My System: An Evolved Computer I Made With My Unique Ability—

The second round ended before it even started. Before Gabriel could launch an attack on Oversight and Vulcan, they raised their hands in frustration and surrendered. Satoshi was surprised. How could they give up just like that when the fight hasn't even started yet? How could they know for sure that they'll lose when they don't even know how strong their opponent is.

Those questions made Satoshi rethink his approach to the Third Round. At this rate, his team will get a landslide victory and he hasn't even done anything.

Aljier (the leader of the Great Mountain Academy Candidates) and Saturn (the leader of the Flowing Wave Academy Candidates) were both disappointed at the candidates they chose for the second round since they didn't even fight. But then again, they tried putting themselves in their shoes and they realize that they don't really have a fighting chance. Right now, fighting Satoshi is just a pass to getting beaten up.

And as if that wasn't enough, the United Superheroes Academy had already gotten maximum points for the first two rounds. If they win the third round, then the Inter-High Tournament will be over. There's no point in fighting the fourth and fifth round when they already have enough points as first place. If they don't step up now, then it's all over.

Even if there was only a slim chance of them winning, Aljier and Saturn decided to take that chance instead of giving up. They won't just hand the victory to Satoshi easily.

"Second Pick!" Aljier screamed.

"Third Pick!" Saturn screamed.

Tuxedo's lips curved upwards upon seeing the two determined teenagers step up into the stage. As usual, the other USA candidates still forced the third round on Satoshi. It's not like Satoshi had any other choice than to accept it. After all, he would feel bad if he just handed the opponents a win. Midori and the others were relying on him after all, and he didn't want to break their trust. Most especially, he was the leader of all the USA candidates. Right now, he had to set the example as their leader and not turn his back on them.

"Hoh, it seems like the Battle of Leaders is going to happen this time around! Who would've expected?!" Tuxedo announced.

The screams emanating from the spectators exponentially became louder as Aljier and Saturn stepped to the plate. Of course, Satoshi wasn't the only one who was popular amongst the crowd, Aljier and Saturn are too. After all, they performed exceptionally during the First and Second Rounds of the Inter-High. Satoshi just hogged the majority of attention.

The Battle of Leaders is a rare occurrence in the Inter-High because sometimes, leaders don't usually get to fight other leaders. The last time a battle of leaders happened was around six or so years ago. And now, it's happening again, much to everyone's surprise.

In an instant, the viewership of the live stream increased to more than three billion. Almost one-third of the entire population was closely watching the Inter-High Tournament. News outlets from different channels globally started covering the phenomena as well, causing those at home to watch the live stream, their curiosity piqued.

And that wasn't all.

Even scouts and agencies across the world started tuning in. They became rather interested in the teenager named Satoshi, and they hoped that maybe they could lure him into their agency in the near future.

The atmosphere in the Inter-High Coliseum started heating up as Aljier and Saturn stood on one side while Satoshi stood on the other. Both of them were grinning, awaiting the commencement signal of the Third Round.

This was their final stand. If they lost here, the United Superheroes Academy will win... and another year will be added to their impeccable winning streak.

"Just so you know, I have a superpower called Force Multiplier." Aljier began. Although he was talking to Saturn, his gaze didn't leave Satoshi's. "If I were hit, I could multiply the force of that hit and unleash it. Physical attacks are ineffective against me, but elemental attacks aren't."

"So you have shock absorption too? Man... so even if we win here I'd still lose against you. Should I just give up on this fight?" Saturn pondered, then a smirk formed on his face. "Nah, that would just ruin the fun."

"My superpower is an enhancement type. But it's not your typical strength enhancement superpower." Saturn continued. "It's more on enhancing my muscles, giving me superhuman abilities. I can enhance my power, my speed, my reflexes, and even my mental capacity. Of course, there's a limit to my enhancement as well, and I can't use two enhancements simultaneously. I'm still working on that."

"Sounds to me like you have a better superpower than mine. You should master using all of your enhancements at once, that way you'll be even more powerful. Right now we should do what we can." Aljier responded, giving him a nice pat on the back.

"Right," Saturn continued.

Tuxedo couldn't help but let Aljier and Saturn spend more time strategizing since he could sense that bonds were being forged right then right now. He didn't want to interrupt such a precious moment of their youth. "When they grow up, I'm sure they'll be helping each other more compared to now. Ah, youth." Tuxedo said to himself, cupping a hand over his mic so that no one would hear him say something nostalgic.

"LET THE THIRD ROUND BEGIIIIIIIIIIN!" Tuxedo screamed his heart out, signaling the start of the third round.

Just like the previous round, Satoshi didn't even move an inch from where he was standing. He just let Aljier and Saturn charge at him with no reprieve, both of them using their maximum power output so they could attack him before he could even react.

But what they didn't know was that Satoshi already knew what they were about to do. After all, the two of them were like an open book, showing everything in their expressions and giving Satoshi more time to prepare.

Even then, Satoshi was surprised at how fast Aljier and Saturn could go. They both have a strength-type superpower. How could they be so speedy?

Nevertheless, it was all calculated in Satoshi's head. Ahead of time, he had already summoned the Ice Empress, awaiting the opportune moment for her to come into the scene.

Excitement filled Aljier and Saturn as they thought that their attacks would connect. They moved so fast that even the speed of sight wouldn't be able to track them. Unless Satoshi had superhuman reflexes, he wouldn't be able to respond accordingly to their attacks.

But just when their attack was about to hit him, they felt literal shivers run up and down their spine as the temperature dropped to almost zero.

Snow?

Why was it snowing in the Coliseum?

And then, a figure appeared in front of them— an Ice Statue in the form of a proportionate lady with her piercing gaze. She blocked both Aljier and Saturn's attack with a scepter she held. Ice spikes started growing by the edge of the stage, shooting up until they almost touched the floor where the audience was currently sitting.

Although Aljier and Saturn were caught by surprise, they still continued their attacks. Aljier unleashed another punch much more powerful than the first, and Saturn decided to outmaneuver the Ice Empress, attacking her from the rear.

The Ice Empress wasn't panicked in the least. She just took a deep breath before disappearing and reappearing right behind Aljier. Aljier was able to follow her by his sight though so he used the momentum of his punch and unleashed a kick as he turned around. The Ice Empress managed to block the attack with her scepter but she was surprised a mere human managed to follow her movements.

"Satoshi, this human... he is strong. But you're stronger than him." The Ice Empress commented, sending out a flurry of spear lunges towards Aljier. Aljier responded by tanking those hits like a pro. As mentioned before, physical attacks are ineffective against him. He could just absorb the force and use it as reserve energy. Even the spear wouldn't pierce his thick skin, which he purposefully enhanced so he could take on any form of physical damage.

Saturn, on the other hand, decided to attack Satoshi. Right now, he knew he'd just get in the way if he tried to help Aljier. And also, he concluded that confusing Satoshi would help them in the long run since he's currently controlling his summon at the same time.

What they didn't know was that every summon that Satoshi had are actually sentient beings, able to think for themselves even if Satoshi didn't give them any instructions.

Right now though, Satoshi could tell that Ice Empress was getting a bit curious about the one fighting her right now, Aljier. Needless to say, she was enjoying herself playing around with someone who was only slightly inferior to her in terms of speed.

"I guess I should enjoy myself too." Satoshi told himself, blocking another Saturn's sweeping kick.