The weather today is exceptionally warm. In comparison to the day before, the sunlight was intensely hot.
"What's the issue with today's weather? It wasn't like this yesterday. I was unable to sit still outside for much longer. It's blistering outside," Matthew grumbled, showing his discontent.
The upper floor was crowded with individuals in the early morning. Matthew got onto a treadmill next to Jared, who was lost in his own thoughts. His ears were filled with Matthew's constant complaints about the weather, but Jared's thoughts were focused elsewhere.
His thoughts were racing continuously. He ceased only when Matthew touched his shoulder. He slowed his pace and glanced at Matthew, who was pointing at someone from behind.
Lucius strode forward with intensity, his muscular frame clad in a grey shirt.
"Kid, let's go to my office; I have something to discuss."
Jared gazed at Matthew, who mirrored his action. They both accompanied Lucius into the office. They took their seats looking at one another.
"Do you recall the gym in Milton and Miguel?"
Jared nodded and replied, "yes."
Lucius acknowledged with a nod and addressed the matter earnestly. "They sought a challenge...beneath the surface."
Matthew knitted his brows, reflecting on Lucius's words. "Below ground?" However, that venue exclusively hosts official matches, never for private, one-time occasions.
The subterranean combat venue. It was a recognized venue where exclusively sanctioned fights and competitions took place. Unofficial fights are prohibited from occurring...unless for some reason.
For some odd reason, Milton Gym wanted Jared to enter the underground ring, which is strange. The most likely explanation was that a crafty and playful person like Miguel desired Jared in a tiger's lair.
For someone like Jared, who has never fought in official events, Miguel must have contemplated this...throwing the unseasoned Jared into a throng of ferocious creatures.
"However, the underground arena permits entry only to those who are participants...but I never signed up," Jared remarked. Lucius and Matthew already had the idea in their heads.
"They must've leveraged some influence to make it occur. He aimed to entice you for the sake of revenge. Perhaps he's contemplating embarrassing you before the audience, causing you to lose dignity," Matthew expressed his thoughts.
"We could reject them," Lucius remarked, gazing at Jared, but Matthew declined with a shake of his head. "Yes, we can decline them, but it will damage his reputation. What would you like to do?" He inquired of Jared, who appears to be confused.
He never cared at all about his reputation. Naturally, Jared could refuse the invitation if he wished, but now that he is a VIP customer, the repercussions would not only affect him but also Lucius...and perhaps everyone involved. They will become the target of ridicule at Milton Gym, and undoubtedly, Miguel would seize the opportunity to slander and embarrass everyone associated with the Rocky's.
"Oh, alright... just go ahead and take it." he replied with little enthusiasm. While feeling slightly anxious, he also experienced a sense of joy—eagerly anticipating the mentioned event.
Matthew and Lucius exchanged glances, as if their thoughts were intertwined. The likelihood of what resided in Jared's mind appears to be conveyed to both of them.
"When will it be?"
Lucius held his hands beneath his chin. His eyes carried intensity with fierceness.
"Five days from now, it's Sunday."
In the meantime, on the opposite side...
Miguel was perched on the plush cushion, looking at the man with his legs folded. Eyes intensely fixed on Miguel with his fingers clutching the dense tobacco. The dense smoke hanging in the atmosphere faded away. His other arm shifted to the side to rest against his cheek.
"A-ah. I simply wanted to express my gratitude for allowing me to use one of your official fight spaces---"
The man's eyes appeared to momentarily flash and interrupted Miguel before he could finish speaking. "I don't care at all...ensure you pay the required amount." he said, his voice filled with clear irritation and dissatisfaction.
Miguel clenched his jaw and felt the urge to respond, but he managed to restrain himself to remain calm. The man in front of him was the sole owner of the Arena. The man who once called the King of the ring. He retired and built his own Arena who became the sensation in Imperial Country. And because he is the only owner of an Arena, his business never once failed since fighters from Imperial Country and even from foreign Country held tournament from his Arena. He took pride of being the King of his own Jungle and never once held a losing fight. The Fighters from his Arena are professional and well-trained so he didn't care whether some outsiders signed up as long as he could make money.
Miguel took a deep breath. "Of course" he said and placed the money inside the attachecase. If you wanted to placed your name within official fights, of course you need to pay the price to fight.
"It's just one fight for one person"
The man subtly curled his lips while gazing at the money and nodded in contentment. "Very well, i allowed. As promised, i will make a space for whoever man that was" he said and looked at the list of fighters, from amateur to finale.
