"That chunk of faswite should be enough to create five or six synthetic cores," Luke announced while turning toward Khan. "You have to win. Gaining access to training halls back on Earth won't be a problem if you defeat them."
Khan's eyes lit up at those words. He felt interested in facing the unfamiliar Ef'i, but that additional reward made everything far more appealing.
"The rules of the tournament are simple," Lieutenant Unchai suddenly announced. "You will fight every day until you face all the recruits in the enemy group. The side that gets more victories will obtain the faswite."
Tension began to build among the recruits on Khan's side. They didn't expect their role to be so important. Most of them wanted to rely on Khan, but that system would require everyone to do their part.
"There is an exception," Lieutenant Unchai added. "A group will automatically win the tournament if one of their recruits wins every battle. Remain unbeaten, and the Global Army will reward you."
The tension that had accumulated previously quickly vanished. Khan ignored the many glances that landed on his figure, but he realized how important his role had become. The tournament wasn't a matter of personal gains anymore. The Global Army as a whole would benefit from his victories.
Lieutenant Unchai walked toward Khan and lowered his head before whispering something to his ear. "You and the new alien will fight on the last day of the week. I'll also notify you whenever he steps on the arena, so make sure to come back here to watch him."
Khan understood what Lieutenant Unchai wanted him to do. He would need to fight only two times every day since each group contained less than twenty recruits. Khan could go back to the training hall once he completed his battles.
Still, learning how his final opponent fought was as essential as his training. Khan limited himself to nod at those orders. He didn't like to be at the center of the attention, but having so much value in the eyes of a Lieutenant could only benefit his plans.
"Go in then," Lieutenant Unchai announced before pushing Khan toward the centers of the arena.
Khan turned toward the Lieutenant, and the latter didn't hesitate to explain the schedule that he had prepared for him. "You'll fight early in the morning for the entire week except for the last day. I believe you can handle two battles in a row."
Khan spread his arm before shaking his head. That schedule was quite efficient, so he couldn't complain about it.
"[An honorable warrior should avoid resorting to tricks]," A female Ef'i stepped forward and crossed the circular area marked by a series of purple plants. "[Yet, honor alone can't win wars. Forgive us, but get ready]."
Khan glanced toward Lieutenant Unchai, and the latter promptly translated those words. "She is sorry for tricking you."
Khan scratched the side of his head before ignoring the matter. He didn't really care about that ploy since it wouldn't help the Ef'i. His battle style had improved by leaps and bounds after an entire week spent inside the training hall.
"[Get ready]!"
"In position!"
Teco and Lieutenant Unchai shouted, and Khan and the Ef'i immediately performed their guard. Khan limited himself to raise his arms and crouch forward while the alien lifted her clawed fingers in front of her head and pointed them at her opponent. Her tail even curved above her shoulder to prepare for the imminent attack.
"Fight!"
"[Fight]!"
The two leaders shouted, and Khan shot forward. The Ef'i's tail promptly shot forward, but Khan spun on the side and went airborne. His momentum allowed him to rotate two times and slam his heel on the alien's head.
The Ef'i flew away and slammed on the wall after the arena. She then fell on the floor as blood began to flow from her mouth and ear.
Everyone fell silent. They expected Khan to be strong, but that instant victory still surprised them. Also, the sheer power released by his kick made all of them reevaluate how powerful he actually was.
Khan's prowess didn't only rely on his speed. He also had a strong body that could overpower aliens in sheer physical might.
"Don't bother stepping out," Lieutenant Unchai announced as a second Ef'i walked inside the arena.
His second opponent was a tall male Ef'i who announced something in his language. Khan turned toward Lieutenant Unchai to get a translation, but the latter limited himself to shake his head. The alien didn't say anything meaningful.
"Fight!"
"[Fight]!"
The Lieutenant and Teco announced the beginning of the battle, and Khan didn't hesitate to shoot ahead. However, his opponent did the same and spread his long arm to prevent movements at his sides.
His tail also shot forward once the two were about to clash. The alien wanted to force Khan into a frontal clash, but the latter promptly slid under him and swept the Ef'i's legs.
The alien lost his balance and fell forward, and Khan didn't hesitate to turn before leaping forward. He jumped on the back of the falling Ef'i and planted his foot on the back of his head.
The Ef'i tried to protect himself with his arms, but the power released by Khan's kick made him faint even if his face didn't directly hit the ground.
Lieutenant Unchai patted Khan's shoulder when he exited the arena and pushed him toward the tunnel that led to the camp. He had to return to the training hall and make the best out of his day.
.
.
.
Khan didn't have to modify his schedule too much with the ongoing tournament. He still gained experience in other martial arts with the fifth level of the training program in the morning and tested his limits in the afternoon. He only had to run toward the mountain twice a day to fight and watch his fated opponent.
A few doubts had appeared in Khan's mind after he understood how the tournament had to unfold. In theory, the fact that everyone had to fight multiple times rendered the advantage gained with the ploy useless. After all, the human side would see how the new Ef'i fought during that week.
However, everything became clear after Khan inspected a few battles of the new alien. The tall Ef'i seemed unable to suffer damage. His skin could endure every blow. He basically exhausted his opponents without performing any proper technique.
Even the strongest among the human side couldn't do anything against that tough skin. Martha, Luke, and others who had a decent percentage of attunement with mana couldn't hurt him.
"Everything would be different if I could use my hammers," Martha snorted.
"It's all up to Khan now," Luke laughed. "Make sure to bring honor to humankind!"
"I still wonder why you always end up in my flat," Khan snorted while eating a strange soup inside a food can.
"I have similar doubts about your stomach," Bruce announced while pointing at the food can. "You do realize that you are eating alien food, right?"
"It's good," Khan exclaimed. "And they made sure that humans can eat it, so I don't see the problem."
The four of them had gathered inside Khan's room. It was the night before their last day on Onia. Khan would have to fight that seemingly unbeatable alien tomorrow.
"How can you be so relaxed?" Bruce asked.
"I've finally managed to defeat the sixth level of the training hall," Khan announced as a broad smile appeared on his face. "The matchup was also even, so I guess I'm good. I did my best in these two weeks."
"Sixth level?!" Luke shouted. "Didn't you practice your martial art for less than six months?"
"So?" Khan asked while shrugging his shoulders.
"That's an outstanding achievement, Khan," Martha explained. "No wonder you are the best of our group."
"My grandfather would kill me if he learnt about you," Bruce laughed. "I'm still stuck at the fourth."
"Maybe it's a matter of attunement with mana," Khan said while trying to move the attention away from him.
"That definitely helps," Martha exclaimed, "But the proficiency with the martial art is undeniable. You must have trained like a madman."
The four continued to talk for a few more minutes before leaving Khan to his training. Tomorrow would be an important day. Khan and the seemingly unbeatable alien would finally face each other.
****
Author's notes: I woke up with 39.5 today. I've used meds to keep the fever down, but it keeps rising. I don't know if I have to hit the hospital, but you can pretty much guess that I've gone there if you don't see chapters.