Aaron wanted to participate in the tournament to test his strength. For Aaron, this was crucial. The normal thing in isekai stories was that, after being transported to another world, one was the strongest of them all. Therefore, he needed to make sure if that was also his case, especially after not performing as well as expected at the Training Center. If he could overcome his opponents without complications in the tournament, then he could be at ease with any change he caused in the game's events, as he could simply take care of defeating the Vestals himself.
The tournament arena was full of spectators eager to see the fights. Although those who knew the members of the Astron family (which were several as they were the governors of the country) were surprised to see him there. More surprise was caused after seeing the wounds on his body from the fight with the bullies that morning. Among all the spectators, Aaron noticed Kelly Lunis sitting in the stands, just as surprised as the rest of the audience.
At the same time, his father was going down from the stage with his uncle Terminus. Apparently, after Terminus explained the rules, he went to see his brother to ask about Luke's appearance in the tournament and now they both were coming to get him out. Anyway, they didn't arrive at the arena in time before the fighters went to their personal rooms, which were in a large structure under the stands. Once inside, no one can disturb the fighters until the tournament ends.
The structure of the tournament was as follows: individual matches with direct elimination, these being determined through a draw. On this occasion, only 8 fighters decided to participate, being an even higher number than standard, as many were afraid to participate and lose their lives, something that happens very frequently in these confrontations. Most of those who participated in this tournament were adventurers who, tired of hunting monsters, broke the monotony and tested their strength in the tournament. On this occasion, 6 of the 8 participants were adventurers.
The matches had to last a maximum of 30 minutes, with the winner being the one who had made the most hits before time ran out, or who had incapacitated the enemy before the time limit, either by knocking them unconscious or even killing them. The entire tournament took place over a single day.
One important thing about this tournament was that the use of magic was strictly forbidden. Fighters must fight and win with their own hands.
The first fight passed without glory. A confrontation between two adventurers that Aaron did not recognize at all in the video game's story.
The second match turned out to be Aaron's against Alejandrinos Alioth. A tall, muscular man with a presence that made him seem the closest thing in humans to a carnivorous animal. He was recognized as the most powerful adventurer in Astros. The two contenders stood face to face in the center of the arena.
The fight began with a quick exchange of blows. Both lunged at each other as soon as the signal to start the fight was given, hitting each other's faces. The result? Alejandrinos on the floor and Aaron as if nothing had happened. The audience went wild, with many already declaring Luke the winner.
Alejandrinos was born into a humble family in the small town of Athenos, in the northeast of the Kingdom of Couprisia. Athenos had a reputation for being the cradle of the kingdom's warriors, where every inhabitant was always willing to serve the crown in its conflicts. For that reason, it was normal for his parents to be away for long periods of time fighting in some conflict.
At the age of six, Alejandrinos began to train intensively under his father's tutelage. He taught him all his techniques and the importance of discipline. Under his father's tutelage, Alejandrinos became a young prodigy, capable of defeating monsters that not even adults were able to defeat. However, that never impressed Alejandrinos; he was clear that his father was much stronger. To him, his father was the strongest in the world.
When Alejandrinos was 12 years old, his parents were called to stop an uprising in the country's capital. This conflict turned out to be longer than expected, so his older brother, Andronikos, had to continue his training instead of his father. Andronikos was only 16 years old, and to go to war in the kingdom, one had to be 21 years old.
For more than a year that training continued, but it was a complete disappointment. His brother's strength didn't come close to his father's. If he tried, he could easily beat him.
When Alejandrinos was 14 years old, a letter arrived written by King Astron himself: "We regret to inform you of the death of Arias Alioth and Latania Alioth. Both gave their lives for the good of the kingdom and will be remembered for their noble sacrifice."
Nothing else was written in the letter, except for the signature of King Amos Astron.
"This doesn't make sense. My father was the strongest in the world, how can he die in a simple uprising?"
