The Rise of a Master: It Starts With Rejection

Back in the resting area, Felix had barely settled in when the announcer's voice rang out again. Suddenly, a section of the cliff face seemed to shift, startling everyone.

The southern cliff wall, which appeared to ripple, revealed itself to be something entirely unexpected. It wasn't stone but a person.

Until then, no one had noticed his presence. He had been sitting cross-legged with his head lowered, blending seamlessly with the cliff. One could tell he was no ordinary person.

"Competitor number three, Heath Stanton. Interesting," Felix muttered, a faint smile crossing his lips. Heath's ability to suppress his essence was exceptional. Even Felix hadn't sensed him. Surely, he had to be a powerful opponent.

"I... I surrender!"

The competitor assigned to fight Heath had barely moved the boulder blocking their path when they turned to face him, then promptly bolted.

Heath stood tall at nearly eight feet with a hulking frame that somehow seemed almost harmless. At the declaration of surrender, he calmly retreated to his spot and resumed his cross-legged position.

If one didn't look carefully, it was as though he'd vanished into thin air.

The matches progressed quickly after that.

had its share of seeded competitors who dominated effortlessly, either overwhelming their opponents with sheer aura

hadn't lifted a finger yet-Wally Ortiz. Anyone who drew him as an opponent forfeited

assigned to Arena Two," Melissa said while patting her chest to calm her nerves. Even as a spectator, the thought of facing Wally was

in, "wasn't Ronan's friend Milo assigned

no! You're right! Milo and I got

surely she'll surrender

said that, the ground beneath them shook lightly with a

booming vibration came again, stronger

to make a move this time. He's

from Arena One. As everyone turned toward the source they collectively gasped in astonishment at the sight of Heath's massive and towering

ground, a

Can Felix even take

Aiden lingered after his final match instead of returning to the waiting area. He'd

was fortunate that

opponents in his bracket. On top of his strategic alliance with fellow martial artists, his path to the next round had been