Martial Arts Worlds

A red carpet draped over the fighting ring with a mighty trophy gleaming in the center on top of a pedestal.

The stadium's lights cascaded down on the trophy like a light from the heavens.

The members of Karuza High waited on their bench to go and lift the trophy, but they were waiting for the chairman to arrive with the key that would unlock the glass case holding the trophy.

At that moment, most of them heard footsteps coming behind them, and when they turned around, to their surprise, Kiernan walked over to them, seemingly unharmed.

"Kiernan, are you alright?"

Coach Jin asked in surprise.

"Yes. The doctor gave me permission, as my injuries didn't seem too severe."

Kiernan said and sat on the bench, but he wasn't alone, as the invisible puppy hopped onto his lap, wagging his tail happily.

'Not severe?'

Coach Jin's eyebrow twitched, and he wondered where the hell Kiernan received his durability because it was ridiculous.

Anyone else in the tournament would be coughing out blood and wincing in pain while they were being transported to the hospital.

However, apparently not him!

With the time slowly ticking down, the chairman finally arrived at the ring amidst the cheering from the crowd and picked up a microphone before standing right next to the trophy.

"It's been another legendary year of nationals, and this year, we had an exceptionally rare year when we had two teams, who hadn't reached finals before, fighting in the finals for first time ever.

"The final is destined to be etched into the history books as the first final fought in a special format, with both fighters giving it their all until the very last second.

"Please, everyone, welcome Karuza High, your national champions, to the stage!"

Amidst the thunderous applause, they climbed to the ring and took their spots near the glass case where the trophy awaited.

The chairman took out his silvery key, opened the glass case, and proudly presented the gleaming trophy to the team.

"Who should lift it?"

Julia asked, but as soon as she did, everyone's gaze landed on Kiernan, and they pushed him forward.

Kiernan scratched the back of his head, stood behind the trophy, and then grabbed it from its wide base.

Boom!

Fireworks exploded, lighting up the night sky in a dazzling display of colors, and then Kiernan lifted the trophy over his head in triumph.

"Kiernan! Kiernan! Kiernan! Kiernan!"

With cheers overwhelming him, Kiernan lowered the trophy and handed it over to Julia, who smiled and hugged the trophy in her arms.

Each member of the team had their short moment with the trophy.

"Lastly, we have the trophy for the Most Valuable Fighter of the Tournament award."

The chairman spoke at the microphone, and a smaller but still beautiful trophy was placed on the pedestal.

"This reward, often usually given to the strongest fighter of the tournament, has been passed down by legends of New Rakuya for generations, and now it belongs to the new owner.

"Karuza High's Kiernan Hunter, you are this year's Most Valuable Fighter!"

Kiernan picked up the trophy from the pedestal. It was small enough for him to carry it with one hand, and then he was able to see engraved names on the trophy.

Every previous Most Valuable Fighter winner was engraved into the trophy, and Kiernan's name was already there.

The sound of drums echoed through the arena, signaling the end of the awards ceremony, and in millions of households, the broadcast came to an end.

It was a historic night that would be remembered for years to come, and the name Kiernan Hunter, would forever be associated with greatness.

…

"Shit!"

Cursing through the darkness of the night, Alabaster stumbled down a heavily thick forest with his shoes covered in mud.

He reached the top of the hill, and from there, he was able to see the faraway Tiamut City, which he had left behind.

"That bastard will suffer for this humiliation!"

Alabaster's eyes burned with rage as he vowed revenge.

However, at that moment, a twig broke close behind him, and he realized he was not alone.

'An animal?'

Alabaster turned around, but through the darkness, it wasn't an animal that appeared, but a serious-looking man.

"It is you…"

Alabaster said with a frown.

"Leaving so soon? We didn't even have a chance to talk."

Sabbath said with a smirk, and with his aura alone, he pushed the nearby branches out of the way.

Behind his back, Alabaster pulled out a dagger from his hidden sheath and prepared to use his Body Manipulation to attack.

"You're not sneaky with that weapon of yours, y'know. I just want to talk, but if you want to fight, I can do that as well."

Sabbath reached out to the sky, and through the sky, like a comet, a chained pillar smashed down and created a small crater right next to him.

The chained pillar stood right next to Sabbath, looking menacing.

'What a strange conjured weapon.'

Alabaster thought with a frown and then asked.

"What do you want to talk about?"

"About why you're here in the first place? What are you seeking, and why did you poison Zachary to try to get it?"

Sabbath asked.

"Is this the part when I am supposed to talk about my master plan? Sorry, but I'm not done yet. I will get my hands on what I came for, no matter what it takes."

Alabaster said, revealed his claw-looking dagger, and cut effortlessly through the nearby tree trunks.

The trees fell down with a loud crash, causing the ground to shake.

"Very well, then. I must stop you then, as you're a dangerous one, and I can't sleep knowing that you might go after my disciple."

Sabbath grabbed the pillar by its chains, lifted it up over his head, and moved into a swinging stance.

"Hahahahaha!"

Alabaster laughed, lunged forward like a lightning bolt, and appeared in front of Sabbath with a dagger in hand, ready to strike.

At that moment, he used his power!

'Blindness!'

Sabbath lost his vision, and even though they were standing in the middle of the dark forest, he was still able to see, but now he couldn't see anything!

Alabaster swung his dagger down, but Sabbath moved the heavy-looking pillar and blocked the dagger slashes.

The dagger scratched across the pillar's sturdy surface with sparks flying like a shower of shooting stars.

"You can still see?"

Alabaster asked in shock.

"You're a very one-dimensional fighter. If you can only fight with your vision, then you're nothing but a mediocre fighter at best."

Sabbath said, and smacked the pillar at Alabaster's chest with a resounding crack, and sent him flying through the nearby trees.