I hadn't expected Harrison Ashworth to return the very next day.
The sharp knock on my door ca just after noon, startling as I was reviewing ancient alchemy texts. Opening the door, I found myself face-to-face with Isabelle's father again, this ti flanked by two imposing n in tailored suits.
"Mr. Knight," Harrison said coolly, "I hope we're not interrupting anything important."
I swallowed hard, stepping aside to let them in. "Not at all, Mr. Ashworth."
The three n entered my apartnt, imdiately making the space feel cramped. Harrison's eyes swept over my living area before settling back on .
"I've been thinking about our conversation yesterday," he said. "About my daughter's... faith in your potential."
One of his bodyguards, a tall man with cold gray eyes, studied with thinly veiled contempt.
"These are my personal security specialists," Harrison gestured to the n. "Caspian Kane and Marcus Dunn. Top martial artists from Veridia City."
I nodded politely toward them, receiving only the slightest acknowledgnt in return.
"You ntioned yesterday that I don't know what kind of man you are," Harrison continued, pacing slowly around my living room. "That's a fair point. So I thought we might redy that situation today."
My stomach tightened. I didn't like where this was heading.
"What exactly did you have in mind?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
Harrison stopped by my window, looking out at the street below. "Isabelle claims you'll be 'capable of protecting yourself by Veridia City standards' within a year. That's quite the assertion."
I stood my ground. "I believe I can prove myself worthy of your daughter's trust."
"Words," Harrison dismissed with a wave of his hand. "I deal in evidence, Mr. Knight. Show why my daughter believes in you."
"I'm not sure what you're asking—"
"Caspian," Harrison interrupted, "would you mind assisting Mr. Knight in demonstrating his... capabilities?"
The gray-eyed man stepped forward, removing his suit jacket and handing it to his colleague. He was lean but muscular, with the fluid movents of soone who knew exactly how dangerous he was.
"What's happening here?" I asked, though I already knew.
"A simple assessnt," Harrison replied. "Caspian is a mid-tier martial artist by Veridia City standards. Nothing extraordinary. Consider this a benchmark test."
My heart pounded against my ribcage. This wasn't a fair fight—it was a deliberate humiliation.
"Is this really necessary?" I tried to reason.
"If you hope to survive in our world," Harrison said calmly, "it's absolutely necessary."
I looked between the three n, realizing I had no choice. Harrison wanted to prove a point—to break my spirit and show how far below their level I truly was.
Reluctantly, I moved the coffee table aside to create space in the center of my living room. My jade pendant felt warm against my skin, but I knew my abilities were still developing. I wasn't ready for this.
"Mr. Kane," I said, eting the bodyguard's cold gaze, "I have to apologize in advance."
A flicker of curiosity crossed his face. "For what?"
"For whatever happens next."
His lips curved into a slight smirk as he positioned himself across from . "Begin whenever you're ready."
I took a deep breath, centering myself as I'd practiced, and launched forward with what I thought was impressive speed. My fist cut through empty air as Caspian sidestepped with minimal effort.
I pivoted, throwing another strike, then another—each one missing its target as he effortlessly avoided . It was like trying to hit smoke.
"Is this what impresses my daughter?" Harrison comnted from the side. "I expected... more."
Frustration building, I changed tactics, feinting left before driving a right hook toward Caspian's midsection. He caught my wrist mid-strike, redirecting my montum and sending stumbling forward.
"Martial skill requires years of proper training," Caspian stated flatly. "Not weekend self-defense classes."
His condescension ignited sothing inside . I regained my footing and attacked again, pushing myself harder. Each strike ca faster than the last, yet Caspian evaded them all without breaking a sweat.
After two minutes of this one-sided display, sweat soaked through my shirt while Caspian hadn't even loosened his tie.
"Enough," Harrison said, disappointnt evident in his voice. "This proves my point."
"Wait," I gasped, unwilling to accept defeat. "I asked for a year to prove myself. This isn't fair."
Harrison's expression hardened. "Fair? You think the world my daughter inhabits is fair? In Veridia City, n like Caspian are considered barely competent. The real powers would crush you without a second thought."
His words stung because I knew they were true. Despite my recent progress, I was still nowhere near their level.
"I'm worth the wait," I insisted, my breathing heavy. "I can beco what Isabelle believes I can be."
"Be mindful, Caspian," Harrison suddenly cautioned his guard. "My daughter seems fond of him. No permanent damage."
The warning revealed a hint of consideration I hadn't expected from Harrison. Whatever his opinion of , he did care about his daughter's feelings. Note: Check * for any corrections.
Caspian nodded and turned back to , his stance relaxed but ready. "Let's finish this demonstration."
Humiliation burned through . They were toying with , treating like a child who needed to learn a harsh lesson. I thought of Isabelle, of her unwavering faith in , and felt sothing shift inside.
The jade pendant against my chest grew warr, and I felt a subtle surge of energy flow through my limbs. Not enough to transform into their equal, but enough to fuel one last effort.
"Ready when you are," Caspian taunted.
I closed my eyes for a brief mont, letting the energy build. When I opened them again, I moved forward with renewed purpose. Instead of trying to match Caspian's skill, I embraced my own raw determination.
He anticipated my attack pattern, shifting left to avoid what he expected to be another wild swing. Instead, I changed direction mid-stride, throwing my entire body weight behind a desperate punch.
The solid impact of my fist connecting with his jaw surprised us both.
Caspian staggered back a step, his hand reflexively touching the spot where I'd struck him. For the first ti, his composure cracked, revealing genuine surprise.
The room fell silent. Even Harrison stared with widened eyes.
I straightened my posture, a small grin spreading across my face despite my exhaustion. "Turns out you're not invincible after all... hehe..."
Caspian's surprise quickly morphed into sothing darker, his eyes narrowing dangerously. Marcus, the silent bodyguard, stepped forward slightly, as if anticipating his colleague's retaliation.
Harrison raised his hand, halting both n. His calculating gaze shifted between us, reassessing the situation—and perhaps, reassessing .
"Interesting," he said quietly, more to himself than anyone else.
The tension in the room crackled like electricity. I had landed one lucky punch against a superior opponent, but that single mont of defiance had changed sothing fundantal in our dynamic.
Harrison's eyes t mine, and I saw a flicker of sothing I couldn't quite na—not respect, not yet, but perhaps the seed of it. The possibility that his daughter's faith in wasn't completely unfounded.
I stood my ground, waiting for whatever ca next, my knuckles still tingling from the impact of that unexpected connection.
Reviews
All reviews (0)