-Very well, the first match is… Natsume Kumojima versus… Durbonfer- announced Elima with a sad voice. -Please, everybody except the two participants must leave the arena.

Everybody moved aside quickly and Natsume began walking to one end of the rectangle with confused expression.

-Durbonfer? Haven’t I heard that before…?- wondered Natsume, but she got her answers as soon as she turned around and saw the viking man standing in front of her. -Oh, oh.

-Well, if it isn’t the branch!- exclaimed Durbonfer. -This is gonna be quick!

As soon as Elima shouted “Begin!”, the sphere appeared between both of them. Natsume rushed and took it with her feet, but was shocked to see that Durbonfer took out an ax as big as him.

-Say farewell!- shouted Durbonfer.

Seeing the sharp and shiny edge of the weapon, Natsume forgot everything for a moment, screamed out loud and began running away. The viking chased her around the arena while wildly swinging his weapon in a frenzy, laughing maniacally. Elima shouted Durbonfer to stop that behavior, but nothing got through the man’s ears. Natsume was really scared.

-Please! I don’t want to die! I don’t!- screamed Natsume. -I just want to go back-

At that moment, Natsume realized what she was going to say. She reduced her speed and walked for a bit until she stopped completely. Durbonfer was approaching her, but she didn’t move. She wasn’t thinking of anything else as she focused on her own words, her face erasing all signs of fear and returning to her usual sadness.

-Home...- murmured Natsume. -Go back… home. But… what home? I have… nothing there. My family hates me, everybody hates me, I have… nothing. That’s why I’m here, I… need that wish. I need to end everything. What if that guy wants to kill me? If my end is the same, I’d rather do it my way…

Still standing on the arena, Natsume felt Durbonfer behind her.

-Giving up already? Just for that, I’ll make this quick!- screamed Durbonfer.

The viking rose his ax as much as he could and slashed the ground, trying to kill Natsume. The hit caused a big tremor and a lot of dust. The viewers, including Elima, couldn’t see anything, but the commander was especially scared at the situation.

-No… Don’t tell me…- murmured Elima.

-So slow.

As the dust began to dispel, the commander was relieved to see Natsume standing next to the ax blade, as the girl moved just a few centimeters to the side to avoid the fatal hit. The viking was confused and angry.

-What did you say, brat?- asked Durbonfer enraged.

Natsume looked at Durbonfer, still with her sad eyes, and then looked at the ax.

-No matter how strong you are, you can’t choose a heavy weapon and expect to be fast- said Natsume. -If you had a lighter and smaller weapon, those muscles would swing it super fast. Choosing a big weapon makes you slow and predictable.

Durbonfer got even angrier, foam coming out of his mouth. Saying no other word, the viking took his ax and tried to slash Natsume again from the side, but the girl saw an opening and only needed to crouch to avoid it. The man prepared for another hit, but Natsume ran towards him and slid between his legs and hit him in the groin. As the girl moved to the other side and stood up, the man knelled down in pain. “What a coincidence”, thought Natsume about finding out that “weak spot”.

-You… brat...-murmured Durbonfer. -That’s a… low trick…

Durbonfer turned around, still crouched on the floor, to face Natsume. The girl raised her leg and prepared to kick the sphere.

-Eat this!- exclaimed Natsume.

The girl kicked the ball with all her strength and it flew like an arrow towards Durbonfer’s face. As the ball hit his face, it sounded like a hammer smashing the ground. The ball fall on the floor and rolled back close to Natsume, who stared at Durbonfer. The man didn’t say anything, but began laughing and tried to stand up. The girl prepared herself to run again, but as the viking’s legs shook, Durbonfer fall on the floor unconscious. Nobody said anything or moved for a few seconds, waiting for any possible movement. However, there were no signs of the viking waking up.

-Well… I mean… Natsume Kumojima wins by Absolute Victory! Congratulations, Natsume!- exclaimed Elima, making the other participants clap. -Now, the next match is…

Natsume was catching her breath, still looking at the unconscious viking she just defeated. Then, a strange armor-looking creature touched her shoulder and pointed her to move out, as another match would begin. The girl walked away and sat down on a nearby bench. Somehow, she couldn’t believe her own victory, but at the same time, she felt relieved: it wasn’t impossible for her to win. She just needed to push through it.

The first set of matches finished and Elima announced the next round. After a short break, Natsume had to fight the lizard-human creature of the group, who also looked as new in battles as herself. Their spear attacks were a bit more precised, but after her experience in the previous battle, Natsume was not scared anymore of coming out harmed and won that match with ease. Then, the next pair fought and the winner was decided: the shy dark-skinned witch in beige robe, with green curly hair. After a few minutes for recovering, both of them got ready.