Daniel focused all his attention on Vice-Captain Doran, who, even after the match began, stood motionless and expressionless.
It's just as Princess Alexia predicted… he's waiting for my move. In that case...
Daniel rushed forward, with Doran watching him in disbelief. He's charging me head-on? Either he's a fool… or he's planning something.
No matter what he tries… Doran readied himself, but Daniel suddenly used a wind spell to shift to his exposed side and strike. The spear hit his left arm but didn't pierce through completely — leaving Daniel stunned.
I'll always be ready and impenetrable. Doran turned sharply and swung his sword, but Daniel barely managed to parry.
What power! Daniel staggered back a few steps, then looked at his trembling arms.
But that's not even the real problem… it's his impenetrable skin.
Daniel noticed something strange in Doran's eyes — then, suddenly, a rock pillar erupted behind him, smashing him from behind.
The boys watching were shocked.
"But Princess Alexia said he didn't use that kind of magic…" murmured Hector, confused.
"He's changing his approach. He realized Alexia revealed their fighting styles, so now he's trying to surprise us," said Alexandre.
Daniel, off balance and about to fall, looked up and saw Doran dropping his shield to attack immediately. "Damn it!"
Doran swung down, but Daniel used his spear as a pole to vault himself upward, dodging the strike and landing behind the vice-captain.
He immediately slashed at Doran's heels, but couldn't even scratch him.
"You're only tickling me," Doran said with a mocking tone, turning toward him. "I call upon your aid, Lord: Agility!" His body shone with the enchantment, and with a burst of speed, he slammed his fist into Daniel's side, sending him flying several meters and crashing into the wall, leaving a deep mark.
Daniel spat blood from the blow.
"You don't have time to rest!" growled Doran, leaping at him with his sword.
Daniel dodged the blade, which lodged itself into the wall — but Doran, without even pulling it out, continued the assault, slicing through the wall in front of him.
Daniel reacted at full speed, blocking with his spear, but still received a cut on his right arm.
Panting, Daniel touched the wound and saw blood on his hand.
"Boy, do you really not know what else to do?" Doran asked as he pulled his sword from the wall, causing part of it to crumble. "If that's the case… you're even worse than I thought."
Daniel laughed faintly, confusing his opponent. "We're not done yet. This wound is nothing... I can't disappoint my friends like this."
The boys smiled at Daniel's words.
Doran looked at him firmly. "I have to admit, at least you've got determination."
He charged again, sure he'd land the hit.
Daniel gripped his spear tightly with both hands. "Lightning Rod!" He slammed the base of his spear into the ground, creating an electrified area around him.
Doran was caught off guard and couldn't avoid it, taking the full shock.
Daniel seized the chance to counterattack, his body glowing red — and Doran noticed it. He boosted himself!
Daniel unleashed a flurry of strikes to Doran's abdomen, each one heavier than the last.
The boys watched with tension. "He can do it!" shouted Michael.
Daniel kept attacking without slowing down. But Doran, slightly worried, prepared to retaliate even while under fire.
"I call upon your utmost aid, Lord: Superior Endurance!" Doran shouted, his body becoming impenetrable once more — unfazed by Daniel's blows or the electricity under his feet.
Oh, shit!
Daniel looked at him in shock and tried to retreat, but Doran struck his right shoulder with a swift, heavy blow.
After a moment of silence, Doran stepped back as Daniel collapsed to the ground.
Captain Edward approached, noticing Daniel unconscious. "The winner is Doran Stonewyrm!"
The soldiers cheered at the announcement.
Doran looked at Daniel as he wiped the sweat from his brow, then noticed a thin trail of blood running down his own side. "So… you did manage to land something after all."