## Chapter 159 – Collusion (5)
With a spirited cheer signaling the start of the tournament, Lahart took his seat. He looked around with a gentle smile, addressing each of the Demon Lords with a few words.
“Everyone’s doing well these days, right? If you have any difficulties, feel free to speak up anytime.”
“We’re fine.”
They all seemed eager to end the conversation, claiming they had nothing particular to report, but Lahart didn’t press the issue. After checking in on everyone, Lahart turned to Aser with a soft smile.
“By the way, Aser, isn’t Charlotte coming?”
Aser looked quite taken aback by the unexpected mention of Charlotte’s name.
“Why Charlotte?”
“Well, wouldn’t it be nice for her to watch a match like this?”
Aser’s mind raced. Lahart had never mentioned Charlotte’s name during a tournament before. What was his intention? Wasn’t it a tradition for only Demon Lords to gather here? He wondered why Lahart would specifically want to invite his aide, Charlotte, to this event. Did he perhaps have a crush on her? Countless thoughts swirled through Aser’s mind in the brief moment after hearing Lahart’s question. However, maintaining silence wouldn’t look good either.
“Charlotte finds these events a bit overwhelming and doesn’t think they suit her, so she went to the general seating area.”
“She doesn’t need to worry about that… Everyone here knows she’s worthy of a Demon Lord’s position, doesn’t she?”
Before Aser could respond, Lahart turned his gaze back to the arena and spoke in an intrigued tone.
“Anyway, I have high expectations for this tournament.”
This time, Rowe looked surprised, taking his pipe out of his mouth to ask.
“You do?”
“Yes, I have a good feeling. I think I’ll find some great talent this time.”
Lahart was clearly being polite to Rowe, the elder, using formal language in this official setting, but he didn’t seem to be putting himself down in any way. Rowe tilted his head with a puzzled expression and said briefly.
“Is that so…?”
It was no wonder he sensed something unusual. All the Demon Lords in this place must have felt it. The overwhelmingly powerful aura lurking in the waiting room, belonging to someone who was supposedly just a student. An exceptional individual always influences those around them. They all wanted to secure such talent by any means possible to strengthen their own territories.
Lahart’s meaningful smile bothered Rowe, but he didn’t press the matter. Once Lahart decided to do something, it was bound to become reality. He hoped that Lahart’s interest wouldn’t hinder the future of Number 25, and turned his gaze to the arena.
The match began with the host’s energetic shouts, which were barely audible anymore.
●
Number 25 took a deep breath in the waiting room, rechecking the bracket. Since reuniting with Aser, he hadn’t been to the academy, so he barely recognized any names on the bracket, including his opponent’s, but he couldn’t afford to be careless. He knew from experience that the academy students were all skilled. Calming his restless mind was his priority. Hadn’t Rowe always said? That in war, a single mistake or moment of carelessness could cost you your life.
All Number 25 could do now was sit and recall Rowe’s teachings.
Perhaps due to the tension enveloping him, all he could see in his downward gaze was the barren floor. He couldn’t sense anyone nearby, and he felt as if he were the only one in the world, accompanied only by the rapid beating of his heart. As he was lost in his own world, someone forcefully patted him on the shoulder.
Number 25 sprang up from his seat like a coiled spring, reflexively grabbing the wrist of the person who had touched his shoulder. Before he could catch his breath, a panicked voice reached his ears, a voice that was familiar to him.
“C-Calm down! It’s me, it’s me!”
Only then did Number 25 take a breath, release his grip, and finally focus on the face of his old friend.
“Saruk?”
Saruk rubbed his wrist where Number 25 had grabbed him, then scratched his head sheepishly and greeted him warmly.
“You seem a bit different? Ah! I don’t mean that in a bad way.”
He knew he had been on edge lately, but he felt ashamed of himself for almost resorting to violence against someone. Saruk deliberately spoke in a cheerful voice to ease the awkwardness.
“I was worried because you disappeared after we parted ways last time. I thought something might have happened to you.”
Number 25 replied in a subdued voice.
“Sorry, I made you worry.”
“No, you don’t need to apologize. I’m just happy to see you again.”
Saruk seemed genuinely pleased to see Number 25 after so long, and he sat down next to him, striking up a friendly conversation.
“Are you participating in the tournament too?”
Before Number 25 could answer, Saruk scanned the bracket.
“Ah, you’re on the opposite side from me. I’m glad we don’t have to face each other right away.”
As Saruk said, it was fortunate. He wouldn’t have liked facing a friend in the preliminary rounds. If he had to meet Saruk, he wanted it to be in the final match.
Just then, the names of Saruk and Number 25 were announced over the loudspeakers installed throughout the waiting room.
Saruk stood up first, offering his hand to Number 25.
