Sama Battleground Arena
The day we headed to the Sama Battleground arena.
This time, I have to claim MVP in both the individual and team events.
I reaffirmed that one resolution. It had just come back to me that the one who snagged the S-rank rune hidden in the Mantis Hall Treasury was one of the MVP recipients from the Sama Battleground tournament.
I’m not sure if that ties into the MVP system being introduced early this time, but eliminating variables never hurts.
That meant I needed to sweep both crowns. I’d heard that taking MVP in both the team and individual events granted priority selection rights.
“Whoa, so this is the Sama Battleground arena.”
Under Norton’s guidance, we arrived at the arena, which exuded a majestic presence. Kind looked overwhelmed by the sheer size of the massive structure he was seeing for the first time in his life.
“There’s a ton of people too.”
“Ugh, I’m suddenly getting nervous.”
Kind wasn’t the only one tense. Everyone let out groans of anxiety. This wasn’t ideal. If they stayed this wound up, they wouldn’t perform at their best, and in the worst case, we could get knocked out of the team event. That would ruin my plans.
I’d have to figure out a way to loosen up these little blood clots soon.
“H-Hey, you guys the newbies this year?”
“They’re cute.”
“Reminds me of when we were that small.”
“Good luck! Give it your all!”
As we gathered in our assigned spot for the opening ceremony, passersby tossed encouraging words our way. Some were in the Growth or Maturity stages, towering over us, while others had just entered the Juvenile stage and looked about our size.
Teams assembled one by one, and the arena’s spectator stands filled up at a rapid pace.
Man, there’s really a crowd.
I’d never participated in the Sama Battleground before, so I’d only ever watched the broadcasts. Being here in person was a whole different vibe from the screen—oppressive, almost. A heavy pressure closed in from all sides.
It wouldn’t affect my performance, of course. But for these kids I’d be competing with today, it was a huge factor.
“Everyone, don’t get too tense. What did I say?”
“Breathing. Breathing is key.”
“Right. Focus on your breathing. Stabilize it and shake off the pressure.”
At my words, they all started inhaling and exhaling in unison: in, out, in, out.
“Hey, look at those kids. Adorable.”
“Real babies, huh?”
“Makes me wanna go bite ’em.”
“Who’re they up against? Tell ’em to go easy.”
Our little group earned soft smiles from nearby teams. To them, we probably looked like mantises fresh out of the egg.
They might not think that after seeing our results.
We were aiming straight for the championship this time. And I’d make it happen.
If they knew what I was thinking, they’d scoff. But I had both the confidence and the skill to back it up.
Anyway, as we did our deep breathing, the atmosphere shifted dramatically.
……!
I turned to look at the distant platform. A middle-aged man with an overwhelming presence had appeared, flanked by his guards.
“It’s the Lord!”
“Ooh.”
Someone shouted, and all eyes turned reverently to the platform.
The most noble figure among all mantis clans. The lord exuding dignity and grace—Karimru—ascended the stage.
Swoosh.
He stood tall, scanning the warriors and aspiring warriors gathered for the Sama Battleground. From the fully mature warrior teams of his clan to us fresh Infant-stage recruits who’d just volunteered.
Among them, Karimru’s gaze lingered unusually long on our team.
Huh?
Suddenly, I realized his piercing stare was fixed on me.
What the hell? Why’s he staring holes through me? The absurd thought that he’d figured out I’d regressed crossed my mind, but no—that’d get me labeled insane even if I shouted it from the rooftops.
Then what?
There was no goodwill in his gaze. I tried to read his intent, but I drew a blank. I’d had zero interaction with him in my past life or this one.
His eyes lingered on us—especially me—for a moment before moving on. He turned to the microphone on the platform.
“Beloved kin, today is a truly momentous day. As we gather for the Sama Battleground, now in its over hundredth iteration…”
Karimru delivered the standard opening address.
“…And so, I wish for all to reap meaningful results. Congratulations to every warrior participating in the Sama Battleground.”
Dong—dong—dong—.
Rooooar—!
His speech ended, and thunderous cheers erupted from the stands. The signal for the Sama Battleground to begin.
“Individual league prelims first. Everyone, fighting! Let’s all advance together!”
The individual league kicked off. Our group was in the first league, pitting Infant and Juvenile participants against each other.
It was brutally unfair for the Infants. Even if the gap between Infant and Juvenile was the smallest among stages, the physical disparity was real.
