As Bryson returned to the view booth, he had apparently already missed several matches. Apparently, Spencer Khan had already finished his fight in a quick and dominant fashion. As he sat himself down, his parents gave him a small greeting to acknowledge his return.

Sable quickly moved over to Bryson whispering, “Did it all work out?”

“Seems like it.” Bryson replied.

“By the looks of it, whatever you two did seem to have worked out.” Viola said sitting next to them.

“What makes you say that?” Bryson said trying to play it off. One look at Viola’s face made Bryson realize that this lie wasn’t working, “Nosy aren’t you.” He grumbled.

“Hey, I’m not going to ask for details.” Viola said amused.

“Hmm.” Bryson grunted.

“So anyways, you missed a few fights, the second round’s almost over.” Viola said changing the subject.

“Yeah, how were they? Anything impressive?”

“Not really, pretty average, no special moments.” Viola said.

“That Spencer was impressive.” Sable said.

“Yes, he was efficient.” Viola said eyes narrowing in suspicion at her sister.

“What’s going on?” Bryson asked.

“Nothing.” Viola said.

“I think Viola fancies the boy.” Sable said with a mischievous grin.

“I do not.” Viola said unamused.

Bryson looked between the two, “Viola, do you actually like him?”

“I tolerate him.” Viola said giving Bryson a warning look.

“Who do you want to win?” Bryson asked.

“Who do you want to win?” Viola snapped back at him.

Bryson glanced over to his parents who were busy talking to one another on the other side of the room. Bryson then told Viola in an even quieter voice, “Khan.”

“Wait really?” Viola said in surprise.

“Saved me once, and from what I’ve seen he’s the most talented. Also I really am tired of Gilles attempt to be the golden boy with Gareth gone the last few years.” Bryson said.

“You haven’t even gotten to see Spencer fight in this tournament yet.” Sable said.

“I saw him plenty on that stupid ‘adventure’ we were forced to do. Compared to others he seems better.” Bryson said shrugging.

“Huh.” Viola exhaled.

“Let me guess, you also want him to win.” Bryson probed.

“Shut up Bry.” Viola said as she focused on the tournament.

***

The remainder of the second round went by rather quickly. Most of the kids that made it through tended to be older, two other kids from the Academy also made it through to the next round. One thing remained consistent throughout, and it was that the competitors were tired and hurt, the next fights should be far shorter.

After a brief ten-minute intermission, the announcer began to address the crowd.

“Ladies and gentlemen! For the first match of the third round, we have Lord Gilles Coldwater versus the Adventurer Spencer Khan!”

As the crowd erupted in cheers and claps. Sable whispered, “Gilles sure does love going first.”

“Gives him plenty of recovery time and to fight someone more tired.” Viola said.

“So who do you think is going to win?” Sable asked.

“Should be Khan… but I haven’t seen what Gilles can do when he’s really backed into a corner.” Bryson said as the two competitors approached the ring.

***

Gilles Coldwater looked at his opponent unimpressed. He had messy brown hair and a dumb smile on his face as he waved to the crowd. Did this idiot really think he was going to win?

“Are you enjoying the crowd cheering you on?” Gilles asked mockingly.

“Yeah, it’s all pretty new. Fun though.” Spencer said with a smile.

Gilles could only give an unimpressed snort at that reply, “You really are some bum running around the woods aren’t you?”

“I guess. But it worked out for me so far right?” Spencer said giving a small shrug not really minding the insult, “So you’re Lady Viola’s younger brother right?”

“You’re a worthless piece of trash that I’m going to enjoy smashing.” Gilles growled, ignoring the last comment from Spencer.

“Hey I just want a fun match. Not looking to start anything.” Spencer said trying to calm him down. A look of utter contempt was shot his way.

“Shut up.” Gilles said angrily, slamming his sword onto the face of his shield.

