Will Atta Lose His First Fight?
Atta was down on one knee, breathing heavy as Luc's stone knights closed in on him. From the balcony, Princess Isha covered her mouth, her heart pounding.
Reyan, watching from the podium, clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles went white. Don't lose that easily, bro…
Meanwhile, Prince Ethan only scoffed and turned away. "Weakling."
One of the stone knights swung its massive hammer down. The arena shook with the impact, but Atta rolled aside just in time.
Damn it! I can't even reach Luc because of these things…
He sprang up, mana wrapping around his fist, and drove it into a knight's head. The stone skull shattered into fragments. Atta smirked.
It's easy. I just need to smash them apart—then I'll get to Luc.
But before he could catch his breath, the headless knight swung its hammer into his chest. The blow launched Atta into the arena wall with a bone-rattling crack. He crumpled to the ground, coughing blood.
What the hell—they can still move without their heads?
Luc laughed, his voice echoing across the arena. "Oi, commoner. Didn't I tell you? No matter how much damage you do, my knights will keep fighting as long as I feed them mana."
The stone soldiers closed in, striking one after another. Each hit drove Atta across the floor like a ragdoll.
Up in the balcony, Isha squeezed her eyes shut. I can't watch this anymore…
The crowd roared for Luc, chanting his name.
But Atta slammed a fist against the ground, trembling as he forced himself back up. "Damn it… damn it… I can't lose here!"
He launched himself at the nearest knight. His fist crushed its chest, his knee shattered its core, and he spun with a kick that broke it apart completely.
Luc said they won't stop if I break their heads—so I'll destroy their whole bodies.
He charged the next knight, ripping through stone with raw strength. One after another, the summoned soldiers fell under his blows.
But just as Atta destroyed the third, a hand grabbed his collar from behind. His eyes widened—Luc was right there, smirking.
"Don't forget, I'm your opponent. Did you really think I'd just let you tear down my knights?"
With crushing force, Luc lifted Atta and slammed him into the ground. Dust exploded around them.
Atta gritted his teeth, quickly wrapping mana around his back to dull the impact. He twisted, punching Luc across the face, then rolled and pinned him to the floor.
Atta pulled his fist back for the finishing blow—
But a hammer came crashing down. Another knight struck him, slamming him into the arena wall once more. The stones cracked under the impact.
Atta's vision blurred as he slid down, his body screaming in pain.
This is… no good. If this keeps up… I'll pass out.
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To Be Continued...