Airot's First Fight

  Chapter word count: 1166

  The levitating platform began to shift while the crowd cheered at the declaration of Shanice’s victory. It compacted and started descending as the tornado slowly dissipated.

  Urara and Ninfa rose from their table and made their way to the boxing ring in preparation of the finished participants. As they walked, Urara swiftly spun her head and shot a glance at the side seating area.

  Picking up on the cue, Airot began to rise from his seat, but before he could fully get up, the heavily coated man slumped slightly, then groaned as he clambered up. The man took the lead in following Urara, leaving a chilled path for Airot.

  As the arena settled onto the grounded boxing ring from which it had risen, the previously roaring and powerful tornado now dwindled to a constant breeze. It was still present, but nowhere near as strong as when Elfein was controlling it. Still, it caused hair, fabric, and even snacks to be thrown about carelessly.

  The coated man stood idly by the arena; Airot copied, albeit with some distance.

  Urara and Ninfa pushed through and climbed up to the platform, now reconnected with the boxing ring. Once on stage, Ninfa immediately went to check on Elfein, while Urara scampered to Shanice. She darted in front of her and shoved a microphone to her face.

  “What an amazing battle you’ve just displayed!” Urara boasted. “Do you have any finalizing words to say?”

  “You didn’t have to announce what I did,” Shanice lightly complained amidst uneven breaths.

  “Well, you know the bizz,” Urara spoke more hushed, referring to the industry. “Besides, since Vantio, it’s practically common knowledge anyway.”

  Shanice quickly rolled her eyes. “That’s only ‘cause Cass-pass forced me to,” she muttered under her breath.

  “S-So, do you have a victory speech in mind now that you’ve won?” Urara returned to her announcer voice, trying to move things along.

  Shanice grabbed the mic. “Certainly. For being his first battle, Elfe-boy here did well. I haven’t kept up with the library’s affairs, but it’s only been a month, right? He’ll surely become a skilled yapper in due time. I am honored to have been the first opponent of our Sky Piercer’s student.” A momentary pause took place before she continued with a smirk. “Truly, an honor… to have my soles implanted onto his student’s face.”

  “Now, now,” Urara whispered, slowly motioning her hands up and down.

  “That aside, he still gave an impressive showing. Who knows if I’ll be able to beat this ‘sky gazer’ again,” Shanice continued, waving Urara off. “But beyond that, if it weren’t for our dazzling Urara, we wouldn’t have seen his capabilities and potential here today. Nor would I have had this joy in fighting him. So let’s show her our appreciation!” Shanice handed the mic back.

  The crowd responded with warm cheers and fair applause as Shanice turned Urara to them, then stepped toward Ninfa, who knelt beside Elfein. A few rotten, damaged fruits lay next to her while she dug into her duffle bag.

  “Let’s make way for the next match,” Shanice said, standing over Ninfa.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  Without hearing a reply, she weakly pointed down to Elfein. From above, the comic strip she had used in her battle descended, carried aloft by the remnants of the wind. It was sent flying from Elfein’s tornado, yet remained intact despite the harsh winds.

  It fluttered smoothly down, swaying in wide arcs due to its size, but remained extended without curling up. Nearly on the ground, it took a widthwise swoop and slid itself under Elfein’s body. Then, it floated upwards while maintaining its straightness, lifting him up. Ninfa rose as well, hurriedly packing the spoiled fruits into her bag.

  “You can tend to him off the arena,” Shanice stated with a slight strain in her voice.

  “Okay,” Ninfa followed. “Where do you need aid most?” she switched to her health.

  “Nah, I can wait. You should focus on Elfe-boy here first,” Shanice replied.

  She escorted Ninfa as her comic strip carried Elfein off the arena. Urara just finished calming the crowd when she noticed the others leaving the stage. She turned to the next set of participants and gave them a glare, then faced the audience again to entertain them while the two got onto the stage.

  As Airot stepped forward, Ninfa and Shanice passed him, carrying Elfein off.

  “I hope you’re just as interesting as Elfe-boy,” Shanice quipped as she walked by.

  “I’ll try,” Airot replied, leaning slightly to see Elfein.

  He was about to move on, but Elfein shuffled and reached out, grabbing Airot’s arm.

  “You’re awake?” Airot blurted, turning back.

  “Oho? Is he now?” Shanice remarked, halting in place.

  Elfein groaned faintly before speaking. “...Hey, remember how yapst work?”

  “Hm? Yeah, they have a name I need to look out for,” Airot answered.

  “Yeah… about that… if a yapper’s attuned enough, they can create names separate from their Origin Name that can also amp them, just on a lesser scale,” Elfein revealed.

  “What?!” Airot was taken aback.

  “Oh my, you’re that much of a newbie?” Shanice interjected.

  “She definitely had a Chosen Destiny…” Elfein weakly side-eyed Shanice.

  “A what?” Airot questioned.

  Elfein let go of his arm. “The secondary name…” he murmured before his eyes shut again.

  Airot was left befuddled as Shanice scratched her head at the interaction. “No need to out me like that,” she joked. With no one replying, she continued walking. “Well, don’t be boring.”

  Unable to even question it, Airot got up on the stage and stood on the opposite corner from the already idle coated man.

  Urara blared back to the crowd. “All eyes ready for our second match?!”

  She hopped down the stage, landing cleanly on her feet. Once off, the stage restarted shifting and rising.

  “Just like with our first match, we have a newcomer in one corner,” Urara announced, gesturing to Airot. “A truly ambitious one, signing up despite having only awoken two days ago! And friends with not just Elfein, but Haruku as well!! It makes one wonder—has he learned anything from the humble transporter? Vouched by Haruku himself, this is Airot Plasho’s first battle!!”

  Similarly to Shanice in the first match’s intro, Haruku’s name being mentioned caused some noise.

  ‘Vouched? Learned? We didn’t say any of that, though…’

  “And facing him is quite the familiar name,” Urara turned to the coated man. “A roaming freelancer and regular tournament participant. While he may not have gone far in any bracket, he’s tried out at nearly every event these past few months! So, despite not having any singular famous performance, he’s got the experience, especially in this fight! Give it up for Yeis!!”

  Though the audience was cheerful, their response was noticeably more subdued compared to when Shanice was on stage.

  “And now, with all eyes on you!” Urara paused dramatically, raising her hand as the digital screen reappeared. “Take the stage and show us the second match!!” she slashed her raised hand downward. “Begin!!!”