End of Round 1!

"I'll start from the weakest. Keep in mind, the weakest one of us is enough to dominate the entire tournament." Asif stoutly said.

Ignoring the latter part of the sentence, the other three perked up their ears and looked at Asif with curiousity.

"The weakest one amongst us would be Algo. But that is only because he is lazy and likes to eat a lot." Asif put out his pinky finger.

"Well, I do love food and nobody can stop me." Algo shrugged.

"After him would be Bryan and Ash. They are close in terms of battle prowess and elemental energy. Following them would be Ray and then finally me but only because I have an advantage." Asif slowly said.

"What the fuck?! There's no way that motherfucker is equal to me!" Ash practically screamed.

"Yeah, I should be stronger than him." Bryan snickered and said.

"Say what you want but you know I'm right." Asif stoically said.

"That's an interesting list. Thank you." Kaya smiled.

"You're welcome." Asif nodded.

"Come on! Please match me with this tall fuck." Ash prayed out loud.

"You sure you want that, short-stuff." Bryan retorted.

"Hey, my height is normal and well above average. How many pineapples have you shoved up to be that tall?" Ash gave him the middle finger.

While the two were bickering with each other, Kaya approached Ray and said, "So, you're second huh..."

"I'll take it but that makes me pretty strong right?" Ray smiled.

"Maybe but I'll only acknowledge your strength if you impress me in a fight between us." Kaya twirled her hair.

"So you are implying that you can defeat me nevertheless?" Ray eyebrows rose.

"I know for sure." Kaya smiled brazenly.

"Haha, strong words for someone who is going to be the loserrr..." Ray chuckled.

"She's stronger than me." Khai interrupted them. Ray was surprised to hear that from Khai.

"And that's saying something." Khai smiled and winked at his sister. Kaya donned an annoyed face at him.

"The person that I like is probably stronger than me. Now isn't that exciting?" Ray said while looking at Kaya in the eyes. Kaya stared back and simply smiled with her hands on her back.

'She doesn't have a single clue about romance and here she is being swept off in its grasp.' Khai wryly thought.

"Tell me how is he doing that?" Ash tilted his head.

"He's just being himself and it looks like the Princess is drawn to him." Algo said.

"I'll pray for her soul." Bryan began mock praying.

-A few hours later-

Time quickly went by full of quick battles and successive victories for the group. The group had fairly easy battles where they didn't need to utilize their elemental powers.

There were looks of happiness and sorrow among the participants. Most of them were bound to be eliminated but nevertheless the experience could not be neglected.

In the arena, the platforms were empty as no battles were continuing. On the main center platform, the same 7 foot tall elvish man covered with purple robe appeared again.

"Greetings everyone! I hope all of you enjoyed Round 1 of the first phase. Only the Top 100,000 on the leaderboard will move on to the next round and the rest will be unfortunately eliminated. The participants who are not placed in the Top 100,000 will be automatically teleported out of the waiting lobby and have their wristbands disintegrated. Everyone, please give a round of applause to the Top 100,000 qualified participants."

*CLAP CLAP*

*CHEER*

*WOOOHOOO*

*CLAP CLAP*

There were loud cheers and applauses resounding the entire arena, echoing throughout the whole city. There were countless battles to watch and the audience were entertained beyond what they had expected.

The group consisting of Algo, Asif, Ash, Bryan, Ray, Prince Khai, Princess Kaya and Lobian were ranked as follows on the leaderboard.

Rank 32,495th - Algo Killian, 100 Points.

Rank 26,159th - Asif Vizier, 100 Points.

Rank 30,991st - Bryan Pine, 100 Points.

Rank 29,317th - Ash Frudae, 100 Points.

Rank 27,212nd - Ray Angelo, 100 Points.

Rank 17,021st - Lobian Furis, 100 Points.

Rank 8,347th - Khai Aeron, 100 Points.

Rank 3,999th - Kaya Aeron, 100 Points.

"This is just the first step for the kids." Old man Reid was proud of them.

"Waylon, Zac." Alexander called out their names gaining their apt attention.

"Our dream is coming closer to fruition." Alexander smiled stunning the two.

"You mean..." Zac had his mouth wide open.

"I see. With them, it's possible." Old man Reid nodded in realization.

The elvish man continued, "This marks Day 1 of the tournament and the end of Round 1. Tomorrow, we shall begin with the commencement of Round 2."

With that, the elvish man disappeared from the arena and the audience slowly moved out of the arena. The endless chattering and gossiping still continued and didn't seem like it would die down anytime soon until the tournament ends that is.

-In the waiting lobby-

"Wasn't that fun?" Bryan smiled.

"I wonder what kind of round is it going to be tomorrow." Ash put a finger on his chin.

"Guys, we are one step closer to our goal." Asif suddenly said. The rest instantly donned solemn expressions.

"That's for sure..." Bryan uttered softly.

"Don't worry, we got this." Ray smiled. The others nodded with extreme confidence.

Seeing that the group of brothers are having a personal moment, the other three didn't interrupt them and gave them their space.

*Zwing*

A portal appeared on one side of the waiting lobby. The number of participants in the waiting lobby has dwindled a lot after the elimination but still holds strong at a 100,000. The other participants swiftly entered the portal to leave the waiting lobby.

"Guys, the portal appeared. It's time we leave." Lobian shouted. The brothers turned around and saw the portal.

"You're right." Algo nodded.

They left their original spot and soon reached before the portal. They said their goodbyes and entered the portal. It was just Ray and Kaya left at the end.

"So, I'll probably meet you tomorrow?" Ray asked with a small chuckle.

