CONNECT: Rise Of The Undead King

An hour later all the students have gathered in the martial arts class and Mr. Richard could be seen standing in front of them all, giving them some instructions as they all stood at the center of the class.

"Everybody will be participating in this week's duel as it's the first week of this month, and as you all know, once you fail to advance today, then you're not participating in the next one. Clear?"

Mr. Richard said and they all nodded in unison.

They usually have the weekly duel to pick out the top students in the martial arts class, the duel always starts at the first week of each month and the winner will be picked at the end of the month. The winner will be awarded the tag of the top student which will earn them the respect of other students. The top three students will have the chance to participate in other competitions either within the school or outside the school and also will be given the chance to go on special quests, which is a privilege granted to year 2 students only, but the top three students in the martial arts class and blood manipulation class are also given this privilege.

For the past months since this set of year one students began the weekly martial arts duel, only one person has been able to get the number 1 spot, Marcus. He always comes out as the top student at the end of every month, while the second and third spots are usually shared among other students.

"I'm really gonna kick Marcus's ass this time, I've prepared the whole time for him."

Elion said with intense determination, standing with Eric and the others. Marcus had defeated him the last time and also beat Eric to pulp at the final, giving him the second position. Both Eric and Elion are among the best students in the martial arts class and that's one of the reasons they go around bullying people.

'It seems Eric was able to keep them in check.'

Uche thought, he had enjoyed his time peacefully at the cafeteria today, nobody came to disturb so he assumed that Eric was able to control his friends and left him on his own, or maybe they're just preoccupied with something else, Uche didn't but he didn't need to know because he doesn't care.

"Now as usual, I'll put you guys in a group of 25 in the five rings at the center, the last five students standing on each ring will qualify to the next stage. Elimination happens either when a student passes out or is sent out of the ring."

Mr. Richard explained the rules of the match for them.

There are more than a hundred students present in the training room and right at the center of the room are the largest five big duel rings. There'll be about 25 students in each and the last five standing will qualify to the next stage of the competition.

"Alright let's get everyone in position."

Mr. Richard said, clapping his hands as he started calling names.

"For the first ring, Marcus, Elion, Abby, Arthur....."

He started calling names one after the other, until the first ring was filled with a total of 25 students, then he moved onto the next ring.

"Second ring, .....Uche, Eric, Anna...."

Hearing his name, Uche's heart races a bit faster, he somehow feels nervous. He didn't want to stand out yet in the academy, and yet here he was, standing in the same ring with 24 other vampires, most of them stronger, faster and more experienced than him.

How could he escape sustaining injury and heal himself in front of everyone else. The only thing he could do is to fight with all he's got, make use of all the training from Mira and come out unscathed.

"Well, Eric is also here."

Eric is in the same ring as him so maybe it's time to make some use out of him.

After filling all the five rings with 25 students each and more, Mr. Richard moved back a bit and said.

"Remember, no weapons allowed, no blood skills, just your pure martial arts only. Begin when I give the signal."

All the students in each ring spread out, some already eyeing their target, Uche could feel more than a dozen countless gazes directed at him, him only. They all stared down at him like he was some helpless prey, but then all of that stopped when he threw a single glance at Eric, who immediately stepped in front of him in a defensive motion, prompting everyone to move back.

"Huh what? You want to help this trash? We should get rid of him first."

A boy said, stepping forward from the group.

"Then you'll have to get rid of me first."

Eric said in a low threatening voice which makes the boy shiver.

"Well well, this isn't bad after all."

Uche muttered under his breath then he moved closer to Eric and whispered into his ears.

"Hey hey, you don't need to make it that obvious, you're actually making a scene here, see everyone is looking at us."

Uche whispered into his ear as he could see all attention focused on them, Mr. Richard hadn't raised a signal yet so everybody was staring at their ring due to Eric defending Uche.

"What the hell is wrong with him, defending that trash?"

Elion muttered angrily, clenching his fist so hard.

"Eric's been down all day, did something happen to him?"

A boy behind Elion said.

"To me it seems like they became friends over the night and he's scared to tell us, after all they're roommates."

Another boy said.

"That traitor, I'll make sure to deal with him."

Elion said angrily.

Marcus standing at the front in the first ring with arms folded also couldn't help but be surprised.

'Isn't that the boy they're all beating yesterday? Why is he defending him? Puzzle.'

Marcus thought.

"Well well, it seems something happened over the night, I never expected this."

Mr. Richard muttered before raising a signal for them to begin.