Chapter 15 – The King's Challenge

Nathan and Lucien remained on guard. Across from them, Adrian Becker wore a smirk, his excitement evident.

Nathan wasted no time—he lunged forward, launching a swift jab toward Adrian's face. But Adrian was fast. Too fast. With a slight shift of his weight, he dodged effortlessly, slipping past Nathan's punches as if he could predict them before they even came.

Then, without warning—a single, devastating punch.

Adrian's fist landed squarely on Nathan's solar plexus. A sharp, crushing pain spread through Nathan's body as his knees buckled. His breath caught in his throat. His vision blurred for a moment as he dropped to the ground, struggling to keep himself from collapsing entirely.

Lucien stepped in immediately.

Adrian attempted another strike, but Lucien effortlessly blocked it, countering each of Adrian's attacks with precision. Every move Adrian made was read, dissected, and neutralized with minimal effort.

Adrian pulled back, genuinely impressed. He chuckled.

"For a bodyguard, you're surprisingly elite."

Lucien remained silent, offering Nathan his hand. Nathan took it, still grimacing from the pain.

Adrian crossed his arms, watching them.

"This school has its own hierarchy," he said, his voice laced with amusement. "And at the top, there's only one king. The strongest student. If you want that throne, you have to defeat the current king… which is me."

A challenge.

"So what do you say, Lucien?" Adrian continued. "One month from now—on the day of the King's Election—let's settle it."

Lucien didn't even flinch. Without hesitation, he turned away and motioned for Nathan to follow.

"Not interested."

But before they could leave, Nathan spoke up.

His voice was strained, his body still recovering, but his words were resolute.

"I'll fight you."

Silence.

Everyone present looked at Nathan as if he had lost his mind. Even some of the students who had gathered to watch couldn't help but chuckle.

Nathan was still clutching his stomach, clearly weakened from Adrian's single blow, yet he had just challenged the reigning King.

Adrian raised an eyebrow. Then, he grinned.

"Interesting. Let's see if you can survive the month."

Nathan ignored the murmurs of disbelief around him. He turned and walked away—with Lucien by his side.

---

The Next Morning – The Beginning of Training

Lucien woke early in the Nathan household.

The morning was quiet. Too quiet.

He glanced toward Nathan's room, expecting him to still be in bed recovering from yesterday's fight. But when he checked inside—Nathan was gone.

Lucien frowned. He stepped outside.

And that's when he saw him.

Nathan was in the yard, drenched in sweat. His breath was heavy as he sprinted across the open space. Then he dropped down—push-ups. Then he stood again—shadowboxing.

Lucien watched in silence.

Nathan was training. Alone.

He was still bruised. His movements were sluggish. His punches lacked proper form. But despite it all—he kept going.

Lucien stepped closer.

"Your effort is good," he said casually. "But it's not effective."

Nathan paused, turning to Lucien. His breathing was uneven, his knuckles red from exertion.

Lucien folded his arms.

"Adrian is a combat genius. I'll admit that much. He's nowhere near my level, but compared to you? You're miles behind."

Nathan remained silent, his expression unreadable.

Lucien sighed. Then, he gave a slight smirk.

"You've only got boxing. That won't be enough."

A pause.

Then, Lucien shrugged.

"How about I train you?"

Nathan's tired eyes widened slightly.

Lucien continued.

"You'll never be as strong as me, obviously. But if your goal is to beat Adrian and take the King's title… I guess I can make that happen."

Nathan exhaled, then—a grin.

Lucien sighed again, shaking his head.

"Don't get too excited. Training starts now."

And so, Nathan's real battle began.

The echoes of heavy breaths and sharp impacts filled the air. Nathan barely had time to react before Lucien's fist blurred toward him again. He twisted his body, narrowly dodging, but before he could counter, a precise kick landed against his ribs, sending him stumbling back.

"Too slow," Lucien said coldly.

Nathan gritted his teeth and steadied himself. His muscles burned from exhaustion, sweat dripping from his chin onto the wooden floor of the mansion's training hall. Every session was the same—brutal, relentless, unforgiving.

Lucien never held back.

Day after day, Nathan was pushed beyond his limits. His mornings started with intense conditioning—running, push-ups, shadowboxing. His afternoons were filled with learning deadly techniques from various martial arts: Muay Thai, Jiu-Jitsu, Wrestling, Karate, and more.

And every evening, he would spar with Lucien.

And every single time, he lost.

But he improved. His footwork sharpened, his timing became precise, his punches gained power. He was no longer just a rich kid hiding behind a bodyguard.

He was becoming a fighter.

---

The Day of the King's Election

The arena was filled with anticipation. Students gathered around the ring, their voices rising in excitement. The King's Election wasn't just a fight—it was a tradition. The strongest in the school ruled, and today, Adrian Becker stood as the undefeated king.

Nathan walked toward the ring with Lucien at his side. His heart pounded, but not from fear—from determination.

Adrian was already waiting. He removed his shirt, revealing a body built through years of combat experience. He smirked as he cracked his knuckles, standing confidently in his stance.

Nathan pulled off his own shirt. Gasps rippled through the crowd.

His body was covered in bruises and scars—marks of relentless training under Lucien. His muscles were more defined, his posture unwavering. He wasn't the same Nathan who had first stepped into this school.

He met Adrian's gaze with unwavering focus.

Adrian smirked. "I hope you're ready."

Nathan clenched his fists and took his stance.

The whistle blew.

---

Who will emerge victorious?

End of Chapter 15.