"However..." The man's hand froze halfway as he glanced at Miguel, who was watching him intently. "I want the finale" he said without batting an eye.
The man leaned back in his chair and stared at Miguel with pure malice and spoke in a chilling voice. "Finale cannot be rearrange"
Miguel swallowed forcefully as he stared at the man's fierce glare. His knees began to shake but he stood firm of his ground.
"I'm not implying to changed the fighter. I just need to squeeze in another one. Wouldn't it be entertaining for the audience to have a Cameo? I know your finale is not to be trifled with, so I propose allowing the audience to engage their curiosity. It wouldn't be a disadvantage for you"
Miguel's knees began to shake while waiting for the man's reaction. The man's thought surge to different reason and only one came to stay clearly. "You...you are taking revenge"
His remarks made Miguel's cunning smile appears on his lips. "Yes. It's just a boy who pissed me off and humiliate me and my fighter. I just wanted to get even. Is it not allowed"
The man raised his brow and ponder for a moment.
'a boy? This fickle old fool. Just because he was pissed he resort to this? What a rotten person'
But even so... nothing is impossible if you have money.
"I will add more"
A satisfactory answer he wanted to hear.
"Deal"
With the whole process of squeezing Jared on the finale, Miguel walked out with a satisfactory smile on his lips.
"I can't stand that guy," the man remarked, gazing at the shut door. His gaze showed no feelings. He clicked his tongue in distaste and lit another cigarette to ease his annoyance.
"What do you think of that guy? Don't you also feel the same way? I feel disgusted towards that kind of person"
An old man came out of the door and sat down opposite to the man, while the two person stood behind him. "Yet...doesn't it all essentially boil down to one point?"
He released a thick plume of smoke and observed it gradually vanish into the atmosphere while his mind reflected on numerous thoughts.
Reduced to a single point. Certainly.
"That I find pleasure in it...as long as it provides me with amusement."
The elderly man glanced at him for a moment before nodding his head. Both of his hands gripped the top of his cane. As much as he wanted to converse, his minds swiftly turned towards the meaning of the meeting.
"Let's come down to the most important part why I'm here" he remarked, gazing at the man who was watching him. The dominant presence of the elderly man caused the person opposite to furrow his brows.
He repositioned himself and extinguished the tobacco flame before turning to the elderly man. The old man's serious and composed attitude gave him the impression that he was deserving of respect and reverence.
"Although I wish to respect the presence of a valued family leader, I cannot...unless there is a suitable arrangement."
The words he spoke caused the two presence behind the old man to scrunch their faces in irritation and glare at him intensely. They are not allowed to talk or raise their hands without the elder's consent, so they ensured to express their intent solely through a stare.
The old man stared at him with utmost respected presence yet his calm voice toned out urgency. "Agreement as is. I want someone powerful enough to overpower the Zenon"
The man knitted his brows and contemplated, "you required someone to conquer the Zenon? Are you sure you came to the right place?"
The elderly man rubbed his forehead and then clicked his tongue. "They initiated a rivalry and seized multiple prefectures, and now they aimed to confront our family. They all wanted to hold power against everything they walked on" he spoke in utter annoyance.
'well that's a problem' the man thought himself.
Zenon. They are a group of fighters who served a prominent family in Sakura Country. They exert considerable influence as fighters They came out two years ago but no one ever defeated them. They're working solely for one family and move only when necessary. They never fought abroad, not because of fear or anything, but because they valued the principle of 'if someone seeks a challenge, they should come themselves' kind of rules.
It's kind of a headache since winning multiple fights and never had a loss made them arrogant. They think they own the whole Sakura Country simply due to their dominance over anyone who opposes them, which is what the old man is encountering, and the fact that Zenon worked for the rival family drove the old man into a rage. Every time he steps outside, he can't avoid feeling a headache. They behave like a virus, disseminating everywhere.
The elderly man let out a deep breath and reclined. "I've traveled to every place I can think of, and none have succeeded in taking them down. This is the final place I could consider and am familiar with. I just hope to encounter someone worthy."
The man observed the elderly man for a moment and reflected. "Why not stay until Sunday? A tournament is set to take place; perhaps you could find someone who meets your standards."
The elderly man exhaled again, realizing it was his only choice. He nodded in acquiescence and got to his feet. Without any further discussion, he left the place, filling his heart with hope that he might find someone capable.