Couple

While Ray was beyond ecstatic with the current situation between him and Kaya, he suddenly felt a slight chill as if someone was intently staring at him. He looked up and saw a black robed figure observing him with his two glaring emotionless red eyes.

Ray slightly frowned and his mood lightly dampened. Ray stared back at the black robed figure fearlessly and was itching to fight him.

Kaya noticed Ray's expression and attentively asked, "Is something wrong?"

"The black robed figure ahead of us is observing me." Ray replied. Kaya turned to look up and saw the black robed figure turn around and go up the stairs at a steady pace.

"He's the same one from before..." Kaya narrowed her eyes.

"Yeah, I guess he's trying to provoke me." Ray assumed his current motive.

"Don't fall for it, you will get disqualified and be eliminated from the tournament." Kaya reminded him.

"I won't. Let's go!" Ray smiled and they continued upwards.

The Mystical Stairs has a total count of 4000 steps. Each step ahead increasing the pressure falling dead on the contestants. The first 2000 steps should be easy for most of the participants, the next 1500 steps will seperate the elite geniuses from the batch and the last 500 steps will test the true potential and limit of the elite geniuses.

"It looks like they're doing pretty good." Zac commented in the stands.

"That genius titled Godsun is going to be a problem for them." Alexander said with a frown.

Old man Reid smiled and said, "I have no doubt the five will still come out on top."

"It's good to have complete faith in them but it's best not to underestimate their opponents." Zac deeply said.

Just like before, there is a leaderboard hovering in the air for the audience stands. For every 100 steps a contestant passes through, the position of that contestant on the leaderboard gets updated. So far, the current top 10 on the leaderboard looks like this.

Rank 1 - Urza Kallux, 2700 steps.

Rank 2 - Eris Belron, 2500 steps.

Rank 3 - Allie Volker, 2500 steps.

Rank 4 - Ferax Marun, 2400 steps.

Rank 5 - Emine Ossiell, 2300 steps.

Rank 6 - Brax Usir, 2300 steps.

Rank 7 - Ash Frudae, 2300 steps.

Rank 8 - Carrea Shekti, 2200 steps.

Rank 9 - Asif Vizier, 2200 steps.

Rank 10 - Khai Aeron, 2200 steps.

Past the 2000th step, the pressure was increased by 50 times. Here, strong bodies and a tough mental capacity is required to progress further up. Half of the participants were unable to even last more than a minute past the 2000th step. Many struggled to climb the stairs and their rapid progress slowed down.

'This could make a good training ground. I can feel my body improving in toughness albeit on a miniscule scale.' Asif thought as he climbed up the stairs at a consistent pace.

He could feel the pressure bearing down on him increase in weight every time he took a step forward. Asif was glad that he has a good body constitution to resist the oncoming pressure otherwise it would be much more arduous for him to resist it.

"Why the fuck is he looking at me like that?" Meanwhile, Ash was climbing the stairs at a rapid pace when he saw a white robed figure weirdly observing him.

'Don't tell me he's into...I mean I know I'm handsome but...' Ash removed the absurd thought from his head and continued upwards ignoring the white robed figure.

Meanwhile Algo and Bryan were climbing the stairs together. They just crossed the 2000th step when they felt a qualitative change in the pressure bearing on them.

"I can't believe I couldn't bring my snacks." Algo pitifully said.

"Haha, treat this as a training test. Let's see how far can you go without your food." Bryan chuckled and said.

"But food..." Algo nevertheless nodded and they picked up their pace.

Meanwhile Lobian just saw Algo and Bryan together and was about to catch up to them before they rapidly dashed forwards.

"These monsters, why can't they relax for a bit." Lobian hated going all-out. He grumbled before slightly increasing his speed to catch up with them.

"The leaderboard is making me annoyed." Somewhere around the 900th step, Kaya grumbled in displeasure.

"Ohh, competitive are you?" Ray smiled.

"Yes, I am." Kaya harrumphed.

