Arjun adjusted his wristband and tightened the launcher grip on his palm. The tournament was being hosted in a converted warehouse—nothing grand, but the roaring crowd of local bladers gave it the energy of a real arena. Flyers had advertised it for weeks: "Earn points, rise through ranks, win glory!"
He scanned the tournament poster again.
Point System Rules:
Victory: +3 Points
Draw: +1 Point
Loss: 0 Points
Special Event Bonuses: Up to +5 Points
15 points were required to qualify for the final knockout stage.
"Alright, Airavat," he muttered under his breath, placing his Bey into the launcher. "Let's earn our keep."
❖ Event Round 1: Ledge Dash
The first test wasn't a battle—it was a physical obstacle course where bladers had to launch their Beys across a series of ledges with varying widths and platforms, all rigged with light sensors to detect the Bey's presence.
Most bladers barely made it past three or four ledges. When Arjun's turn came, he narrowed his eyes, calculating the angles.
He adjusted his grip and aimed high.
"Three... two... one... Let it rip!"
Airavat launched with stunning velocity. It hit the first ledge, rolled, and bounced onto the second, gliding through the track like it had a mind of its own. The crowd murmured as he cleared eight ledges, the highest so far.
+3 bonus points.
❖ Event Round 2: Precision Spin Shot
The goal was to hit a moving target with your Bey. Three targets, increasing in speed, moved in erratic directions. Arjun adjusted his stance, exhaled slowly, and let Airavat fly.
He hit two out of three, scoring another solid performance.
+2 bonus points.
❖ Standing So Far:
Total Points = 5 (Event Bonus)
Time for the battle rounds.
❖ Battle Round 1: Arjun vs. Kota
Kota was a nervous, younger blader with a wind-based Bey. Arjun studied him, then gripped his launcher.
"Let it rip!"
Kota's Bey tried to swirl and dodge. Arjun stayed focused.
"Airavat, hold position. Now, side-strike!"
A burst of sparks, and Kota's Bey flew out of the ring.
+3 points.Total Points: 8
❖ Battle Round 2: Arjun vs. Mayu
Mayu was fast and aggressive. Her Bey was a green, claw-themed attacker. Arjun took a few hits early but baited her into the edge.
"Counter rotation... now!"
Airavat twisted perfectly, using the energy against her. Ring out.
+3 points.Total Points: 11
❖ Battle Round 3: Arjun vs. Hideo
This match was tough. Hideo used a balance-type Bey that could absorb spin. The match ended in a draw after a full 3-minute spin clash.
+1 point.Total Points: 12
❖ Final Qualification Match: Arjun vs. Renji
Renji had an aggressive attack-type Bey. Arjun used defensive timing and pulled off a narrow victory.
+3 points.Total Points: 15 – Qualified!
❖ The Final Match: Arjun vs. Boro the Veteran
Boro was an older blader, seasoned and calm. His Bey was circular, steel-rimmed, and featured a custom core. He smirked as he launched.
A strange shimmer appeared—the outline of a rodent-like beast flickered behind his Bey.
"A Bey Spirit?" Arjun's eyes widened.
Airavat pulsed slightly. For a second, he thought he saw sparks dance across the ring.
But not yet.
The match started, and Arjun gave it everything he had. He tried rotations, feints, even a mid-match repositioning.
In the end, Boro's experience and Bey Spirit overwhelmed Airavat, pushing it out of the ring.
Arjun loses the final.
Still, murmurs rose in the crowd. "That kid's good… analytical, sharp."
And for a moment, as Arjun retrieved his Bey, he swore he felt warmth in his palm. A quiet nudge from Airavat.
It wasn't ready to fight with him yet… but maybe it was starting to believe.
End of Chapter 4
➡️ Next: A friend in danger. Arjun's mettle will be tested outside the arena... and Airavat may finally roar.