As we walked through the hallway, I stayed calm.
Breathing slowly.
My hands remained steady.
Edward walked beside me.
I can win this.
When we entered the arena, it was filled with adventurers and the sound of their voices.
They glanced at us, but when they saw Lucia, they quickly cleared the training ground.
Edward stood between us.
Then, he spoke.
"The fight will last only five minutes."
"Knockout or surrender means victory."
But Lucia raised her hand.
"If the kid survives for five whole minutes, he wins."
Lucia added,
"If you lose, you'll be my dog."
"If you win, I'll accept your terms."
But my attention was on the adventurers watching us.
Some were whispering.
"Are they actually going to fight?"
"This kid is in big trouble."
I tried to ignore them.
Then, I slowly turned my attention back to Lucia and smirked.
"I'll only need thirty seconds to beat your ass."
Edward gave me a warning look.
Then, he gestured for us to move to our designated positions.
I gripped my blade's handle, ready to swing when needed.
Lucia stood there, rolling up her sleeves.
Edward then set the hourglass in place.
"Do you really think you can win against me, kid?"
Lucia lowered her arms to her sides, clenching her fists.
...
"Fine. I won't use Ken."
I drew my sword and pointed it at her, a smirk spreading across my face.
"Then you've basically admitted defeat."
Lucia crossed her arms, her patience wearing thin, she sighed.
"Come at me, then."
I reinforced my legs with Ken and lunged forward.
As I closed the distance, I shifted it to my blade.
Then, I swung.
PUUULP!
Before my blade could hit her, a powerful force struck my stomach, sending me flying across the arena.
I struggled to stand, my stomach aching.
What the hell was that?
A punch?
A kick?
I didn't know...
I couldn't look up, but I could feel countless eyes on me.
"You okay, kid?"
Lucia asked as she slowly strode toward me.
"I didn't know a simple kick could bring you to your knees."
I slowly stood up, picking up my sword in the process.
Then, with a weary smile, I said,
"I'm fine. A normal push wouldn't kill me."
Lucia stopped walking, keeping her distance.
"Scared now, are we?" I asked, my stomach still aching.
"You said you wanted to become an adventurer to find your siblings, right?"
"Do you really think the world outside this city will be kind enough to spare you?"
"Arrogance will only lead to your death. And not just yours, but your siblings' as well."
I bit my lip as I listened, something stirring deep within my chest.
I tightened my grip on my sword.
I know that.
I know that, damn it...
"You're no brother..."
"You're just a mindless kid who thinks he has something to offer," Lucia said, glancing around at the now-silent audience.
Stop. Stop. Stop.
Just shut up.
I reinforced my blade with Ken, then threw it at her.
She swatted it away effortlessly before lunging toward me.
I reinforced my arm with Ken as she raised her fist, preparing to take the hit.
But when she swung, her fist struck the ground, causing it to crack.
I lost my balance and fell.
I glanced up and saw her about to stomp on me.
I quickly rolled away, avoiding the incoming attack.
I quickly put some distance between us.
Breathing heavily.
Lucia, on the other hand, remained calm as she slowly approached me.
"You still have three more minutes to survive."
"I should probably end this... You look miserable," Lucia said as she approached me.
I desperately put some distance between us.
Then, something came to mind.