Chapter 35- 2nd stage (Jane Lucia vs Albert Techna)

Raffaelo POV. 

The 1st stage ended without an inch of a problem or at least that's what I thought. I didn't realize he had increased his murderous intent so much to the point it was supposedly unbearable. 

I didn't need to think too hard to realize why I had such mental strength since compared to the 7 Generals of Hades, his murderous intent was child's play. Of course this is something only I am aware of. 

When the 1st stage had ended, 12 large doors linking to the 12 podiums suddenly fell open with two guards standing close to each of them. Chun had quickly floated away while we were left to walk back to our quarters. 

I turned around to leave when some pestering buffoons' decided to bother me. 

"Hey you !" I could make out the loud, rash voice instantly. I haven't forgotten a single one of them after all. 

I went through hell because of how strong they were compared to me in my past life. 

It's too bad they won't get the chance in this lifetime because I'll show them what through torture….or at least that's what I thought but these days….since after mastering my trait till the fullest. The thought of revenge has simply just been an immature phase in my life. 

".....are you talking to me ?" I asked, staring him over. 

"....how…How are you still fine ?" Brett Son Goku asked while the others went their way leaving us to ourselves. 

Of course I noticed Jane's worried expression but he quickly turned his face away when our eyes met. 

"....that's just how much difference there is…" 

"Difference ?" He repeated as I turned around to leave. 

"...the Difference in our abilities. You are so far from reaching where I am".

What I said as a simple statement that day to him just turned out to change a lot of my future plans but it was also the building factor of my future goal. 

After a few minutes of walking up the narrow stairs leading to the different podiums of each family, I met my father and Gilda who seemed to already be on their way to get me.

"..huh ? Why are you down here father ?" 

"...why Do you ask ? I simply want to check my son's health". "...I'm fine as you can see…" I sighed as a small smile formed from my lips. I always thought it would be impossible to escape the love and attention my parents gave me no matter how strong I become in the future. 

"The 2nd stage will begin tomorrow….shouldn't you be with the other Family heads to select the battles that should take place ?" Gilda asked my Father.

I nodded in agreement. 'Nice one Gilda !'

My father chuckled. "Then take him straight to his quarters…I don't want him causing any more problems…I shall take my leave then" he waved at us as he walked towards another entrance of the Colosseum towards their meeting room. 

I sighed. "Cause trouble huh…" 

"Yes…it's just as he said. Now come with me" Gilda indicated for me to come with and I nodded. 

'In my past life….this event changed the rest of my life….but in this lifetime…I think I know where my destiny is headed at least'. I chuckled quietly but it seems it was for naught since Gilda still turned around with a questioning expression on her face. 

I shrugged. 

NORMAL POV. 

At the other side of the Arena, Mariam walked up wearily assisting her younger brother as their Grand father who is also their Head of the Aquarius family, Paulson Aquarius walked down towards them. 

"Mariam dear ! Are you alright ?!" He cried out on meeting them. 

"I'm here as well you know…" Mario grumbled when he suddenly felt a heavy blow at the back of his head. 

"You scoundrel ! You couldn't even protect your only sister ! What would your father say ?!" 

"But pops….she's perfectly fine…I'm the one that needs stitches" the boy cried out in pain holding his head. "How could you just hit me after that ?!" He cried out again. 

"You scoundrel ! You got eliminated early and now you've left Mariam with the sole purpose of representing the family !" 

"No worries Grandfather" Mariam said trying to hold her laughter in. "I'm perfectly fine…and I won't fail you" she said with determination in her eyes. 

'Oh…my dear granddaughter…have we spoiled you so much that you don't even know when an opponent is way over your league ?!' Her grandfather thought with a sorry expression on his face "How much time has passed". 

"...anyways…I'm going to my chambers to train! Don't disturb me !" She cried out running up the stairs past them. 

"Mariam dear !" Her grandfather cried out trying to call her back but she ignored. 

A sigh escaped his lips. "...I can only pray…" 

His solemn expression suddenly turned into A fit of rage as he turned to his grandson. "You on the other hand need some kind of beating right ?!" 

"...wa..wait pops ?!" He cried out in retaliation but he was ignored as his grandfather pulled him up by the ear.

******

The 2nd day came without a hint of warning and the noises coming from the crowd of people gathering outside the Colosseum was enough to sound as a waking bell for all those that slept throughout the night. 

A board was placed in front of the Colosseum and it showed the battle sequence for the 2nd stage. 

