Apollo''s Pov.

    And so the match began, I looked at my opponent whose figure began to blur as he put his ki to use. My eyes equipped with the system''s lenses could see how his ki flowed across his body.

    "We got a fighter here"

    I can''t help but say, though I haven''t fought one before, I knew he was a fighter just analyzing the way he uses his energy.

    I took a step back to adjust my position and saw a fist that was about to hit my face. A straight punch that is quickly executed, a jab.

    "He is testing the waters now"

    His jabs were speedy and steady, driving through the air creating a crisp sound. While my foot goes along the rhythm to dodge it.

    [He is gauging your reaction and how you form your fighting stance]

    "Yeah I can tell"

    I sway my body according to his moves and with every punch I dodge it with precision. His feints and ambush attacks didn''t work on me either.

    The gap was just too big

    Not just the stats but also the difference between our abilities. I can read him far too well and that is why so many attacks couldn''t get a hit on me.

    "Damn it!"

    I heard him say while his expression could be understood as bewildered.

    Then he suddenly stopped attacking, and we both stopped and stood where we were. Despite his prompting attacks serving him no leverage, I can see he is planning something.

    [Something is coming be prepared!]

    Jeremiah warned while my eyes scanned Ren from head to toe. Then a realization struck me as the energy inside him changed.

    I can''t help but smirk, "I should answer that form, a fitting one for this event" Then I also form my own stance.

    [Finally doing something other than dodging?]

    "Yeah"

    I breathe gathering air in my lungs while my eyes expand to perceive any attacks he will throw.

    "Jeremiah give his stats"

    [Affirmative]

    Name: Ren Yu

    Status: Focused

    Rank: Apprentice

    Mana Type: Yellow

    Level: 11

    Strength: 41

    Agility: 40

    Dexterity: 39

    Endurance: 40

    Stamina: 41

    Intelligence: 37

    Mana: 40

    Ki: 32

    Mana regeneration: 3 per minute

    Ki regeneration: 1 per minute

    Vitality: 130

    His fist created a crisp sound making my eyes scan it. There I noticed his ki was packed in his fist and upon contact, it created a huge explosive power. Unfortunately his fist only hits an empty air.

    "Argh!"

    I heard a scream, it wasn''t mine but Ren''s.

    "Did I perhaps overdid it?"

    [No you did not]

    I timed my spell activation on Ren''s attack and when his fist was about to hit my temple, a magic circle emerged bearing the power of my spell. It was a basic spell flare, it was a blaze of light that was used to illuminate to attract attention. What I did was fire the spell flare right on his face.

    He should be fine right?

    It was a basic spell and since his stats are good he should be able to endure it.

    "My eye!"

    Oh dear, I aim too well.

    However a match is a match, I took the chance when he was vulnerable and drove my fist right at his stomach.

    "Argh!"

    I controlled my strength and made sure it was enough to knock him unconscious, and he did.

    He fell on the battle ground signalling that I was the victor of this match.

    "Yes!"

    "See that! That is our rank 1!"

    "Apollo!"

    "Apollo!"

    "Way to go! He didn''t destroy the arena!"

    "Yeah!"

    All sorts of voices hit my ears but at that moment I felt something different. I felt warm and excited like something filled me with unparalleled happiness.

    "Ha, this is interesting"

    I was being recognized

    I was being praised

    I never expected to receive a whole crowd of applause.

    Their cheers made me feel excited and suddenly I wanted more.

    Who would have thought that being seen like this would make me feel so special?

    "Nice rank 1!"

    "Bring in the next match!"

    "We don''t need to send anyone let the top ranker handle it!"

    "And that is the end of our first match!"

    Despite the roaring crowd the vice headmaster announced making the noise die down.

    "Well now, let us-..."

    "Wait-.."

    "The...match is...not...done yet"

    Ren said with great difficulty as he stood up.

    "I can still fight" he added making my lips form a smile.

    "Interesting"

    I could only say that while my eyes see a power in him that didn''t exist a while ago.