That day, Alejandrinos left the village for the first time and went to the Kingdom's capital. He didn't cry, nor did he show any sign of feeling sorry. No, what he felt after learning the news was disappointment.
"The only reason I stayed there was because I was waiting for my father to return, but now that I know it won't happen, I need to find someone else who can teach me. I must go to Astros and find whoever killed my parents so they can train me."
When he finally arrived at the kingdom's capital, he saw a group of monsters attacking some people. As they were in the way, Alejandrinos killed the monsters. It took him no more than a quick blow to each one for them to fall defeated.
"You're amazing," said one of those he saved.
"Do you want to join our group of adventurers?" a woman from the same group asked him.
"We will pay you a gold coin a day and a room at the adventurers' hotel."
Alejandrinos had no job or family in the capital, so he accepted the offer on that occasion. Since then, he devoted himself to fighting monsters for coins and used his free time to investigate who that insurgent group was that killed his parents. The only thing he could discover was one thing: that group was going to attack during the Tournament. That's why he was participating; he hoped to find them and meet this person capable of killing his father.
The fighters' waiting area was a large room inside the structure with the fighters' rooms. In the center was a giant table with food and drink of all kinds. There, all the tournament participants were eating while watching the fight on a giant screen hanging on the wall.
The screen showed how Alejandrinos got up from the floor with a growl, shaking his head to clear his mind. Many in the room thought he had been knocked out, but that was not the case.
He lunged at his opponent again, but this time Aaron didn't counterattack; he simply dodged his blow and stepped away. Alejandrinos didn't give up and kept throwing himself at him, at the same time increasing the speed of his fists, performing a barrage of blows that Aaron dodged with ease.
Alejandrinos' body was large, and his fists had a lot of power behind them, but none of them managed to connect with Aaron. By the time his arms were becoming heavy and the speed of his blows reduced, Aaron began his offensive.
He gave him constant punches and kicks, all of which connected despite Alejandrinos' attempts to defend himself. He overwhelmed him with his attacks until his enemy lost his balance and fell to the ground. Despite that, Alejandrinos got up again. The fight continued for some time longer, but Alejandrinos practically became a punching bag for Aaron.
Finally, Aaron connected a well-placed blow to his jaw that sent Alejandrinos a few meters into the air. He landed on his feet, but his body swayed from side to side until falling to the ground. Alejandrinos managed to get to his knees, but his legs didn't respond enough to get up. Then he fell to the floor unconscious.
In the waiting room, many of the fighters were surprised. Not only was Aaron incredible at dodging so many blows, but the resistance that Alejandrinos showed was equally surprising, being able to remain conscious despite the beating he received.
"I have never been defeated in my life," commented Alejandrinos when he regained consciousness. Then he ran to where Aaron was. "You're amazing, Luke Astron. Please accept me as your apprentice!"
Aaron flatly rejected him and returned to the waiting area with the other fighters. The development of that fight had filled him with confidence regarding his strength. If the rest of the tournament was this easy, there should be no reason why he couldn't defeat the Vestals alone.
When he arrived at the room with the other fighters, Leona Viznar, who was going to fight after him, quickly got up and headed for the exit. She was a brown-haired woman, who wore a black mouth mask and dressed in gray rags filled with dirt. When she crossed paths with Aaron, she looked at him harshly; in response, Aaron also gave her a penetrating look.
Suddenly, Alejandrinos entered the room almost tearing the door down.
"Master, no matter what you say. I will learn your skills whether you want it or—"
Before he could finish speaking, Leona hit him lightly in the stomach. Alejandrinos fell to the floor knocked out, even though the blow that Leona gave him didn't even seem to be made with any effort.
Leona ignored the man at her feet and the surprised looks of the other fighters and went to the arena. Behind her, a guy trembling with fear left the waiting area, as they both had to fight.
Aaron watched the fight between those two from the screen in the room. Her opponent didn't even last a second. Leona defeated him with a single blow, just as she did with Alejandrinos. There was only one thing on Aaron's mind:
Could it be that I'm not the strongest in this tournament?