Chapter 151 - Fighting Seriously

Jason widened his stance, watching Hamadeen closely. Jason dashed forward in an instant with Hamadeen moving forward as well. His right shoulder moved slightly forward, giving Jason just the information he needed to know. He prepared to move past Hamadeen's next punch as Hamadeen's fist set Jason's head shooting upward. Jason used Savestep as he moved away from Hamadeen and ran around him.

Jason's thoughts: I wonder if he's making those subtle movements visible on purpose. I really let him get one up on me way too easily. Guess I need to stop being an idiot.

Jason ran up to Hamadeen, who had whipped around to follow Jason's movements. Jason moved forward with a right hook as he stopped his charge. Hamadeen prepared to block as Jason's leg began to twitch.

Jason's thoughts: Azufield Style: Drag Kick

Jason's foot exploded from the ground, kicking Hamadeen hard enough to send the boxer sliding back. He endured the hit, raising his guard as he pushed forward. Jason charged forward as he unleashed a series of extremely quick punches all over Hamadeen. The boxer's guard was tight, allowing him to endure the speedy onslaught.

Midori: Hamadeen is performing even better than before!

Moll: He sure is. He didn't show you everything he was training on the last two days.

Midori: Surely his strikes must have weakened after how damaged his arms were in the previous round.

Moll: His strikes are still more than heavy enough to stagger a giant. Never underestimate a boxer.

Hamadeen's shoulders twitched, with Jason noticing this immediately. He immediately prepared for a strike to his left as Hamadeen threw a straight at his right. Jason quickly prepared for the actual strike as he was hit on the side with a right hook. Hamadeen jumped back, keeping his rhythmic hopping.

Jason's thoughts: These are no normal feints… He's doing something that makes reading his moves harder… He's double feinting.

Hamadeen had been practicing this technique in the days building up to the tournament. He had not yet perfected it, making it futile to use against someone like Simon. But through his new found friendship with Kuro and his further education with Moll, he had found what he needed to perfect its timing. Hamadeen was well aware of many of the fighters' ability to read their opponents moves before they could be thrown. Their foresight. His pure boxing skill would not be enough, so he had reached something that even the greatest boxers would have little defense against. A perfected double feint.

Hamadeen's thoughts: It was a gamble on whether Jason would fall for the feints, but this confirms what I thought. Not even one of the greats are immune to a boxer's feints.

Hamadeen continued to throw more strikes, pushing Jason on the backfoot. Jason dodged each blow, not one coming close to striking him again. The audience watched closely as Jason kept dodging, noticing this is the first time he seemed to have the disadvantage. Jason's mind was entirely calm, however. He hadn't lost his composure, dodging each blow perfectly. He changed his tactic, moving forward as he clenched his fists. Hamadeen's body began to twitch, aiming to mislead Jason once more. He moved both of his fists before aiming for a right hook aim at the back of Jason's head.

Hamadeen's thoughts: Forbidden Revolution.

Jason sighed as he controlled his breathing with Zen, a breathing technique of the Bellthorne Style. His mind was cleared and his body relaxed.

Jason's thoughts: Bellthorne Style - Sixth Form: Dancing Lily

Hamadeen's fist flew through Jason, striking the air as several more of the red reaper appeared around the boxer. Hamadeen was horrified as each Jason cocked back his fist.

Zachary: Are my eyes deceiving me?! There are more than one of Jason!

Zenzo: His footwork is on another level! He's able to do something like this so casually!

Hamadeen felt strikes land all over his body, hitting at speeds he was not prepared to protect against. Bruises formed all over his body from the combined force of Jason's armor and speed.

Jason's thoughts: Bellthorne Style - Fifth Form: Thorn

Jason extended the knuckle of his middle finger, throwing a blow that knocked all the breath out of Hamadeen. The strike sent pain all throughout his body, bringing the boxer to a pause. He struggled to breathe, but even then, he refused to bend a knee. He stayed standing, a flicker of a flame in his eyes. Kuro gritted his teeth, watching as the only person he could call a friend was struggling before him. Despite this struggle, Hamadeen didn't fall once.

Jason: I won't lie, you're more impressive than almost everyone I've fought. Definitely in the top ten, maybe.

Hamadeen: Why…

Jason: Well, I lost to Daymond and some other people outside of here, so you can't be number one or anything.

Hamadeen: Why… are you holding back?

Jason stopped, watching as Hamadeen's head tilted up slowly. His eyes were burning with a passion he hadn't seen in a long time.

Hamadeen: WHY ARE YOU HOLDING BACK?! YOU COME IN WITH A SWORD ON YOUR SIDE, BUT YOU DON'T EVEN USE IT ONCE! ARE YOU TRYING TO MOCK ME?! AM I REALLY THAT LOW OF A PRIORITY TO YOU?!

Alexia, Tolman, and Lorisian all watched in silence. Gerald snickered as he watched the red reaper stand in silence.

Gerald's thoughts: What's your answer, red man? I bet your future wife is interested too.

Hamadeen: How can I accept a loss against someone who doesn't fight seriously once?!

