Jon Mercer's form was disciplined, his every movement deliberate. Stomps cracked like thunder, the echo rolling through the arena. Silence followed. The audience were amazed with Jon, they found him as a promising contestant. Jon's journey as a hero was just beginning. His sweat drenched his black hair. It flowed from his forehead to his jaw. The annoying sensation did not make him flinch. He continued his kata after the short pause.
Jon Mercer participated in a kata competition held by Nexlark Regional Academy. It was an institution that trains aspiring heroes. Unlike Nexlark Defense institute who trains soldiers and Nexlark Security Academy that trains enforcers. The Regional Academy trains heroes. It aimed to train for the best. With Jon being able to be admitted, he was privileged. A stepping stone in achieving his dreams.
After the series of movements, forms and attacks the second part of the kata followed. It was the time for the finishing move. Mastering the earth element, Jon strengthened his body. Only a few were able to master the element. It was difficult to master because it required concentration, precision and strength to use properly. The only well known users were recorded decades ago by the Academy registry.
Almost done with the kata and about to deliver the final blow. Jon concentrated and closed his eyes. He infused his attack with his supporting element which was wind. He was halfway in mastering and was adept in using it. Academy students were required to learn two elements, one as the main and the other as support. This was the basis for their core ability.
"AIIIIIS!!!"
Jon shouted when he delivered the final blow. It was an open palm attack. A loud sonic boom followed and a gust of wind followed. The audience applauded Jon for the masterful kata he showcased. The judges who were watching were also amazed. One of them, a professor of the Regional Academy, smiled at him. Seeing his potential, he surpassed most of the students at his age. Jon's potential was deep and immeasurable in depth.
After giving the final score, the judges submitted the results to the emcee. The emcee then proceeds to announce the results. Seeing the score, he too was surprised. He was left speechless for a moment before he announced.
"Ladies and gentlemen, that was quite a show from the promising contestant of Nexlark Regional Academy, Jon Mercer!"
The crowd applauded after Jon's name was announced. The emcee signalled the crowd to silence them. The applause faded after and the emcee spoke again.
"With the results coming from the judges, no candidate ever reached such scoring and praise. 8.9 out of 10 points in unanimous scoring, Would Jon Mercer achieve what the legends preceding him did!?"
Another round of applause followed with cheers. Despite keeping his composure, deep inside Jon was happy. He bowed down to the crowd and the judges and then he left the competition floor and went to his seat. Jon was met by his friends, Carl Vinson, a medium built young man with a messy hair, wearing glasses, white polo and brown shorts, To his left was Galvin Meyers a tall scrawny young man wearing a blue tracksuit, lastly Athena Silver wearing a red dress and skirt with green hair kept with a white hairband.
"That was awesome!"
Athena cheered at him while his two friends smiled and unanimously said. "You'll win the bet at this rate, Gina will leave us be, and Lorelai will…"
Before Galvin and Carl could finish Jon shook his head and replied, "no… not good enough." Jon returned to his seat and grabbed his water tumbler handed by Athena.
"Lorelai, she is something. We are simply underestimating her if I could outrank her in this competition with such a performance."
Athena and the others looked worried. If Lorelai wins the competition she knew that Jon's privileges would be forfeited for a month. Something that would hinder his progress. Looking at his friend's worried faces Jon said. "What's with those faces? Winning or losing does not matter. Showing the world what underdogs like us do against these hotshots can make a difference."
The emcee then announced the last candidate of the night. It's Lorelai Vermillion, wearing her black martial arts uniform. She looked elegant and confident. The audience seeing her cheered. Seeing the performance of a prodigy from the Vermillion family is a rare event.
"It's her turn…" Carl Vinson said, fixing his glasses by his finger. "It's too early to celebrate yet."
Athena was worried about what Jon said. Lorelai looked at Jon's group and gave them a smirk. She went to the competition grounds walking gracefully. Her golden hair tied into a ponytail flowed seamlessly, her blue eyes looked like sapphire and her skin was fair. The audience were stricken by hear beauty and her features.
"Such a shame… she's a beauty, a rare one. They say the Vermillion family are not like us commoners. I understand now why." Galvin commented on seeing her on stage.
After the audience cheering faded the emcee again spoke. "Now, for the star of the night! The pride of the Vermillion family. No other, Lorelai Vermillion!"
The audience clapped and applauded after the emcee announced her name. Lorelai waited for the crowd's silence before she started. When the crowd turned silent, Lorelai started her kata with a knife chop to the air. Seeing the opening move, Jon and his friends realized that she was performing the most difficult kata known to the academy and was surprised about it.
Lorelai moved with precision, no waste of movements and with elegance. Every form was disciplined, her attacks were ferocious and transitions in grace. It was a perfect performance that surpassed that of Jon's earlier. After the first part of the kata, Lorelai took a pause.
"Impressive!" Athena, impressed, commented.
"That's just the tip of the iceberg. Let us look closely!" Galvin gulped, as he became tense.
"KIAAAIII!
With a foot sweep, Lorelai attacked with a knife hand to the air. Fire encased her body for a moment. The move turned the audience silent, with their eyes locked on her. They were impressed with her control. A slight mistake with the move earlier would engulf Lorelai in flames. Seeing her master the element of fire, Jon was impressed. After the move Lorelai made a difficult maneuver in the air. It was a somersault, a trail of fire followed her feet. After that, she landed gracefully on the ground.
Thinking the kata was over, the audience applauded. A sudden explosion of flames in the area around Lorelai caught them off guard and made the audience silent. It was Lorelai's finishing move, an explosive ending. Cheers soon followed.
The judges in their seats stood up and clapped, impressed with Lorelai's performance. It was a flawless execution according to them. Jon's performance may be high tier, but Lorelai's kata was leagues ahead. The judges gave their scores and delivered it to the emcee. The judging was over and the winner of the kata competition that night was decided.
As the envelope of the scores reached the emcee. He held his breath as he read the unanimous score. He then announced.
"Ladies and gentlemen, as expected from the daughter of the great Vermillion family, such explosive performance is unrivaled! Now, for the scoring the judges gave a unanimous decision. Will she be able to overtake the highest score for tonight?"
Jon looked tensely at the emcee as he anticipated the results.
"Lorelai's score is…!"