Chapter 52: 100 warrior challenge

The moment Xavier's name echoed through the arena, a hushed murmur swept through the crowd. Warriors turned their gaze toward the entrance, sizing up the man who had the audacity to enter the 100 warrior challenge—a feat no one had ever survived, much less won.

Xavier, unfazed by the whispers and doubts surrounding him, stepped forward with a quiet confidence. His strides were steady and purposeful as he made his way into the center of the arena. The air was thick with tension, and every pair of eyes in the crowd seemed to follow his every move.

The announcer's voice boomed again, cutting through the silence: "Warriors, place your bets! This challenge will be one for the ages, but will Xavier York defy the odds? We shall see."

Xavier's eyes scanned the faces of the onlookers, catching sight of Raiden hidden among the crowd, his eyes filled with hope and anticipation. Xavier's lips curled into a slight smile, though his focus remained razor-sharp.

As the crowd continued to buzz with disbelief and curiosity, Xavier's stance shifted subtly. He pulled the Infernal Winged Blade from his back, the ruby-red weapon gleaming in the sunlight. The blade felt almost alive in his hands, a perfect extension of his will. The weight of it, the fire it represented, fueled his determination.

"Who will be the first to face me?" Xavier's voice rang out, calm and composed. He addressed the warriors in the arena, standing tall and confident as they eyed him warily.

There were murmurs of disbelief and skepticism, but one by one, the warriors began to step forward, each with their own combat style and intentions. The crowd, now fully invested in the spectacle, began to place their bets with fervor. But Xavier paid them no mind.

The atmosphere in the arena grew tense as the announcer's voice rang out, "The 100 Warrior Challenge will now begin, but with a twist. Each warrior will face Xavier York in a one-on-one duel. Only one will be allowed to fight at a time."

The crowd murmured with excitement. A one-on-one challenge was far more personal than the chaotic battle royale they had expected, and it made Xavier's task seem all the more daunting. But to Xavier, it was no different than facing a hundred opponents at once; the only difference was the time he'd need to dispatch them.

A warrior, tall and muscular with a scar over one eye, stepped forward. His voice boomed, "I'll take the first challenge. You'll be nothing more than another casualty in the arena!"

Xavier didn't reply. His eyes narrowed as he surveyed his opponent. The man was confident, but Xavier knew better than to underestimate him. A confident fighter could be dangerous, especially when they expected an easy win.

The bell rang, and the warrior charged at Xavier, swinging his large war axe with crushing force. The crowd's anticipation built as the mighty weapon descended toward Xavier.

With a flick of his wrist, Xavier activated the Infernal Winged Blade's 4th form, unleashing a quick, fiery arc. The blade cut through the warrior's war axe like it was paper, the force of the attack sending the warrior stumbling backward, wide-eyed and horrified.

Xavier was already on the move, his blade singing through the air as he used the 5th form of the Infernal Blade—blazing heat and power. The warrior barely had time to raise his hands in defense before Xavier's sword struck. In an instant, the warrior crumpled to the ground, defeated without a chance to retaliate.

"First challenger, eliminated," the announcer declared, and the crowd fell silent in awe of the swiftness of Xavier's victory.

The next warrior stepped up, this one a lithe, agile fighter armed with twin short swords. His movements were precise, and he quickly darted toward Xavier, hoping to overwhelm him with speed.

But Xavier's Dragon Eye gave him perfect foresight. He shifted his weight just enough to evade the first strike, then swept his Infernal Winged Blade in a horizontal arc. The fiery blade sliced through the air, forcing the twin-sword wielder to leap back, but it was too late. With a final, clean strike, Xavier cut the man's weapons in half and sent him crashing to the ground, defeated.

"Second challenger, eliminated," the announcer called, but Xavier didn't pause. He had no time to dwell on his victories. The next warrior would be upon him in seconds.

The one-on-one duels continued. Each new opponent brought a new style, but none could match Xavier's calculated precision and speed. He dispatched them one after another, using his superior technique and control over his fire element to overwhelm them without ever breaking a sweat. The crowd watched in stunned silence as Xavier seemed unstoppable, never allowing a single opponent to land a blow.

By the time Xavier faced his 10th challenger, the arena was filled with whispers. His enemies were now starting to hesitate, wondering if they should even attempt to fight him. But the rules of the tournament demanded that they step up.

