Becoming The Strongest Using My Would-You-Rather System!

The two of them stepped outside the brasserie together.

The moment the door closed behind them, an overwhelming amount of noise entered their ears.

Voices came from each direction, combined with laughter, shouting, footsteps — everything.

Theo’s eyes shifted around, taking it all in.

The streets were packed with people.

It was like the entire city was moving in one direction.

’’Seems like another busy year in the arena,’’ Iris said behind him. ’’Can’t believe I finally get to fight in it though.’’

Theo nodded slowly, feeling his heart pound even faster.

’Everything has to go well,’ he told himself again.

The two of them continued walking down the street, following the traffic towards the arena.

Iris walked beside him, a small smile on her face.

’’Excited?’’ she asked, her tone light.

Theo didn’t answer immediately.

Only after a few seconds did he nod.

’’How did you even get to fight in the opening round anyway?’’ Iris continued, spinning in front of him.

Theo snapped out of his thoughts and scratched the back of his head.

’’That’s a long story,’’ he said calmly.

Iris narrowed her eyes, stepping back beside him.

’’Care to explain it?’’ she asked quietly.

Shaking his head slightly, a small smile appeared on Theo’s face.

’’I think you’ll get the gist of it in a little bit.’’

Iris’s expression changed even more, pouting slightly.

But she didn’t press any further.

Instead, she turned her attention back to the crowd.

’’It seems like this year’s event is even bigger than usual,’’ she said lightly. ’’Guess everyone needs a break after that beast tide and stuff.’’

’’Probably,’’ Theo nodded.

The two of them continued walking, until finally—

A massive stadium-like building entered their sights.

Red banners and flags with golden letters fluttered in the wind all around it.

Lines of thousands of people had already begun to form near the outer gates.

Security stood in place, guiding people through calmly.

’’Let’s go around,’’ Theo said quietly. ’’Owen’s already waiting for us near the participants’ entrance.’’

Iris nodded immediately.

The two of them veered off from the main flow of people, slipping past the long lines completely.

The participants’ entrance soon came into sight, guarded by several dozen military security guards.

Compared to the main entrance, the line of barely five people felt like nothing.

’’There he is,’’ Iris pointed ahead.

Theo glanced around, locking onto a familiar individual leaning against a metal pole.

Owen was tapping his foot against the ground impatiently, his expression growing more annoyed each passing second.

The moment he noticed them, his head snapped up.

He only glanced at Iris briefly before looking back at Theo.

’’Finally,’’ he said, pushing himself off the wall. ’’Took you long enough.’’

He paused for a moment.

His expression slowly grew more serious as he locked eyes with Theo.

’’Are you ready?’’

Theo’s expression turned serious, his gaze sharpening.

He nodded once.

Iris just glanced between the two, unsure what was going on.

The three of them continued inside without another word.

As they passed by the security, Theo glanced around.

That’s when his eyes locked onto a middle-aged woman in the distance.

’It’s her...’

He’d seen the woman once before.

She’d saved him and Owen from expulsion and even assault charges back then.

’’You two go on ahead of me,’’ he said, coming to a halt.

Owen glanced at him briefly and nodded.

As he and Iris continued, Theo went straight towards the woman.

The woman stood with her arms loosely folded, calmly observing the flow of participants.

Even amongst the crowd, she stood out.

Just the sheer pressure she was radiating made it very clear that she was in charge.

’If it’s her... I might be able to get what I need.’

Theo slowed slightly as he approached.

Then he stopped a few steps in front of her.

’’Excuse me,’’ he said.

The woman’s gaze shifted toward him.

For a brief moment, she studied his body.

Then a small smirk appeared on her face.

’’You again,’’ she said. ’’Theo Lane, right?’’

Her tone was calm, but there was a faint hint of amusement behind it.

Theo gave a small nod.

’’We didn’t get the chance to properly thank you last time,’’ he said.

The woman let out a soft breath, almost like a chuckle.

’’Don’t worry about that,’’ she said. ’’Just you being here is enough.’’

Her eyes lingered on him for another second.

Then narrowed slightly.

’’Seems like my intuition was right back then.’’

Theo didn’t even question it.

Instead, he got straight to the point.

’’I need a favor.’’

The woman’s expression didn’t change.

If anything, that faint amusement returned.

’’That’s a bold way to start a conversation.’’

Theo held her gaze without hesitation.

’’I need a microphone connected to the entire arena.’’

He paused for a fraction of a second.

’’And I need to know where the Whitmores are seated.’’

Silence fell between them.

For a brief moment, the woman just stared at him.

Then—

She let out a chuckle.

It slowly grew into a full-blown laugh.

’’That’s fine,’’ she said. ’’Just don’t make too much of a mess.’’

She tilted her head slightly.

’’Even Westridge wouldn’t like that kind of PR.’’

Theo’s expression froze for a split second.

The woman simply winked, the large smile still plastered across her face.

Then she turned, already walking away.

’’Follow me,’’ she said over her shoulder.

Theo didn’t hesitate.

He followed right behind her.

They passed through several corridors, even climbed sets of stairs.

Any security they met stepped aside without question.

Each passing second, the roaring inside the arena grew louder and louder.

Finally, they stepped into the actual stadium.

Tens of thousands of voices washed over him at once.

The woman stopped right there and turned to him.

’’They are up there,’’ she said, pointing at the stands ahead of them.

Theo’s eyes moved up instantly.

And there they were.

David, his mother, his father, and even some others he didn’t know.

His fingers tightened slightly.

The woman glanced at him, a faint smile on her face.

’’I’ll get you your microphone,’’ she said calmly. ’’In ten minutes, the opening ceremony starts. It would be wise if you do your act just before then.’’

Theo glanced at her for a moment, nodding once.

Then he looked back at David and his family.

’Finally,’ he thought.