Multiverse Fighting Championship: I'm the President

10 – Big Time

This is the first time Matt has worn a suit. He tried to loosen his collar many times and wanted to replace it with a regular shirt.

But on this big night, he must look sharp. 

"Are you nervous, buddy?" Lognar, wearing a traditional maroon dwarven shirt with various gold accents, chuckled. "Well, you are not alone. This is also a first for me."

Matt took a deep breath. "Let's go."

They left the locker room and walked down the stadium corridor.

"Maybe because we're both busy, I forgot to ask you this." The Dwarf made sure the braids in his beard were neat. "Why do you also want to be a commentator when you are a president who takes care of everything from behind the scenes."

"I also want to have fun, you know." The president took a deep breath when he heard the commotion that felt closer. It's not too loud, but still, it thrills Matt.

Finally, his hard work with the others came to fruition.

After pulling back the curtain at the entrance, Matt and Lognar's gaze was met by the crowd filling the stands. They didn't show much enthusiasm and mostly chatted about the arena, which they thought odd.

Matt expected something like that, so he tried not to think about it too much. Better to focus on the task.

They walked from the entrance ramp to the arena, and Matt observed the spectators standing around the cage, almost without a gap with the metal wire walls.

"Why are we here?" One woman protested. "Why not in the stands?"

His partner, a man with a buff body, snorted. "I told you, we have no money and can only afford this."

"But the All-savages and CoB all have the audience sitting in the stands."

"And we can't buy their tickets. Just enjoy what we've bought."

This show seems to be an alternative for those with limited funds. Matt noted it in his head.

"How is it, Viv?" Upon entering another, smaller cage attached to the arena, Matt greeted the announcer who had already sat there.

Vivianne Cravier cleared her throat. "Can I be honest, sir? At first, I came to this job without any expectations, but I can't deny it anymore. I'm excited now."

"Good then." Matt padlocked the cage door, then sat behind the announcer's table. He took another deep breath to suppress his racing heartbeat.

"We got this." Lognar tapped his boss on the shoulder.

After he put on the headset, Matt used the small mic on the device to give an instruction. "Let's roll."

The stadium lights went out only a few seconds later, triggering some spectators to gasp.

A guitar roar accompanied by a loud thump of drums filled the air. The large monitor above the entrance showed a montage of eight fighters posing in turns. It lasts thirty seconds and is topped off with the gold MFC Logo.

A series of fireworks explode around the screen, giving a striking spectacle. After that, the four corners at the top of the arena launched a high shower of sparks.

"Welcome to MFC! Multiverse Fighting Championships!" Matt began his duties as commentator after the sparks died down and the stadium lights came back on. "Tonight, there will be a tournament for the title of MFC champion!"

Cheers and applause grew louder as a suspended championship belt descended toward the arena, stopping above it.

"It's so exquisite, isn't it?" Lognar observed that object, which featured a large rectangular gold center plate with the MFC logo surrounded by intricate designs and complemented with a black strap.

"Yeah, and it's not just an object, Lognar. It's a sign that you are a champion, someone who is at the peak of glory."

"I've never seen anything like that, Matt! Welp! In fact, all of this is new to me!" The Dwarf's tone became even more energetic. "This unique arena, the audience so close to the action, the fireworks, the giant screen, the crazy music, they just don't exist in my world! We've had a good time, even though the fighters haven't come yet!"

A worker banged the bell several times, prompting the audience to lower their cheers.

"First match for tonight!" Vivianne did her job.

A string of music echoes again, preceded by deep drum beats, trumpets, and a regal melody. It's similar to the tune of marching soldiers in a war movie and complemented by footage of mounted soldiers playing on the stadium's two small screens.

Meanwhile, the large screen in the center displayed a soldier in armor, complete with a helmet and carrying a spear. He knocked on a door, and then Rory Egan came out.

With primal raves from the crowd, the red-and-white armored warrior walked down the corridor accompanied by four soldiers on either side. They tapped their spears to the floor following a series of drum beats from the increasingly intense music.

"Holy macaroni with cheese!!!" Lognar is getting full of energy. "I've never seen the entrance of a fighter like this! What are you doing, Mr. President!? Wphat makes you think of something this brilliant! I was totally pumped, and so was the audience!"

"And we're just getting started, Lognar!" The president was no less excited. "As you said earlier, we had a good night!"

After walking down the corridor, Rory opened the curtains and came out onto the entrance ramp. As his smirk formed, the two warriors behind him took off his robes while the two beside him handed over a shield and sword.

"Introducing first, from Etna realm, universe 4900, Roooryyy Egaaan!!!"

The warrior walked alone towards the arena while raising his shield. The audience, especially the women, cheered even more to welcome that man.

"Rory is a general who already has many achievements, Lognar. He's a hero and more influential than the king." Matt started to explain. "He has defeated hundreds of strong opponents. He even managed to defeat an evil dragon that almost destroyed his country. Can I be honest with you? I think he's probably the strongest contender."

"And I hear he's very excited about this. We'll see what he will show us. According to your description, he doesn't just rely on good looks, right?"

Rory walked around the arena, past the announcer's table, and smiled at Matt. He shouted a bit to fight the rain of cheers. "I got this, Mr. President! I'm your champion!""

And then, the stadium lights went out again.