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.

competitors who dominated effortlessly, either overwhelming their opponents with sheer aura or ending the fights

lifted a finger yet-Wally Ortiz. Anyone who drew him

patting her chest to calm her

chimed in, "wasn't Ronan's friend Milo assigned to Arena

exclaimed, "Oh no! You're

But surely she'll surrender

that, the ground beneath them shook lightly

vibration came again, stronger this

like Felix has to make a move this

turned toward the source they collectively gasped in astonishment at the sight of Heath's

he took sent ripples through the ground, a

the... Can Felix even take

of returning to the waiting

fortunate

his bracket. On top of his strategic alliance with fellow martial artists, his path to the