The Author's POV

"Huaa!"

Cheers engulfed the arena grounds as the spectators jumped and shouted in excitement as they watched the games that were happening below.

"Sheesh, that's loud..."

Covering my ears with my hands, I walked towards one of the stands and looked at the arena grounds below.

Although I could've watched the games in the comfort of the waiting room, I wanted to come here at least once to spectate the games that were happening below.

There was also another goal I had in mind when coming here...

'”Hein Kraaijenschot from Ironia Academy and John Berson from Kuzk Academy still look to be holding out well. Scott Madison from Leingberg Academy seems to be about to give out! Who will pass to the next round?

Listening to the announcer, I leaned on the handrails and squinted my eyes to get a better look at what was happening below.

Standing on a platform, I looked as five students stood still motionless. With their legs perpendicular to their shoulders, the five individuals each held a shield in their hand.

Opposite to them was a combat dummy that every few seconds would unleash an attack on them.

With each attack, the power exerted by the dummy would increase.

Dum. Dum. Dum. Even as I stood above the arena grounds, I could hear the faint sound of collision that came as a result of the dummy hitting the contestants.

"So this is the Iron Fortress games..."

I muttered underneath my breath as I paid close attention to the five individuals below.

The Iron Fortress game was a game dedicated to those that specialized in defense. The objective was to withstand as many attacks as possible. The last person standing would directly make it to the next round.

As of right now, it was the semi-finals, and my attention was currently directed towards one individual.

Hein Kraaijenschot.

The next and last person that I wanted to recruit into my mercenary group.

With a sturdy build, light brown hair, and hazel eyes, Hein stood imposingly at the center of the stage as he withstood the barrage of attacks coming from the dummy opposite of him.

With each attack, Hein would skilfully shift his position ever so slightly. By either taking one step back or tilting the shield slightly, Hein was able to redirect some of the force away from himself.

Using this method, he appeared to be in a much better position than some of the other contestants.

'He's as good as I thought he'd be.'

Watching Hein skilfully redirect and block the relentless attacks coming from the dummies, I crossed my arms and repeatedly nodded my head.

Even though he wasn't the biggest individual on stage as John Berson was about twice his size, his technical ability was something that more than made up for his lack of natural size.

This was shown by how he had made it this far without even being a part of a famous academy.

This achievement alone was outstanding.

"He's the one for sure..."

Without a doubt, I knew that he was the last person I was looking for in my mercenary group.

Though he may not be known now, in the future, Hein would be known throughout the whole human domain as a ranked hero.

He was of Dutch descent, and despite his talent, because of his family circumstances, he could only enroll at a medium-high ranked Academy.

He did in fact get scholarship offers from large academies such as the Lock or the four great academies. Unfortunately, he chose to reject them because of his circumstances.

Had he enrolled in a top academy, he would've without a doubt have been as strong as some of the most prolific individuals in the tournament.

In fact, he would've without a doubt have even had a chance at beating John Berson who was considered to be the best tanker amongst the younger generation.

Unfortunately...

'”Hein Kraaijenschot from Ironia Academy, unfortunately, gives out and John Berson from Kuzk Academy takes the first spot and wins the Iron fortress games! Ladies and gentlemen let's give John a round of applause for his fantastic performance. The other contestants too, for their fantastic performances.

Listening to the announcer's voice, I shook my head.

'Too bad...'

Had Hein have had the same amount of resources as John, things would've been different. Sadly, there were no what if's in the world.

Staring at Hein who was sprawled on the ground tired, I watched as tears streamed down from the corner of his eyes.

He looked absolutely gutted.

"Huaaaa'”!"

Standing next to him, John Berson raised his hand in the air like the victor that he was and basked on the cheers coming from the spectators.

"Don't worry."

one last look at Hein from above, a trace of a smile appeared on

do anything within my power to make you the best

around

***

"Haa...Haaa..."

Iron Fortress game, Hein sat down in the changing room as

wet towel, Hein tried to hide the fact that

I

both of his hands on

was still twelve years old, a horrible accident

was suddenly

two other five-month-old siblings, his father suffered a

that incident. The one mother that had

five-month-old children, and one twelve-year-old kid. That was the aftermath of

was also the turning point of Hein's

would work hard every day at his

could still work as a clerk, and hence they were somehow able to live without

reached sixteen years of age.

ranked. That was what his

he refused

a bad decision since the academy treated him extremely well as they invested a lot of resources

subsidies by the government to help him grow,

You don't have to blame my decision on

back home. Your siblings are

voice, Hein's

was stuttering, it was evident that he was also trying his best to suppress

not point

wait to

a gentle

you. I wish you the best

"Thank you..."

end tone of the call for a couple of seconds, Hein wiped the

his fists, he slowly stood

not let

was not over

was going to give

***

collisions echoed inside

machine, I repeatedly attacked it with my sword. Each attack was lightning fast as a

'”Click!

and a small

"Huuu..."

of my

"I should be close."

muttered as I looked at

Perhaps as close as a couple of days, to as far as a couple of weeks.

finals that were going to take place in a couple

worried about this as I was confident in my chances of

the time I returned to my dorm and looked at my

there was a picture of me shaking hands with

I read the comments on the article,

supporting me and wishing me the best

everyone in my first interview. But I guess my recent performances