"Well then, how about we speed things up?" Ray suggested.

"Now, that sounds like a good idea." Kaya instantly smiled.

*WHOOSH*

They both instantly disappeared from the spot and rapidly climbed the stairs with breakneck speed. The other participants felt a breeze ruffle past them and saw two silhouettes disappearing from their sight in the blink of an eye.

*WHOOSH*

"Huh..." A nearby participant felt another breeze and quickly saw a black robed figure chasing after the 2 silhouettes. "How are they doing this...?"

On the other hand, Ray and Kaya were enjoying their speed-run. They swiftly went past numerous participants and they quickly approached the 1500th step.

"Haha, this is fun!" Kaya said with a trailing voice.

"Very much so." Ray smiled.

"How about we go even more faster?" Kaya asked with a grin.

Ray shook his head and chuckled, "Why not..."

*BOOM*

"Look at them going so fast!" An audience member said while pointing at Ray and Kaya.

"Who are they?"

"Looking closely, one of them is Princess Kaya and the other one, I don't know."

"But it's amazing how he's keeping up with her."

""PRINCESS KAYA!!""

*CHEER*

Shortly after, a small group of the audience started chanting the princess' name. Various names were yelled and cheered after the seeing the participants pick up their pace.

-After several minutes-

The audience intensified their cheers after seeing the current positions of the participants in the leaderboard.

Rank 1 - Urza Kallux, 3400 steps.

Rank 2 - Allie Volker, 3400 steps.

Rank 3 - Eris Belron, 3400 steps.

Rank 4 - Brax Usir, 3300 steps.

Rank 5 - Ash Frudae, 3300 steps.

Rank 6 - Asif Vizier, 3300 steps.

Rank 7 - Khai Aeron, 3300 steps.

Rank 8 - Emine Ossiell, 3200 steps.

Rank 9 - Ferax Marun, 3200 steps.

Rank 10 - Bryan Pine, 3100 steps.

At this point, most of the 10000 participants couldn't go past the 3000th step, thus eliminating them. The participants that did are now identified as the elite geniuses of the Aeron star field. But only the top 100 will be qualified to the final round. So, the final stages of Round 2 has become even more intense.

"BRYAN! ALGO!"

""Huh?"" Bryan and Algo turned back and saw Ray and Kay right behind them.

"Oh shit, they caught up." Bryan softly uttered.

"Where were you guys?" Algo asked with a smile.

"Haha, we were taking our time but a certain someone got annoyed because of the leaderboard and here we are." Ray explained.

"Ha...ha...!" Kaya dryly chuckled. She then looked at Bryan and Algo and said, "Oh right, Ray and I are a couple now so as my sweet brothers, tell me all the embarrassing things he was part of after the tournament."

"..."

"..."

Both Bryan and Algo were stunned silly from the sudden revelation. Ray facepalmed and simply smiled at the three.

"Hellooo~~~" Kaya waved her hands in front of them.

"You.." Bryan pointed at Kaya.

"And you..." Algo pointed at Ray.

""...are a couple...?!"" Bryan and Algo spoke at the same time.

Ray put a hand on their shoulders and said, "Yes, my brothers."

Algo broke from his stupor and smiled widely, "Aha, I knew you two would get together soon enough. Congratulations!"

"Thank you, Algo."

"Well, it was bound to happen eventually. You both suit each other pretty well. You have my blessing." Bryan shook his head and smiled.

"Hehe..." Ray scratched his cheek in slight embarrassment.

"And Kaya?" Bryan called out.

"Yeah?"

"Take care of him." Bryan sincerely said.

Kaya smiled and nodded, "I will."

-On the 3499th step-

"It looks like you're waiting for someone." Eris spoke. Eris and Allie stood together, quite a distance away from Urza.

"I am." Urza slowly nodded and asked, "What about you two lovebirds?"

"Tch!" Allie looked at him with obvious derision.

Eris rubbed her back to calm her down and said to Urza, "I am quite curious of my competitors. So, we'll wait as well."

