After that, 11 more rounds took place, and in half of them, Michael defeated his opponents. However, during the last two rounds, all those who fought in Group A's Arena had to move to Group B's Arena for battles for certain reasons.
"Huh? What are the participants from Group A doing here?" asked one of the spectators.
"Haven't you heard?" another replied.
"Heard what?"
"I heard that someone broke all the walls over there in that arena."
"Ohhh. Do you know who did it?"
"No, unfortunately, but I'd like to know who it was."
Then the old man began to speak, "Dear friends! Before we start today's matches, I must inform you that I was forced to bring Group A here because all the walls in the previous arena have been destroyed. Now, I ask the first participants of today to prepare themselves!"
"I wonder who will fight in the first match?" Michael said aloud.
"And first up, we have participants number 27654, Renald Solfaris, and number 763425, Erdan Moragrim!" announced the old man.
The participants entered the arena.
"Well, if it isn't the weakling Michael, the guy who destroyed all the walls in Arena A,"
Zigrein greeted Michael mockingly. "Think you can do the same thing here?"
"I have no reason to!" Michael replied.
Soon after, the battle between Renald and Erdan ended. Erdan was no longer able to stand.
"And the winner of the match is… Renald Solfaris!" announced the old man.
"Yeah! I'd say Renald has secured a spot in the next stage—he's won most of his matches. And you too, Ralf, since you haven't lost even once. But if I lose just once more, I'm out of the tournament," said Spiner after the match ended.
"Well, hello there, Michael!" Renald said. "I heard you beat Spinner. Didn't expect Spiner to lose, let alone to you."
"Yes, I defeated him. Why are you emphasizing that he lost to me so much?" Michael asked.
"Next up, participants number 7456, Katsu Hirengin, and number 567438, Akatsuki Mubyo!" said the old man. "Begin!"
"Because you're a weakling! What more is there to say?" Renald responded to Michael.
"And the winner is participant number 7456, Katsu Hirengin!" the old man announced.
After that, Katsu and Akatsuki left the arena and went to the spectator seats.
"Next, participants, prepare yourselves!" the old man called.
"Well, I'm off to see Ralf and Spinner. Don't feel like continuing this dialogue with you," Renald said and walked away.
At that moment, Michael crossed paths with Katsu.
"Oh, hey, Katsu! How's it going?" Michael asked.
"Hey, Michael! Everything's great! I hope you make it to the next stage. I heard you lost half your matches," said Katsu.
"Yes, unfortunately, I've lost half of them," Michael replied.
"Please make your way to the arena, participants 11543, Torren Grummstone, and 657431, Elaira Winterglaze!" the old man announced.
"Begin!" the old man said as Torren and Elaira began their match.
"Well then, try not to lose two more times because if you do, I'll be disappointed in you," Katsu said to Michael.
"I don't intend to lose. I'm sure I'll make it through!" Michael replied.
"Then I hope we meet in one of the rounds in the next stage," Katsu said.
"I don't mind if that happens," Michael answered.
"Well then, let's watch this fight," said Katsu as he moved closer to get a better view.
"Alright!" Michael replied and joined him.
"Look! See that girl with the long, dark-brown wavy hair?" Katsu asked Michael, pointing at Elaira.
"I see her! What about her?" Michael asked.
"There's nothing wrong with her! Just watch," Katsu said to Michael.
After a few seconds, the guy named Torren—the same Guy 1 mentioned earlier—started attacking with a solid-earth sword. The girl, Elaira, simply dodged all of his attacks.
"Haven't you realized yet that this won't work on me?" Elaira said.
"No way! She's dodging his attacks just by sensing where they'll come from!? Am I not the only one who hasn't fully awakened their magic yet!?" Michael wondered after what he saw.
"Now watch what that green-haired guy with the spiky hair does—you'll be surprised by the result!" Katsu said to Michael.
"Alright!" Michael replied and kept watching the fight.
"If that doesn't work, then I'll use this technique!" said Torren.
Hearing this, Elaira's mood suddenly shifted. You could see it clearly on her face.
"Huh? Did she get scared? But why?" Michael wondered.
"I give up!" said Elaira.
"Huh? Well, okay," said Torren.
"What the heck? Why did things turn out like that so suddenly?" Michael asked Katsu.
"Who knows? I don't know it, either. When I faced her, she immediately gave up too, saying there's no reason to fight with someone who will 100% defeat you, especially if the match doesn't determine anything beyond personal goals," Katsu replied.
"It's a mystery why she is doing that," Michael said.
"And the winner is participant number 11543, Torren Grummstone!" the old man announced, after which the participants left the arena.
Felix, who was also participating in the tournament, came up to Michael and Katsu.
"Hey, Michael and…" he began but forgot Katsu's name.
"I am Katsu," Katsu said.
"Yeah! Thank you! Now I'll remember your name, Katsu." said Felix.
"Felix, I've been meaning to ask you something," said Michael.
"What is it?" Felix asked.
"Where's Cherry? She always wanted to become stronger too, didn't she?" Michael asked.
"Well, you see…" Felix began.