Air Hero

Top 100

Returning to the waiting area, Max watched Elrisa performing on the stage. There is a reason why she is famous as an A-rank hero. Not only is she strong, but her appearance is also attractive. Therefore, it is not wrong to consider her as a renowned entertainment star.

“It seemed that time’s up, and everyone has recovered and rested well. Let’s start with the third stage of the newcomer competition. Since you’ve proven yourself in a team, now is the time to show your individual strengths. We will have a tournament to decide who is the strongest newcomer who will become the hot newcomer award winner. Each round of battle will last for 20 minutes at most, and after that, there will be a 10-minute break for healing.”

Max nodded at the explanation since it makes sense to give a 10-minute break for healing so every hero can perform at their best.

“The first battle will decide the top 50. Then, after the top 50 has been decided, we will find the top 32, not the top 24, to make the competition bracket even. Then, we will find seven more participants from the losing 25 to fill the spot by drawing lots. After that, it will go as usual to find top 16, top 8, top 4, top 2 and finally the winner of the competition.”

It can be said that the 7 participants to fill the top 32 battle could be considered lucky, or they can be called unlucky either. If they win, they could have another chance to compete, but they will embarrass themselves twice if they lose.

“Let us now draw the lots! It can be said that how far you could go in the competition depends on luck too.”

The screen in the middle of the stadium shows the competition bracket with 100 open spots with names randomly flashing by. When finally it comes to a stop, everyone is looking for their name on the screen.

“Jhonny, Jhonny, Jhonny, there it is! Wait, my opponent is Iki Hawthorn! However, I think I still have a chance since I am also confident in my strength.”

Jhonny’s opponent for the top 50 round is Iki. It will be quite a bloodbath since Iki is also well known for his power. With the Power of B-rank, it won’t be an easy battle for Jhonny. Max can only wish him all the best so he could come out victorious from his fight, although the chance is slim.

Chloe, Norton, and Linda’s opponent is someone he never heard of, so the chance of them passing is quite good. However, one can’t get complacent, or they could lose easily in the battle.

Max looked at his opponent, and he realizes that his opponent is Heinrich Blue.

“Max, you sure got lucky like me.”

Jhonny put his hand over Max’s shoulder and make the remarks. Max, at this point, didn’t know whether he should be happy or not. However, as for someone who aimed for first place, he shouldn’t shrink on a challenge.

“So you got Heinrich, huh? Since we come from the same hero academy, I know some things about him. He has water-elemental ability, just like Chloe. Back in the days, she always competed with him for first place at the academy.”

Norton tells Max about Heinrich since he attends the same academy as him. Max learned about a thing or two from Norton.

“However, all the things that I told you are based on his ability ten months ago when he just graduated from the academy. After all, you know it, when we enter the real world, we learn a few tricks up our sleeve and matured.”

Max totally agrees with what Norton said. Although he learned many things when he trained with Kalina, entering the professional world of heroes let him realize new things. After waiting for some time, the battle is finally going to start. Max headed towards the arena where he will be battling Heinrich.

He is excited right now since Heinrich is one of the contenders for the title. Not to mention he managed to secure a win from Hyacinth just now. Although it was a team battle and Linda contribute the most, it still boosts his confidence.

Entering the arena, he looked at Heinrich that is draped with a blue battle suit. It comes with a robe and eye mask that looked mysterious yet giving a valiant feeling. Most of the time, a hero costume can determine his or her battle style. For example, Fire-element heroes usually wear red, while water-element wear blue. They will use clothes that are easy to move and bring a weapon with them for close combat, while a long-range ability caster might have a robe and wands as a weapon.

Looking at Heinrich's attire, it was clear that he is a close-range fighter, unlike Chloe, who wears a battle dress. Max himself can consider himself a long-range fighter since he prefers to shoot the enemy from afar with a wind bullet. He knows how to fight hand to hand, but it was all taught by Kalina, and he is more comfortable fighting from afar.

“Is everyone ready? Battle will start in 3…2…1. Go!”

After Elrisa gives the command, the battle soon commences on fifty different arenas. Heinrich also immediately comes forward towards Max with fast speed.

Heinrich can do it by shooting out water from the sole of his boots that serve as propulsion to run forward. Max has a similar skill by using wind, and it seemed that water is also an excellent element to unleash this skill.

With the power of water, Heinrich soon arrived in front of Max. But, while Heinrich is moving forward, he is already preparing for another move. Using both of his hands, Heinrich is channeling a water sword. So, when he arrived in front of Max, he swings horizontally, and a sharp edge made of water is heading towards Max’s chest.

Max also didn’t stand still doing nothing. When Heinrich swings his sword, Max raises his hand towards the sky, and from where Heinrich is standing now, a surge of wind launched his body upwards.

This is one of the techniques that Max learned while doing his hero’s mission. Rather than using his ability on himself or unleashing an offensive move, it can also be used as a support move to disturb the enemy movement.

The thing that he executes on Heinrich is such an example. It forcefully sends Heinrich's body upwards, disturbing his attacking motion and send him into the air. While Heinrich is in the air, Max sends his wind bullet to attack him.