STAY STILL

He swung the sword in a wide arc, and a wave of energy shot out from the blade, heading straight for me. I dived to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack, and rolled to my feet. My heart pounded in my chest as I realized I was outmatched in terms of raw power. I was a thief, for god's sake, not a man to be fighting in an arena!

"Stay still, you coward!" he roared, charging at me again. 

This time, his movements were faster and more precise, the magical energy enhancing his speed and strength. I ducked under a swing and countered with a punch to his gut, but it was like hitting a wall. He didn't even flinch.

I tried to create some distance, but he was faster. He swung his wooden sword down at me again, and I barely managed to raise my arm in time to block it. The force of the blow sent me sprawling to the ground. I groaned in pain, feeling the bruises already forming.

"You're pathetic," he said, standing over me. "This is the best you can do?"

I gritted my teeth and forced myself to stand. I couldn't let him win. Not like this. I had to think of something, and fast. My mind raced as I dodged another attack, looking for any opening I could exploit.

"Is that all you've got?" I taunted, trying to buy some time. "I thought you were supposed to be tough."

His face twisted with rage. "I'll make you eat those words… like Aera."

"Aera?"

He lunged at me with surprising speed, his sword coming down in a blur. I barely managed to sidestep, but his fist followed immediately, slamming into my side. Pain exploded in my ribs, and I stumbled, trying to stay on my feet.

"You're too slow," he sneered, pressing his advantage. He swung again, the blade aimed for my head. I dodged it and tried to counter with a punch to his ribs. But he blocked it effortlessly with his shield and followed up with a brutal headbutt.

The world spun, and I tasted blood as I hit the ground. My vision blurred, and I fought to regain my bearings. He stood over me, his sword raised high. I rolled to the side just in time to avoid being skewered, the blade striking the ground where my chest had been moments before.

Desperate, I kicked out at his legs, hoping to knock him off balance. But my kick lacked power, my strength sapped by his furious assault. He barely budged, and in that moment, I knew I was in trouble.

'Well, shit.'

His strikes came in rapid succession, each blow more powerful than the last. He swung his sword at my left side, and I barely managed to dodge, the blade grazing my shirt. Before I could react, he struck again from the right, the impact sending me reeling. Pain shot up in my jaw as his fist connected with my face, and I felt the sting of blood trickling from my nose.

I tried to back away, but he was like an angered troll, his movements enhanced by the magical energy coursing through him. He swung his sword, and I narrowly avoided it, the blade missing my head by mere inches. But his follow-up punch hit its mark, splitting my lip and filling my mouth with the taste of copper.

"What's the matter?" He asked, slowly walking toward me. "You going to give up? Shame."

"Bravo," I said. "You're winning against me. The weakest person in the whole school. You must be proud."

"I am proud to punish a pervert, yes. I am very much so proud."

Ducking and weaving, I managed to dodge a few more of his attacks, but it was clear I was outmatched. His strikes were precise and powerful, and each hit I took drained my strength further. I felt my vision blur as a particularly hard punch landed on my temple, making me put in a stunned state.

In a desperate attempt to create some distance, I pushed him away with all the strength I could muster. He staggered back a step, giving me a brief moment to catch my breath. But he recovered quickly, slamming his shoulder into me. The force of the blow sent me stumbling backward, my back hitting the ground hard.

Gasping for air, I scrambled to my feet, wiping the blood from my face.

He raised his sword, ready to deliver the final blow. But just as he brought it down, I opened a small rift at his feet. 

Yes, I cheated but I had no other choice. He was a 6'3 bahamut while I was a thief… according to the 'thing', a petty thief.

A tentacle sneakily shot out and wrapped around his ankle, pulling him off balance. He stumbled, and I took the opportunity to lunge at him, my fist connecting with his jaw. He fell to the ground, dazed.

I closed the rift and stood over him, breathing heavily. "Looks like I've got a few tricks up my sleeve too."

He struggled to get up, but I could see the fight was draining out of him. He swung his sword weakly, and I easily dodged it, delivering a kick to his ribs that sent him rolling across the ground. He lay there, gasping for air, unable to continue.

Mr. Vlad stepped forward, raising his hand. "The match is over. Axel Min has won."

The students in the rows remained silent, some leaving without saying anything, others standing frozen in shock. I had won… finally.

[Quest Completed: Beat the big brother.

Rewards: 50g.]

"Yes!" I yelled in excitement. "Fifty gold!"

"Huh?" Mr. Vlad asked.

"Oh… nothing, sir. Thank you for being the referee for this match. I appreciate it."

"No problem, Axel," he replied. "I didn't know you were so good at close combat."

"Yeah – It was luck," I said, smiling while scratching the back of my head. "Not like I could've beaten him in normal conditions."

"It's not over!" He yelled, grabbing the hilt of the sword tightly. "I've won! Not him! Something pulled me back!"

"Young man!" Mr. Vlad's voice was louder than him. "You have lost. Go to the nursery and have your wounds healed right now!"

"Y-yes, sir." His face darkened. "I'll do that."

'Well… kick an idiot's ass and humiliate him in front of everyone? Checked. Now, time to see that redhead chick.'