Chapter 53 : The Galactic Battle Royal

Few weeks passed. Finally, a new season of Gladiator fight begins. Kaizo and his team went to the Circus Maxima to watch the first round of battle royal.

"Wow. The crowds looked excited," said Ramenman.

"It's a special event. People must've looked forward to it," Axion replied.

A buzzing sound filled the arena before the arena host started announcing.

"Alright! Welcome to the special event of Circus Maxima Gladiator battle. My name is Pandora and I will be hosting you through the biggest battle ever where hundreds of challengers around the galaxy fight to claim the title of Champion and bring home the power sphere. Theeeeee... Galactic Battle Royale!!!"

The crowd cheers wildly.

"I see you are as excited as me to see who will entertain us with their might. But before we begin the battle, let me explain the rules of this event,"

The screen showed an animation of rules.

"Hundreds of challengers will be separated into four different blocks and it's going to be a battle royal. A battle royal is a match in which competitors fight at once so everybody is your enemy except yourself. The last one standing without being eliminated or getting killed will be the winner. The winner from each block will go to the final where they will fight to determine the champion and bring home the power sphere," Pandora explained.

"As you can see, there's a white line at the edge of this round arena. If you get thrown off to outside the white line, you're eliminated. If you pass out in the arena, you're eliminated. And if you die in the arena, you will also be eliminated," Pandora adds.

"It's the first round of the Galactic Battle Royal. A battle royal of block A, 200 competitors. Let the battle begin!"

The gates begin to rise. Fighters begin to enter the arena. Crowds become more lively with each challenger that enters the arena.

"200 fighters fighting in the same arena at once. And on top of it, they don't seem to mind if someone dies," Ramenman mumbled.

"This is a dangerous competition that you're going to join," said Rum as she glances at Axion.

Axion didn't react. She stays focused on the arena.

The sound of trip gong resonates. Marking the beginning of the event. Fighters immediately start fighting people near them. Chaos filled the arena. Blood splashing on the arena floor. Many fighters fall.

Captain Albi soon took the spotlight. Beating multiple competitors who tried to work together to put him down.

"OHHHH. A truly strong competitor! The white warrior of Circus Maxima Arena, ALBUS!!!" Pandora yelled. "Is there anyone in this block who can defeat him?!"

"Oh look. It's Captain Albi," said Rum.

"So he's in A block," Ramenman mumbled.

People begin cheering Albus's name. Entertained by how he beat competitors with ease.

"As expected. Albus is quite famous around here," said Ramenman.

"He won many gladiator competitions before. People must have high expectations of him," Axion looked at the VVIP balcony. "Including him...."

They followed Axion's line of sight. At the VVIP balcony, Diabolos and a few others including Rosario and Venturi watch the fight.

"Heh. Compared to Albi, I think he'd be more excited to see you," said Kaizo.

"I suppose so," Axion calmly replied.

Five competitors tried to band together. Four of them tried to hold Albus's arms and legs. The last person launched his punch. Albus easily brushes off the two competitors who are holding his hand. He punches the last competitor and kicks the other two who are holding his legs.

Time passes. The number of standing competitors decreased fast. Although many competitors are aiming for his head, Albus still managed to stand with plenty of stamina.

Axion rises from her seat.

"Huh, you're going?" Ramenman asked.

"The winner is obvious. I'll go ahead and wait to congratulate him," said Axion.

"You're eager to meet him huh?" Ramenman asked.

"Well, Albus is a good investment in our mission. Can't let him go," she replied as she walked away.

"Sometimes it scares me how she can easily use people," Ramenman mumbled.

Kaizo stood up.

"Huh? You're going too?" Lahap asked.

"Trying to keep watch on your crush?" Ramenman teasingly asked.

"That, and more," said Kaizo as he walked away.

Suddenly, Phoenix sits at Kaizo's chair with a bag of popcorn. "That guy really can't be honest, can he?"

"P-Phoenix?! Why are you here?" Rum asked.

"What? To watch the Galactic Battle Royal of course. Why do you think we temporarily closed the circus?" said Phoenix.

"You're closing Cirque du Stellar to watch this?" Rum asked.

"Yes. The others also want to watch it. Besides, with this special event of Circus Maxima, I doubt many people would come to my Circus. So I might as well enjoy myself here," said Phoenix as he munched his popcorn. "Say, which block are your team going to be in?"

"Axion is in block C," said Rum.

"Hmm... What about Kaizo?"

"Kaizo won't join the competition and neither will we," said Lahap.

"Or will he....?" Ramenman mumbled.

They all looked at Ramenman in confusion. Ramenman leaned on his chair and sigh.

"Now that you mention it. That hothead would probably get into the competition, somehow," said Ramenman.