Hamadeen clenched his fists tight enough to begin to soak his wrappings in blood. The look in his face was not one of physical pain, but emotional. He had been a boxing prodigy that everyone could look up to. He put in so much effort into each movement he made because pure talent is not enough. The underground made that clear to him, yet someone his age knocked him around without the slightest care. His arms trembled as he stared at Jason, who finally made a movement.

Jason: So that's how you feel, huh?

Jason moved his right hand to the hilt of his sword. He looked at the ground before moving up to meet Hamadeen's gaze. He clenched his sword.

Jason: I guess I never saw how much this thing was hurting you. I didn't draw it once, but you felt more pain from that than any strike I threw. Let me make it up to you…

Jason widened his stance, positioning his hand on the hilt in a more proper manner.

Jason: …by fighting you more seriously.

Hamadeen was shocked by Jason's change in demeanor. Moments ago, he seemed to do no more than talk down to him. Mock him as he put no effort into anything he did. Hamadeen smiled as his gaze met Jason's sword, the flame in his eyes burning at full capacity. Kuro smiled his wild grin as he saw the strength grow within Hamadeen's body.

Kuro: BEAT HIS ASS!!!

Lorisian: Squash him, squire!!!

Hamadeen began to move, only for blood to fly into the air. A clean cut formed over Hamadeen's arms, cutting through the wrappings. Hamadeen looked back as he saw Jason enter the same stance he was in moments ago.

Hamadeen's thoughts: He used his sword… I know it!

Hamadeen spun around, only for another slash to form at his side. Jason ran past him over and over, with slashes appearing over the boxer's body again and again. Jason came to a stop as he built up strength in his body. Hamadeen powered through the burning sensation that overwhelmed his mind. His heart raced as he watched Jason holding his sword tightly.

Hamadeen's thoughts: Yes! Fight me seriously! Show me what you're made of, Jason Bellthorne!

Jason and Hamadeen charged forward, Hamadeen's arms seemingly preparing for his Tasmanian Hook with his left and his Forbidden Revolution with his right. Two strikes that would have him disqualified in regular boxing matches became his strongest tools. Jason could see Hamadeen's true Full Body Feint come into fruition… but he had already abandoned using his foresight. The fighters inched closer together as Jason unsheathed his sword faster than anyone could see.

Jason's thoughts: Bellthorne Style - First Form: Autumn Dance

Jason unleashed multiple slashes across Hamadeen's body, sending blood into the air in slow motion. He dodged both of Hamadeen's strikes as he ended up behind his opponent. He came to a halt as he heard the blood splatter behind him.

Jason's thoughts: You weren't half bad, Hamadeen.

Zachary: Unbelievable! How is he still standing?!

Jason's head perked up, turning back. He was shocked to see Hamadeen still standing with all the blood that leaked out of him. No normal person should still be able to stand after what Jason had done. He walked over to his opponent, noticing the look in Hamadeen's eyes. Kuro's face scrunched up as he saw the lack of fighting intent left in Hamadeen's body. The referee walked up next to Jason. Hamadeen's mind had gone unconscious, yet he continued to remain standing up. As he prepared to signal to Zachary and Zenzo, Jason grabbed his wrist.

Jason: Hey now. You've seen boxing before, right? Do this properly.

The referee looked into the yellow slits of Jason's mask, nodding. He walked between Jason and Hamadeen, grabbing both fighters' wrists. He nodded to Zachary, telling him all he needed to know.

Zachary: AND WE HAVE A WINNER… AND THAT WINNER IS..!!

The referee pulled up Jason's arm, sending an eruption of cheers throughout the stands.

Zachary: JASON BELLTHOOOOOOOOORRRNNNEE!!!

Alexia and Tolman cheered as they heard the name get announced. Alexia turned to Gerald, wearing a smug smile on her face as she shoved a finger into his face.

Alexia: Take that, Gerald! Looks like you guessed wrong this time!

Gerald: Did I?

Gerald held his phone up, showing the vast amount of money he had won from the match.

Alexia: Wha-

Gerald: I simply bet that Hamadeen would land several good punches but that Jason would still win in the end. But good for you, cousin! Your beloved has won once more. I can't wait to see his next match!

Gerald stood up and walked away, Tolman letting out an unamused sigh.

Tolman: He somehow always drains the fun out of these victories.

The paramedics ran into the ring, Kuro running ahead of them. Hamadeen fell back with Kuro catching him.

Kuro: Fucker… You said you were going to win!

Jason: He did a great job. I hope I can fight him again someday.

Kuro gritted his teeth as he watched Jason walk away. Ser Lorisian ran over to Jason, wrapping an arm around his neck.

Lorisian: Squire! Thee has't did achieve yet another victory!

Jason: Yeah, I sure did. He sure opened my eyes, maybe I should apologize to Vector.

Lorisian: I has't nay idea who yond is!

Jason: Yeah, I didn't expect as much. Let's have my injuries looked at, he hit just as hard as they said he does.

Jason and Lorisian disappeared into the halls with Lorisian's hearty laugh being all that could be heard.