Chapter 3

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The room is suddenly echoed with the noise of the alarm sound.

Promptly waking up, Dan glanced at the clock, which showed 5:00 AM time.

[Time to get up.]

Rubbing his sleepy eyes, Dan was somewhat surprised by the presence of a certain weight on his chest.

Glancing in the direction, he found the kitten asleep on his chest.

[Man, she is super cute even while sleeping.]

Handling the kitten carefully, he decided to prepare a bundle of his unused clothes and placed the kitten over it. He also checked the bowl, to find it empty of milk.

[Good, at least she has an appetite now. Hah...I guess she'll live some more then.]

Feeling uplifted, Dan rushed to put on his running shoes and glucose sipper, preparing his morning running schedule.

Tip-toeing downstairs, he closed the main door behind him, and started to sprint around the neighborhood.

Careful as to avoid certain areas that are home to violent dogs, Dan intermittently sipped from the sipper to refresh himself to the end of his run.

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6:13 AM

Finally reaching back home, Dan sat on his bed for a bit as he calmed himself down. Then deciding to quickly shower and get dressed for his big day today.

The breakfast was yet to be prepared, so he quickly prepared milk and toast for himself, and wondered what to do with the little kitten.

[She's too small to survive on her own. Moreover, a cute kitten like her, how am I supposed to abandon her anyways. But Mom won't agree to keep her...., Well let's keep her hidden for now, until necessary that is. I should lock her in my room today, she has food and will be safe inside the room. Poor kitten, please forgive this human for restricting your freedom...I promise it won't be long before you can be free again. Just recover a bit before, please.]

Sighing, Dan locked the door behind and checked the wristwatch, showing 6:52 AM.

Quickly coming out of the main door, Dan looked back once and decided to send a message to his dad about going out.

<Dad, going to the tournament. Will be back by evening or tomorrow. I will take care, don't worry>

After hitting the send button, Dan rushed toward the bus stop for the 7:00 AM bus towards the Haldwani City.

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Situated near the Kathgodam mountain ranges, Haldwani is a beautiful and prosperous town. Having an airport nearby at Pantnagar city, it is at the start of the visitor's list of cities to travel on the road to the Divine land of Nainital.

Quickly arriving at the Bus Stop, Dan waited a few moments for the bus to arrive, and boarded the bus immediately afterwards.

Quickly capturing his window seat and paying the fare, Dan observed the rural areas in the vicinity shrouded by the morning ambience, a great sight to behold.

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7:45 AM

Dan quickly departed from the bus as soon as it arrived at the bus stop near Haldwani entrance, and booked a cab straight to the venue of the World Fencing Tournament, at the Sardar Patel Stadium.

At the checkpoint entrance, after clearing all the security procedures, he was guided to his seat, which happened to be near the backstage area.

Ordering some refreshments, Dan glanced at the booklet received at the entrance for the Tournament fighters.

Among the many applicants only the top representatives from the continents have qualified for the final Tournament after the Eliminations.

The fighter bios are as follows-

Irina - Motherland - Russia
Occupation - Army Instructor
Age - 31 years

Fernanda - Motherland - Brazil
Occupation - School Teacher
Age - 29 years

Arash - Motherland - Iran
Occupation - Survival Instructor
Age - 45 years

Li Kang - Motherland - China
Occupation - Unknown
Age - 23 years

Oscar - Motherland - UK
Occupation - Army personnel
Age - 26 years

Lucas - Motherland - USA
Occupation - Fencing Instructor
Age - 39 years

Ginevra - Motherland - Italy
Occupation - Royal Guard
Age - 33 years

Lee Hae-il - Motherland - South Korea
Occupation - Fencing Instructor
Age - 68 years

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[It is said they are at the top of the world, and also the tournament itself is held once every 5 years. The last winner was Lee Ho-Sook, aged at that time to be 43 years old. Wonder why that person didn't come? Maybe he is already bored of it?.. Oh well, the tournament is about to begin! Must remember all the key moves and moments! Time to get stronger!]

As Dan starts to get fired up about the Tournament, the contestants backstage also had a lot of heat amongst them.

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Backstage Area - CONTESTANT LOCKER ROOM 08

Within this certain room, an old man and a young girl seemed to be arguing heavily.

[I told you to let me participate! Why are you so insistent on participating old man! You should retire already and spend your days in vacations! It's my time to shine! Not yours!]

The old man sighed heavily, he glanced at his grand daughter with sad eyes and he muttered,

[Your father never wanted to involve you into any of this. As the family head, I must continue to represent our clan till the end, no matter how old I get.]

[You already know I am strong enough! They why?!]

[I only trained you after his demise, so that you can protect yourself and pass on the skills to our future successors down the line. This is not just a sport, but a way of life for us.]

[I just want to be like my father! I hate you old man!!]

SLAAAMM!!

After scolding the old man harshly, the young girl ran out, slamming the door behind herself.

The old man looked towards the door, his eyes unfocused as he muttered,

[You are our hope for the future, my dear grand daughter. Let this old man carry the present on his shoulders till I can. That's the least I can do for your father's sake.]

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The curtain to the tournament was raised as the spectators were seated, media coverage was complete, and the announcer cum host for the tournament took the stage.

The host, appearing to be at least 40 years old, had a strong body and had a terrifying aura about him.

Lightly clearing his throat, the host began,

[Good day to all you wonderful people. I am named Phunsi, from the lands of Sri Lanka, chosen as the host for this tournament of World Flashing Tournament.]

The audience became dazed and silent, while an aide ran up to the host, the host lightly coughed and spoke,

[Cough.. Anyways, the World Fencing Tournament is already due, let's announce the match card.]

[For the Quarter-finals, it will be-
Match no. 1 Oscar vs Lee Hae-il
Match no. 2 Li Kang vs Lucas
Match no. 3 Ginerva vs Arash
Match no. 4 Irina vs Fernanda]

[The match has to be fought with sportsmanship, no lethal moves, no under the belt shots, and no love rhymes in the middle of the matches...]

The audience became speechless again.

[It's time to call the first match fighters.]

A mean looking man climbed up the stage, dressed in his uniform and UK flag in his hands, He coldly looked at the audience and placed his flag properly preparing for his match. He grabbed his custom fencing sword and unsheathed it.

[Introducing first, from the Great Nation of UK, an excellent UK Army personnel, OSCAR!]

On the other side of the arena, an old man walked over steadily, bowing slightly once to the audience, and calmly glared at his opponent, analyzing his posture.

Dressed in a traditional Korean martial arts uniform, in red color, sporting his clan logo on the shoulder.

[Introducing his opponent, from the prosperous nation of South Korea, with standard as grey as his hair, the old veteran Lee Hai-il!]

The old man once again bowed slightly to the audience, preparing his fencing sword.

[Let the first match of the World Pansing Tournament Begin!!]

[...]

[I mean the World Fencing Tournament...]

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Chapter 3 End