Basil frowned while looking at the dying Jackson's sibling. While trying to figure out the way Charles' Spell work, he was also recalling the aides of Charles. Basil had met Charles once, however he had never had a feud with him.
He knew about Charles quite well. According to his memories, Charles had had three aides. All of them had been his disciples who he had had nurtured since young. They had the same thing in common which was their violent nature.
They were known with their brutality and sick hobby. They liked to toy with their victims and had often played "Catch and Run", which had been pretty much them chasing the victims they had intentionally let go, then killing those victims when they were caught.
To describe them simply, they were breathing trash. As Basil had coincidentally met two of them, he had decided to contribute to society by eliminating them early.
Well, not really. He had been once troubled due to one of these idiots, therefore it could be considered settling a literal lifetime grudge.
Slip.
Basil slowly pushed the body of Jackson's sibling off of his hand with his Mana, displaying his better than most Mana control.
Thud.
The body fell lifelessly to the ground, however Basil didn't even give it a single glance. He was looking at his clean hand and nodded in satisfaction. He had managed to protect his hand from the filthy stain!
"Victor, Basil Pacifer!"
The referee announced the winner and the crowd erupted in cheer. Much to their surprise, this match was rather tame compared to Basil's prior match. Therefore, they felt like celebrating.
Whistle.
"Wew... You heard what he said? That is the most badass roast ever!"
"As expected, Basil really doesn't show any restrain in this tournament."
"Does he even have any restrain?"
"You wouldn't have been here if he didn't."
The four classmates of Basil commented on Basil's performance among themselves. Their hearts were beating wildly at Basil's victory. They did admire Basil, however it wasn't the reason their hearts beat faster.
They had put their bet on him!
Therefore, the more match Basil won, the bigger the chance they would win the bet. They knew it was dirty to bet and profited over their friend's success. However, they had vowed to absolutely share the money with Basil later!
Chester who was observing the four students from the side shook his head helplessly. He knew they were betting on Basil winning the tournament. Although betting wasn't a part of the tournament, it wasn't forbidden either.
Therefore, many people did that.
"It's good to be young. Their optimism is blinding."
Chester smiled softly to himself. His students were very sure Basil would win the match and he couldn't help but smile at the semi opportunistic camaraderie. Their trust in their friend was admirable.
Surely, Chester had also bet his money on Basil. However, he had done that as a proof of his trust and appreciation toward Basil. It wasn't because he was sure Basil would win! Absolutely not!
"Why the heck are these brats grinning?"
Blake, who was observing Chester, who was observing his students, was confused by the grin on Chester's face. Chester was nodding his head like he was looking at the good outcome he had expected.
Suddenly, realization dawned upon Blake. Looking at the five people, he muttered in amusement, "Youths are good, they like to go against the odds." He smiled softly at them.
Even after providing training resources to Basil — which weren't much — he didn't even know Basil's current progress. The boy was very discreet in everything he did. Therefore, betting on Basil winning the match was risky.
Surely, it didn't mean he didn't bet. He had put his money on Basil too! Consider it a hunch. He was very sure his money would triple in the end. At that thought, Blake also couldn't help the grin creeping up his face.
Thus, the six supporters of Basil, who were also betting on him, threw their gaze back at the arena in expectation.
...
[The next challenge is ready to be proceeded.]
The arena was cleaned and it was ready to be used for another match. Basil was already back on his seat while silently meditating. All of the participants glanced at Basil and hesitance adorned their face. None of them proceeded to call out a challenge.
"That guy is dangerous. He is really going to be the absolute winner if he were to be left alone."
"Darn! Do I have to challenge that kind of guy to be the first?"
The participants muttered among themselves while observing Basil from afar. All of them aimed to be the first. However, with an opponent as ferocious as Basil, they couldn't help but hold the urge.
They preferred their lives over trying their luck in the arena.
Kimberley looked at the situation and could deduce what everyone was thinking. "They are hesitating," she commented. "Are you the same?" Kimberley looked to her right and found that the speaker was Kinsey.
"No, I am not. I would like to test my skills against him."
"Hmph! Then, why don't you do it now?"
"It's because I know not to aim too high."
Kimberley frowned her forehead lightly at Belen's disdainful remark. He wasn't even invited to join the conversation, but he interrupted her nonetheless.
"Now, now. No need to debate among yourselves. You can settle it in the arena."
"I will never have a match with women. They don't worth my time. It is disgraceful!"
"Hoh? You must be someone who thinks theirself are superior because they were born as a man."
"Statistics proved that, Woman."
Kinsey sighed to himself as the quarrel between Belen and Kimberley didn't show any sign of stopping. Moving his gaze to Basil, he admired his nonchalance despite being the center of everyone's attention.