The next fighter was a man who stood almost as tall as Xavier himself, and though he carried no weapons, his fists seemed to crackle with power. He was known as a master of hand-to-hand combat, and he had a reputation for crushing opponents with his brute strength.

"You're good," the man said, his voice low and confident. "But no matter how fast you are, you can't escape my fists."

Xavier remained silent. He didn't need words; his actions spoke for him. As the man launched himself forward, Xavier activated the 5th form of the Infernal Blade once more, releasing a powerful wave of fiery energy. The man tried to dodge, but the flames engulfed him, leaving him no escape. He staggered back, defeated by the sheer power of Xavier's attack.

"10th challenger, eliminated," the announcer's voice echoed, but the tournament was far from over.

Xavier's mind was focused. One by one, he continued to face his opponents, conserving his energy as he wiped them out. He kept his movements efficient, always a step ahead, always in control. And with each strike, the crowd's respect for him grew. But the question still lingered—would anyone be able to beat him, or would he continue his unbroken streak all the way to the 100th challenge?

Sarah Blain's smile widened as she watched Xavier effortlessly cut down opponent after opponent. Her heart raced with excitement, admiration, and something else she couldn't quite place. She had witnessed many powerful warriors in her time, but Xavier's unparalleled skill and sheer strength had captivated her in a way no one else had.

Looking over at her father, who was sitting beside her, Sarah couldn't contain her excitement. "If he can defeat Lord Walden, then he has to be my future husband," she said, her voice full of conviction and a playful smile.

Her father, a seasoned and wise man, raised an eyebrow. "You're certain of that, my daughter?" he asked, his tone both approving and curious.

Sarah's gaze never wavered from the arena as she watched Xavier's flawless movements. "I've never been more certain in my life," she replied, her voice filled with longing. "He's not only a warrior of incredible strength, but there's something about him—his resolve, his spirit—that draws me in."

Her father chuckled softly, a knowing look in his eyes. "Well, if he survives this challenge, you may just get your wish."

The two of them continued to watch, their attention fixated on the arena as Xavier dispatched the remaining warriors with ease, each one falling before his blade like a leaf in the wind. The crowd was on edge, some murmuring nervously, others eagerly anticipating the final showdown between Xavier and the 99th challenger: Lord Walden.

Sarah's heart fluttered as she imagined the final battle. She was sure that Xavier would win, and that thought made her smile even more. If he could overcome Lord Walden, there would be no question—he would be the one to claim her heart.

And yet, in that quiet moment, as she glanced back at the arena, she couldn't help but feel an unspoken connection between herself and Xavier, a sense of fate. She was eager to see how it would all unfold.

Raiden watched intently from the sidelines, his eyes never leaving Xavier's every movement. The way Xavier moved through the arena, each strike delivered with precision, each step taken with purpose—it was a dance of battle, graceful yet deadly. Raiden could see it now: the fluidity in his master's motions, the control over every muscle, the way he adjusted his stance mid-combat, anticipating the next move before the opponent even made it.

He focused on the subtle shifts in Xavier's body, the weight distribution, the precision of each strike that left his enemies unable to even retaliate. It wasn't just strength that Xavier wielded—it was the art of movement itself. Raiden's mind raced as he committed every detail to memory, each swing of the sword, every posture shift, and every step that was strategically placed.

Raiden's heart raced with determination. He knew he wasn't anywhere near Xavier's level yet, but he also knew that one day, with enough training, he could replicate this mastery. Xavier's ability to move as though the battlefield was an extension of himself—the harmony of power and grace—was something Raiden aspired to understand, to embody. He silently promised himself that he would study these movements relentlessly until he, too, could flow like water in combat, unpredictable and unstoppable.

As Xavier dispatched another opponent, Raiden clenched his fists, his resolve hardening. "I'll learn this. I'll fight alongside you one day, just like this," he thought, watching his master's next strike with rapt attention. The road ahead was long, but Raiden felt more driven than ever to walk it.

The tension in the arena reached its peak as the announcer's voice rang out, "And now, the 99th challenger, Lord Walden! A 2nd-ranked mystic warrior!" The crowd gasped collectively, many with a sense of dread. Lord Walden was known for his immense strength and skill, and his rank alone made him a formidable opponent for anyone, even for someone as seemingly invincible as Xavier.