บท 11: The Tournament Begins!
Soul Binding is a mystical phenomenon that unlocks the hidden potential within individuals, intertwining their emotions, dormant traits, and cherished aspects of their life to awaken unique supernatural abilities. This link, known as "Soul Abilities," varies in nature based on the binding, allowing users to tap into their essence and manipulate their surroundings. By forging a deep connection with their inner self, individuals can unleash their soul's constraints, pulling out parts of their essence to influence the world around them.
The Soul Thread serves as a conduit, connecting the user's soul to a particular aspect of life or emotion, granting them a Soul Binding Ability. With the ability to choose how much of their soul thread to utilize, users can balance their power with their physical well-being. However, exceeding 50% of their soul thread comes with increased strain, and only a select few can push beyond to 80%. As users navigate the complexities of their abilities, they must carefully manage their power to avoid exhaustion and maintain control.
Ayid approached the girl he had been talking to earlier, looking around nervously as participants began to disperse in different directions. "Hey, what's next?" he asked, his eyes scanning the area.
The girl rolled her eyes, slapping her forehead. "Seriously, didn't you pay attention? Everyone's heading to the billboard screens to check their opponents and match times."
Ayid rubbed his neck, looking sheepish. "Oh, right... Yeah, I guess I spaced out."
The girl raised an eyebrow, her expression bored. "Anything else you need help with?"
Ayid hesitated, unsure if he should ask to tag along with her , but her tone suggested she was already done with him. "Just your name , actually," he said , trying to sound casual
The girl smirked. "Trying to hit up on me? You're cute and, but not really my type."
Ayid held up his hands in defense. "No, no, no! It's not like that at all. You've just been really helpful, and I wanted to know your name in case..... You know, I need more help or something."
She chuckled, seeming to accept his explanation. "Alright, alright. I'm Mina Sainte"
"Ayid replied, smiling. "Nice to meet you , Mina".
Mina nodded, her expression softening slightly. "Likewise, Ayid. Nice to meet you too."
With that, they parted ways, each heading to the billboard screens to discover their opponents and match times.
As they parted ways, Ayid felt a wave of relief wash over him. Grateful for Mina's help, he knew he needed to stay focused and attentive if he wanted to succeed in this competition. Approaching the billboard screens, his heart raced with anticipation. Who would his opponent be?
The screens were divided into sections, each displaying a unique match-up. Ayid scanned them, his eyes searching for his name. And then, he saw it: "Ayid Realer vs. Kross Blackwood". Ayid's heart skipped a beat. Blackwood? The name sent a shiver down his spine. "Could this guy be related to the commander who spoke to us earlier?" he thought, sweat trickling down his face. "It's probably just a coincidence, right?"
Just then, a deep voice interrupted his thoughts. "Move." Ayid turned to see a tall figure with long black hair and a stern face, scarred with three slashes above his eye. His all-black attire, including his shoes, seemed to blend with the shadows. But his piercing green eyes stood out, almost otherworldly.
"Are you Ayid Realer?" he asked in a hoarse tone, his gaze piercing through Ayid. Ayid nodded slowly, feeling a bit intimidated by his presence but trying hard to hide it.
"Guess I'll be your opponent," he said, his voice devoid of emotion. Ayid wasn't sure how to feel, but every inch of his body screamed danger.
"Do your best to make it interesting for me," he continued, "and try not to die in the process." With that , he turned and walked away without looking at Ayid again.
Ayid felt a chill run down his spine as he heard those words. He couldn't shake off the feeling that this guy was bad news.
Ayid's heart raced as he made his way through the winding tunnels beneath the Nightcore headquarters Stadium. He had never seen a crowd this large before, and the sheer scale of the arena took his breath away. As he emerged into the bright lights of the stadium, he squinted, his eyes adjusting slowly to the dazzling display before him.
The crowd was enormous, a sea of faces stretching out in every direction. Ayid's heart raced faster, his palms growing sweaty as he took in the sheer magnitude of the event. He had never felt so small, yet so energized, in his life. The air was electric with anticipation.
He swallowed hard,
trying to calm his nerves, as he made his way to an empty seat.
"Participant, welcome to the Nightcore Recruitment Programme!" the AI system announced, its voice booming through the futuristic stadium. "Before we begin, let's take a moment to appreciate the cutting-edge technology that makes this programme possible. Behold, the Crisis Arena!"
The crowd erupted into applause as the arena's lights flickered, highlighting the sleek, circular ring at its center. The ring was covered by a shimmering forcefield that pulsed with energy, humming softly as it glowed with a soft blue light.
"This forcefield is not only invincible but also intelligent," the AI system explained. "It can detect and adapt to the unique abilities of our recruits, ensuring a safe and thrilling evaluation process."
"Before we proceed, let's introduce the highest-ranking authorities in the Nightcore vanguard," the AI system continued. "Please welcome our honorable guests and captains: Thor Fraudlin, Raven Thatcher, Marley Bardot, Gray Adams, Adam Wixx, Diane Elrod, and Levy Bond – the World Order!"
The crowd cheered as six figures emerged from the shadows, dressed in sleek black uniforms adorned with silver accents and capes that split down the middle. Ayid had heard about the World Order and their legendary status in maintaining absolute peace in the Arcane Sanctuary. Their power was rumored to be unmatched, with a single member capable of taking down a thousand Nightmares.
As they emerged, the air pressure suddenly became wild, shaking the entire stadium and displaying their immense power. The crowd erupted into applause once more.
The six members of the World Order took their positions on a massive theater-like platform, their eyes fixed intently on the recruits about to be introduced. Thor, his deep voice commanding attention, addressed the empty seat among them. "Where's Levy? He's supposed to be here, supervising this important day alongside us."
Commander Thane emerged from behind, standing firm like a soldier. "He had to step out for a while, sir. Urgent matters required his attention."
Thor's voice rose in disbelief. "More important than this? The Nightcore Recruitment Programme is a crucial event and he decided to....step out?!"
Captain Diane intervened, her warm smile calming the tension. "I'm sure Levy will return soon, Thor. Let's focus on our duties and supervise the proceedings as planned."
Thor huffed, his expression unyielding, but turned his attention to the tournament. The AI system announced, "And now, without further ado, let us begin the Nightcore Recruitment Programme!"
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