Chapter 8: Behemoth vs. Lucas
Lucas stared up at his next opponent.
A seven-foot-tall, muscle-packed, armor-clad warrior named Behemoth loomed over him like a mountain of destruction.
The crowd roared with excitement.
Lucas, on the other hand, was rethinking every life decision that led him here.
Claire was losing her mind from the sidelines. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN HE HAS TO FIGHT AGAIN?!"
The Headmaster just smiled. "The audience is entertained. Let's keep the momentum going."
Lucas sighed, rubbing his temples. "Yeah, let's keep the 'momentum' of my suffering going."
Behemoth cracked his neck. His voice was deep and thunderous.
"You. I will crush you."
Lucas winced. "Wow, okay. Straight to the point, huh?"
The referee raised his hand.
"BEGIN!"
Behemoth charged forward, his massive fist swinging like a wrecking ball.
Lucas?
Lucas turned around and started sprinting.
The audience blinked.
"IS HE… RUNNING AWAY?!"
Claire shouted, "LUCAS, YOU CAN'T JUST RUN!"
Lucas, still sprinting, yelled back, "IT'S CALLED STRATEGIC RETREAT!"
Behemoth punched the ground.
BOOM!
The entire arena shook as a crater formed where Lucas had been standing.
Lucas screamed internally.
Claire's face went pale. "That… would have killed him."
The audience was in shock.
"Behemoth's strength is INSANE!"
Lucas, hiding behind a pillar, whispered to himself, "Okay. New plan."
Step 1: Don't die.
Step 2: Maybe actually fight back?
Step 3: If steps 1 & 2 fail, pretend to faint.
Behemoth grabbed a boulder and hurled it at Lucas.
Lucas, who was bending down to tie his shoelace (again), narrowly avoided the rock.
The boulder flew past him and obliterated the stadium wall.
Everyone went silent.
Lucas slowly turned around and stared at the destruction.
"…Oh. That's not good."
Behemoth growled, "STOP MOVING AND FIGHT ME!"
Lucas threw his hands up. "I'M TRYING, MAN. BUT YOU KEEP ALMOST KILLING ME."
Lucas took a deep breath. "Alright. Time for my ultimate move."
Claire's eyes widened. "Wait… you have an ultimate move?!"
Lucas smirked. "Of course. I call it… 'The Great Distraction.'"
Claire leaned forward. "What does it do?"
Lucas turned toward Behemoth.
And then…
HE POINTED BEHIND HIM.
"LOOK! A DRAGON!"
Behemoth actually turned around.
The audience: …What?!
Claire: "THAT'S NOT A MOVE!"
Lucas immediately ran in the opposite direction.
Behemoth turned back, realizing his mistake.
"…You dare mock me?!"
Lucas laughed nervously. "No, no, no, it's called battle psychology!"
Behemoth lunged.
Lucas panicked and tripped over his own feet.
As he fell forward, his arm swung wildly.
His fist accidentally smashed into Behemoth's jaw.
CRACK!
Behemoth's eyes widened.
The massive warrior stumbled… then collapsed.
Lucas blinked. "Wait. What?"
The referee ran over.
"…BEHEMOTH IS UNCONSCIOUS!"
Silence.
"LUCAS VANCE WINS AGAIN!"
The crowd exploded in cheers.
Lucas just stood there, confused.
"…WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!"
Claire's jaw dropped. "Did… did you just one-punch a tank by accident?"
Lucas scratched his head. "I… think I did?"
Behemoth, still on the ground, muttered, "That was… a lucky hit…" before passing out again.
The Headmaster laughed. "Fascinating. Perhaps there's more to Lucas Vance than we thought."
Lucas turned to Claire. "See? I totally planned that."
Claire threw her shoe at him.
Just as Lucas thought it was finally over—
The Headmaster raised a hand.
"Lucas Vance," he called.
Lucas froze. "Oh no."
The Headmaster smirked.
"You've proven yourself twice now. But let's see how you handle… the final round."
Lucas paled.
"…Final round?"
From the other side of the arena, the next challenger stepped forward.
The crowd gasped.
Lucas slowly turned to see his next opponent.
It was a girl in a sleek black uniform, with piercing silver eyes and an aura of deadly precision.
The audience whispered in fear.
"Wait… that's Raven Nightshade."
Lucas squinted. "Okay. Who's Raven Nightshade?"
Claire grabbed his shoulders.
"The deadliest fighter in the entire academy."
Lucas' soul left his body again.
"…I REALLY need a nap."
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End of Chapter 8.