21 The First Bout

As I stepped onto the platform, a hush fell over the crowd, and all eyes were fixed on me. It was as if I was the star of this spectacle, the one and only attraction that everyone had come to see. In that moment, I felt the weight of their expectations bearing down on me.

For everyone in the university knew of my existence - I was the only double awakener, a rare breed with the power to harness not just one, but two mythical spirits. And as I stood there, poised and ready for battle, I could feel their intense curiosity, their eagerness to see what I was truly capable of.

As I looked across the arena, I could see the apprehension on my classmate's face. He looked like he was about to bolt any moment, like he was staring down a lion ready to pounce.

"Hey there, don't worry about it," I said, trying to break the tension. "It's just a friendly spar, nothing to be nervous about."

My classmate's shoulders visibly relaxed as I spoke, and a smile crept onto his face. "Yeah, you're right," he replied, his voice tinged with relief. "I just don't want to embarrass myself in front of everyone."

I chuckled. "No need to worry about that. We're both here to learn and improve, right? So let's give it our all and have some fun while we're at it."

He nodded, a newfound confidence in his stance. "Thanks for that. Let's make this a good fight."

I watched in awe as my opponent unleashed his earth elemental spirit, the ground trembling beneath our feet as he summoned its power. Suddenly, a portion of the platform beneath us shattered and he absorbed it into his being.

I was amazed at his skill - it was clear that he was a summoner type shaman, a master of the elements who could control golems from a distance. I knew I was in for a tough fight.

"You're a summoner type," I said, my voice tinged with respect. "I've never fought against one before."

He smirked, a glint in his eye. "That's because summoners like me are the best at controlling the battlefield from afar. But I like to get my hands dirty every once in a while."

As if on cue, he summoned a golem from the earth and sent it charging towards me. I dodged and weaved, barely avoiding its massive fists.

But I could feel the weight of his power bearing down on me, and I knew that I had to come up with a strategy fast if I wanted to win this fight. With a deep breath, I summoned my own spirit and prepared to face him head-on.

Without hesitating, I charged forward, relying solely on my martial arts and the body armor I had created using my water elemental spirit. I moved with speed and precision, dodging the golem's powerful strikes and countering with my own attacks. My body moved fluidly, my movements enhanced by the water armor that clung to me like a second skin.

My opponent grinned as he commanded the golem to strike again, this time with even greater force. I leapt into the air, flipping over the golem's massive fist, and landed behind it. With a swift kick, I struck the back of its knee, causing it to stumble and lose balance.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, I sprinted towards my opponent, closing the distance between us. He tried to summon more golems to defend himself, but I was relentless. I unleashed a flurry of strikes, each one aimed with precision, trying to break through his defenses.

But my opponent was skilled, and he managed to create a barrier of golems to shield himself from my attacks. I had to think fast. I gathered my strength and channeled my water spirit into my body armor, causing it to surge with power. With a mighty punch, I shattered through the golem barrier, sending fragments of rock flying in all directions.

My opponent's eyes widened in surprise as I closed in on him. He tried to summon another golem, but I was too quick. I struck with a fierce kick, knocking him off his feet and sending him sprawling to the ground. The platform trembled beneath us as I stood over him, victorious.

"Impressive," my opponent said, his voice filled with admiration as he looked up at me from the ground. "I didn't expect of you to be so skilled in hand-to-hand combat."

I offered him a hand to help him up, the water armor dissipating from my body. "Thanks," I said with a grin. "I guess I'm not your typical vanguard."

He chuckled, accepting my hand. "No, you're not. Well done."

And with that, we both left the platform, knowing that we had pushed each other to our limits in this intense battle. Despite not relying on my elemental spirit, I had proven that my martial arts and water armor were formidable weapons in their own right.

As I walked off the platform, the disappointment in the air was palpable. The crowd's murmurs and boos reached my ears, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. I knew that everyone had expected more from me as a double awakener, someone who possessed two mythical spirits. I had won the match without even summoning my spirits, relying solely on my martial arts and water armor.

As I made my way to the lobby, the bell rang, signaling the end of the first round of the elimination match. I found a quiet corner and sat down to catch my breath, feeling a mix of emotions. On one hand, I was glad that I had won the match and proven my skills as a fighter. On the other hand, I could sense the disappointment and disapproval from the crowd, and it weighed heavily on me.

I knew that my decision not to use my spirits had come from a place of wanting to prove my abilities without relying solely on my awakened powers. But now, I questioned if it had been the right choice. Perhaps I had let down the expectations that had been placed on me as a double awakener.

As I sat there, taking deep breaths and trying to calm my racing thoughts, I reminded myself of my reasons for entering the tournament in the first place. It wasn't just about winning or meeting others' expectations. It was about challenging myself, pushing my limits, and becoming a better fighter.

I realized that I couldn't control others' opinions or the outcome of the match. All I could do was give my best and stay true to myself. With renewed determination, I stood up, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead in the next round of the tournament. The disappointment of the crowd still lingered, but I was determined to prove myself in my own way, using my skills, my spirits, and my unwavering resolve.