"What the hell?! When did Fly run up there?" Seeing Fly walk onto the stage without permission, Dean Sterling couldn't help but curse out loud.

  "Tsk... that guy. He just loves the spotlight," 'Emperor' Valerius said, his arms crossed, his face a mask of annoyance.

  In his eyes, Fly simply couldn't pass up a single opportunity to show off.

  Genevieve looked at Fly's figure on the screen, her expression unreadable, as if she wanted to say something but held back.

  Regardless, Fly was the captain of the Star City High team.

  Although they were slightly annoyed, they couldn't exactly run out and drag him back.

  Besides, the commentator had already announced Fly as the first contestant. Swapping him out at the last second would be bad for morale.

  Dean Sterling shook his head helplessly and sighed, "Forget it, just let him do what he wants."

  Besides, Merit Academy was just a second-rate high school. If the city government didn't insist on pulling four schools together for this Freshman Invitational every year, Merit Academy would never have been included in the "Star City Big Four."

  In the end, the "Star City Big Four" title was just a way to make up the numbers for the tournament. Based on past performance, the four schools each represented a completely different tier of strength.

  "Most students who choose Merit Academy only do so because they couldn't get into Star City High or Ironpeak Academy."

  "In terms of true teaching quality and resource allocation, they are still leagues behind us at Star City High."

  It's probably better for Fly to go up early and get this 'garbage time' over with quickly, Dean Sterling thought to himself.

  ...

  Meanwhile.

  Fly stood on the stage, scanning the entire arena.

  To call it a "stage" was an understatement. Excluding the audience stands, almost the entire stadium floor was the combat area, totaling nearly the size of two football fields.

  For a normal event, this area would be excessive, but for a Beast Warrior competition, it wasn't large at all.

  The Star City Stadium didn't just host the Freshman Invitational; it held many other Beast Warrior competitions throughout the year.

  When high-level Beast Warriors made a move, it was often with earth-shaking force. If the arena wasn't made large enough, wouldn't the spectators in the stands be in danger?

  "Hello, contestants! I am the referee for this match, Carlos."

  The referee then signaled for Fly and the contestant from Merit Academy to step forward and shake hands. After, he began to explain the rules.

  The most important rule was that competitors must not fatally harm their opponents.

  This was, after all, just the Freshman Invitational, intended primarily for elite freshmen to exchange knowledge and learn from one another, not a life-and-death battle.

  If someone were killed, it would be a major incident.

  For this reason, the organizers had decided against using an Arbiter Drone, opting instead for a human referee.

  This man, Carlos, wasn't just a referee, but also a high-level Beast Warrior himself. If any unforeseen accidents occurred, he could immediately stop the match and intervene.

  "Thank you, sir. I understand." The student from Merit Academy nodded politely, then looked at Fly with a smile. "I never thought I'd have the chance to challenge the number one freshman from Star City High."

  "Hello, Mr. Fly. My name is Gavin, the fourth-ranked freshman from Merit Academy this year."

  "Please, give me your guidance, Mr. Fly."

  Although Gavin had excellent grades and a high-ranking at Merit Academy, he knew his own limits when facing the number one freshman from Star City High.

  This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

  My job, he thought, is just to wear him down a bit. The rest will depend on Hugh and the others.

  "Hello, Gavin. Please, let's have a good match," Fly replied, nodding just as politely.

  Afterward, at the referee's instruction, Fly and Gavin each took ten steps back, creating distance between them.

  Fly's eyes narrowed, watching with anticipation for Gavin's Beast Totem to appear.

  While Merit Academy wasn't as renowned as Star City High, it was still considered one of the city's strong schools. Fly was quite curious to see what kind of Beast Totem their fourth-ranked student would reveal.

  But who would have thought...

  As a beam of light flashed behind Gavin, the mirage of a large grey wolf appeared.

  The wolf mirage stood over a meter tall, its fur glossy and its fangs sharp. Even if it were placed in a pack of North American grey wolves from Fly's previous life, it would be an alpha-level individual.

  But in Fly's eyes, this Beast Totem was utterly unremarkable.

  "Common Species?" Fly asked, a flash of disappointment in his bright eyes.

  Gavin froze for a second, then replied, "Yes, Common Species."

  Seriously? Are all the freshmen at Star City High this discerning?

  It's only been half a month since school started! It took me a ton of effort just to absorb and cultivate this grey wolf totem. How many people haven't even successfully absorbed their totem at all?

  "I see." Noticing Gavin's expression, Fly couldn't help but sigh internally.