Still, with enough skill mastery, even Infants can crush Juveniles.
Every year, at least one Infant made it to the finals or top four from the first league. That’s why the rule stuck—Infants would gain the physical edge next year as Juveniles anyway.
First, gotta clear the prelims.
I fully expected to win the finals, so breezing through prelims was a given. But apparently, not everyone saw it that way.
“Lucky us. First opponent’s a total noob, fresh into Infant.”
A broad-bellied mantis from the Juvenile stage smirked at me.
That complacency just sealed your defeat.
There’s a mantis proverb: even catching a flea demands full effort. No slacking just ’cause I’m Infant.
Thwack—!
“Grahk!”
The match started, and I dove in, slamming a Praying Fist into his gut. He crumpled, clutching his belly. No need for swords.
His carelessness left him unable to block even one strike.
“Group A, Match 11: Participant A12 wins!”
My victory sparked surprised murmurs among the onlookers.
“Whoa, what’s with that speed?”
“Infant for real? He’s insanely fast.”
Fair reaction. With my iron rings fully removed, my body felt light enough to fly.
“Oh! That’s him—the little mantis who took down Island Centipede Boss! The one everyone was buzzing about!”
“No way! That’s the guy?”
“Yeah, now that you mention it. Look, he’s got the little mantis markings. But he’s bigger than your typical little mantis clan member.”
“He was scrawny as hell back then. Must’ve bulked up since.”
People recognized me and started whispering. Yeah, catching that Island Centipede Boss had drawn eyes. Even a month later, they remembered instantly.
Not many believe I officially hunted it down, though.
Anyway, I cruised through the first prelim round. And not just me—plenty of my peers advanced too.
“Ruslan, Robed! Congrats on clearing round one.”
“Aleck! What about me?”
“Huh? Kind, you passed too?”
“Hey, don’t say it like that! Of course I did!”
Impressive. His opponent was even a Juvenile. A brutal fight, from what I heard.
Kind’s got real talent. Might be time to acknowledge it fully.
Many cleared round one, and prelims continued.
“Aw, I’m out.”
Kind made a pouty face. Needed five rounds for finals entry—he dropped in round three.
Unavoidable. His opponent was top-tier Juvenile.
“You did great.”
I encouraged him sincerely, and his grin returned.
“Aleck, please clear the prelims for both of us and make finals!”
I chuckled and nodded. Then I racked up wins, reaching the fifth and final prelim round.
“Oho, up against a big name.”
My group’s prelim final opponent was a top Juvenile contender.
Shield clan, huh.
Chase, was it? Definitely shield mantis build—huge compared to me. Like adult vs. kid.
“Tough break, kid. Drawing me in the finals. Different group, and you might’ve made it.”
Chase spoke with total certainty of victory. Not mocking—just what he believed. His eyes brimmed with confidence.
Makes sense. No one expects a Juvenile shield mantis to lose to an Infant little mantis.
“Match start!”
The bout began, drawing curious eyes.
“Chase, take it easy!”
“No way he’s going all-out on a baby, right?”
Most bet on Chase. Rumors about me unseen paled against our glaring size gap.
Fair enough. People don’t buy what they haven’t witnessed.
Swoosh.
I lowered into stance as Chase approached. Ether surged within me.
Dragging it out would wear me down physically. But burst power and technique? I dominated.
Best to end it quick.
Thanks to the Origin Protection Rune, I can use ether a few times a day now.
Before, one use meant days of recovery. Now, short bursts multiple times barely fazed me. The physical chains felt looser.
Excited for that S-rank rune from the treasury. A past-life miss made it sweeter.
Hoo…
I focused on the ether flowing through me.
Shhh.
A pre-storm calm settled at my blade’s tip.
“Hm?”
Chase hesitated, sensing the shift. Better senses than that first-round Juvenile kid.
But my impression of him ended there. He couldn’t block my strike either.
Wind White Swordsmanship, First Form: A Gust of Clear Wind.
A cool breeze extended from my blade.
The first form mimicked a refreshing gale.
Whoooosh!
Couldn’t infuse ether into the blade yet, so not full power. But with ether in my body, I could approximate it.
Fierce winds whipped at Chase.
Tssshhhh!
My blade trail ravaged him.
He couldn’t handle the form. My technique’s polish was beyond a mere Juvenile.
“Gaaah!”
Chase screamed, tumbling backward.
His anticlimactic defeat—utterly unlike expectations—left spectators stunned.