The second match for them had been scheduled but Erina had yet to return. Kenji assured them that he'll do everything in his power to win even if Erina doesn't come back. Yoko was worried, Erina's circumstances right now were difficult and it was fortunate for them that Erina didn't decide to drop out.

Just when the second match was about to begin, Erina appeared and joined them.

"Alright, this is the ninth match! Team Memento Mori versus Lion!"

When Kenji heard that name, he immediately used [Soul Call].

Kenji clicked his tongue and faced everyone again.

"I don't know if our matches have been rigged but you guys, I suggest you all retire from this match now. With the exception of Yoko and Erina, none of you will stand a chance."

"What do you mean?"

Arata inquired, they wouldn't just drop out for any random reason.

"Listen. The man that's about to walk up the stage is A-class. Beside him is a woman that appears to be an elf."

"An elf?! The ones said to be the best in magic?!"

It was rare for another species or race to appear inside human competitions. Although there were a few beastkin and other races inside the capital, they were quite few in number. But an elf was very rare, if one were to even get a glimpse at one in their whole lives, it'd be considered lucky. They were a very secretive and very strong race, they were helped by nature and spirits when casting magic.

"Yeah. I won't stop you if you want to participate but it will just do a huge blow to our morale."

"...I'll still participate, I'm the one who invited everyone first after all."

Arata stepped forward and placed a fist on his chest.

"I'll do so as well. What kind of crown prince would forfeit without fighting the battle?"

Kazuki brandished his great sword.

""We will do so as well!""

Date and Kazuki answered at the same time.

"I-I'm fine with participating."

Haru meekly answered.

"I still have my magic stone, no problems!"

Umi was quite cheerful despite the gravity of the situation.

Kenji looked at Erina and Yoko, they both answered with a nod.

"Then, let's go."

Kenji walked up to the stage first and in front of them were two people wearing a mask.

"I thought that the competition didn't allow anyone above twenty?"

The man in the mask laughed, it was the same Lion in the auction.

"I'm still only eighteen, you brat!"

Kenji looked at the girl in a mask beside him, she was definitely way past twenty because she was a full-grown elf, her age would be at least a hundred. But with the elf's looks, she only looked to be in her late teens.

So he hid the fact that she was an elf, I could make them be disqualified right now but... I guess it's time to teach them a lesson.

"Alright, we're ready."

"We are as well."

The announcer signaled for the start.

Lion and Kenji immediately disappeared and clashed in the middle of the stage. Their attack caused a shockwave and broke apart the stage. It wasn't just cracked, the stage literally broke apart and rock flew everywhere.

Erina and Yoko vanished and intercepted the elf.

"[Fast Movement], [Twin Shadow Assault]."

Yoko spun in the air forming a dark whirlwind and charging towards the elf.

"[Ice Cage]."

It was the move Kai used against her, but it was different now. Instead of just the elf, they were also included. Walls of ice raised around them and covered even the roof. Now, this place was full of shadows.

Yoko used [Shadow Assimilation] to go even faster and now, it was like she was everywhere. Still in the [Twin Shadow Assault] attack, she got faster and faster while spinning around the stage and when she gained enough momentum that the eye could not react, she launched towards the elf, but...

"[Light Flare]."

The elf pointed her index finger at Yoko and bright light illuminated the room, Yoko was forced to close her eyes and the elf dodged it in that instant.

"Light, huh..."

Erina dissolved the [Ice Cage] that surrounded them and charged forward herself with a rapier in hand.

Kenji didn't use a sword and neither did Lion, both of them were fighting with brute force. When Arata tried to join in, he was knocked aside and his shield snapped in half with a single sweep from Lion.

"[Flame Fist]."

"[Flame Fist]."

Kenji and Lion used the same moves and when they punched, an explosion of flames occurred. But neither of them retreated and continued fighting.

"[Flame Boosters]."

Kenji's elbows were like thrusters and each punch of his was now stronger than Lion's.

"[Fireball]!"

After blocking of Kenji's attacks, Lion placed a palm in front of Kai's chest and made it explode. Kenji didn't even stagger and continued pressing forward. Lion was a bulky man and is taller than Kenji, the scene itself felt quite surreal because they were fighting with fists despite having weapons. Their previous opponents were a lot taller but Kenji fought that man along with Erina.

Three arrows shot out, two were caught by Lion's hand and one was stopped by the elf.

