"Huh, so we're all in the same waiting room? I assumed we'd be kept separate, like how it was during the HCC," Remarked Aria, as we were shown into the waiting room, the other X-Aces already there.

"Yeah, me too. Maybe it's because this is a more casual, friendly exhibition event, rather than a proper competition?" I suggested, as we walked into the room.

"Hey, guys! You as excited for this as I am? Man, I can hardly wait, just another fifteen minutes to go before it begins," Grinned Jaden, approaching us with an impatient glimmer in his eyes.

"Yeah, I'm looking forward to this. I'll beat you again, by myself this time," I replied with a smile.

"Same here, I'm not really counting yesterday as a win since it was two on one, so I'll make sure to win today," Declared Aria, a determined look on her face.

"Nice, that's the spirit! I have no intention of losing, so give me your best shot!"

"Ohh, looksh like everyone'sh here, let'sh have shome fun out there!" Slurred Iseul, as she dragged her feet over unsteadily, letting out a hiccup.

She had a bottle of vodka in her right hand, with about two-thirds of the contents gone.

"Uh, how drunk are you? Because you look...-and sound...-totally wasted," I responded in bemusement.

"We all came here in the same transport from the hotel we're staying in, and she was already pretty drunk when we left.

And she took out that bottle after we got here, not sure where she was even hiding it. It was completely full when she took it out...that was about half an hour ago," Jin informed us, as he walked over.

That bottle's seven hundred and fifty milliliters, which means...she drank half a liter of vodka in half an hour, on top of whatever she already drank before they left their hotel?

"It'sh fine, I'm not that drumk. Life'sh sh-short, sho, like-...huh? Woah...wait, wha' wash I talking 'bout?"

"Is she going to be okay?" Inquired Aria incredulously.

"Yeah, that's a lotta vodka, I'm surprised she's still standing," Grinned Beatriz in amusement.

"Vodker...I hardly know her," Chuckled Aarav.

"Heh, that'sh pretty funny," Giggled Iseul, taking a swig from the bottle before letting out another hiccup.

She's supposed to be my second opponent, in the fourth match of the event, but, uh...should she even be allowed to fight, with how wasted she is?

She doesn't look like she's in any condition to even be standing, let alone fighting.

"If you find that funny, you're way too drunk. I don't see how you could possibly fight properly in this state," Replied Jin dryly.

"It'sh okay, they've got an Encshanterer and Healerer, sho don't even worry about it and shtuff," She shrugged it off, before flopping onto one of the couches and taking a deep gulp from her bottle.

Right, Healers have Spells that can nullify poisons, and alcohol is technically a poison.

And an Enchanter's Stamina Recovery Spell should have her feeling good as new...still, though, she's downing that vodka like it's water.

"If you ask me, this feels like a kinda insulting way to use a Healer and Enchanter, they aren't hangover cures, you know," Responded Jin, but Iseul wasn't really listening, absent-mindedly staring up as the ceiling while sipping on her drink.

"Healer, I hardly know her...," Snickered Aarav, laughing to himself as he muttered, "Enchanter, I hardly know her either. Haha, nice!"

There's no way he's like this a hundred percent of time...right?

"More importantly, not much longer now! Less than five minutes to go!" Grinned Jaden eagerly.

"Yeah, the event staff will probably come to escort you guys to the arena any minute now," Remarked Aria, as I adjusted the strap of Desecrator's sheath, making sure it was properly fastened, before stretching my arms up.

This is it, I'll have to make the most of it...it's not everyday I'll get the opportunity to test my strength against the best in the world, so I won't waste this opportunity.

"I might never again get the chance to fight other X-Aces like this, so I gotta savor today to the fullest," Remarked Jaden, a look of anticipation on his face, right as a knock echoed out, the door swinging open.

"Good afternoon, everyone. Kaivel Intrix, Jaden Xeno, please follow me, your match is set to begin shortly, I'll show you to the arena," A young woman greeted us with a polite smile.

"Hell, yeah! Let's go!" Declared Jaden, slamming his fists together with a gleam in his eyes.

"Yeah, let's do this," I nodded with a smile.

"Good luck, Kai," Aria waved as I began heading out.

"Thanks," I replied as I glanced back at her and gave her a thumbs up.

Jaden and I then followed the woman out of the waiting room, making our way through a corridor before heading down a flight of stairs, which led to the arena.

As we reached the bottom of the stairs and stepped out, I looked around as we approached the arena.

There's a ton of drone cameras around, looks like they're going to be streaming this event from several angles.

Transparent, spherical barriers surrounded each of the drones, probably to prevent them from getting damaged by any ensuing shockwaves from the battles.

And the arena looks bigger than the one during the HCC, there's a lot more space to move around.

And more space also means I can use larger-scale attacks, without getting caught up in it myself.

But a bigger space suits his fighting style too, so this doesn't give me an advantage over him.

Well, that's fine...if I can beat him in a fair fight, all the better.

As we stepped onto the arena and took our places, the barrier began forming, enveloping the arena.

The countdown appeared above us, starring at ten and ticking down...

"Here we go, give me everything you've got!" Called out Jaden with a wide, excited grin.

"Oh, believe me, I have no intention of holding anything back," I smirked, as I cracked my neck with a tilt of my head.

Here we go, it's almost time...

Three.

Two.

ONE!!!

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