“Begin!” The announcer shouted out and Gilles surged forward at alarming speeds.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

Spencer quickly brought his sword up and managed to defend the first few strikes sent by Gilles. Quickly Spencer began to back up, creating space, space that was quickly eaten up by Gilles.

A familiar sight was seen as Gilles fought like he had fought the last two fights. Pressing forward and smashing his opponent with his sword while shoving Spencer back with his shield.

This fighting style was however simple and repetitive, and Spencer had seen plenty of it already. As Spencer moved backwards, he did so rather calmly, his initial surprise at the speed of the larger opponent faded away as Spencer simply bided his time.

Gilles however, either unaware or unconcerned by the calmness in Spencer’s face continued forward, looking to shove his out of the ring. Only it didn’t seem like they were reaching the edge yet. It was strange despite Gille’s advancement and Spencer’s retreat; the edge of the ring drew no closer.

It took a lot longer for Gilles to realize what everyone in the crowd was already seeing. Spencer was leading Gilles into moving in a circle, it was a chase with the objective of tiring out Gilles.

Please, you can’t tire me out. Gilles thought as he continued. You’re going to tire out first idiot. He thought as he continued to move. A few moments later he realized that this was going to be rather unlikely. Spencer moved as if he wasn’t tired, still calm still analyzing Gilles.

Damn it. Gilles thought angrily as he now began to try and figure out a new method of attack. Nothing he could come up with would work if he couldn’t close the gap and currently, he couldn’t. Spencer always stood just at the end of Gilles’s range, far enough to avoid the power from his strikes.

The only upside with this was that Spencer couldn’t reach Gilles to strike back at him. But this was a small comfort for Gilles. He was looking to win, and he was getting tired. Yet as he surged forward he still couldn’t make the distance. He could use his shield, but this idiot wasn’t worth it. He’ll get him eventually.

“Hey coward!” He screamed between blows, “Fight me and stop running!”

Spencer seemed to think for a moment before giving him a cocky grin, “Sure.”

***

“What is he doing?” Bryson whispered urgently looking down at the ring in absolute confusion.

Spencer Khan after seeming to have exchanged a few words now changed his fighting style against Gilles. Before he was simply moving around in a circle taking his time to wait Gilles out. After this discussion, Spencer actually moved forward pressing his attack. Now the two were at a standstill exchanging strikes and parries.

Spencer was good, and Bryson was sure that he was confident in his own abilities. But Bryson also felt that he was underestimating Gilles, one small mistake could prove disastrous.

“Why is he not moving? Is he an idiot?” Sable asked.

Bryson then recalled the scene in the infirmary. His brows furrowed as he thought, “No, it can’t be…”

“What?” His two sisters asked in unison.

“Remember what happened in the infirmary with Khan and McAvoy?” He asked Sable.

“Yeah, he was upset.” Sable said remembering, “… Oh, don’t tell me he’s trying to play hero and beat Gilles in his own game.”

“That does seem like something he would try.” Viola said.

“Well, looks like Gilles is making it through to the next round.” Sable said looking back to the fight.

***

This is easy. Spencer thought as he and Gilles exchanged attacks. Spencer was able to avoid the most powerful strikes and parry the other. He had plenty of opportunities to throw his own strikes back. But Gilles was able to block all his attacks, that shield was proving difficult to get past.

They were currently at a standstill, but Spencer was going to change that. If Gilles wanted to stand and strike, then Spencer was going to out-strike Gilles. Spencer surged forward and began to apply pressure.

Gilles not expecting it suddenly went on the defensive. Backing off as Spencer moved forward, the crowd began to murmur in surprise at this change of pace. Spencer feinted a swinging strike from the right and instead changed into a quick forward thrust.

Catching Gilles unaware he barely moved his head in time to avoid getting struck. As he leapt backwards and got a bit of distance from Spencer, he felt liquid pour down his cheek. It didn’t feel like it was sweat.

