In a massive mansion in Snowland.
A blond-haired young man was sitting in a chair while dozen other people were discussing about the upcoming tournament.
That young man is... Avery Moonstar.
He was a very attractive young man with delicate-looking eyebrows and smooth skin. His body was athletic with combat ready muscles. Definitely, a face and body which would be the dream of every woman.
He had a familiar-looking gentle smile on his face, making everyone think that he was a kind and gentle young man.
The people sitting in the spacious room were part of the Moonstar family.
In the main seat, a middle-aged man was sitting.
He had short blond hair with a neat-looking beard and a handsome face to crown it. His body wasn't incredibly muscular, but it was very athletic and lean.
He is Avery's father, Avron Moonstar, and he is Martial God Ranker!
He is one of the three remaining Martial God Rankers.
But Moonstar family is located in Continent of Marq, but why was he here? Because the upcoming tournament is important for their family.
They heard the news about Nightside's son-in-law and were enraged.
They have tried to get Avery married to Azura and have talked with Abyss many times, but he never gave a straight answer.
But now some nobody became the son-in-law of the Nightside family.
That's why they are here so that Avery defeats the son-in-law of the Nightside family, and then Abyss can't reject their request.
It would be a different issue if Avery lost, but they can't request it because Abyss is still Abyss, and threatening him will only backfire.
And Avery has a reputation of being a gentle and kind young man, which has also reached Abyss' ears, but that is all a big lie.
Avery is one messed up individual, but Abyss doesn't know that.
If Avery wins, then Abyss won't reject if he thinks Azura is in good hands.
But there is also the fact that he can't reject. Moonstar family isn't known to take no for an answer.
Since Avery is from Marq Continent, he shouldn't join this tournament.
But Moonstar has a lot of connections and money.
It wasn't hard to get Avery into the tournament.
Avery is also a great genius.
He had already reached Low Martial Commander Rank, and he is only 16 years old!
The other people in the room are elders of the Moonstar family.
Most of their core people didn't come to Arya; instead, they stayed in Marq to protect their homes.
But most of the elders came with.
These elders are over 60 years old and have completed their Age of Deterioration.
''That's all, Patriarch.'' One of the elders said with a bow.
Avron nodded, ''Abyss is probably coming to visit us after the tournament... Avery, it is all up to you.''
Avery nodded with a gentle smile, ''No worries, father.''
Avron nodded, ''You can't only defeat that nobody; you need to crush him!''
''Understood, father,'' Avery said with a slight sadistic smile.
...
Next Morning.
Ichiro was already wearing his fighting uniform.
Today is the tournament's opening ceremony, and over 300 cities are participating, and over 600 teams are.
In Coldland, there are four schools, and all of them are competing.
Ichiro grabbed his bag and left his room.
Shortly afterward, he arrived at the lounge, where Giron and others were waiting.
''Let's go,'' Giron said after Ichiro arrived.
''You are always late,'' Michael said mockingly.
''I wasn't,'' Ichiro said and pointed at the clock, which showed 7.59 A.M
And their meeting time was at 8 A.M
''Tsk.'' Michael clicked his tongue.
They entered their bus and started making their way over to the stadium.
The stadium was already crowded, people were trying to enter the stadium, but the line moved very slowly.
It didn't help that the snow was falling from the sky, making everyone look like snowmen.
Their bus stopped in the nearby parking lot, reserved for them.
They exited the bus and went towards the fighters' entrance.
They entered the stadium easily and started walking in the long corridors.
Shortly afterward, they arrived at the waiting room reserved for them.
Some top schools get their own waiting room, but weaker schools don't get any special treatment.
''Ceremony starts in 1 hour, stay here until then,'' Giron said and left.
Leaving only Richard and the Four Kings in the waiting room.
Ichiro sat on the nearby chair and closed his eyes.
He started taking deep breaths, preparing for the upcoming tournament.
If he is going to face Avery soon... He needs to use all his strength to defeat him.
But the vision still bothered him.
In the vision, Avery played around him like he was a child.
'He is at least Martial Commander...' Ichiro thought to himself.
If he was still Martial Leader and someone told him that he needed to defeat Martial Captain.
Then he would feel despair, but the difference between Martial Captain and Commander isn't as huge.
There have been some Peak Martial Captains who have defeated Low Martial Commanders.
But Ichiro's physique is only Middle Martial Captain, which means he has to skip one small realm, and one big realm to defeat Avery.
And he still doesn't know Avery's true strength.
He might even be Middle Martial Commander, which would make defeating him extremely difficult.
The 1 hour went quickly, and it was time for the Welcoming Ceremony.
''Let's go,'' Richard said and opened the door.
Ichiro opened his eyes and stood up, and followed behind Richard.
Richard and other Kings were surprised to see Ichiro's aura changing.
Usually, he has a calm aura.
But now...
It is like fire!
His body was erupting a strength that could break the boundaries of realms and reach the Martial Commander level.
'Are you kidding me...?' Richard thought with a shock, even he felt threatened because of the aura.
'What a monster... Do they even need me?' Richard thought with a wry smile.
The other Kings felt incredible pressure.
They have always thought of themselves as geniuses above anyone else.
But seeing Ichiro's mighty back.
They felt small.
Michael, Sariel, and Rafael couldn't fight back against the aura.
They had to walk 5 meters behind Ichiro, which in some way is humiliating for people with their status.
But they couldn't approach him.
Ichiro currently... Was a being above them.
A beast among men.
