Chapter 44: When Shy Muscles Go Public
Dahlia looked down at her robe, which had been sliced clean.
She exhaled once and frowned.
So be it. If he’s stronger than I thought, I need to be serious.
With one sharp motion, she slipped her robe off her shoulders and let it fall to the arena floor.
Underneath, the black combat suit clung tightly, showing her toned arms and the faint lines of her abs.
The crowd gasped.
Even some of the other competitors in the waiting area stood up to get a better look.
Adriel blinked, then threw back his head and laughed.
"Is this your final move? Trying to defeat me with charm?"
His smile turned sharp.
"Sorry, but even if you’ve got a sexy body, you’re too bulky for my taste. I’m going to be charmed."
Dahlia stayed silent, lowering herself into her stance. Her eyes didn’t leave his spear.
In the premium seat, Serath chuckled.
"Your disciple has guts. But stripping down won’t save her from Adriel’s technique."
Garion looked at him and grinned.
"You’ll see. That’s no charm but a weapon waiting to be used."
The crowd roared again as the fight entered its next stage.
---
Adriel spun his spear once more, silver light running down the shaft.
"Come then. Let me show you what true technique looks like."
Dahlia exhaled, coating both her fists and legs with mana.
Adriel just lunged, pointing his spear at her.
"Silver Thru!"
Before Adriel could do anything, Dahlia exploded forward, her speed shocking the crowd.
She slipped past the spear tip, smashing her left fist into Adriel’s ribs.
Thud!
Adriel staggered. "What!"
Before he could understand what was going on, Dahlia’s right fist followed instantly, cracking against his jaw.
Crack!
The spear slipped in his grip, breaking his guard.
Dahlia didn’t stop.
She twisted her hips and kicked him in the stomach, and with her mana-filled leg...
Boom!
She sent Adriel skidding backward across the arena floor.
Adriel tried to steady himself, but Dahlia won’t let him be.
She hammered down her fists in a relentless combo, each blow shaking his body.
And finally, Dahlia delivered a roundhouse kick right into his chest.
Smash!
Adriel was launched away, hitting the ground hard, his spear clattering away.
Silence fell for one long moment.
Then the announcer raised his hand, voice cracking over the roar of the crowd.
"Winner. Dahlia of the God Gym!"
---
In the premium seats, Serath was frozen, his hand gripping the armrest. His calm smile was gone.
"How... how can this be? Adriel, defeated so easily..."
Garion smirked wide, leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed.
His chest rose with pride as the crowd below went wild.
"Heh. Let me tell you something. That robe of hers? It was nothing but a shackle. Once she threw it off, she was free. No more hesitation."
He pointed down at the arena, grinning.
"Look at her. She became faster and stronger. She didn’t need to worry about anything else. Just one thing. Win."
Serath’s jaw tightened, his eyes never leaving the stage.
Garion laughed again, slapping the armrest.
"That’s the gym way. Ignore anything and just focus on the fight to win."
Serath’s frown deepened, turning his head slowly to Garion.
"It seems I have underestimated you. But remember, this is only a book for children."
Garion raised an eyebrow, still grinning.
"Children or not, a win’s a win."
Serath’s voice dropped lower.
"Just wait until they reach the Mana Core Realm. When mana flows more freely, and traits are awakened. It is when the real fight begins."
His frowned turned into a smile.
"We will see if your methods can still succeed, as from what I see, your disciple relies only on her body."
Garion leaned forward, grinning wide.
"You call it ’only the body’. I call it the foundation of everything. Without a strong body, your mana and traits crumble the second you’re hit."
Serath’s lips pressed into a thin line.
Garion chuckled, pointing toward the arena.
"So let’s wait and see, old man. You’ve got your polished spear art, I’ve got my gy. Time will tell which one is better."
Serath didn’t answer, but his silence spoke louder than words.
---
In the waiting area, teh atmostphere turned heavy as Dahlia stepped down from the stage
Larris’ jaw tightened, reacting to the mood.
"... Adriel was one of the favorites, and still she defeated him so easily."
Elira stood nearby, fixing her eyes on Dahlia.
"It seems we underestimated her. To defeat him with such ease... she’s not just some lucky newcomer."
Larris frowned deeper, eyes narrowing.
"We’ll need to think twice about how to beat her now that she’s shown her strength."
Elira smirked faintly, through her tone was serious.
"Indeed, but just like I said, strength alone doesn’t win a tournament. She may surprise others, but she won’t surprise me."
Larris glanced at Elira.
"Still... when the time comes, she won’t be easy to break."
Elria nodded once, lips tight.
"She won’t, and that’s why it’s gonna be interesting."
---
Dahlia sat back down in her corner, the robe still lying where she had dropped it.
She didn’t bother picking it up and still exposed her muscular frame for all to see.
Her face was calm and her eyes sharp.
Enough playing around. I’ll finish this tournament quickly. The sooner it ends, the better.
But still her cheek reddened a bit as she was still feeling shy, and she hated it.
Showing herself like this in front of thousands was shameful, and that’s why she wanted to finish this fast.
---
The rest of the battle was just the same as the first round.
Some were over in seconds, with one strike deciding everything.
Others dragged on far too long, sloppy attacks and wasted movement, leaving the crowd restless.
A few matches, like Larris and Elira’s, showed real skills, but none carried the shock of Dahlia’s win.
By the end of the day, the second round was finished.
The weaker disciples had fallen, and only the strongest advanced.
Among them, Elira and Larris stood out, but Dahlia stood out the most.
The crowd buzzed, already waiting for the next round.