Intermission

Ding! Ding! Ding!

"So, Franz and Cory, do you two plan to fight for a chance to be a part of the top three?" The announcer asked after the timer went off and a portion of the barrier opened to allow a group of medics to come in and gently remove the rest of the contestants from the arena.

"Thanks for the offer, but I and Cory have somewhere to be, sir," Franz answered as Cory just stood behind him with his head down and his arms and legs handcuffed.

"If you say so," The announcer sighed before ignoring him and gazing at the trio, "Well, then don't let me hold you up any longer, and congratulations Rin, Wendall, and Jake on being one step closer to earning the right to marry the princess of our Clan and winning this competition. However, before we begin the second round you all have 10 minutes to relax and recuperate before returning to the arena to draw lots and before one of you gains the chance to spar Gabriella," He stated and left right afterward to get something to eat in the meantime.

"Well, then I'll see you guys in ten minutes," Wendell shouted as she set a timer on her multi-K for ten minutes before running off in the direction where she saw Franz take Cory away.

"Hmm, so Rin what do you think is the story behind those two?" Jake asked as he glanced at Rin.

"You mean between Wendell and Cory, correct?"

"Yup!"

"To be honest, I do not know but from the sound of it they seem to be close… even though I'm a bit more interested in what happened between Franz and Cory," Rin replied as even Rose could not help him see what was going on within that barrier made from light.

"True, so do you want to grab something to eat before the final battle?" Jack asked as he only started this conversation to get a chance to further understand who Rin truly was. 

"Sure, so what do you eat?" Rin asked as they left the arena and began to search for somewhere to eat in the coliseum. 

'Rose, do you think it's possible to combine varying elements such as John attempted to do?' Rin asked in the meantime they looked for somewhere to eat.

[Yes, however, I would not recommend it unless you have a deep understanding of their concepts and the similarities they share, since everything is connected in one way or another.]

'That is true, but still, it's quite impressive to see someone almost succeed in fusion,' Rin said excitedly as it fascinated him to see opposing elements work in such a strange way.

[While that might seem cool now just wait until you learn how to deconstruct Laws into Concepts and finally their respective elements and derivatives. But anywho it is only because of his bloodline, that John was even able to execute a fusion.]

'Wait, but how? Also, I thought you could not identify John's bloodline earlier?'

[Well, it was only after watching their fight and seeing John try to do fusion, that I sensed his body exhibit a strange aura which helped make the process a bit easier. This reminded me of a Saint Bloodline that I once saw in the main database, however, John's bloodline is a very diluted version that seems to have been tampered with as a few key traits are missing.]

'Hmm, interesting so even~,' Rin thought before noticing Jack had been trying to get his attention for the last minute or so, "Sorry about that so what's up?"

"Bro, are you always like this outside of fighting? Oh, and I was wondering if you would be down for some ramen?"

"Hmm, ramen would sound phenomenal right now! And to answer your question, yes for the most part except when I am training or mediating," Rin stated after thinking about it, 'Damn, my life sounds depressing surely I can't be this much of a loner right?'

[Rin, do not tell me you honestly think this is normal for a teen, sigh I can only manage how the future will be for you.]

"Damn and here I thought my life was depressing, so what do you do when you're not training?"

"Um, sleep and eat," Rin said a bit embarrassed as he scratched his head.

"Okay, well at least you're not like some people I know who train 24/7," Jake muttered as they entered the ramen shop and found somewhere to sit.

"Haha, yeah what weird people," Rin chuckled as he waited for a waiter to come ask for their orders so they could eat. Before returning to the arena and ending this competition once and all.

***

8 minutes later…

Within the stands of the coliseum, people could be seen making bets and predictions on who was going to win as it was nearing time for the showdown. 

"Don't get me wrong Rin and Jake are strong, but they stand no chance at defeating Wendell who's almost a Demigod!"

 "True, but who's to say Rin can't achieve the impossible and secure a victory against both Jake and Wendell?"

"Are you delirious, how could two Peak Angelic Cultivators defeat a Peak Demonic Cultivator!?" 

"My fellow brothers relax as it's pointless to jump to conclusions when the fight has not even begun as nothing is set in concrete and even then, fate can still play tricks on us."

"Hmm… you would have thought there would be a wise man among us, brothers! Now unless you are going to bet, please shut up and stay silent," Someone with crooked teeth and tattered clothes claimed as they glanced at the scholar with amusement.

Who just shook his head and walked away as it was pointless to try and deter gamblers from gambling when they could smell the money a mile away.

"Interesting…" A guy wearing all black muttered as he gazed at the scholar before shifting his focus to the group of gamblers.

"Hey, you seem knowledgeable so who do you think is going to win?" Someone sitting behind him asked as they tapped his shoulder and noticed a thin layer of frost was cast over his clothes.

"I would say, Rin, however, I'm just a country bumpkin so please don't take my word to heart?" The mysterious man said without turning around as he smiled.

"I could see why you would pick him, pal, and while he is strong in his own right, rumors shouldn't be trusted," The person behind him said after thinking about it as he remembered hearing a rumor that Rin defeated a Goddess some time ago.

"True, but aren't rumors just an exaggeration of the truth?"

"In a sense yes, but~"

Swoosh.

 "Sigh, I guess we lost him yet again, boss," The person who tapped the stranger's shoulder whispered as they tapped the mic of their translucent walkie-talkie headset.

"It's okay, Fred at least we now know the target is in Japan for the time being," Someone replied after receiving the signal, "Now just continue watching the competition and act normal so you do not arouse the suspicion of the Shinobi Clan.

"Will do," Fred replied before using a technique known as confused to alter the perception of those around him who had a weaker cultivation than him.