n

n

nAfter watching Ray fight, Gary felt tense all over his body. He was itching to get out and move. All he wanted to do right now was swing his sword at something. He was kind of jealous that the other participants got to fight while he had to stay up here and watch.

nGary knew more than anyone how strong Ray truly was but seeing it now in front of him, Gary felt like he was just falling further and further behind.

nBut what scared Gary more than anything, was there were even stronger people and beasts then him out there. If he wanted to punish the people who had killed his sister, then he needed to become strong enough to take on anyone that got in his way.

nNobles hired many talented knights as guards and some even had their own army. Gary wasn't just planning on taking out the person who killed his sister but every single one related to them as well. He wanted them to feel the same pain as he did.

nAs the match finished, Gary started to walk off away from the group. He needed to get some swings in to calm himself down.

nHe walked off without saying a word. Slyvia tried to go after him but Martha grabbed her by the arm to stop her.

n

"It's best if we just let him deal with it himself. Gary's strong, remember last time he eventually got out of that right? When he truly needs our help, that's when we'll come to get him.

"

nSlyvia understood Martha's words but she couldn't help but get the feeling that this small little family she had built was starting to fall apart and as she was the leader, she was the one who needed to fix it.

nGary arrived at the training hall. It was a place for participants to practice before their upcoming fight. All of the second-year students had just finished fighting so currently only the third-year students were inside waiting to be called for the next event.

nGary wanted to blow off some steam and the training dolls in the training room were perfect for that exact thing.

nGary activated one of the training dolls at the highest levels and started hacking away at it. The onlookers were impressed. Gary managed to avoid every strike while dealing a strike back in a fatal position.

nGary was unaware but currently, many of the third-year students were watching him practice.

n

"He's the number one ranked student out of the second years. What do you think of him, Harry?

"

nA third-year student asked.

n

"The other one is more my type,

" Harry replied.

n

"The boy looks good; his style reminds me of yours. He might actually be even better.

" Cherry said with a slight smile.

nHarry knew that Cherry was trying to rile him up, but it still worked. Harry slowly started to walk closer to where Gary was training with the doll.

nAfter five minutes of impressive sword work and pinpoint accuracy, Gary decided to take a break.

nAs soon as he did, Harry walked over to the same training doll. He drew his sword and activated the training doll to the same level as Gary.

nThe doll started and so did Harry. Harry started slashing and avoiding the dolls strike continually. After a while, people realised what Harry was doing. He was currently displaying the exact same moves that Gary had performed.

nEvery single dodge and strike back, where exactly the same. On the last strike, Harry infused his sword Ki and wacked the dolls head towards Gary.

nThe dolls head went flying through the air and Gary moved his head at the last second.

n

"It was easier than I thought,

" Harry said looking towards Gary.

nThe third-year students didn't know what to say. They had known Harry for the longest time and he was only ranked 50 in the student rankings. He was a good fighter but not at the level where he could do something like that.

nThe others started to wonder if Harry had been hiding his strength this whole time.

n

"If you want a fight, you just have to ask.

" Gary then pulled out his sword and started walking over to Harry.

nThe third-year students were getting excited. They couldn't wait to see a battle between two skilled swordsmen. The two were only a short distance away from each other and it looked like at any second they would clash heads.

nJust then, a female's voice could be heard.

n

"There you are!

" Slyvia shouted.

nSlyvia came rushing over and grabbed Gary by the hand.

n

"Come on, the third-years' round is about to start let's get going,

" Slyvia said as she dragged Gary out of the room.

nSlyvia had been peeking through the door for a while now, thinking of what to say to Gary. Then she saw that Gary was currently going to get into a fight. If he did, then he would have been disqualified from the tournament. At the last second, she had no choice but to barge in and save him.

nWhile being dragged away by Slyvia, Gary realised the grave mistake he could have just committed. If he couldn't compete in the tournament it meant he wouldn't be in the top five.

n

"Thank you,

" Gary said.

n

"Hey, I'm the leader right? It's my job to keep you guys all safe.

"

nSlyvia and Gary had arrived at where the rest of the group currently were. They were standing on the balcony of the arena getting ready for the next round to start at any moment.

nWhen Slyvia looked at the group she noticed that someone was missing: that was Ray. Ray should have long been released by the medical team by now, especially since he hadn't received any injuries.

nSlyvia went running around everywhere looking for Ray. She checked every location she could think of. Finally, while running around the hallways she spotted Ray talking to Wilfred just outside the Elders temporary room. She quickly hid around the corridor corner not wanting to interrupt their conversation.

n

"What did you just say Ray!

" Wilfred shouted.

nRay repeated himself once more.

n

"I want to drop out of the tournament.

"

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