulders and decided not to.

He would never manage to do it in time, so he didn't even bother to try.

Slam!

Suddenly, a hand slammed on his desk. It belonged to a rough-looking young man with sharp eyes and a cold expression.

"What're you doing in my seat, you little punk?"

'His seat?' Kiernan looked at the young man and remembered. 'Right, I was forced to change seats by him. His name is Dominic, and he is the eighth-ranked student in the school.'

'My rank is 204th, heh.'

"Do you have trouble hearing, bread boy?" Dominic asked coldly. "I heard that trash from Irio High made you their little bitch in the tournament. Aren't you embarrassed to come here?"

A few students glanced over to them, chuckled as if it were funny for them, and then returned to whatever they were doing.

The doors were still open, and students slowly poured into the classroom. The teacher was nowhere to be seen.

"Can't you hear me?" Dominic angrily asked and grabbed Kiernan by his collar.

"Hands off me." Kiernan's eyes turned cold, and suddenly the whole atmosphere around him changed. He gave off an aura of a dangerous beast.

Dominic's eyes shook, and a few sweatdrops trickled down his forehead.

"Y-you awakened Martial Soul?" Dominic gritted his teeth and scoffed. "You think you can defeat me with just that?"

'Students aren't allowed to fight outside the stadium.' Kiernan thought to himself. 'That could result in expulsion from the school. That's why the students either challenge each other to a ranked match or ambush each other outside school hours.'

"Want to have a go?" Kiernan asked with a cold smile.

"Huh?" Dominic looked taken aback. "You trash… know your fucking place."

"Ranked match, after school." Kiernan said and forcefully removed Dominic's hand from his collar. "If I want to defeat you, I would rather do it in front of the entire school."

"You've lost your fucking mind." Dominic slapped Kiernan's hand away and coldly glared at him. "I'll accept the challenge. However, don't you think your torment ends with your defeat!"

Kiernan yawned again and turned to the window, looking at the clear blue sky. He was humming a song inside his mind as if he hadn't just challenged one of the strongest students in the school.

A few students near them heard the challenge and looked at Kiernan like he was a fool. It didn't take even a minute for the whole class to be aware of the challenge.

They all looked scornfully at Kiernan and mocked him.

A young woman, dressed in a white polo and skirt, sat beside Kiernan and looked at him with a frown. She had pure white skin, like snow, with a cascading black hair and eyes piercing blue.

"Rather reckless, don't you think?" She said with a sweet voice.

"Hmm?" Kiernan looked at her beautiful face and dug up his memories. 'Julia Karuza, from a lineage that built this school, I don't recall speaking to her much.'

"Dominic is a genius." Julia said. "He is only in his first year, and he has already entered the top ten. He is the highest-ranked first year student."

"A worthy opponent, I suppose." Kiernan said calmly.

Julia narrowed her eyes. "Why're you trying to act cool? Your defeat is set in stone."

Kiernan didn't answer that and just stared out of the window.

At that moment, the teacher arrived at the classroom.

'Who is he trying to impress?' Julia shook her head and opened her school books.

…

Karuza High, the Principal Office.

A small-bearded man sat behind a desk. He had a great aura of authority and power. His body was filled with muscles and power. It was clear that he was an incredibly powerful individual.

He was the principal of Karuza High, Azer Karuza.

At that moment, he opened another challenge letter. It was his duty to accept the challenges and ensure that there were referees ready.

[Dominic Raze [8] Vs. Kiernan Hunter [204] - Challenge]

"What?" Azer frowned.

It was rare to see a challenge where the two fighters ranks were so vastly different. It wasn't even going to be a proper fight.

"Dominic." Azer was familiar with that name. He was one of the most promising students in a very long time.

He hoped that by the time he was third-year, he would compete in Karuza High's team at the National Martial Arts Competition. It was a team-based tournament where students from all over the country showcased and fought to be the best school in the nation.

A team needed three main fighters and two for reserve.

Azer had hopes of Dominic becoming a main fighter during his third year.

"Kiernan." Azer had no recollection of that name. He quickly checked his files and saw that he had only participated in one martial arts competition, and it was yesterday.

He had lost in the first round.

"Hmm…" Azer shook his head and stamped the challenge letter. It was officially approved.

Knock, knock.

Suddenly, someone knocked twice on the door.

"Come in." Azer put the files in the drawer and watched as the door opened.

A small-haired teacher with a rather unhygienic beard entered the doorway with a humble bow.

"Irio High's principal has arrived."

Azer scoffed. "And what the hell does he want?"

The small-haired teacher sighed and made air quotes with his fingers. "To have a friendly conversation while watching today's ranked matches."

"Ranked matches?" Azer asked with a frown. "Why does he want to watch those…"

At that moment, Azer sighed and rubbed his forehead. 'News sure travel fast. I only received this challenge letter now, but Irio High's principal has already heard that Dominic will participate in the ranked match.

'He knows that he is Karuza High's rising star and has already tried to poach him to join his school. He is most likely here for an offer to get Dominic to his school.'

Azer stood up, fixed his tie, and said, "Tell him to meet me at the Ranked Stadium. The ranked matches are about to start shortly."

"Yes, sir." The teacher said and left the office immediately.