"Maybe, depends on the round." Kaya said.

"Ah yeah, that too."

Kaya smiled and said, "See you tomorrow."

"You too." Ray widely smiled and they both entered the portal.

Feeling weird inside from the teleportation, Ray soon appeared before his brothers and the leaders of Planet Earth.

Old man Reid beamed with a smile and said, "Well done, boys. We're proud of you!"

The brothers felt extremely happy inside and their determination all the more fortified their intense desire to protect Earth.

"Commendable indeed." Zac nodded.

"Tomorrow is going to be another important day. You kids can relax and roam around to ease any tension that you might have. Treat it as a break from us." Alexander lightly smiled.

"Here, take this." Old man Reid handed a small bag to Asif.

"What's in it, old man?" Ash curiously asked.

"Money to spend on yourselves." Old man Reid smiled.

"Fucking awesome!" Ray rubbed his hands.

"In the bag are star coins. The amount in the bag should be enough for you five to enjoy." Alexander said.

"Star coins?" Asif felt the bag.

"Yes, it's the currency that is universally accepted by everyone in the universe. There are three types of currency. The Star coins, Nova coins and Cosmic coins. 1 Star coin is the basic form of currency. 1 Nova coin is equal to 100 Star coins and 1 Cosmic coin is equal to 100 Nova coins." Zac explained the currency to the kids.

"Now, off you go." Old man Reid waved them away before the three adults left the boys to their own.

Even though the 1st round of the tournament ended, the streets were still bustling with lots of different creatures and it didn't look like the streets would empty out anytime soon.

"So what the fuck is this?" Ash asked while holding a skewered brown tentacle.

"I...don't...know..." Bryan was twisting the skewer around.

"Guys, don't worry. It looks delicious so might as well give it a try." Algo said with his eyes glued to the skewered tentacle.

"Man, just look at the colour of the skin and the juice dripping from the skewer." Algo licked his mouth and took a bite.

*Mmm*

*Mmm Mmmmm*

"So yummy..." Algo finished the entire tentacle. The others looked at Algo enjoying his tentacle so they figured it must taste good.

*Chomp*

"Oh shit..." Bryan widened his eyes.

"Damn, this tastes fucking amazing!" Ash was beyond captivated.

*Nom nom*

Ray just kept on chewing, focused on finishing the delicious skewer.

"Asif, where's yours?" Bryan asked confusedly.

"I don't like seafood or anything that looks like seafood." Asif said.

"Then let's get something else." Bryan said.

"Yay, more food, more food!" Algo dragged everyone along with him in search for delicious food.

"Look look, what about that?" Ash asked while pointing at a relatively small stall. After inspecting several stalls and peddlers, they found another one.

"Let's gooo!" Algo rushed with everyone else right behind him.

*Sniff sniff*

"Aahh, that smells heavenly..." Algo drooled.

"Welcome welcome!" The owner of the stall was a humanoid creature with feathery arms and a big gaping mouth.

"Sir, what is that?" Algo asked while pointing at a delicious looking brown ball.

"Oh, you have got a keen eye, my young friend. That is my own speciality that no one else in the planet can make." The owner boasted proudly.

"Cooool..." Algo was excited to taste it.

"5 please!" Bryan requested.

"Oh there's only 4 left. No worries, you kids will get a front row seat on how I make it." The owner rubbed his chin. The owner patted his stomach and some kind of gurgling noise emitted from him. The brothers looked at each other in confusion.

*Krghhh*

Weird sounds came from inside the owner's body before he opened his wide mouth and picked a brown ball coated with some sticky substance and placed it on the grill.

"Amazing right?" The owner smiled widely.

*Hurk*

Ray and Bryan gagged and almost puked whatever they ate prior to this. Ash was stupefied and stunned silly from the horrific scene he just witnessed. Asif's mouth was twitching with disgust. Algo had an expressionless face. Algo slowly grabbed everyone and immediately ran away from the stall with immense vigor and passion.

"H-Hey, where are you kids going?!" The owner was confused.

*Clink Clink*

There were two star coins shuffling on the table in front of the owner.

"How kind of them..." The owner innocently smiled and took the star coins.

The brothers ran until they stopped in an alleyway. Algo sat down cross-legged and joined his hands in prayer. Ash put two fingers in front of his eyes and was wondering whether to jam it in to never witness something like that ever again.

"I feel sick to the bone..." Ray weakly said.

"That was the most disgusting thing I have ever seen in my life!" Bryan said with conviction.

"I saw many families eating the balls..." Asif said.

"That means it's safe to eat but..." Ash slowly said.

*Hurk*

Ray gagged again and said, "P-Please, I don't want to h-hear about that again!"

"Well, that was unpleasant." Algo wryly rubbed the back of his head.

"Come on, let's try out the other stalls." Asif beckoned them to go.

"-weak. How are you the heir to the Naelor Kingdom?" A snobbish voice sounded after the brothers left the alleyway.

"Are you seriously that bored in life?" Another soothing voice sounded out.

"That voice sounds familiar..." Ash frowned.

"Come on, let's check it out." Bryan said.

The brothers walked closer to the noise and eventually they saw two figures standing opposite to each other. On one side was Lobian nonchalantly standing with an annoyed face and opposite him was another humanoid creature with three pupils in each eye resembling the Klagan race.

"Lobian!" Bryan shouted out his name. This caught the attention of the two individuals.

"Bryan? and the others?" Lobian was surprised to see them over here.

"Leave us alone! This does not concern you, whoever you are!" The other individual spoke in a condescending tone.

Ash chuckled and stepped forward, "But I think it does concern us..."