319: The tournament begins

The tournament begins

It was an interesting week for Ben, full of he and Miyuki double-team trolling Camilla. In addition, there were some other interesting encounters between work and school that shared a similar theme.2

Him and Professor Tremblay locking eyes in class and her face turning red.

Him and Laura passing each other in the halls of Hearth and her face turning red.

Him minding his own business in Photography Club as Darryl thought about Stacy and his eyes turned red.

…

'The room is dusty…' That's what the redhead told himself as he fought back his tears at that horrible memory of Ben desecrating his goddess…

In any case though, this last part wasn't something Ben knew or cared about. He was too busy enjoying his time through all his activities. In addition, unlike at the beginning of the week, he was able to go on with his life without anxiety, because he believed his biggest concern, the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournament, was something he wouldn't lose; at least, not with the Stat Skill magical skill scroll he obtained as a reward for his time with Laura.

Although the consumable scroll was something he could only use once, he believed getting revenge on Nick would be well worth it. After all, birds die for food, humans died for wealth, and Ben would die for faceslapping…

This was his code. His creed. His Creed II…

So when the weekend arrived and Ben found himself stepping foot into Barbosa's, his eyes shone, because it was time to deliver a Hello Fresh box of whoopass all over Nick…

Ben gazed around the gym full of men's chatter. It was different today, busy. In every room, there were people everywhere, not spread out in sparse sections like during the usual class days. What's more was the unusual mix of them: white belts, blue belts, purple and higher. They were all present, in their gi uniforms of varying colors, dressed as if ready to go off to war.

There was a serious aura amongst some of them, as they stared into blank space or looked around at others with consternation. It was as if their minds weren't there but in some future moment, visualizing something, getting ready. This was mental practice. These were Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners sizing up their competition and visualizing their future grapples and successes. These were genuine competitors.

Of course, not everyone took it in such a serious fashion. Many people were joking around, laughing. It was clear though that as the belt ranks increased, the chance of encountering a solemn competitor did so as well. That didn't apply to everyone though.

"Hey, bro!" Fariq waved to Ben on the mats. Popular, the Indian boy was in the middle of a group of purple belts, joking around with them. It was a strange sight for Ben whenever he saw something like this. Fariq was always so studious and determined at university, but at Barbosa's, he became social and carefree, well-liked by everyone. So when Ben approached Fariq and started chatting, all the purple belts nearby didn't think much of it.

However, then Fariq asked, "Are you really going to participate in the purple belt tournament?" So when Benn nodded. That, caught the attention of many of the purple belts. A few of them laughed. More frowned.

"No way…"

"This kid serious?"

"A white belt's going to compete against us? It's got to be a joke"

The group showed various expressions but none of them took Ben seriously. Even if a few of them heard there was a really strong white belt in the blue belt class who dominated there, and put the clues together, they still didn't give Ben any chance. After all, the difference between blue and purple belts was a massive gulf that could only be filled by years of hard work, sweat, and pain. It wasn't something so simple to overcome with talent alone.

However, Ben didn't care about them, he only snorted, before looking around and meeting gazes with the white and blue belts on occasion, forcing them to look away in submission, he believed this would soon be the fate of these purple belts as well. They couldn't escape his soul cranks and crushing burns…

Still, they didn't care about Ben either, at least that was the case until Valentina approached him with her thick curves, and began a conversation. She crossed her arms, looking at Ben up and down. "Are you sure you want to do the purple belt tournament?"

Ben nodded with an assured smirk, leading her to sigh, then nod, her expression becoming complex. What was even more complex though were the feelings and faces of the purple belts nearby.

"So they're really letting a white belt enter?!?"

"Valentina's actually taking this guy seriously!"

"Garbage! I've been trying to get her to take me seriously for years!"

There was a wave of disbelief amongst the nearby competitors.

However, the facts were before them. It couldn't be more clear than when Valentina brought Ben over to the registration desk and added his name to the purple belt roster of grapplers. Many of the purple belts stared on in silence, feeling a tinge of humiliation in their hearts. A couple of them felt a tinge somewhere else though as they watched Valentina's booty in that pink gi…

What was common amongst them all though was that their faces became more serious. They wouldn't allow themselves to be shamed in such a way by a newbie. They vowed to get their revenge in the tournament; to show dominance over this loudmouth white belt, to prove their efforts weren't for nothing, to look cool so they could ask Valentina for a date…

It was shocking that a white belt became their center of attention, but it didn't last for long, because someone soon entered the room who caused all of the purple belt's faces to become serious, showing concern, and some—fear. Because the one who stepped onto the mats, was the giant, the destroyer, the strongest purple belt in their entire gym. It was Nick, and he was heading towards Ben.

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