"By the way man, what’s your rank now?"

"Didn’t you just say your mouth is sealed?"

"Oh shut the fuck up!"

"How will I tell you my rank?"

"You need to just show me your badge!"

Quash looked back at Alan with an astonished gaze. He felt that Alan was improving in trash taking. Alan felt both insulted and validated by Quash’s gaze.

But Quash showed him his rank regardless.

[8,578]

Win Streak: 491

"Holy hell. I don’t know why, but the number indicating streak seemed to be glowing very bright. Almost hurting my eye."

Alan said with a flat tone. Quash didn’t say any. He silently put the badge back under Alan’s judgmental heavy gaze.

"You’re being very gay."

That comment made Alan instantly look away but he also realised that he has been tricked by Quash. He couldn’t look back with the same intensity anymore because he will he hit with the same spiritual attack. And an attack on a proud man’s masculity works every time.

"By the way Alan. What’s your ran- oh. Okay. See you later... I guess."

Quash asked but when he looked back, Alan got enveloped in light and pulled into the arena. Quash just sat there, waiting for his turn to come or Alan to come back.

As he watched Alan’s match, his thoughts drifted towards his own Ranking. With the pace he was improving, he was sure that within 8 or 9 more match would earn him a rank among the Top 1000. If he wasn’t defeated and his streak wasn’t broken that is.

The reason he was improving his ranking so fast was because of his streak and match duration. All were short and efficient. So the Administrative Formation gave him achievements that helped him zoom through the ranks.

As he waited, Alan’s match reached near conclusion. A normal match lasted about a minute because everyone went all out from the start. There was no testing the waters or dragging a match on.

Even though there is no time limit, the ones who will suffer will be them for the delay. The matches will continue regardless if they finish before 1 minute or not another stage will be opened and 100 stages will again be available. And the people who takes for than 1 minute to finish their match will experience a bare minimum increase in their rank.

So after a while, Alan came back victorias. He was all smiles. Although he had used very powerful moves, he didn’t look tired at all because the Formation was more like a simulation. Everything is real except it isn’t. The causes inside the Formation doesn’t take effect after one is brought out.

That’s why people can di and experience no trauma. Their energy reserves stays completely full despite them usuing it all in a fight. Which allows everyone to fight continuously. But mental fatigue is something even the Formation can’t tackle.

That is real and students has to deal with it themselves.

"By the way, what did you ask?"

Quash’s intense monologue was interrupted by Alan. As usual, the world won’t just let a guy brood in peace.

"Sigh~. What’s your rank?"

"Oh! Right."

Then Alan proceeds to turn his torso to the left, making the number visible.

[1,299]

Win Streak: 10

"Hehe~. What do you think!? Impressive right!? The opponents around my rank are super skilled. Not only they have many skills, but also have high Proficiency."

Alan said with enthusiasm in his voice. But it dropped quickly after. He looked at Quash with a serious expression.

"You should stop before your streak gets broken. I’m not saying this because I’m jealous or anything. But if you finish with your Win Streak, you can make history Quash. As far as i know, no one ever had this many streaks in the long history of Academy City! You could be the first! You could even get you name on the Academy City Hall of Fames! AND rewards for such an achievement!"

Quash didn’t interrupt Alan. Nor did he try to make any jokes out of his way of pursuing him. Because what Alan said was right and it made Quash think if he should actually stop or not.

If he stopped, unless he was challenged, he won’t have to fight and tomorrow, he will for certain get massive rewards. Maybe even access to the Academy City Treasury. He could get an indispensable item for drawing Magi Circuits.

But if he didn’t...

"Hmmm~."

Quash leaned forward, his elbows resting on his thighs. He thought about it deeply. Seeing that, Alan didn’t disturb him. He just kept an eye on the match making hologram for Quash. If his match is about to start, he will give a heads up so Quash doesn’t get caught off guard.

Quash on the other hand was recounting his whole life. Both as Quash Ogmore and Andrew David. The choices he made. The regrets he had.

Where they really from his own choices?

No.

He realised he had never actually chosen something for himself. He worked to the bones in his past life to save his mother. He became a highly paid corporate slave out of spite. Did things telling himself that he was the one that made the decisions. But was it really that case? Wasn’t he already playing on a stage he was forced to build?

Them how are those choises his? Even as Quash Ogmore, his path wasn’t even his choice. It was a foolish, impulsive decision of his teenage self.

Quash suddenly looked up to the holographic screen. His match was about to start. Just one match away. His logical side told him to stop. Stopping was more strategic because the advantages involved. He knew for a fact how ridiculously strong the people of 1st Battle Hall were.

There was a very high chance of him losing everything. Even if he got a high rank later, it won’t matter because the streak will be broken.

But...

"Heh~. So you think I can’t get into Top 1000 without losing? Hold my beer."

Quash said as he stood up. Light enveloped him and he was pulled into the arena.

"Huh?"

Alan mean while was left confused.

"Where’s the beer?"