Umi launched a ball of compressed water towards Lion but Lion simply swiped his arm and the ball of water burst without doing any damage.

Monstrous as ever...

Kenji thought as he kept launching attack after attack.

With each attack, he became faster, stronger.

"Haaa!"

Lion's muscles bulged and each attack now had pressure enough to push back Arata and the others with just the wind but Kenji stood there and met each and every one of his attacks.

"[Body Enhancement: Maximum Output]."

Lion punched with all of his power and it was about to hit Kenji's face but...

"Guh...!"

Kenji dodged and placed a fist on Lion's abdomen. Then, Kenji grabbed Lion's arm and flipped him over but before he landed, Kenji positioned his leg right above Lion's stomach. When Lion crashed down onto the floor, Kenji's leg caused him to spurt out saliva in large amounts.

"HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

Lion roared as he stood up, his eyes became whites.

"Berserker mode, huh?"

Lion's muscles budged even more, now he looked like a gorilla. Even though it was true that he was only eighteen, his body made him look like he was actually a middle-aged man.

"Kenji!"

Arata shouted in worry, their enemy had an intimidating aura around him.

"[Fireball]."

Kenji used the fireball to create some distance between them but Lion only staggered a bit before charging forward. Lion jumped with a force great enough to leave a crater and descended like a meteor towards Kenji.

Kazuki who was knocked back by the wind ran for Kenji and Umi produced a [Water Wall] in front of him to soften the impact. Haru used the wind to try and lift Lion up but to no avail.

When Kazuki knew he wasn't going to reach, he was about to throw his great sword at Kenji but stopped when he saw Kenji's nonchalant expression.

The power that man is displaying is a lot more than what he produced during our battle, you're telling me he can block that?!

Kazuki was in turmoil of whether to throw his great sword or not.

"Your Highness, go and help Erina and Yoko."

When Kazuki heard that, he nodded and ran for them who were cornering an elf.

"Now, Lion. I'm going to have you return to your senses now."

Kenji raised his left arm.

"Kenji, don't!"

Umi tried to stop him. Kei and Date were running for him. But Haru breathed a sigh of relief.

"He's fine."

"Huh?!"

Lion's fire coated fist landed on Kenji's left arm. When Lion landed, a giant explosion of flame occurred but before it reached anyone else, Erina created an [Ice Wall] around them.

"Do you have such leisure?!"

The elf used light attacks which were the fastest of all elements and Erina could do nothing but try to block them.

As expected, even I can't hold back when it comes to an elf...

Erina closed her eyes. She knew Yoko would protect her.

Yoko appeared in front of Erina and slashed apart the ball of light that was heading for Erina with her darkness.

"[Dark Beam]!"

"[Holy Ray]!"

Lasers of light and darkness collided with each other and produced a stalemate but only for an instant, an elf's mana and power were superior when it came to magic. They were born with mana many times more than humans and were gifted with control.

Honestly, the fighting right now would be fit to be called as the finals. But there were people stronger than them who sneaked into this competition. Kenji knew that.

""Looks like, we can't just afford to hold back.""

Erina and Kenji's words overlapped despite not being near each other.

The flames dispersed and Kenji had Lion's fist grasped within his own. Erina's eyes turned white and had frozen the elf; leaving only her head.

Kenji made a gun shape with his hand and aimed at Lion's head.

"[Bang]."

A huge burst of compressed mana shot out from Kenji's finger and knocked Lion out.

When both fighters were out, Erina appeared beside Kenji and immediately inspected his left arm.

"As I thought, this isn't normal. How were you able to defend against flames of that degree?"

Erina's [Ice Wall] had melted from the heat of the flames yet Kenji actually took it on without so much as a scratch.

"It's nothing, I've faced this guy before, I know his tricks. If I were to actually release my whole power, it'd be over in a single attack."

Kenji left after saying that to tend to the others who were being healed by Umi. When he approached, he was questioned if he was okay but when they saw him have no injuries whatsoever, their eyes changed as if looking at a strange creature. Just from the aftershocks and residue of the attacks, most of them were burned.

"I'll assist in healing."

Umi uses water to heal and it took a bit of time but when Kenji healed the burns, they disappeared in an instant.

Just like that, the day ended. Memento Mori was going to the main tournament where they would have to do at least five battles and win. The finals would be held on Thursday.