Looking at the other participants, all of their eyes were planted on Basil. All of them were contemplating on how to remove Basil from his current rank. They were surely determined to be the first rank.
"Tsk! Can't help it. I will show you why men are superior than women."
"Show me. I will witness it with my own eyes."
"You guys.. why don't you settle your argument in the arena?"
"Shut up!"
"..."
Kinsey shut his mouth tightly at Kimberley and Belen. For someone who had been just arguing against each other, they were quite in sync when they shut him up.
"Listen, you cowards! I will show you what a man shall do in this kind of situation!"
The participants were drawn out of their contemplation at Belen's sudden declaration. Moving their gaze on him, they were puzzled at his reason of doing it.
"I, Belen Kingsbury, challenge Basil Pacifer!"
[Belen Kingsbury of the Third Rank challenges Basil Pacifer of the First Rank. Basil Pacifer, will you accept the challenge?]
"I will accept the challenge."
"Very well. Watch carefully, Plebeians! By the time of this match, you will know what to do!"
[May you enter the Arena.]
The participants looked at Belen weirdly due to his declaration. The sheer confidence he was radiating was baffling. Although he had occupied Jackson's rank, his previous rank had been lower than Jackson's. Such confidence was a bit baffling for them to see on him.
Surely, they didn't want to voice anything. They merely shrugged their shoulders and observed the clash that was about to happen.
"Let's have a rematch, Basil."
"..."
"Tsk. Alright then. Mr. Referee, please start the match."
The referee looked at Belen rather weirdly. He couldn't figure out the kid's plan. Realising that seeing it would be better, he shrugged and decided to do his job.
"Begin!"
Right off the bat, Belen made a shooting motion and shouted, "Bang!"
Boom!
A small explosion occured, however Basil was unharmed. Straightening his leaning head, Basil stared at the retreating Belen. He curled his mouth faintly. He had to give Belen a credit, the kid knew how to properly fight.
While distancing himself away from Basil, Belen extended his two hands and imitated gun with them.
Boom!
His three Magic Circles were exposed and they shone intensely. Mana surged and light gathered the tip of his fingers.
"[Double Glock]!"
The name of the Spell was uttered and the light on the tip of his fingers was shot forward at Basil.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The speed was close enough to be untraceable for the keen eyes. Basil had to dodge the destructive light projections sent at him meticulously. Although one hit wasn't enough to pierce his skin, once hit there would be another hitting him.
"Keep dodging!"
Belen had a weird smile on his face while shooting the projectiles ceaselessly. He didn't even care about the amount of Mana he was using. He was ecstatic with the mere act of shooting.
It was all began with a fated encounter with something called gun. Gun had been an ancient weapon that human used to defend themselves. When he had first read about it, Belen had instantly fallen in love with it.
He admired the genious person who had invented guns. Although the era of guns didn't last long due to its uselessness compared to Magic, Belen was still crazy over them.
Due to guns, he had been inspired to make an Art that belonged solely to him. Thus, his Art, [Gun Master] was born. All of the Spells consisted inside it were named after the guns he knew as to show his deep love toward guns.
Boom!
"Woohoo! Enjoy that big baby!"
Belen smiled in satisfaction at the biggest explosion he had caused so far. Although it didn't harm Basil in the slightest, he was sure Basil was tired from dodging all of the attack.
On the opposite end, Basil hummed to himself. He was pondering over Belen's puzzling behavior. Belen was wasting his Mana and Basil didn't quite get what was his intention.
Surely, the thought didn't last long. Sending his Mana to his Spatial Bracelet, he took Kusanagi out of it.
"Woahh!"
"That sword is..."
"What a beautiful sword!"
"Hmm... Is that a high tier Magic Sword?"
The instance Basil took out Kusanagi, the people's eyes were instantly on it. They were fascinated with the unique aura it was exuding. Surely, they wouldn't normally feel anything despite how beautiful it looked.
However, Basil had infused his Mana into it the moment he took it out. Therefore, the unique aura and some part of its true might were exposed. Looking at Belen from afar, Basil could see he was preparing something.
Sending his Mana to his feet, he was about to dash forward when Belen shouted something rather weird, "Let's have a rematch!" Basil was puzzled, however it didn't stop him to use his Movement Technique.
"[M134 Machine Gun]!"
At the instance Basil utilized his Movement Technique, Belen also casted his Spell. A rotating Circle with intricate patterns on it was formed in front of him, and it spew an absurd amount of projectiles.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Basil had to dodge the projectiles sent at him way careful than before as the amount was simply overwhelming. Even if he could see all of them, dodging them was a different matter.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Not only the amount was absurd, the destruction it brought couldn't be scoffed at either. There were many pits made in the ground, and many holes made on the wall. Not even the Magic Barrier was spared. Each time the projectiles hit the Magic Barrier, the audiences would flinch.