Making sure Spencer was out of striking range he quickly brushed his face with the back of his hand and looked at it. Blood. That no-name hillbilly cut him. Glancing up at one of the large viewscreens that showed their fight to the crowd he could see his cut being broadcasted out to everyone. Those commentators are no doubt saying something stupid about his wound right now.

The crowd began to point and murmur as they witnessed Spencer draw first blood. Gilles felt his blood boil in rage. They were laughing at him, and because of this nobody.

Blinded with rage he surged forward with more speed and ferocity than before. Catching Spencer off guard he barely brought his blade up to block the downward strike. Spencer wasn’t expecting the power behind the attack as his hands went numb from absorbing the hit.

Gilles then thrusted forward with his shield and nailed Khan in the chest winding him and forcing him to curl up. Following the assault, Gilles swung his sword wildly and smashed the training sword across the side of his head.

Spencer smashed into the floor and even skidded across the ground before stopping in a heap. The crowd gave a gasp in surprise at the strike. Bryson from the view booth was wondering if he just witnessed his brother kill someone.

As Gilles raised his hand in victory the large smile on his face slowly disappeared as he saw Spencer stir. What the hell? Gilles thought as Spencer got to his feet. Stumbling for a second, he steadied his legs and raised his sword up again.

“That was a clean hit, if you had some power behind it that could’ve finished me.” Spencer said with a laugh as blood dripped from his head.

Gilles stared blankly at Spencer for a long moment, “Okay, you aren’t going walk out of this arena.” He said finally as he charged forward.

Once more the two exchanged blows, but this time Gilles’s attacks were sloppy from his rage. But Spencer clearly still feeling the effects from the blow to the head, he was slower and still unsteady on his feet, but he was still focused.

Gilles threw another swing strike at Spencer’s head, hoping to knock it off. Spencer ducked down and struck low his sword smashing into Gilles’s hamstrings.

“Gaugh.” Gilles grunted as they exchanged a few more strikes. Making another mistake soon after and Spencer capitalized on it. Another strike across his forearm holding his sword sent pain shooting through it.

Gilles realized something at this moment, he was losing, and if this kept up he was going to lose. Not, not happening. He thought as he narrowed his eyes. Take this. He thought as he raised his shield to face Spencer. He then channelled the tiniest bit of magic into it, too small for anything to pick up its existence but enough to activate the petrification spell.

Only, Spencer kept moving forward. In fact, he picked up speed surging towards him, he was still in control of his body. What? Gilles thought. It was the only thing he was able to think right before Spencer made contact.

The first blow hit him right in the nose, breaking it. The second one hit him across the cheek sending him lurching over to one side. The final shot cracked him on the back of the head.

Gilles Coldwater stood hunched over for a second after the strike before hitting the floor with a thud. Another second passed before the crowd began to cheer loudly.

“Unbelievable! An upset in the third round! Lord Gilles Coldwater has been eliminated by the adventurer Spencer Khan!” The announcer shouted out unsurely.

“Wooo!” Lottie screamed out in joy throwing popcorn all over those around her.

Up in the view booth the reactions were rather mixed. Duke Coldwater remained stone-faced as he stared down at his unconscious child being treated by the medical team.

“Is… is Gilles alright?” Sable asked.

“Well, it definitely was one of the more painful-looking finishes. But, there have been worse in the past years, and they were all fine.” Bryson said.

“He doesn’t have much brain cells to begin with.” Viola muttered.

“How dare that brat do that to my baby.” Duchess Coldwater suddenly screamed getting up. She looked like she was about to get down to the ring and wring Spencer’s neck herself when Duke Coldwater spoke.

“Lilith.” He rumbled, “Do not.”

“But he hurt our baby, Alexander.” Duchess Coldwater said angered.

“He knew what he was participating in. He simply failed. We will see him later.” Duke Coldwater said calmly.

Duchess Coldwater stared down tempted to leave before finally sitting down silently, simply staring down at the ring below.