Sir Arash steps in

Arthur was already dashing at full speed when Kian released the Flame stream. He was only a few meters away from him.

Arthur crouched slightly, flexing his right arm. Every fiber of his being coiled with anticipation, his legs straining like tightly wound springs. He used the tension in his muscles to propel himself forward like a meteor streaking toward its target. His eyes locked onto the flame stream, not as a threat, but as an obstacle to overcome. His breath was steady, his resolve unshaken—he would face this head-on.

The crowd gasped, watching the audacious move unfold. Arthur didn't hesitate, didn't falter. He didn't have a shred of fear as he faced the fiery projectile head-on, his determination burning brighter than the flames themselves. Each step closed the distance in a blur, and his focus sharpened to a razor's edge, blocking out the jeers and murmurs of the audience.

As the flames and Arthur were just about to meet, the flames seemed to pulse, as if mocking his attempt. The heat was suffocating, beads of sweat rolling down his face, yet Arthur remained unshaken. The air crackled with intensity, a battle between man and flame in its purest form. For a moment, it was as if time slowed, the roaring flames reflecting in his unwavering eyes.

"Rock Shattering Fist!" Arthur shouted, his voice cutting through the tension like thunder, as he unleashed his punch on the flame stream. The sheer force of his strike sent a shockwave rippling outward, kicking up a cloud of dust and debris around him. Arthur's fist collided with the flame stream in a blinding flash, and the resulting impact sent an audible crack through the air.

"Arthur!" A single cry echoed across the school grounds. Arthur's mother had stood up, her hands covering her eyes. She couldn't bear to watch her son being subjected to such torture for her sake.

The audience fell into stunned silence at the scene unfolding before them. A normal human fist against a flaming spear. This time, there was no sarcasm, no worry—just silence. Many people had instinctively closed their eyes or turned their heads away, bracing themselves for the inevitable outcome.

"Crack! Crack! Crack!" The sound of a web of cracks echoed through the air, followed by a blood-curdling scream.

"Aaaaah!!!"

But the voice wasn't Arthur's.

As the spectators turned back, they were met with a horrifying sight.

Arthur stood in front of Kian, his fist at the place where Kian's right shoulder should have been.

Should have been.

It wasn't there anymore!

The entire right side of Kian's body, including his shoulder and arm, was completely missing. There were no gruesome muscles or bone fragments scattered on the ground. Not even a single drop of blood. It was as if everything had been vaporized into dust and scattered in the winds.

The few people who had witnessed what truly happened were too terrified to speak a single word.

When Arthur's fist collided with the flaming spear, the flame had torn apart like fragile paper. In its place had appeared what looked like… lightning.

The lightning, intertwined with Arthur's fist, which could apply a force of up to 2100 kilos, had ruthlessly obliterated the right side of Kian's body, cauterizing the wound instantly. Not a drop of blood hit the ground.

Zzz! Zzzz!

Arcs of lightning still slithered around Arthur's arm like serpents, hissing in defiance.

It had all happened in a matter of seconds, so sudden that no one had time to react. By the time Sir Arash overcame his shock, Kian was dangerously tilting to his left, unable to stabilize himself with his missing right side.

"Golem armor!" Sir Arash roared. Pieces of rock began forming around his body, encasing him in an imposing suit of armor. This was the apprentice-grade technique of the Earth element! Without hesitation, he used his massive, stone-covered fist to swat Arthur like a fly as he rushed to Kian's side and caught him just as he was about to collapse.

Arthur, exhausted from the battle, barely had time to cross his arms in front of his chest before the blow landed. The impact flung him dozens of feet away, and he crashed into the ground with a resounding thud, the air knocked from his lungs.

Sir Arash ignored him for the moment and called for the apothecaries in his household to tend to Kian. His son's trembling body and shrieks of pain reverberated in his ears.

Kian kept shrieking, his voice trembling with pain and terror. His pale face and trembling body made it clear he was too overcome by trauma to think rationally.

"Kill him! Kill him!" Kian continued screaming like a maniac as he was handed over to the apothecaries.

Sir Arash, his rage undiminished, slowly walked toward Arthur, who was struggling to get up.

"You piece of trash! How dare you hurt my son! I'll make you suffer a fate worse than death," Sir Arash snarled as he stomped his Golem armor-covered foot on Arthur's chest.

"Puah!" Blood seeped from the corner of Arthur's mouth as the impact drove the air out of his lungs.

Stomp! Stomp! Stomp!

The relentless attacks continued. Sir Arash dragged Arthur to his feet and began pummeling his face, each blow more brutal than the last. Arthur's features became unrecognizable, his face swollen and bloodied. Yet, even in his battered state, there was a flicker of defiance in his eyes.

No one dared to intervene. Even Teacher Larry, though visibly distressed, stood frozen. He knew stepping in would make him an enemy of Sir Arash, and he wasn't sure he had the strength to save Arthur even if he tried.

"What was that lightning you hit Kian with? You're just a dog who couldn't even awaken, yet you had such a sinister trick hidden? Are you practicing the dark arts?" Sir Arash demanded, punctuating each question with another punch.

"I will burn you at the stake for dealing with demons. Those who practice the forbidden dark arts have no place in this world." Sir Arash grabbed Arthur by the neck and began dragging him away.

"Please! Please, my lord! Leave him! He didn't practice any dark arts. I know my son. We will leave this place right now and never turn back. Please spare him," Arthur's mother cried, throwing herself at Sir Arash's feet.

Sir Arash didn't bother answering her and kept walking, dragging Arthur as she clung to his legs, her sobs growing louder.

Arthur opened his eyes at the sound of his mother's voice. The sight of her being dragged and humiliated ignited something deep within him. His survival instincts kicked in, his mind flashing back to the grueling training sessions with the headmaster. Every torturous drill now felt like preparation for this moment.

Summoning every ounce of strength he had left, Arthur planted his feet on Sir Arash's abdomen and flexed his arms.

"Rock Shattering Fist!"