Chapter 43: One Kick, One Nosebleed
Garion glanced at Serath and burst out laughing, loud enough to turn heads.
"Serath, huh? You’ve got guts, sitting right beside me while your disciple is fighting mine."
Serath only smiled, calm and steady.
"I’m simply interested in the person who managed to train such a strong girl."
Garion smirked, leaning back with his arms crossed.
"Thanks for that. My name’s Garion. I’m also the owner of the God Gym."
"God Gym..." Serath chuckled softly, as if tasting the words.
"I see. Is this God Gym a new sect? I’ve never heard of it."
Garion nodded without hesitation.
"Yeah. Brand new one."
Serath tilted his head slightly.
"Even so, it’s impressive you’ve managed to produce a disciple like her."
Garion grinned wider, chest puffing out a little.
"Of course. I’m the one who trained her. She’s living proof my method works."
Garion then narrowed his eyes.
"Now, tell me. Do you really think your disciple can beat mine down below?"
Serath’s smile stayed in place, but his eyes narrowed.
"I cannot say for sure. I’ve yet to see the true strength of your Dahlia. But Adriel... he hasn’t shown his full power either."
Garion leaned forward, a wolfish grin spreading across his face.
"Heh. I see. Then let’s watch, old man. Let’s find out whose disciple stands at the end."
Serath placed his hands neatly on his lap, smiling.
"Indeed. Let us watch."
The two men turned their eyes back to the arena, the roar of the crowd echoing around them.
---
Adriel twirled his spear once before smiling at Dahlia.
"I haven’t seen all of your power yet. But still... I don’t think you’re that strong."
Dahlia’s eyes narrowed. She raised on hand, waving him off.
"Just shut up and fight. Usually, the ones who talk too much are the first to lose."
The crowd roared with laughter. "Good one!"
Adriel’s smile widened.
"You’ve got quite a poisonous tongue. Fine then, I’ll finish this fast."
He rushed forward, coating his spear shaft with mana. His body blurred as he thrust forward.
"Silver Thrust!"
The strike cut through the air fast, faster than what Dahlia had seen from him in the first round.
Her eyes sharpened as she dipped her head low, her shoulders rolling as she bent slightly forward.
Her body swayed left, then right, dodging each thrust like a boxer slipping punches.
The spear tip sliced the air just inches from her cheek.
Adriel’s eyes widened.
She dodged all of it?!
Before he could recover, Dahlia stepped in close, closing the gap between them.
Adriel gritted his teeth and leapt back, spear raised high.
"Crushing Fang!"
The silver spear cut downward in a brutal arc, mana surging.
But Dahluia didn’t panic as she adjusted her movement.
The spear tip slammed into the stone floor right in front of her toes, cracking the floor.
The cord gasped.
Dahlia smirked. "Missed."
She planted her hands on the spear shaft, kicked off the ground, and ran along the weapon like a balance rod.
In one fluid motion, she closed the distance to Adriel’s chest.
"Here!"
Her leg snapped up, kicking Adriel right in the face.
Crack!
Adriel stumbled back, spear nearly flying out of his hands.
The crowd erupted in cheers.
But still, Adriel wasn’t yet knocked out.
He spat to the side, wiping the corner of his mouth where blood ran.
"Not bad... but don’t think that it will be that easy again."
Dahlia lowered her hands back into her stance.
"Good. I was hoping you’d last longer than that."
The crowd roared even louder, sensing the fight had only just begun.
---
Garion smirked, leaning back in his chair and turning to Serath.
"See? My Dahlia is great, right? Still think your boy’s going to win?"
Serath’s smile stayed, but his eyes sharpened.
"Of course I’m sure. Adriel has not even begun to fight seriously."
Garion chuckled, shaking his head.
"Heh. That sounds like an excuse already. When people say ’he hasn’t gone all out yet’, it usually means they’re scared."
A few elders sitting nearby turned their heads, trying to pretend they weren’t listening.
Serath’s smirk thinned.
"Scared? No. I’ve watched Adriel for years. He’s refined, discipline, and trained every day without fail."
His eyes rolled onto Garion.
"Unlike... crude methods that only rely on fists and brute force."
Garion flexed his arm casually, veins standing out.
"Crude, huh? Funny. My ’crude’ method already made your spear boy bleed."
That earned a few chuckles from the other elders in the seats behind them.
Serath ignored it and locked his eyes on the arena below.
"Laugh while you can, Garion. This match isn’t over."
Garion grinned wide, leaning forward.
"Good. Then let’s watch closely. When Dahlia finishes him, I want to see the look on your face."
---
Adriel looked straight at Dahlia, smiling faintly.
"You’re stronger than I thought. So let me congratulate you for forcing me to get serious."
Dahlia tightened her stance, raising her hands again. Her eyes stayed cold.
"Congratulations? You talk too much. Just fight."
Adriel chuckled, spinning the spear once in a wide circle before pointing the tip at her chest.
"You’re confident. Good. I like confident opponents. But don’t think your trick will save you now."
He stomped forward, rolling his shoulder as he shifted into a practiced spear form.
Dahlia bent her knees slightly, feet sliding apart, her arms loose but ready.
She tilted her head, watching his hips and shoulders.
"You can be as serious as you want, but it won’t change the result."
The crowd leaned forward in their seats, roaring louder, sensing the next clash would be even bigger.
Then in the next moment, mana wrapped tightly around Adriel’s spear and feet.
The silver glow spread like fire as he charged forward. His speed double and stnreh sureg to another level.
Dahlia’s eyes widened.
She twisted at the last second, barely slipping aside as her robe was sliced, leaving a thin line.
The crowd gasped.
Adriel smirked, spinning his spear back into a stance.
"Now... the real fight begins."
Dahlia steadied her breathing, turned to Adriel, frowning as finally it seemed she needed to get serious.