Chapter 40: The Strongest Student

Chapter 40: The Strongest Student The arena was alive with a mix of exhilaration and chatter. The host’s voice thundered through the magically enhanced speakers, silencing the hum of voices as the audience turned their attention toward the grand stage. "And with that, the second round of the tournament has officially ended! Tomorrow, we begin the third round!" Applause and cheers filled the air as the announcement echoed. The towering magic screens that had displayed the matches across the sprawling arena flickered, then vanished into thin air. With the day’s events over, the crowd began to disperse, their conversations buzzing with excitement and speculation. Some spectators discussed the extraordinary battles they had witnessed. Aamir’s overwhelming power and precision dominated many conversations, while others debated Raj’s tenacity and skill. The previous day’s matches hadn’t been forgotten either, adding to the lively gossip that swept through the departing throng. In the challengers’ waiting area, Aamir and Raj walked side by side, their adrenaline still coursing from their earlier victories. Aamir carried himself with his usual calm demeanor, while Raj seemed to have a bounce in his step, unable to suppress the grin spreading across his face. As they entered the room, a familiar voice called out. "Hey, Aamir! I knew you guys would win!" Riya approached them, her smile bright and her hands clasped in excitement. Her presence felt like a refreshing breeze after the intensity of the arena. She turned her attention to Raj, her eyes gleaming with admiration. "And you," she said warmly, "you’re amazing too! That comeback you pulled off? Absolutely incredible!" Raj rubbed the back of his head, a sheepish smile on his face. "Thanks, Riya. But honestly, Aamir’s the one you should be impressed with." He shifted his gaze to his friend, his expression suddenly turning theatrical. "Aamir, how much stronger have you gotten, man? Do you even realize what you just did? The guy you defeated was a third-year student, and you took him out with one blow! One!" Aamir shrugged nonchalantly, his tone modest. "I’ve been training hard, that’s all. It’s starting to pay off." "Training hard?" Raj exclaimed. "That’s the understatement of the year! Seriously, tell me—how far did you get in the Trivnal Tower during your last session?" Aamir smirked faintly, as though the memory itself amused him. "I reached the seventh floor." Raj’s jaw practically hit the floor. "What?! The seventh floor? Are you kidding me? My man, people spend months just trying to get to the fifth floor, and you breezed through to the seventh in four days!" Aamir crossed his arms, his expression unchanging. "It wasn’t exactly a breeze, Raj. It took effort." Raj narrowed his eyes, his voice tinged with suspicion. "Wait a minute. Don’t tell me you actually fought the Master Spirit on the seventh floor?" Aamir nodded, his smirk widening slightly. "I did. And I beat it." The room seemed to go still for a moment as Raj processed what he had just heard. Then, letting out a low whistle, he shook his head in disbelief. "You... you beat it? That’s insane! Do you even realize how rare that is? Aamir glanced at Raj, his expression turning serious. "But why didn’t you tell me that time flows differently in the Trivnal Tower? I could’ve planned my training more carefully if I knew." Raj blinked, caught off guard. "Oh... uh..." He scratched the back of his head, clearly embarrassed. "Sorry, man. I really forgot. It’s just one of those things you assume everyone knows." Aamir sighed but waved it off. "Fine. No use worrying about it now. What’s done is done." Raj grinned sheepishly. "Well, if it’s any consolation, you’ve clearly made the most of it. Seventh floor? Beating the Master Spirit? You’re practically unstoppable, man." Before Aamir could respond, a voice cut through their conversation. "Aamir." The trio turned toward the source of the voice. A tall figure stepped into the room, his posture exuding confidence. It was Seenu—the student who was whispered to be the strongest in the academy. Seenu’s sharp eyes locked onto Aamir, and his voice, calm yet commanding, carried an undeniable weight. "I’ve been hearing about you. Honestly, I didn’t think this tournament would be worth my time. But after watching your match, I might actually have some fun this time." He paused, his gaze unwavering. "Don’t lose, Aamir. I’ll be waiting for you in the later rounds." Without another word, Seenu turned and left the room, leaving Aamir, Riya, and Raj frozen in place. "What just happened?" Riya asked, breaking the silence. Before anyone could answer, Kunal burst into the room, his breathing slightly ragged as though he had sprinted there. "Guys! Did that just happen? Seenu actually acknowledged you, Aamir! That’s huge!" Aamir tilted his head, his confusion apparent. "Why is it such a big deal?" Raj stepped forward, eager to explain. "Seenu isn’t just strong, Aamir. He’s the strongest student in the academy right now. People say he’s practically unbeatable. And he doesn’t waste his time acknowledging others, let alone complimenting them. But he did just now." Aamir considered this for a moment before giving a small nod. "I see. In that case, I guess I’ll have to defeat him, too." Raj let out a laugh, his earlier shock giving way to amusement. "Man, you’re unbelievable." The group shared a chuckle, but Seenu’s words hung heavy in the air, a reminder of the challenges yet to come. "Alright," Riya said, taking charge. "Let’s head back to our rooms and get some rest. We’ve got matches tomorrow, and we’ll need to be at our best." The following morning, the arena was alive with energy, the air thick with anticipation. Spectators flooded into the stands, eager to secure a good view of the day’s battles. The remaining 24 challengers gathered in the center of the arena, their expressions ranging from nervous to confident. The host stepped forward, his voice magically amplified. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back! The third round of the tournament begins today!" The crowd erupted in cheers, the sound reverberating through the massive space. "For this round, we’ll have twelve matches, with two running simultaneously. As always, the rules remain unchanged. Challengers in the first two matches, please remain in the arena. The rest of you, head to the waiting area and enjoy watching your friends’ battles!" The challengers followed the instructions, the first two matches preparing to begin. The atmosphere in the arena shifted, the air heavy with the weight of competition. In the waiting area, Aamir and Raj sat together, their focus razor-sharp. They exchanged notes on potential opponents, analyzing strategies and discussing tactics. Riya leaned against the wall nearby, her eyes scanning the arena as the energy of the crowd surged. "Today’s going to be intense," Raj said, his tone unusually serious. Aamir nodded, his expression calm but determined. "We’re ready for it." And so, with the stakes higher than ever and whispers of Seenu’s challenge still fresh in his mind, Aamir steeled himself for the battles ahead. The third round had begun. This content is taken from (f)reewe(b)novel.com