After the short break, the school ground trembled with life once again. Every seat was filled, every corner was buzzing with noise. Flags waved high up in the sky.
Ryan sat near the front row in the Boxing Club dugout, hands clenched on his knees. The stage was in front of his eyes; he was waiting for the announcer to co and give the next signal.
Slowly the announcer’s voice ca—filled the entire arena as it cut through the noise. "Next up—the match you’ve been waiting for! Muay Thai Club Versus Taekwondo Club!"
The crowd erupted with noise once again, the cheers rolled like thunder, shaking the stands. Even Ryan’s heart thumped a little faster than usual.
The announcer then continued as he said loudly, "Representing the Muay Thai side, we have the captain himself—Aiden Kraison."
The arena erupted with loud roars once again as they heard that na. Chants of his na echoed through the arena. "Aiden! Aiden! Aiden!"
Aiden slowly stepped up on the stage, barefoot, calm and composed, mind completely focused, every step of his was asured, every muscle was under control.
Tanned skin, sweat-sheened shoulders, short black hair that was sticking slightly up. His eyes were dark, unwavering—didn’t search for any attention. They were completely locked onto the center of the stage.
He bowed to the referee, showing his respect towards him and the sport. He slowly raised his hand in the traditional Muay Thai gesture of respect—the wai kru. The crowd went quiet as they watched him. There was sothing sacred about it, almost ritualistic.
Ryan swallowed hard as sweat rolled down his temple, completely overwheld by the situation.
’System... scan this guy’s stats for .’
[Okay, Host. I’ll begin the scanning right away.]
[Scanning Opponent...]
[Na: Aiden Kraison]
[Strength: A–]
[Speed: A–]
[Endurance: A]
[Technique: S]
Ryan’s breath hitched as he muttered under his breath. "Straight A’s... That’s just one level lower than Arthur’s. No wonder everyone in the crowd is losing their mind."
Even Arthur’s eyes sharpened slightly as he looked at Aiden, a faint hint of approval in his voice. "He’s a good fighter," he said, voice low.
The announcer’s voice thundered in the air once again. "And from the Taekwondo Club..." The announcer dragged out the pause, teasing the audience before delivering the na. "Their one and only mber—Daniel Rainsfold."
If Aiden’s entrance had earned him respect and loud cheers, Daniel’s drew chaos. The crowd scread as loud as they could, most of the voices ca from the girls in the audience. Cheers, whistles, clapping—he got everything.
He walked on the stage like it belonged to him—tall, six-foot-one, lean yet athletic, confident.
His black hair streaked with red caught the lights of the arena as he ran a hand through them, pulling them backward. His sharp jawline and fair skin made him look like he’d just walked out of a comrcial ad.
But behind his charming smile, there was sothing colder, the sa aura that Ryan had recognized from Arthur: the air of soone who has tasted countless victories.
Ryan looked at Daniel as he thought. ’System, can you scan his stats for too?’
[Okay, Host. I’ll begin the scanning on him too.]
[Scanning Opponent...]
[Na: Daniel Rainsfold]
[Strength: S–]
[Speed: S]
[Endurance: A ]
[Technique: S ]
Ryan’s jaw dropped as he stared at the system’s window. ’He’s almost the sa level as Arthur? What kind of monsters are these two guys?’
Daniel stopped in front of Aiden, smirking as he leaned in a bit. "Yo, Aiden. You got a dollar?" he asked casually with a playful tone.
The crowd chuckled as Aiden didn’t even blink, his voice ca out loud. "Focus on the match, Daniel. I’m not here for your small tricks but to fight my match. So fight and show how much you have improved."
Daniel tilted his head, amused. "Still the sa lion, huh? Guess I’ll have to remind you why the dragon flies higher."
The announcer didn’t waste any second as he lifted his hand in the air. "Both fighters ready?"
The two of them raised their fists; the crowd went silent.
"Then—BEGIN!"
The world seed like it just stopped for a second as both fighters dashed towards each other at once, eting at dead center—elbows, legs, and fists started colliding in a blur.
THUD!
Daniel spun, launching a strong yet fast roundhouse kick towards Aiden’s head. Aiden ducked under it as he answered back with a low shin kick. The blow cracked against Daniel’s thigh, forcing him to take half a step backward.
A wide grin slowly ford on Daniel’s face as his voice ca out low. "Still aiming for the legs first, huh? You haven’t changed a bit, you’re so easy to predict, Aiden."
Aiden’s tone was calm, detached. "Still talking too much. Don’t talk to , just fight ."
He moved again—an elbow slash that barely missed Daniel’s ribs. Daniel counterattacked it with a spinning kick that Aiden blocked with his forearm. The sound of the collision echoed like thunder through the arena.
The crowd’s screams grew even louder, getting all excited and pumped because of the energy of both fighters.
Ryan leaned forward as he grabbed the tal railing of the dugout. "What... What was that speed?" Ryan muttered under his breath, astonished.
Arthur noticed Ryan and spoke without looking at him. "That’s what the mastery of your techniques looks like. They’re not fighting for the win, but to assert dominance," Arthur said, voice low yet cold.
Daniel’s smirk widened, cheerful. He was already ready to take on Aiden’s elbow. "That’s it? I didn’t expect you to get weaker since the last ti we t."
Aiden’s expression didn’t falter as his voice ca out loud. "Then you’ve gone blind or your senses are at fault."
Daniel smiled brightly, trying to mock Aiden. "I don’t think that’s the case, I think you should just agree with at this point."
He lunged forward again as he completed his sentence—two steps then spin, whip-crack!, it was a roundhouse kick at Aiden’s temple. Aiden tilted his head back just in ti for the kick to pass his head.
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