The Author's POV

"Give me a break."

Passing my hand over my head, and feeling just how smooth it was, I bitterly smiled.

"The effects of the pill are a lot stronger than I originally thought."

For my own sake, I refused to look at myself in the mirror. Wasn't too keen on seeing my appearance, which in the most likely scenario, probably would've reflected the lights coming from the top of the mirror and blinded my eyes.

That aside, I wasn't exactly sure about how much time passed since consuming the pill, however, if I had to make an estimate, I would say that I had been in my room for about a week.

"Ugh."

The stench that was coming out of my body made my nose momentarily close up.

Covering up my nose, I turned my wrist and checked for any new notification.

"Oh, right."

Checking my watch, my eyes lit up as soon I noticed the date. Today was the day of the finals for the tournament.

"I wonder if Kevin managed to get to the finals."

I thought out loud as I stretched my body.

Since I had not moved for about a week, my body was understandably sore.

That aside, I would start questioning life if Kevin didn't make it to the finals. My sacrifice would end up for naught.

"Anyhow, I should probably go see the match now that I'm at it."

Lowering my hand, I glanced around the room and pretended to not see just how messy it was. Then, letting out a small sigh, I headed for the shower.

***

Booom—!

The platform shook and a powerful energy blast spread out throughout the whole platform.

"Kh..."

Skidding back, Kevin's feet came to a halt near the edge of the arena grounds. A faint red hue enshrouded his sword.

'Eighteen...'

He muttered inside of his head as he slowly lifted his head and his eyes soon paused on the figure before him.

With long silver hair gently cascading down his back, and a haughty look to match his presence, Vaalyun glared in Kevin's direction.

"Is this really the best you can do? Were all the words that arrogant human said lies?"

Despite his words, there was heavy solemness in Vaalyun's voice. They had been fighting for over ten minutes, and neither of them had still gotten the upper hand in their exchanges. Their fight was even, and this enraged Vaalyun to no end.

Raising his hand, the mana in the surroundings converged towards his body. Then, twirling his fingers, a small magic circle manifested in front of him as the mana around him twisted into small sharp funnels that levitated around his body.

As soon as the spikes formed, with a simple wave of his hand, Vaalyun directed his attack in Kevin's direction.

"Die!"

Swooosh—!

an unbelievable speed. They were so fast that only a select few from the audience below could see the

"Huuuu..."

Kevin took a deep breath. A red hue suddenly enshrouded his body, as

'Nineteen...'

the area around him froze. Following this, much to the audience's shock,

that the attacks were split into equal

Or at least that was how it seemed at first, however, it soon became clear to the audience that Kevin held the upper hand in the exchange as the energy coming from Kevin's attack still persisted

the attack, his body skidded backward before coming to a halt a couple

he had just used now was not just a simple attack, but one that was filled with everything that

were becoming stronger and stronger with each slash. It had gotten to the

tensed when he realized

to finish this quickly.'

in front of everyone, people started to doubt his

as far as saying that Kevin might

A rank having a shot against him, someone at the pinnacle of the

'Overdrive'

as the bright-colored flame became even more vibrant

Kevin ignored the terrifying energy that was starting to become too strong for him to handle. His hands were entirely focused on

hands started to bleed profusely as he increased the grip of his

'Twenty...'

cried out inside of his heart and

With a muffled thunder-like roar, as Kevin's

as the moment it shot out it carried a terrifying force. Waves of ripples

attacks soon

the two energies came into contact with each other, the space around the two attacks distorted. Two different kinds of terrifying energy, one being white

Bang—!

reverberated throughout the surroundings spreading

even those that were not actively watching the tournament could

shreds and the spectator's

hard time seeing who had won as

explosion, silence pervaded the surroundings as everyone eagerly waited

***

Bang—!

Looks like I'm

explosion in the distance, I hurried towards the tournament areas. After having taken a shower, I

ingesting the pill, I had taken a copy of my face and therefore, if I wanted to, I could look exactly the

was actually annoying as it meant that I had to stay away from fighting for a while. Well, it wasn't like I was planning to pick a