The Ancients World

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~~~(POV: Hailey Adamo)~~~

~~~(Location: The City Of Jaerey, The Kingdom Of Laasir, The Islands Of Haestar)~~~

~~~(Time: 5:45 PM)~~~

We're entering the final stages of the tournament, and only the strongest Players remain anymore. After the next two matches, it's Plutonium versus me. The system made some changes earlier, and the tournament has been passing fast.

It's caused only the strongest to make it this far. Sadly, Rianna was knocked out earlier by Marcus himself. And Kelly was defeated by a Player with a Legacy Class.

That leaves only Marcus and me with a chance to reach the finals. The tournament has been constructed to the point where Marcus and I could meet in the finals. That would actually be something I have fun with.

While I know Marcus has more firepower than me and has better odds of beating me. I still want to see if I can beat him. The gap between us isn't that big, I excel in places he doesn't. And that could be what tips the balance in my favor.

Kelly and Rianna are hanging out on their own in another part of the Jaerey. Leaving Marcus and me to stay at the Arena.

"How much longer do you think it'll be until you face Plutonium? These next two matches could take a while. The system adjusting the match length has made the final stretch of the tournament longer."

He's right about that... That's one change I didn't like. The system rearranged the order of fights but in exchange. It's extended the match's time limit. I think it'll be around 45 minutes before my long-awaited match with Plutonium begins.

It'll be the first time I fight someone that's a Legendary Class holder other than Marcus. Even if I lose, I'll still learn a lot about fighting and dealing with a powerful opponent.

"It's going to be 45 minutes at the least. But the tournament has passed way faster, even with the longer matches. It's these last few matches that are taking a long time."

My eyes drift to the viewing box, and I see General Daenal Roane sitting up there, waiting for the match to end. There is an interest in his eyes. I can see him from our own viewing box. Courtesy of my brother, Cera.

Speaking of Cera, what everyone said earlier has been eating at me. I can't believe they thought I had something for my brother. That's the weirdest and most disgusting thing I've ever heard. But looking in from their perspective, I guess someone could come to that conclusion.

He's seen me naked too.

On accident, of course.

"Can I ask you something, Marcus? And no matter what that question is, you can't ask me about what I asked it."

That's a mouthful, but I don't want any more of this being talked about. There is something I wish to know, and that's the specific reason why they thought I had something for my brother. That way, I can avoid doing that in the future.

Marcus rolls his eyes as he looks at me, and I can see he already knows what I'm about to ask. He nods his head a single time and gives me permission to ask the question.

"What specifically was it that made people think I had feelings for my brother? That's not something I ever thought or expected to come up, and I'm thoroughly disturbed."

He's relaxing in his seat, and calmly looking out into the Arena as the battle down below continues. There is a squint in his eyes that I can't describe. Marcus is way more mature at his age than I was at his age.

A single breath before he speaks is all I need to prepare for what he's about to say.

"There is a tension you have with him. After thinking about it for a while, I don't think you're in love with Cera. But I do think you're in love with the idea of him. The best way I can put it is maybe you'll try to find someone who fills the same role as Cera does in your life."

That's the most complicated and convoluted thing I've heard in a long time; I remember the first time mom and dad had an argument about money problems. I'm not a psychologist or psychiatrist. And neither is Marcus, so I'm not putting much stock in what he says.

My attention falls back to the Arena, and my mind tries to find other things to think about. But it turns out Marcus isn't done talking about this.

"I mean, every partner you've had is either the exact opposite of Cera. You're compensating for something, and there is no denying it. It's clearly seen."

