Chapter 34- 1st stage

The King rested his head on his right arm as he looked around the Arena. 

The sight of his citizens, the commoners and the aristocrats that sat vividly apart in the audience section made him chuckle. 

"These fries…they don't seem to know when to shut it" the 2nd Prince, Jullian said with a haughty tone in his voice. 

"That is not why we are here my son…" the King ignored the masses, focusing his attention on the sole son of the Jun household. 

"We are here to see just how much the son of the Jun household is worth to us" 

"...that is true…Father…" Jullian said with a sigh. "I would prefer they start their tournament with the two leading figures of the next generation…"

"No…they always save the best for later but I have no idea what they are planning this time" 

"...." Jullian listened keenly to his father's words. He liked the ideology his father lived by and he did his utmost best to work towards his father's goals. 

The Main reason his Father chose him over his first son for the seat of the throne was for this very reason. 

He would prefer someone as shrewd as him to lead the kingdom in his absence. Jullian was the splitting image of what he wanted. 

****

Raph squinted his eyes in annoyance as he tried to ignore their stubborn gazes. 

'He doesn't even intend on hiding his ambitions..' He thought when his father tapped him. 

"Do you know how this battle would commence ?" He asked. 

"..." Raph had a very distinct memory of how the Rankings battle went on in his previous life but mentioning it to his father would only cause suspicion. 

"Of course you don't….we don't mention it to our kids until it is time for them to get down on the stage" 

"..then ? What did you have in mind, father ?" 

"For starters…this Battle is going to have 3 stages. 

The first stage of course is the knockout stage. Having too many of you on the arena will only sleep problem for us" 

'That's just….the way I remember it' Raph thought when his father began to explain the 2nd stage. 

"The 2nd stage begins in earnest. We distribute the names that survive through the 1st stage and put each of them against two others. In order to reach the 3rd stage, you are required to defeat the 2 opponents given to you in order" 

'....that too…' He thought nodding his head as his father started to explain the last stage. 

"The last stage will be an all out battle royale where death of your opponents are allowed. In this open Arena, the Family heads shall be the judge and whoever arises victorious shall be Ranked 1.

The rest of the Rankings will be distributed according to their prowess in their battles"

Raph nodded again. "I understand father…" 

"Of course you do…I made sure to make it as simple as I could" he chuckled when Chun Kang Lin suddenly floated into the air gaining their attention. 

"Oh ! Seems like it's time". Michaelo smiled as he glanced at his son. 'What wonderful calmness'. He thought. 

"All Participants to the Arena Immediately !!" Chun cried out and in an instant as if fearing death, they all rushed from their families to the arena, standing tall with their heads up. Nothing could possibly take their shine or at least they thought. 

"The 1st stage of the Tournament is relatively easy".

Chun sighed as he glanced at Michaelo. 'That bastard !' 

"If you are still standing after 10 minutes. Then you pass". 

Jane raised a brow in confusion when a powerful pressure suddenly overwhelmed his senses as he heard loud cries. He spat out blood and was on the verge of falling to the ground when he stumped his feet to get his balance back. 

'Oh….so this is what he meant'. He thought. 

The first stage was given just a single rule and that is to remain standing after 10 minutes of his continuous release of murderous intent on the arena. 

It may sound simple but the murderous intent from a man on par with a grand master is no joke for them. 

Even his son was finding it difficult to hold up but by calming his nerves and distributing his energy from his diatian to the rest of his body, he was able to resist far much better than the rest. 

The King and Jullian continued to watch the scene when Jullian turned towards his father. "Father ! I do not understand ?! What is going on ?" He asked, confused. 

His father slowly stared at him. 

'Murderous intent is something manifested from one's desire to tremble upon their enemies until they reach certain doom which is death. 

It is something that can be manifested physically but only those who have reached a high mental state would be able to see it….' 

His gaze turned back slowly to the Arena. 'I see it clearly. The red murky feeling that creeps out of his body and consumes the Children….the 12 families are no laughing matter….' 

He looked through the participants. 'Or may be the 11 families'.

"Only watch Jullian.. they are experiencing one of the worst kind of torture a human could ever experience….the blood lust of Chun Kang Lin is said to have brought more than half an army to their knees". 

'Not a single one of them should be able to …..Oh !' His thoughts came to an end on observing a certain participant.

CHUN KANG LIN POV. 

I couldn't bring myself to be impressed by the sight that occurred before me. How could I ? When it's supposed to be impossible !. 

My attention was fixed on only one person. A total of 8 people had fallen and many others were shaking. It was only right they did. They were years too early to be able to resist my murderous intent but that child. 

"Raffaelo Jun" 

His name slipped out my mouth and that only made me more furious. How dare he ? 

It was something I was well aware of but the Jun household isn't just a great family. 

Their prowess with the Sword goes a long way. 

One could say they were destined to be one with the Sword and every generation produced an absurd monster. 

Just like how that man appeared and turned the tables in an instant 35 years ago. 

My lips curled into a smile. "I shall test you" 

I increased the force of my intent and more fell to their knees leaving only 12. That was more than enough for the next stage but I wanted to force him to at least bulge. 

He remained fixed as if he were in a daze the whole time. It seemed like he was getting bored out of his mind but for a 15 year old to be this strong against my murderous intent…just how much mental strength does he have ? 

He has only lived for 15 years and his five years of isolation training shouldn't matter at all. 

It's absurd. The thought of it was absurd and it only gave me a headache the more I thought about it. 

"Chun !" 

As if to add oil to the flames, I heard his mocking voice. 

I turned towards Michaelo's direction only to find the same expression I despised the most. 

Realization shook me and I ceased my murderous intent. 

'He always looked arrogant whenever he gave me that look….it was like he was exercising his powers over me….and I hated it because I couldn't do a thing about it'

I sighed as I shut my eyes. 'It was a good decision to leave the matter to the next generation as he said….at least this time. Raffaelo will be put against my son…..there should be no way my son will lose'. 

I opened my eyes to observe the conditions of the participants that were still standing. 

They looked tired. Well most of them did, only one remained unphased. "Warriors who have passed the first stage. Introduce yourself to the masses". 

A total of 10 participants remained standing. Most of them were bleeding with weary expressions from their eyes but I could tell the amount of determination in them. 

A golden haired kid stood straight first and began. "I am Jane Lucia !" He panted heavily and tiredly but except for that He looked fine and filled with determination. 

I nodded my head. "It seems that woman has raised a decent son this time" I said with a chuckle. 

"Ara Ara…he's saying nonsense now" Mirabel Lucia muttered from her podium. 

"Be careful of your words my lady !" A female wearing similar clothing as her but not as important said with a scared tone in her voice. 

"It's just a joke Dearie" She chuckled and the lady standing behind her known as Daisy Lucia, her younger sister as well as her Assistant sighed.

I ignored her statement as they continued introducing themselves to me. They were now children I have to take notice of as well for them to have withstood my intense murderous intent.  

****

NORMAL POV.  

Aside from Jane, Jang and Raph the others that passed through the 1st stage without any issues were Rhett, Albert, Darrell, Mariam, Louis, Adam and Ciara. 

They introduced themselves to the crowd and each time the crowd cheered for them.

'They survived 8 minutes and 2 minutes was when I nearly got serious' Chun thought with a sigh. 

"You have passed the 1st stage. Take your rest and prepare your minds for the 2nd stage shall begin in earnest tomorrow"