  Right. The competitors here are just first-year freshmen, just starting their martial path. Being able to become a Beast Warrior in such a short time is already impressive.

  "If that's the case, then let's end this quickly."

  As he spoke, Fly revealed his own Beast Totem.

  With a faint flash of light, the massive mirage of a Thunder-Roach, crackling with golden electricity, appeared behind him.

  The totem's body was crimson, its wings dotted with faint star-like patterns. The barbs on its legs were sharp and menacing, and its thick mandibles clicked open and shut, the very picture of ferocity.

  "Take this!" Fly's voice was low and cold.

  He slightly flexed his wrist. A black scythe, attached to a chain, burst through the skin of his forearm. He grabbed the handle firmly. Then, at an incredible speed, he rushed toward Gavin.

  "Ah!?"

  Gavin's eyes went as wide as saucers. Although he had heard that Star City High's Fly was a monster, and had even seen his skills on short-video platforms, being here in person made him truly feel just how absurd Fly's strength was!

  BAM!

  With a deafening crash, Gavin was sent flying. He spun several times in the air before tumbling another dozen times on the ground, finally skidding to a halt. He hadn't even had time to react, let alone mount an effective defense.

  His chest was stained crimson. Blood seeped through his clothes, dying a large patch red.

  The entire stadium was silent.

  Almost every spectator wore an expression of utter shock.

  They had all assumed that, while there was a gap in strength, Gavin and Fly could at least exchange a few blows, to give everyone a bit of a show.

  But no one had expected the gap to be this enormous.

  "What just happened? Did the contestant, Fly, use Warrior Gear?" After a long silence, the commentator's voice finally broke the quiet.

  Warrior Gear referred to auxiliary items used by Beast Warriors in combat, which could be divided into weapons, recovery items, reconnaissance tools, and concealment types.

  The use of Warrior Gear was generally permitted in tournaments, but it had to be declared to the organizers beforehand.

  But this Fly... he hadn't declared any Warrior Gear, had he?

  "No, that's not Warrior Gear..." the other commentator interjected.

  Although Fly was holding a menacing black scythe, that weapon was not an external item. It had grown from his forearm. The end of the handle was even connected to his arm by a black chain.

  "Is... is this the power of a Mythical Species Totem Beast?"

  "This weapon... it doesn't look like something an ordinary cockroach would have. It looks more like... a mantis?"

  The commentator squinted at the monitor, closely observing the black scythe in Fly's hand.

  Having announced the Freshman Invitational for many years, he had seen his fair share of geniuses. But those geniuses, while strong, were still within the realm of reason.

  Someone as absurd as Fly... this was a first in the last ten years.

  He couldn't help but feel a chill crawl up his spine...

  "No, really... is this the kind of strength a freshman who's only been a Beast Warrior for half a month should have?"

  The audience began to whisper amongst themselves. Some marveled at Fly's strength, others pitied Gavin's fate, and some simply felt a sense of fear...

  In the competitor's rest area, Dean Sterling watched this scene and frowned slightly.

  With his years of knowledge, Dean Sterling was certain he wasn't mistaken.

  First, it was my Thunder-warden Beetle's lightning ability. Now, it's Marshall's Mantis Sage's black scythe...

  I originally thought his cockroach totem mutating into a Mythical Species was just a freak accident. Now, it seems things aren't that simple.

  Dean Sterling thought to himself, his eyes fixed on Fly's figure on the stage.

  ...

  The commentator's voice came over the broadcast again: "Look! Contestant Gavin is slowly getting back up!"

  Everyone looked and saw Gavin struggling to his feet. He was covered in dirt, and the red stain on his chest was even more prominent.

  He looked at Fly's slender figure, his heart pounding, his whole body trembling as if in shock.

  In his eyes, Fly was like a Gundam right now. (Assuming Gundams also existed in this world.)

  "Very good. Do you want to continue?" Fly asked, casually brandishing the scythe in his hand.

  In that last blow, he had intentionally used the blunt back of the blade, merely sending Gavin flying. After all, the rules stated he couldn't kill his opponent. If he had really struck with the sharp edge, Gavin would probably be in two pieces right now.

  Even so, after taking such a violent impact, Gavin's injuries were likely not minor.

  "Wa-wait...!!"

  Hearing Fly's question, Gavin frantically threw up his hand, signaling to the referee. His voice trembled uncontrollably.

  "Re... Referee, I forfeit!"

  Gavin said, his voice full of grievance, looking as if he were about to burst into tears.