Chapter 33: Same Mistake Twice II

"Well, that’s interesting." Dustin said, leaning forward to get a better look at the bracket.

Raul stood beside him, arms crossed.

Leon glanced at the names again. There was no need to comtemplate his win, he was sure of it already. As for the other side, it was going to be a tough match, but it was close to impossible to expect Aaron Grey to lose.

Looking around, Aaron wasn’t in the arena. He didn’t fight either, since his opponent forfeited the match even before it started, so he made it through without hindrance.

Leon had already seen Aaron fight. He had won his match without even summoning his beast, relying entirely on Unification to enhance his physical abilities, and supposedly, that wasn’t even the limit of what he could do.

Dustin scratched his head.

"So, if you win your next match, you’re in the finals?"

"That’s how the bracket works," Raul replied.

"And if Aaron wins his next one, he’ll be there too."

"Yes." Leon aswered.

Dustin looked at Leon. "That’s rough, man."

Leon didn’t respond immediately.

He kept his eyes on the bracket.

’Guess that’s where this is going.’

Still, he wasn’t going to complain.

If Aaron made it to the finals, then that was also good. He would finally get to see how his own abilities compared to someone who was genuinely strong... And if Aaron didn’t make it... well, that would be someone else’s problem.

Leon leaned back in his seat.

’One match at a time I guess.’

.

.

.

Leon had expected his next opponent to be more troublesome than the last two, after all, losing to a Grade 1 skeleton had already made them something of a laughingstock. Anyone who still thought they could win by relying on outdated information probably hadn’t been paying attention.

Unfortunately, his opponent had.

"Leon Carter, right?" His opponent said.

The boy standing across from him was about his age, with short brown hair and a lean build. He wore a fitted combat uniform, and his expression was noticeably different from the others. There was no smugness or careless confidence, just a focused look as he studied Leon.

"I watched your previous matches," he said. "And I did some research."

Leon raised an eyebrow, ’Well that’s new...’

Most people seemed content to make assumptions about him, but this one had apparently decided to do some actual work.

"Your skeleton uses death energy, doesn’t it?" the boy continued. "That’s why you can take advantage over ordinary beasts."

Leon didn’t bother to answer, that much was common sense. Not that he was correct though, since he had never really relied on the death energy when it came to his Grade 3 skeleton.

Seeing Leon remain indifferent, the boy smiled slightly.

"I’ve prepared for that."

Yet still, Leon remained silent.

The referee stepped between them and began explaining the rules.

It was a Grade 2 Peak Ironback Boar, a stocky beast covered in thick, dark armor-like plates. Two curved tusks extended from its lower jaw, and its short legs were built to support its considerable weight.

Funny how he and his previous opponent has the same summon, with the only difference being its darker armor that somehow looked sturdier. It went to show how the same beast could grow and develop differently in the hands of another summoner.

Nevertheless, this was once again, a straightforward combat summon that should have been a defensive beast.

’Not particularly impressive at first glance, but yet again, that armor could be troublesome.’

Leon had no idea what other abilities it possessed since he hadn’t gotten to see them the day before, and when this opponent of his fought yesterday, he didn’t use any ability either.

The referee finished his explanation and stepped away.

Once again, he summoned his Grade 3 Undead Skeleton Swordsman.

The referee raised his hand.

"Begin!"

The Ironback Boar charged fiercely, and this time, Leon was more intentional with his words as he gave a simple command, "Don’t let it hit you."

The Skeleton stepped forward while Leon himself took a few steps back.

The moment the beast closed the gap, the Skeleton Swordsman moved aside, narrowly avoiding the initial charge, while skillfully striking the boar’s flank, producing a sharp metallic sound as the blade scraped against its armor.

The boar barely reacted to the attack, turned and charged again.

The skeleton dodged, moving with the same precise footwork it had shown during its first fight. The difference now was, this time, the opponent was ready.

"Keep your distance! Don’t let it get close!" His oppoenent commanded.

The Ironback Boar lowered its head and released a burst of energy.

A dark red glow spread across its armor, and its next charge was noticeably faster and carried more weight behind it.

The skeleton moved to evade, but the boar adjusted its direction at the last moment, forcing the skeleton to leap aside.

Its tusk caught the edge of the skeleton robes that were under the armor, and a small strip of cloth tore away.

At that, Leon frowned.

’So that’s the trick, no wonder he looks relaxed. His summon can negate the death energy.’

The boy wasn’t trying to overpower the skeleton through raw strength alone, well, not strength exactly, but force. He was using the boar’s armor and momentum to limit its movement, forcing it into predictable evasions.

Worse, the boar’s energy seemed to interfere with the death energy surrounding Leon’s summon, not that it mattered to Leon, but it allowed the beast operate without being affected by the death energy. That alone gave the beast a little boast from others Leon had faced.

Once again, the two summons clashed.

The skeleton’s sword struck the beast again, this time its armored head, producing a sharp metallic clang that rang through the arena. The impact forced the beast’s charge slightly off course, but it didn’t stop. The boar continued forward, pushing through the strike with its head lowered.

The Swordsman shifted aside, allowing the beast to rush past before turning and delivering another slash.

This time, the blade struck its flank, chipping in a bit. The boar grunted, but the wound was shallow to ignore and push through.

"Keep moving!" the opponent shouted. "Don’t let it get a clean hit!"

The boar immediately turned and charged again.