Basil took a step back and uttered a single Spell.
"[Lesser Art: Aegeas]!"
A thin golden orb encapsulated Basil's whole body, and it perfectly protected him from the projectiles. Although it wasn't perfect, Basil had managed to create a simplified version of [Aegeas] which he had used to defend himself when he had fought against Grogophone.
Crack!
Due to its considerably high Mana usage, the orb started to disperse in each attack it received. It wasn't because Basil didn't have enough Mana to sustain it, it was because he was intentionally limiting the usage.
Extending Kusanagi forward, Basil infused his Mana inside it. Kusanagi shone and wind was gathering around Basil. Slowly, the trajectory of the projectiles were altered. When [Aegeas] finally dispersed, Basil was untouchable despite the barrage of attack.
"Time to split it up."
The shining Kusanagi shone even brighter before an overwhelming aura descended upon the arena. Basil twisted Kusanagi and the wind followed his movement.
Whoosh!
The projectiles which were previously coming straight at him were swirling in the air due to the wind Basil was controlling. If whirlwinds were created horizontally, it would be like the scene the audiences were watching.
In the eyes of the horizontal whirlwind was Basil with Kusanagi extended forward. The barrage of attack was still ongoing and it didn't show any sign of stopping soon.
"I will show you the proper way to use your spell."
Basil muttered to himself while staring straight at Belen who was standing nonchalantly on the opposite side. Smirking to himself, Basil gathered his Mana on the tip of Kusanagi before sending it at Belen.
Bang!
Whoosh!
The small orb of condensed Mana was shot at Belen with a speed that was way faster than his. Belen's eyes quickly widened as he quickly chanted his defensive Spell to protect himself.
The attack would be hurt and Belen was sure of it. Not only Basil controlled his Mana better than him, but he also accelerated the speed of the orb with the spinning wind. His life was seriously at risk!
"[Bulletproof]!"
Boom!
Basil's attack clashed against the barrier protecting Belen and exploded spectacularly. Even Belen's accumulated explosion would be pale in comparison to it. The projectiles swirling in the air disappeared in an instant.
Belen had concentrated all of his Mana to his defensive Spell, therefore he had no leisure to keep attacking anymore
By the time the explosion died down and the dust settled, the ragged Belen could be seen panting with his hands on his knees. His Mana was entirely spent. Looking at Basil in resentment, he shouted indignantly.
"How dare you use my own Spell against me, Pacifer!"
"..."
Basil would normally ignore the gibberish of a loser, however he couldn't ignore it this time. He felt like he had just heard something that was quite out of this world. Surely, it didn't last long as he merely shrugged and activated [Feather Step].
However!
"I forfeit!"
Basil had reappeared in front of Belen and Kusanagi was already close to Belen's neck. Sadly, he was forced to stop his attack as the referee had already locked his body with his Spell.
"Ku-ku-ku! You must be pissed."
Belen stood up and grinned at him. He didn't give any reaction as he merely straightened his considerably taller body and looked down at the shorter Belen. Belen wasn't bothered with that, he merely looked at the sitting participants and spread his hands.
"This is what I mean! You have two chances. It is called a chance for a reason. Use them wisely!"
After saying that, Belen moved his feet toward his seat. As realization dawned upon them, the participants had their eyes lit. Looking at Basil, a mischievous smile slowly adorned their faces.
"Victor, Basil Pacifer!"
The crowd erupted in cheer, but Basil frowned lightly. Looking at Belen's back, an amused smile adorned his face.
'So, that was what he meant. Interesting.'
On the other side, Belen sat himself and smiled in satisfaction. Everything was going according to his plan.
"I thought you were going to show me why men are superior. Is forfeiting considered to be one of them?" Kimberley who was looking at the grinning Belen curiously asked. "I am doing it now. You just have to watch," Belen responded calmly.
'When you are on the top, many will try to bring you down. It is a cursed place, but everyone wants it. It has so many requirements to attain it, and even harder to maintain it.'
Belen's grin became wider the more he was thinking about that. Gazing at Basil from afar, his eyes lit up incomprehensibly.
[The next challenge is ready to be proceeded.]
"I challenge Basil Pacifer!"
Contrary to the previous match, this time, everyone was eager to challenge Basil. All of them had an incomprehensible smile on their faces.
Belen looked at the scene and muttered coldly, "Envy and jealousy are the two things human have in common. When you succeed, people can never stand you.. Having your neck targeted by many people is what it takes to be on top."