Osric looked at the two fighters who raised their hands.
One was big and muscular. He had an arrogant look on his face. Osric's performance didn't seem to have fazed him.
The other guy was a middle aged man who had a neutral expression. He had an experienced energy. It was obvious to Osric that he would be the tougher opponent.
And that was exactly why Osric chose the middle aged man.
His plan was to prove himself, not being cautious.
Those that had a lot of knowledge in the arena were surprised by Osric's choice.
The experienced fighter stepped into the ring.
After a short introduction, the fight began.
Osric's opponent didn't charge.
He just guarded his head and studied Osric.
'Will he not move?' He thought.
'I'll take a couple steps closer.'
Osric still just stood there, relaxed.
The crowd was starting to get annoyed.
"Why aren't they doing anything?"
Osric's opponent remained calm, but he was confused.
'Does he want to bait me into attacking first?'
'Still, standing so unguarded is just careless.'
He took another couple of steps closer.
Osric still didn't move.
When his opponent was about to take another step to feel him out from up close, Osric moved with full speed.
His leg went straight for his opponent's stomach.
The middle aged man was pushed back a couple steps again and was about to move, but he couldn't react in time.
Osric's right leg came up high in a sharp and brutal swing.
It cleanly connected with the experienced fighter's temple and he folded to the ground.
Osric looked at the unconscious man on the ground.
'I think this was my first real high kick.'
'Should I stay in the second category for another couple fights to experiment with different combinations a bit?'
He had no real foundation in close combat unlike with swordsmanship that he learned from Franklin.
'Yes, I want my body to get used to it more before moving to tougher opponents.'
Osric took the money pouch with 65 copper inside and remained in the ring.
The crowd was still bewildered by what just happened.
"Did you see the power in that kick?"
"Yeah. That was crazy. I thought he was a fist fighter."
The middle aged man was being dragged out and people started noticing that Osric wasn't leaving.
"Holy shit."
"A third fight?"
The murmuring in the crowd quickly grew louder.
This time more hands were raised than before, but the mood was different.
The hesitant and reckless fighters stayed seated.
Only those who were either confident in their abilities or eager to prove themselves stepped forward.
Osric calmly looked at the men who had raised their hands.
His gaze moved from one to the other.
Most of them were strong.
Some looked aggressive.
Others seemed cautious.
But one man stood out immediately.
He was lean, with tight muscles and a relaxed posture. His hands were loose at his sides, and his eyes remained focused on Osric without showing any arrogance.
'This one.'
Osric pointed.
"I'll fight him."
The man stepped into the ring without saying a word.
He stopped a few meters away from Osric and slowly rolled his shoulders.
The referee glanced between them before stepping away.
"Start!"
This time Osric didn't rush.
Neither did his opponent.
The man shifted his weight lightly from foot to foot, testing distance.
His stance was different from the others Osric had seen tonight.
Compact.
Balanced.
Experienced.
Then he moved.
A quick jab shot toward Osric's face.
Osric tilted his head slightly and the fist brushed past him.
Another punch followed immediately.
Osric stepped back.
Then a kick came low toward his thigh.
Osric lifted his leg and blocked it.
'Fast.'
But the man wasn't pressing wildly.
Every attack was controlled.
Measured.
The crowd quieted slightly as the exchange continued.
The experienced fighter circled around Osric.
Osric moved with him.
Watching.
Studying.
Another combination came.
Two quick punches followed by a spinning elbow.
Osric leaned back just enough for it to miss.
'Interesting.'
Osric suddenly stepped forward and copied the movement.
A jab.
Another.
Then he tried the elbow strike.
His opponent's eyes widened slightly as he blocked it.
"Ha."
The man smirked.
Now he understood.
"You're learning."
He attacked again.
This time faster.
A low kick.
A hook.
A knee toward Osric's stomach.
Osric blocked most of it but still got pushed back half a step.
But his eyes were focused.
Every movement.
Every angle.
Every shift of weight.
His swordsmanship training helped him understand distance and timing.
Even though this was different from fighting with a weapon, the principles were similar.
Balance.
Openings.
Momentum.
Osric tried again.
This time he copied the kick first.
Then followed it with a punch combination.
Not perfect.
But better than before.
The crowd was beginning to notice.
"Wait…"
"He's copying him."
"No way."
The fight continued.
The experienced fighter attacked.
Osric answered.
Each time Osric's movements became slightly smoother.
His body began adapting.
His speed and strength made the techniques even more dangerous than when his opponent used them.
The experienced fighter's breathing slowly grew heavier.
Osric's remained steady.
Finally the man stepped in with another aggressive combination.
Punch.
Punch.
Low kick.
Osric blocked the first two.
Then he moved.
A quick step forward.
A copied combination.
Punch.
Elbow.
And then—
A brutal knee strike to the ribs.
"Ugh!"
The man staggered.
Osric didn't hesitate.
His fist shot forward and connected with the man's jaw.
The impact snapped the fighter's head to the side.
His body collapsed onto the floor of the ring.
Silence filled the arena for a moment.
Then the crowd erupted.
"Holy shit!"
"He just played with him!"
"Did you see that?!"
Osric stood calmly in the middle of the ring.
His breathing was steady.
But inside he was satisfied.
'That felt much better.'
'My body is starting to understand these movements.'
He looked toward the referee.
The man shook his head in disbelief before handing him another pouch.
Osric weighed the coins in his hand briefly.
Then he stayed where he was.
The crowd immediately noticed.
"He's still not leaving."
"Don't tell me…"
"Is he really going for a fourth fight?"