“Here is the room that you will be staying in for the time being, Xavier. Also, please take this and wear it on your head like this,” says the test assistant as she demonstrates how to put it on. “Now then, please make yourself comfortable and make sure you’re prepared to be called out.”

  She politely bows and makes her way out of the room.

  The headgear in my hand, I put it on.

  Click!

  The green crystal embedded to the edge of the headgear slowly illuminates a bright green.

  “Oh it's glowing. Wonder what that means?” I say.

  Looking around the room, there’s a bench, sink, mirror, and a holographic screen. It’s broadcasting the battlefield as it’s being reverted back to its original state.

  The sounds of the crowd above seeps through the walls.

  I gulp down my excess saliva and take a deep inhale then exhale.

  A buzz like sound comes from the headgear. My eyes perk.

  “Combatants, you may now enter the battlefield, please make haste,” says the Arena Master’s voice. “There are coms in this thing? I thought I might have broken it or something…” I say as I wipe the small amount of sweat from my forehead.

  Turning around, I exit the room and follow the hallway leading to the battlefield.

  Slowly getting closer to what seems to be a deadend, the white silver walls begin splitting apart like a door being opened up. The bright lights seep through.

  “So, bright…” Covering the light beam with my arm I step out.

  The sounds of the crowd talking and making a ruckus becomes clearer.

  Feeling the light subside, I fully open my eyes. “Woah… this is kind of… amazing.”

  The firm silver flooring grips my shoes as I walk towards the center of the battlefield.

  Looking around the bleachers far above, I manage to find Jun and Noelle waving their arms up in the sky.

  “Hey, guys!” I yell, waving my right arm.

  I doubt they can hear me though.

  “Nice to see you again, Xavier,” says a familiar voice.

  Stopping in pce, I look to the direction of the voice. “Yeah, nice to see you too, Sebastian,” I say.

  “The crowd is pretty wild this time,” Sebastian looks at the crowd, “The first two rounds must have gotten them into the mood,” he looks back at me, “I wouldn’t normally say this to anyone, but since you helped me out yesterday. I’m willing to go a little easy on you if you want me to.”

  “No, it’s fine. I want a genuine battle between the both of us, so give me your best!” I bring forth my hand.

  Sebastian has a dumbfounded face. He smiles for a brief moment and changes his expression to that of a lighter one.

  “You’re an interesting one, Xavier. If it was anyone else, they would’ve taken that offer. Well then, let us have a good match,” he says as he brings up his hand to mine.

  “May both contestants equip their weapons!” Says the Arena Master.

  After our friendly exchange, Sebastian immediately walks back a few feet and digs his hands into the brown pouch attached to his waist. He pulls out a pendant.

  “Equip,” he says.

  It breaks into red orange mana particles and forms into a great hammer. It floats in the air for a few seconds. Sebastian grabs hold of the handle and looks at me.

  Grabbing hold of the pendant around my neck, I pull on it. It breaks apart. “Equip,” I say.

  The pendant turns into light blue mana particles and forms into a shield and sword.

  The shield and sword floats mid air separately on the left and right. I grab hold of them.

  Even though the match hasn’t started yet… I can’t hear the loud crowd anymore. All I see in front of me now is him.

  I raise my sword at Sebastian.

  He raises his left arm to me.

  “I hereby challenge thee to a duel,” we both say simultaneously.

  A barrier quickly covers the whole battlefield.

  “Activate the Arena!” Announces the Arena Master.

  The ground begins to rumble and shake, then suddenly the whole battlefield is completely changed into a new environment.

  A vast desert with little to no trees and structures. Just pure ft sandstone ground with cactuses scattered across.

  Few mountains of sand are present far out.

  Once was the cold arena, now a heating and hot desert nd.

  I feel a small amount of sweat begin to form on my face.

  It’s warm.

  Sebastian looks around then looks at me. He preps his stance as he brings the hammer’s handle to his other hand.

  “I much prefer this,” he says. His expression, a bnk smile.

  Readying myself, I grip hard onto the shield handle and bring my sword to the front of me.

  “Let’s have a nice and clean battle, Sebastian,” I say.