*Whoosh*

A white robed figure appeared soon followed by three more figures being Ash, Asif and Khai. They stopped their steps in curiosity as they saw the top three just standing still.

""Prince Khai!"" Both Eris and Allie saw Khai and slightly bowed in respect.

Khai smiled, "What are you two waiting here for? Why haven't you gone further up?"

"We're here to see our competitors." Eris smiled.

"Ohhh..."

"It's this creepy guy again..." Ash frowned and whispered to Asif. Asif saw who the white robed figure he was talking about and contemplated.

Urza slightly smiled and said aloud to Asif and Ash, "Only the two of you have come? Where are the other three?"

The others had their ears perked and observed with curiosity. Eris and Allie knew that Urza is an extremely strong genius and the fact that he's keeping an eye on the other two means something.

"They're enjoying life. Why do you care so much?" Ash curtly responded.

"I'm disappointed. I expected them to be here before them." Urza said while pointing towards Eris and Allie. Eris shook his head in disinterest and Allie just looked at him with scorn.

"Oh, you're disappointed? Boohoo, nobody gives a fuck." Ash flipped him off with Urza being oblivious to the gesture but nonetheless knew what he meant.

"Such boorish behaviour." Urza looked down on Ash.

Before Ash could say anything, five more figures appeared attracting the attention of everyone present.

"You guys are finally here." Asif said. Bryan, Algo, Lobian, Ray and Kaya finally arrived at the 3499th step.

"Aha, sorry sorry. We were enjoying the scenery." Ray smiled and looked at Kaya.

Kaya gleefully smiled and called out to her brother, "Khai!"

"Is everything alright?" Khai asked.

"Yeah, I've got some news for you. Me and Ray are officially a couple now." Kaya took hold of Ray's hand and brought him with her in front of Khai.

This news stunned everyone present apart from Bryan, Algo, the white robed figure and Lobian who got to know on the way. Eris and Allie could not believe that the princess actually liked someone.

"WHAT THE FUCK!?" Ash yelled out.

"Oh..." Asif was slightly surprised.

"..." Khai just stared at them both with an emotionless face.

"Ray, say something..." Kaya whispered.

*Cough*

Ray donned a deep face and said in a serious tone, "Khai, you good dude?"

Bryan and the others instantly facepalmed. Kaya on the other hand had the urge to smack Ray's head.

"...You and Kaya?" Khai slowly said.

"Mhm." Ray nodded.

Khai took a deep breath and exhaled, "About...fucking...time!"

"Heh..." Kaya was put off.

"So, you approve of us?" Ray carefully asked.

"Obviously! Why wouldn't I? It's about time my sister gets some action." Khai smiled.

"KHAI!!" Kaya yelled with a small blush.

""HAHAHAHAHA!"" Both Khai and Ray laughed.

"He actually said the word." Bryan was proud of him.

"Princess Kaya!" Eris called out.

"Oh Eris and Allie. How are the two of you?" Kaya politely responded.

"We're strong as ever." Eris replied.

"Congratulations, Kaya!" Allie smiled.

"Haha, thank you!" Kaya thanked her.

Ash and Asif walked towards Ray gaining the latter's attention. Ray saw both of them put a hand on both of his shoulder.

"Make us proud, Ray." Asif sincerely smiled.

"Take good care of her and yourself." Ash said, happy for him.

"Didn't know he could smile like that." Lobian muttered. 'But man, things are about to change in the Aeron Empire...'

"Hahahahahahaha..."

The group turned to look at Urza who started laughing. Urza rubbed his face and a ruthless smile appeared on his face.

'He's angry huh...' Eris thought.

"Your time is going to come soon." Urza slowly said.

Ray smiled and responded, "I can't wait to kick your ass to oblivion."

*Whoosh*

A black robed figure appeared and stood next to the silent white robed figure. Ray looked at him and realized it was the same black robed figure who was glaring at him.

Asif narrowed his eyes and whispered, "They're together."