“We have to go now.”
Number 25 took Saruk’s hand and stood up, leaving the waiting room with the promise to see each other from above.
With so many students participating in the tournament, there was no time to watch each match individually. The preliminary rounds were held simultaneously in eight arenas, and Number 25 was guided by a student council member to the fourth arena, where he began to warm up.
Since his opponent hadn’t arrived yet, Number 25 looked around, scanning the audience. He spotted familiar faces in a spot with a good view of the entire arena. Seeing Aser and Rowe, Number 25 wanted to wave, but he held back, fearing it might cause trouble.
As he slowly surveyed the audience, someone entered the arena with a resounding thud. The massive man standing before Number 25 exuded a sense of intimidation with his sheer size. He had less muscle than Saruk, but he was at least two heads taller, and he looked down at Number 25 with an arrogant expression.
This was the first time he had been this close to another male student besides Saruk at the academy.
Even though he clearly saw Number 25, he looked around as if searching for someone, then asked the referee in a nonchalant voice.
“Where’s my opponent? Hasn’t he arrived yet?”
The referee glared at Saruk briefly, then replied in a calm voice.
“Focus. It’s disrespectful to your opponent.”
Despite the warning to show respect, he continued to provoke Number 25 with a confident smile.
“Looks like I’ll have an easy start.”
The two stood at opposite ends of the arena as instructed by the referee. To others, it might have seemed like just another forgettable preliminary match, but they were being watched by beings far from ordinary.
Veronica was the first to react.
Pointing at their arena, Veronica spoke for the first time.
“I’ve been keeping an eye on that one. He’s quite strong, perfect for sticking in a smelter or mine.”
This was her way of telling the other Demon Lords not to set their sights on him.
The other Demon Lords didn’t seem particularly interested, but Orca was the only one who responded to Veronica’s words. Of course, she didn’t mean it in a good way.
“Really? We have plenty of customers who like muscular men like that, so I’d like to raise him as our ace.”
Immediately after, Orca’s eyes gleamed as she looked at Number 25, before Veronica could say anything.
“Of course, I’ll have to say that after he wins against that guy.”
Veronica replied in a tone of disbelief.
“What? There’s no way that little runt can win.”
“Little runt? Are you talking about yourself?”
Hearing the clearly mocking tone and the insult about her small stature, Veronica glared and spoke harshly.
“Should I tear that mouth of yours off like the cheap one you have down there?”
Orca brushed off Veronica’s harsh threat with a casual joke, pulling slightly at her pants to reveal her underwear.
“That sounds good. Oh, and I’m not as cheap as you think. You can check if you want?”
Jane shook her head, looking disgusted by the two fighting beside her.
“This is why it’s better not to gather.”
But even as she said that, Jane felt a pang in her heart as she saw Number 25 again after so long. She hadn’t known he was a student at the academy, but she had vaguely guessed it from the aura she felt in the waiting room. Even though she had steeled her heart, seeing him in person brought back old memories.
The others around her looked at Jane strangely, noticing her sudden change in mood, but only Aser knew the truth and remained silent.
The other Demon Lords soon turned their attention to other matches, but Rowe smiled faintly as he watched Number 25 prepare for his match and muttered to himself.
“Show me. Show me how strong you are now that you’ve finally spread your wings.”
The match was over in an instant.
There was even the illusion that time had stopped, accompanied by the sound of thunder.
Even the other students competing in the preliminary rounds froze in place, staring at the two of them.
It wasn’t a match that could be called a classic. However, everyone there would later recount it like this:
It was the most intense match in the history of the tournament.
The ear-splitting roar that spread around them as the match began was more than just noise.
In that instant, the man who had smiled and taken Number 25’s small fist head-on without even trying to dodge realized the danger the moment Number 25’s fist touched his skin.
Of course, his body was already flying through the air and out of the arena.
The man, who had been sent flying out of the arena with a huge impact, convulsed with electricity coursing through his body and lost consciousness on the spot.
Amidst the dust, the faint image of wings made of gray lightning could be seen on Number 25’s back. They dissipated and disappeared soon after, but everyone knew it was an extraordinary power.
Orca was the first to shout. She stood up, waving her arms and yelling with veins bulging in her neck.
“Wow! That little runt! He’s a real monster now? I’m itching for a fight!”
Several Demon Lords tried to stop Orca from rushing into the arena, but the decisive one was Lahart.
“Enough.”
At his word, Orca clicked her tongue and plopped back down into her seat.
After Lahart’s words calmed the situation, the Demon Lords each commented on the match.
The three Demon Lords, excluding the four who knew Number 25 well, all shared the same opinion:
He was a talent they had to bring to their territory no matter what.
Lahart’s opinion was among them, which meant that Number 25’s fate could be greatly shaken.
