Chapter 307
June 25, 2:50 pm
Shi Lei arrived at the B1 arena of the Knight Competition ten minutes early.
In the center of the stadium was a circular arena, surrounded by rows of spectator seats. The vast space gave him a sense of the Guo Luo Colosseum.
The afternoon matches hadn't started yet, so Shi Lei casually found a spot near the entrance to sit down.
Some athletes were warming up, while others were gossiping and looking towards Arena A, a few hundred meters away.
"Hey, you two, did you hear? It's four o'clock later, it's the match between Maria, the Nearl Family, and the Plastic Knight."
"Tsk tsk tsk, Maria's luck is really bad. In the second round of the Special Tournament qualifiers, she has to face the starting members of the Howling Knights."
"Yes, let's play faster later. Maybe we can make it in time to watch the game live."
As the group was chatting, the host and referee arrived at the scene and shouted loudly:
"Get down here right now! Anyone who's been standing on the stage for more than three minutes will be considered to have forfeited."
Some contestants expressed their dissatisfaction and asked:
"Referee, the game doesn't start until 3 o'clock. It's 2:52 now, there are still eight minutes left."
"Damn it, I said three minutes, and it's three minutes. If you're not satisfied, just withdraw from the competition. Who's going to watch a grassroots preliminary round? They really don't know their place!"
Listen up, everyone! Only one winner will advance to the next round of this audition. Those who surrender cannot be attacked, and those who lose must leave the stage.
You have half an hour to finish your match. If no winner is decided by then, you'll all be declared losers. Don't delay my viewing of the Nearl Family's youngest daughter's match, understand?
There were one or two hundred participants on site, and the original time limit was two hours. However, the referee shortened it to half an hour so he could go next door to watch the competition.
Unfortunately, the contestants have no right to object because they currently have no commercial value. Even if the referee directly eliminates them, an appeal won't change the outcome. At most, the referee will fine them a little and give them a reprimand.
Shi Lei, along with one or two hundred other athletes, descended from the stands through various passageways to the center of the arena.
As the judges just said, no spectators would come to watch this kind of grassroots preliminary competition. Almost everyone present was a relative or friend of the contestants.
"Go, Dad!"
"Pete, get them!"
As the audience cheered from the stands, the referee announced the official start of the preliminary round of this amateur talent competition.
Shi Lei stood in a corner of the arena, his hands in his pockets.
Just as the name "open audition" suggests, everyone present was an amateur, not even comparable to a wandering Knight.
Once they started yelling, it was like a brawl between shrewish women; those with weapons slashed at each other, while those without weapons threw wild punches at each other.
If Shi Lei were to directly infuse his Psychic Power into these players, they would probably suffer a mental breakdown and go insane.
He looked around the scene and began to devise a little plan.
They conjured up a rounded Rock Constructs, about half the size of a fist, inside the stomach of each contestant on site.
Then, roll!
In an instant, the expressions of the more than one hundred contestants became strange.
Some people clutched their stomachs in pain, while others sat on the ground with embarrassed expressions, clenching their buttocks tightly.
"Pfft... Ah, I surrender!"
"Damn it, what's going on? My stomach... Ouch, I can't take it anymore! I... I'm done playing!"
The commentator on stage was chatting with the referee; no one watched the preliminary rounds of the amateur open qualifiers, whether there was commentary or not.
The competition had barely begun when a large number of contestants withdrew voluntarily. The arena was filled with the sounds of farting, and everyone looked embarrassed, wishing they could disappear into the ground.
"Hey, what, what's going on?"
The host and judges were completely baffled, having no idea what was going on with the contestants.
"I... ah~, I abstain!"
"Damn it, this is bad luck, Lakuri."
After these athletes left the B1 arena, they found that the violent peristalsis in their stomachs had miraculously disappeared.
Now that they've lost their chance to compete, there's no point in going back. All they can do is grumble and curse as they clean up in the toilet.
They knew that going back would be pointless. The intense churning of their intestines was something most people couldn't endure.
Some people left, while others persevered.
The excruciating abdominal pain was an internal attack, which even the thickest armor couldn't withstand. This pain severely impaired mobility, leaving no option but to crouch down and clench one's fists.
"Ahhhhh, I can't take it anymore."
Shi Lei watched the entire thing from the sidelines, leaning against the wall at the edge of the arena, showing no sign of making a move. Moreover, he wore a sealed mask, so he wouldn't be affected by any odors.
He has been kind enough to these athletes.
This is the simplest and most efficient way to win without revealing your abilities.
What does the loss of dignity by one or two hundred contestants have to do with Lucky Knight?
With the penultimate contestant leaving the stage in a humiliating and resentful manner, the preliminary round of this grassroots talent competition concluded in a miraculous manner with zero casualties.
The friends and family who came to support the player all chased after him after his unusual departure. As a result, there are now only three people left in the entire B1 arena.
The referee, unsure how to describe his feelings, stared at the winner with a strange expression.
"You won, come up here."
As the other person approached, the referee looked the mysterious masked man up and down and asked:
What code did you use when you registered?
"Lucky Knight".
The referee smirked and flipped through the list. Sure enough, he found the person at the very back.
"The strange behavior those people exhibited earlier, was that all your doing? Are you an Infected? Is that why you possess those special Originium Arts?"
"No, I don't have Originium-related illness. And it's not Originium Arts, it's a special ability."
The host has watched so many Knight Competition games over the years, but he has never encountered anything like this:
"What special ability?"
Shi Lei made things up on the spot, speaking off the cuff:
"I named myself Lucky Knight because I am very lucky. But if someone opposes me or is hostile towards me, I will become very unlucky."
Ah, you call this luck?
