Who won?
That was the question on everyone's mind.
The Referee was sweatdropping while everyone was waiting for his words.
The Referee looked at Lyon.
Lyon nodded and started looking at the replay.
The replay moved in slow motion, and he finally could see how impressive Michael's feat was to drag Ben with him.
In the replay, he could see perfectly how Michael grabbed little bit of Ben's skin, but with his great strength, he managed to drag Ben with him.
Lyon looked at the replay 5 more times.
Every single time, it looked like they landed on the ground simultaneously.
The audience was already getting noisy.
Lyon concentrated one more time and watched every movement.
Until finally… He saw an elbow touching the ground first.
He widened his eyes and showed a finger towards the Referee.
'1 finger… Gotcha.' The Referee put his hands towards the ceiling.
"MATCH OVER! WINNER, MICHAEL FROM COLDLAND!"
"WHAT!" Ben roared.
While Michael sighed a relief.
The audience couldn't believe it.
"BULLSHIT!"
"This is rigging!"
"SHOW THE REPLAY!"
Lyon showed the replay on the big screen and showed the elbow which touched the ground first, and the elbow belonged to Ben.
Ben gritted his teeth hatefully— he glared at Michael and stomped away.
Alice looked with worry at the scene.
Ben was still her friend, and she wanted to make sure that he was alright, but her coach told her to go to the arena.
Alice entered the arena and waited for her opponent— she took a glance towards Michael and felt her heart pounding.
The audience erupted in cheers after seeing their so-called princess entering the arena.
Irwin looked nervous, even though he wanted to believe that his previous daughter would win… Kings have a reputation of being undefeatable.
Michael took a deep breath and started walking towards the arena, but…
Giron grabbed his shoulder and shook his head, "No… You are injured."
"I am fine… One more match." Michael said, but Giron didn't let go.
"No, look at your arm…" Giron sighed.
Michael glanced at his right arm and saw his hand twisted in a weird ankle.
He was still in adrenaline, and he couldn't feel the pain, but it was definitely broken.
"Go to the medical bay."
Michael sighed and nodded.
Alice watched as he left.
Giron turned his head towards other Kings.
"Who wants to go next?" Giron asked.
"I will," Rafael said and stood up.
Sariel didn't care because he fought in Quarterfinals.
Rafael entered the arena and stood some distance away from Alice.
"FIGHT!"
*SWOOSH*
[Superior Being's Relentless Storm]
Alice watched as Rafael's arms turned blurry and hundreds of punches appeared in front of her.
[Irwin's Style – Soft Hands]
Alice put her palms forward and started redirecting the punches with soft precision.
Rafael felt like he didn't touch anything, but the punches got redirected.
He has seen redirecting techniques before from Ichiro, but Alice's techniques were way gentler.
Ichiro still used some strength in redirecting, but Alice's didn't.
She gently moved the fists out of the way.
Alice soon appeared in front of Rafael.
Her beautiful face looked mesmerizing, but Rafael saw a beast about to attack him.
[Irwin's Style – Hard Punch]
Alice lowered her stance and punched towards Rafael's abdomen.
Rafael quickly put his arm as block, but it was done sloppily.
"UGH!" Rafael was sent sliding few meters, and he felt his arm stinging.
Alice didn't stop attacking.
"Whew…" Alice took a deep breath after every attack and then continued attacking.
Rafael dodged and sometimes blocked the incoming strikes, but the edge of the arena was getting closer.
The audience erupted in cheers— if Alice can win this fight without getting injured, then she can win the match against Coldland!
Rafael narrowed his eyes and dodged another punch.
Alice's breathing was starting to get rough.
'Her stamina is bad…' Rafael thought and dodged another punch.
Irwin grimaced, 'This style wasn't made for women…'
Alice ignored her reduced stamina and kept attacking.
She turned around and unleashed her spinning front kick.
Rafael quickly crossed his arms but was still sent sliding.
Alice bursted into motion.
[Irwin's Style – Direct Kick]
She raised her leg and kicked towards Rafael's waist.
Rafael lowered his stance and blocked the kick.
But his arms were stinging in pain.
"GO, ALICE!" Her friends were shouting with her coach.
The audience erupted in cheers and started shouting her name.
But Alice looked tired.
'Why was I born as a girl…' Alice thought with a saddened face.
She remembered her childhood and the pain her father was in after her mother died, and he had to retire from the professional stage.
Irwin loved every single second of being part of the professional stage.
But… He also got his wife pregnant during his first year of being part of the professional stage.
It wouldn't matter because his wife could take care of the child when he has fights…
But tragedy struck…
Irwin's wife… Didn't survive childbirth.
He was grieving and got news about the child being girl as well…
He wanted a boy so he could teach him the techniques.
Irwin was planning to leave the hospital and leave the baby girl behind.
But when he saw the girl's innocent face.
He couldn't.
First 3 years since Alice's birth, he couldn't learn to love the girl, no matter how hard he tried.
Alice always remembered him about his deceased wife.
But… Irwin learned that he can't force himself to love her— it needs time.
And shortly afterward… Irwin started loving the innocent little girl, and the regret of retiring from the professional stage disappeared.
After Alice reached the age of 8, she wanted to learn Martial Arts.
Irwin taught her everything he knew but didn't teach Irwin's Style because it isn't meant for girls.
But… Alice was too stubborn and sneakily learned it, and Irwin caught her a few years later.
But instead of being angry, he was surprised.
Alice's talent with Irwin's style was unmatched, even greater than his.
But… Her body was her weakness.
The style wasn't meant for girls, no matter how good the talent is.