The beginning battles consisted of Jane Lucia, Albert Techa and Ciara Merlin

The middle battles consisted of Rhett Son Goku , Raffaelo Jun and Adam Teras 

The ending battle consisted of Jang Kang Lin, Darrell Silvan, Louis La Teuer and Mariam Aquarius. 

It was expected that each segment battled against at least two of their opponents in order to reach the last stage. 

Some few hours passed as the number of people filling up the audience section continued to pile up. The 2nd stage was the beginning of pure entertainment. 

Though it was a serious issue for the great families it meant another thing to the masses. An opportunity to check out the abilities of the great families doesn't come that often. 

The heads of the 12 great families arrived at their podium and took their seats in earnest as the two participants for the 2nd stage walked up to the arena from their different gates. 

The 2nd stage of the Battle began with Albert Techa of the Techa family and Jane Lucia of the Divine family. 

The King was last to appear at his podium with Jullian walking beside him yawning due to exhaustion. 

"....they've already begun this early ?" He muttered with an annoyed expression as his father took his seat. 

"If they don't…then they won't be able to complete it by this evening…" 

"Is there a time limit ?" Jullian asked when his father suddenly pointed down at the arena.

Michaelo Jun walked to the middle of the Arena gaining the attention of the masses. 

"I shall be the referee for the 2nd stage and I will now relay the rules". 

Albert smiled at Jane while Jane sighed.

'Even though mother said I should be most careful about the Techa family…I don't really get what there is about them I need to be careful of' 

"The rules are simple. Eliminate your opponent either by knocking them out or pushing them to the walls of the Arena. Elimination of your opponent by death is not Looked upon and the participant shall receive immediate execution. 

You are given a time limit of 30 minutes and if you fail to win your battle in that time span then both of you shall forfeit the battle and your results will be calculated from your battle prowess". He announced as he raised his hand in the air. 

The crowd went silent in an instant and a refreshing feeling of excitement filled their eyes. Their hearts seemed to have stopped in a single beat in anticipation of what was about to unfold.

It wasn't only them that felt it. The general public. The guards, the Family heads and even the king with anticipation to see the battle of the 12 great families. 

An event where 12 abilities of different concepts are showcased in an elite manner. 

It wasn't some simple board game or a tournament match. The ecstacy felt here was on a whole different level. Why wouldn't it be ? After all It was now time for the RANKINGS FAMILY BATTLE. 

Michaelo dropped his hand and the crowd roared in excitement.

He disappeared from his position in an instant as the two participants charged towards each other. 

"I apologize Albert ! But I will have to win this one !" Jane said with a stern expression. 

"Make me fly ! HERMES !" 

His eyes suddenly flashed with a golden light and a golden stream of light surged out from each of the corners of his body. 

The ground suddenly compressed due to the sudden force and with it came a loud supersonic explosion and a crater was formed almost in a second. 

He propelled himself forward in an instant with his right hand held forward as he grabbed Albert by his neck and slammed him to the ground with greater force causing another crater much larger and deeper than the previous. 

He dragged him across the ground like dirt and pulled him out when he had almost reached the ending of the Arena and with one swell swoop flung him down to the middle of the Arena causing a much larger crater with a loud supersonic explosion. 

He panted lightly as the beams of light began to fade away. 

"I have my own reasons…please forgive me" he muttered under his breath as the crowd cheered wildly. 

"....what ? Is it over already ?!" Jullian yelled out with an annoyed face. " Come on ! Couldn't the little one put up much more effort ?!" He yelled, slamming his leg on the ground. 

"....calm yourself my son…" his father said and snapped his finger and Jullian quickly comported himself. 

'.....the only problem he has…..would be his quick temper…' The King thought with a sigh. 

He focused his attention on the battle at hand and his right brow raised in confusion together with the surprised tone of the Audience. 

The dust began to clear up soon enough and Jane was amazed by the sight before him. 

'As I thought….just the god Hermes won't be enough for this one' He thought as a chuckle escaped his lips. 'This isn't gonna be an easy battle after all'.

"Ow…..hey elder brother, that hurt a lot you know". The childish voice of Albert projected in the stadium gaining their attention as most of them had an absurdly surprised expression written on their face.

Before the dust had begun to clear up, they had noticed five shiny beams of blue light coming from different angles but on the dust clearing, they had noticed one beam coming from his right eye and four others from his right arm that now looked robotic with four holes shiny brightly and five more holes closed up.

"I'm glad we're both fighting with the intent to win…cause how else would I be able to win if you don't fight seriously ?" Albert said with a chill tone in his voice sending a shiver down Jane's spine. 

"Hope you're ready for round 2….cause it won't be the same as round 1"