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nToday, leaving the canteen, the students were far more excited than any other day. Everyone was walking together in a large group, following two specific individuals to their match.

nWitnessing one of the top rankers fight was usually quite a spectacle, because the top rankers only ever fought against others who were close to the top. This would allow the other students to see a high level of skills being displayed, and showed everyone just how far or close they were to catching up.

nHowever, the reason the students were even more hyped up than usual was that ever since the current batch of top rankers had risen to their position, they had made a pact that they wouldn’t fight. This meant that no high level fights had taken place since nobody had dared to antagonise the top rankers so far. Ever since Gary had openly mocked Sty, the students had hoped that something would come out of it, and now that it did they were all elated, even though the green haired newcomer wasn’t the one who would fight.

n“This isn’t good.” Izzy said to Ian, concerned for Numba. “Everyone has a right to challenge those in the top ten at any time. It’s the whole point of this system, but the others haven’t done that because of the pact.”

n“Ah, you worry too much.” Ian shrugged. “Personally, I think this is quite exciting. I mean, let’s assume Numba loses, what’s the worst that will happen? From what you told me, the primary purpose of that pact was to prevent the other high rankers from challenging the top rankers constantly during the time they have to protect their top rank, not for people like Numba.

n“Do you really think they would waste their time beating him over and over again?”

n“You don’t understand.” Izzy sighed as she stopped walking. “I did some research on Apollo and Sty. They don’t just have a relationship inside this place, but one outside as well. Sty works for a gang in a Tier-2 city, who works for the leader of the gang in a Tier-1 city… which is linked to Apollo. Do you understand why it’s so dangerous now, and why Numba has been listening to them this whole time?”

nHearing this news, Ian wondered what he would do in this situation, and one thing was sure, he wouldn’t touch someone from gang in a Tier-2 city, much less one linked to a gang in a Tier-1 city. Their whole Tier-3 business could be wiped out in a few seconds by any one of those.

nJust then, Gary placed his arms around the two of them.

n“Let’s just watch the fight and worry about that stuff later. Besides, remember what you said about gang members having pride. Do you really think this Apollo guy is the type of person who would go running off to his gang if he lost a fight… or call his gang for help with something like this.”

nIt was true, but it was always better to be safe than sorry, especially in this world. Everyone had now gathered in the large oval room. The students made sure to stand around the outer edge, making place for the fighters in the centre, Sty and Numba.

n“It seems like your green haired friend there has gotten into your head, making you think you can take me on. Let me show you that my background isn’t the only reason I’m ranked this highly!” Sty shouted.

nThe match started and Sty began to transform. Immediately his eyes bulged, turning into compound eyes, with a slightly orange colour. At the same time, a pair of wings sprouted out of his back. Finally, his mouth elongated a bit, starting to resemble a proboscis, giving him the overall appearance of a fly.

nAt the same time, Numba was transforming as well. From the looks of it, his horns had finished elongating at the same time as his opponent was done with his transformation.

nThe Goal Altered swept his legs on the floor a couple of times similar to a bull. Suddenly, Numba exploded in speed, closing the gap between the two in an instant. With this type of speed many of the onlookers felt that they might go down in a single hit.

nHowever, Sty’s eyes weren’t just for show, allowing him to see the moment Numba had accelerated, and his body was fast enough to react. Making use of his wings, he avoided the attack at the last second by flying into the air.

n‘Where is he?’ Numba wondered, as his horns had failed to make impact. Looking up, he could not see Sty in front of him. The next moment, he felt his back flare up in pain, making the Goat Altered fall down on his knees. Sty had not only avoided the attack perfectly, but positioned himself perfectly in the other’s blind area.

n“That was your master plan in going against me?” Sty asked in ridicule. “What else have you got, now that your surprise attack failed?”

nTurning around quickly in anger, Numba faced Sty again and pushed off his feet, aiming for his horns to stick right into Sty’s body, pinning him in one piece. This time, instead of moving to the side though, Sty flew up with his wings flapping about, avoiding it again.

n“Haha, I could just stay up here all day, and you wouldn’t be able to hit me. You’re just a useless goat, and I can’t believe you actually thought you could beat me with your level of skills!” Sty laughed, flying in to deliver a kick right to Numba’s face faster than he could react. Blood dropped from his nose and mouth across the floor.

nNumba swung a fist, but it hit nothing but the air again. It didn’t stop there, as Sty continued his attack pattern, flying in to kick his opponent once, before getting out to prevent his opponent from retaliating in any way. After taking a couple of hits, it became obvious that the Goal Altered had to focus his all on simply defending, not leaving him any room to change the situation.

n“Crap!” Gary cursed. “It’s my fault Numba is fighting right now, and now he’s getting beat to a pulp.”

nThe Werewolf hadn’t been sure if Sty had been all talk, but this fight proved that his arrogance was grounded in his abilities. Of course, the moment Numba had challenged him, Gary had considered the possibility that his buddy might lose… only he hadn’t considered that it would be so one-sidedly.

n‘Should I go in and help him?’ Gary thought, readying his body to go in.

n“If you intend to interfere in their fight, I’m afraid I’ll have to stop you.” A deep voice sounded from behind him.

nWhen he turned around, he saw the large figure of Apollo, his arms crossed and a smile across his face, and that’s when Gary could see the badge displaying the intimidating number 1.

n*****

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