I'm growing sick of this conversation, and I'm not going to participate in it anymore.

~~~(POV: Marcus Adamo)~~~

~~~(Location: The City Of Jaerey, The Kingdom Of Laasir, The Islands Of Haestar)~~~

~~~(Time: 6:20 PM)~~~

Hailey is on her way down to the Arena to start her match with Plutonium. I'm betting she'll win. After watching Plutonium's matches all this time, there is a distinct difference between Hailey and Plutonium.

My thoughts are interrupted as Rianna and Kelly walk into the room. They make their way over to the free seats and plop down. Kelly moves hers closer and makes sure we're having some physical contact.

"We're just in time! Who do you think is going to win?!"

Kelly's infectious energy spreads to Rianna as she asks that question.

"I don't know, but I'm looking forward to it."

I don't respond. They're talking enough for three people. As they continue to cluck, my mind drifts to the conversation I had with Hailey earlier. I genuinely don't think she's in love with Cera, but she subconsciously seeks men who fill the parts in her life Cera does.

And when Cera and Hailey are going through a rough patch, she seeks men who are the opposite of Cera. I remember learning in school that sometimes people seek members of the opposite sex based on their parental figures.

Or, in some cases, the siblings. I think that's what's going on with Hailey. Being a smart student has its benefits, after all.

"After this match. Yours is up next, right, Marcus?"

I'm taken from my thoughts by a question from Kelly. My match is after Plutonium and Hailey's. I'm going against someone who has a Legacy Grade Ice Mage Class. My victory is in the bag.

"It's not me I'm worried about. While I'm confident Hailey will win her match, you never know what Plutonium has hidden from everyone in anticipation for this match."

That's what I'd do. Hide the best I've got for what I face someone who can beat me. And Hailey's done the same. They're both physical Classes. Bearing bladed weapons. Hailey has the advantage there, but Plutonium has a fantastic defense.

~~~(POV: Cera Adamo)~~~

~~~(Location: The Underground City Of Maero, Desert, The Continent Of Alforza)~~~

~~~(Time: 6:25 AM)~~~

Marcus has just sent me a message that Hailey's match is about to start. Sally and I are enjoying the comfort of a silky bed. After getting back to our room, we spend some time letting out built-up stress. We reached a point where we could go to sleep.

So our schedule is fixed, and we don't have to fix it later. As for my sister, I think she'll win. I'd put money on it if I were there right now. But right now, I'm enjoying the soft and warm body of my sleeping girlfriend.

She's doing better compared to yesterday. The poor girl didn't stop puking until we made it back to our room. It took a while to get relaxed, and I used some of my healing abilities.

Having to activate my Divine Title to use them sucks, but it was a small price to pay. We're meeting up with Taaro today, and I'm looking forward to conversation.

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A/N: Below this line, I'll be keeping Cera's player information. That way, I won't have to place it into the story above anymore. It takes about 180 words up.

[Slayer (Zern) Lvl.240][Tier-4]

[Exp: 45/100%]

[Title: The Son of Arch-Angel Michael (Hidden)]

[Stats] [Strength - 7095][Endurance - 7045][Dexterity - 7215][Speed - 8240][Focus - 19,660]

[Mana aura control: 6/100%]

[Health: 76,560,000,000/76,560,000,000] [Mana: 216,600,000,000/216,600,000,000]

[Stat Points: 470] [Armor rating: 500]

[Inventory] [Dice of Wayland (Divine)] [The Witness (Legendary Sword)] [Fenrir's Whistle (Divine)] [Camping gear] [Fishing poles 2x] [Festival Garbs 2x] [4x EXP Boosts] [Princess Saliandra's Panties (Black Lace)] [Desert Warrior Nomad Set (Rare)]

[Passive Perks]

[Inheritor of the Sword] [Son of Heaven] [Slayer of Evil] [Holy Willow Trees Savior] [Finder of Legends] [The Divine who has Legend] [Destined for Greatness] [Dungeon Diver] [An Overachiever]

[Active Skills]

[Heaven's light Lvl.74 325/7400] [Protected by Heaven Lvl.74 225/7400] [Slash Lvl.92 4600/21000] [Parry Lvl.68 85/6800] [Double Strike N/A] [Kingslayer N/A] [Raging Machine N/A] [Winged Glory] [Angelic Flight] [Divine Pressure Exertion] [Divinity Pulse] [Controlled Fun] [Angelic Teleportation (Divine)]