The host and referee's faces darkened; this guy's abilities clearly brought bad luck to those around him.
Shi Lei hadn't read the rules beforehand, so he politely inquired:
"How many games do I have left? When is the next game? Where will it be held?"
"Um, there's one more match. Two hundred preliminary round winners will gather to determine a single winner. If the first-place winner is seriously injured, the match will be postponed. The five winners from these five matches will advance to the preliminary rounds of the special tournament."
"I'll check your next match. It's at 5 PM sharp, in Hall C2."
"Okay, I'll be going now."
This timing is just in time for Maria's match; he needs to go and provide the shield.
After Shi Lei left, the nickname "Unlucky Knight" began to circulate slightly within the stadium.
375 Unintentional humiliation of 3K
After finishing the preliminary round of the amateur competition, Shi Lei went to the adjacent A1 venue.
The competition hasn't started yet, but the arena is already packed. Looking around, it's like a giant scroll unfolding, creating a powerful visual impact.
If Maria Saria's first match lacked exposure, it was because she secretly registered.
Today's match was heavily promoted by official media. They used the gimmick of the youngest daughter of the Nearl Family to attract a large number of Knight Competition enthusiasts to buy tickets and watch the game.
Host Big Mouth Mob, sat in the commentary booth, quickly checking the audio equipment for any issues. He took a deep breath, picked up the microphone, and began reading the advertising copy:
"La Signora and gentlemen, welcome to the Howling Arena, fully sponsored by Howling Guard Company! Howling Guard, even the gales will bow to you!"
Whether you follow the Knight Competition or not, if you're from Kazimierz, you're sure to be familiar with the name of the Saria family! A lovely young girl is about to participate in this brutal competition!
Have any of you in the stands placed your bets yet? If not, please hurry, you can still buy before the betting closes!
Big Mouth Mob's verbal advertising and attempts to induce betting drew complaints from nearby spectators, who lamented:
"Damn it, those who wanted to place bets already did. Stop rambling, can we get to the point already?"
Big Mouth Mob, with his professional demeanor, was not swayed by the audience's emotions.
"Haha, I can feel the overwhelming enthusiasm of the audience, it's almost swallowing me up! Although everyone basically knows the contestants who are about to appear, please allow me to introduce them again."
La Signora and gentlemen, let us give a warm round of applause to Maria Saria, the Bright Knight sister of Margaret, the champion of the 22nd Knight Competition' Tournament, and the youngest Competitive Knight of the Nearl Family!
As Big Mouth Mob shouted passionately, Maria walked from the Passage Entrance into the arena. Looking at the deafening roar of the crowd, she stiffly waved.
"So cute! Go, Little Bright Knight!"
"Go for it! I've staked everything on you! Your future depends on this one win. Defeat the opponent, Little Bright Knight!"
As she walked to the center of the arena, Big Mouth Mob began to introduce the next contestant to enter:
"Don't worry, everyone. Our beautiful young lady is about to face a trial that comes with a roar!"
The Howling Knights, who were selected as one of the top 100 Knight orders in the previous tournament, have sent their Grand Vanguard to duel with the sister of the Bright Knight! Let us welcome this cheap-looking but incredibly powerful Plastic Knight — Sergiac!
The fans at the scene cheered and expressed that they had invested heavily in the Plastic Knight.
"Sergiac, crush her! I'm betting everything on you this time, don't let us down."
"If you win, I can brag about it for the rest of my life, and I'll buy your merchandise every month. You'll take down Little Bright Knight!"
As the Plastic Knight entered, Big Mouth Mob had received advertising fees from the organizers, didn't forget to give an enthusiastic introduction:
"Did you notice, viewers, that the Plastic Knight's armor is shimmering under the lights? Could this latest armor from Columbia be the decisive factor in today's match?"
Maria's aunt, Sophia, has come to the stands to cheer on her niece.
Upon hearing the host's reminder, she immediately noticed that the Plastic Knight's equipment was different from what she had previously investigated.
What's going on?
Did the Plastic Knight equip themselves with even more powerful gear for today's match?
Isn't this just being a scoundrel?
However, the match was about to begin, and it was unrealistic for Sophia to rush into the arena to stop it. Doing so would cause the Nearl Family to lose face.
She stood up and looked around, trying to find Doctor Zhong. But the crowd was so large that she couldn't tell which one she was looking for.
Left with no other option, Sophia called Shi Lei to inquire about the situation. After the call was answered, she asked:
"Doctor Zhong, did you pass the preliminary round of the open audition?"
"Passed."
"Have you arrived at Arena A1? Where is it?"
"I'm near Exit 10, but I don't recommend you come over because there are surveillance cameras nearby. Also, my subsequent efforts to clear obstacles for Maria will attract the attention of various forces, so please try to contact me as little as possible."
After saying that, Shi Lei hung up the phone. He then cast Jade Shield on the golden-haired Pegasus in the arena.
Maria Saria had already stood firm, gripping her Knight tightly as she faced her formidable foe.
Grandpa, sister, it's my turn to go!
Big Mouth Mob, microphone in hand, passionately delivered a speech about the highly anticipated competition. In some suburban areas where television was scarce, the competition was broadcast live on the radio.
"Time's up! Both sides, please take your positions. Three, two, one, the match begins!"
"Oh my goodness! La Signora and gentlemen, who could have predicted this outcome before the competition even started?"
Maria Saria, the girl who inherited the name of the war hero 'Saria,' the youngest Competitive Knight of the Nearl Family, was completely overwhelmed by Sergiac from the very start of the battle, utterly powerless to fight back!
As expected of the vanguard of the Howling Knights, Sergiac's attack was like a storm, leaving everyone breathless!