It was early in the morning, but there were still people up and running around. Everyone was excited about this duel between Jackson and Argan. Tons of people were rushing towards the arena, which was situated in the middle of the clan grounds. It was a large platform, surrounded in a circle by seats, that rose up high. It looked very much like a colosseum. The seats were nearly full, except for a booth large enough for three. This is where the judges sat.
Everyone was talking about who would win. Outside the entrance, there were even betting booths.
"Who will win this duel between our genius young master Jackson or the trash who can finally cultivate Argan? Come bet, and win a fortune!" Someone who set up a betting booth was yelling, trying to attract whoever. A lot of people soon crowded the booth and started placing bets
"I bet 100 spirit stones that Jackson will win!"
"I bet 15 that argan will win!"
"50 on Jackson"
Many others were shouting like this, as they placed their bets. After a little while, everyone has placed their bets and were either seated in one of the seats or standing around the arena, all of them chattering and talking about the fight. the bets were 50 to 1. The 50 representing that Jackson will win.
Meanwhile, inside the tunnel leading to the arena, there was a room, full of weapons. All of which were wooden. There were halberds, swords, sabers, spears, glaives. You name it, and it is in this room. Argan was in there looking around for a weapon.
"Here it is," Argan mumbled, as he took a wooden dagger off of a rack. As he got ready to depart, there was a man, standing near the exit towards the arena.
"Remember. If we find that you tampered with the weapon in any way, you will be put in the clan prison for 6 months," the man said, as he reached out his hand. Argan put the dagger in the man's hand, and the man started to inspect it. An energy came out from his hand and coursed through the weapon. The man soon handed it back to Argan, and said, "Good luck. You'll need it."
Argan paid no attention to these words, as he grabbed the dagger and exited the room. As he was left the room and into the tunnel, someone yelled.
"Look! Trash is coming out!"
Right when Argan got to the stage everyone started laughing and ridiculing him.
"I thought we told the servants to take out the trash? It seems they forgot some! Hahaha" Another person had yelled, making the people around him laugh. Argan ignored these comments, as he stood on the stage, inspecting the dagger. This was his first time actually fighting, and he was a little nervous.
Inside the opposite room, where Jackson was supposed to come out, Jackson was sitting on a bench, talking to his uncle.
"Jackson, I know you will win, but I still feel like something is off about that kid. Be careful." Jackson's uncle said.
"Yes, Uncle," Jackson replied. "I won't even give him the chance to retaliate."
"Good. That's how it should be. Here take this," Jackson's uncle said and took out a wooden blade. "This is the wooden saber I used to win all my fights as a child. Use it wisely."
Jackson grabbed the saber and felt it was a little heavier than the usual wooden saber. He paid no mind to it and thanked his uncle. He stood up and walked towards the exit to the arena with his uncle. As they reached the man who checks weapons, the man said, "I need to check your weapon."
"I had already checked it, there is nothing wrong." Jackson's uncle said.
"But it's clan rule-" The man said, "You're saying I don't have the authority to check a wooden blade? That I am simply too incompetent for this menial task?" Jackson's uncle interrupted, as he glared at the man.
"No, no sir! I did not mean that. Please, go right ahead." The man said, nervously. Jackson chuckled and left the room. Right as he did, his uncle said something.
"Oh! Jackson, try to scratch near his eyes. Don't touch them, but try to confuse him." He said. "It is very good in mock battles like these."
Jackson's eyes sparkled as he thought over what his uncle said. "Thank you for your teachings," Jackson said as he bowed. He then left the tunnel. As he exited there was a louder commotion than when Argan walked out. Everyone started clapping and cheering.
"Jackson I love you!" One girl yelled.
"Go on! Defeat this trash! I want to see him suffer!" One boy had yelled.
As Argan saw Jackson walk out, a cold light flashed in his eyes. Jackson walked up to the stage.
"Hmph. The day is finally here. The day I get you beat you like the filth you are. Let this beating be a lesson. To learn your place in this world as a piece of garbage." Jackson said with a sneer.
Argan ignored him, and he kept on inspecting his dagger, doing simple wrist movements while he waited for the referees.
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Jackson looked in Argan's hands and his mouth curled up into a smile.
"Hahaha! You think you're going to be able to beat me with that measly little thing? Maybe you should just forfeit now, to save me the trouble. I have better things to do you know," Jackson said. As he said that, 2 old men and Jacksons uncle walked up into the 3-person booth.
"Look, it's Elder Jin! I heard he has reached Martial Patron Level 9, the peak of Martial Patron!" One person in the crowd said.
"Is that Elder Baine? I heard he reached the peak of Magic Advocate not too long ago! That's crazy!" Another exclaimed.
"OH! Its Jackson's uncle! Elder Inmah! He just broke through to the 8th level of Martial Patron!" Said one girl from the crowd.
"Here are the rules! One! No crippling the opponent. We are all family, whether or not we have the same surname. Two! Anyone from the audience must not throw anything onto the stage or give any help to one of the fighters. Lastly! Other than the wooden weapon acquired from the room before, no other weapons are allowed. Anyone caught breaking these rules will be put into the clan prison for 1 week to 3 months, depending on the severity of the situation." The old man in the middle, Elder Baine said.
The old man on the right, Elder Jin, then spoke up, "This fight will continue on until either of the fighters are unable to move, or until one forfeits. Are both fighters ready to begin?" He looked at Argan and Jackson.
"Yes," Jackson replied. Argan had nodded, showing his compliance.
"Alright, the let the fight...begin!" As soon as Elder Jin said that, Jackson and Argan had rushed towards each other. As soon as Jackson got in range, he swung his sword horizontally, causing Argan to duck under it. Argan kicked out with his leg and hit Jacksons left shin, putting him off balance. He quickly jumped back. As soon as he landed, he charged forward again, stabbing towards Argan. Argan dodged to the left and sliced towards Jackson's left shoulder, but Jackson quickly reacted and turned his body, just barely dodging the dagger. As he turned, he sliced out again toward Argan, this time aiming for his leg,
Argan could not react in time and got hit. Feeling the pain in his leg, he kicked towards Jackson. But, as soon as Jackson hit Argan, he jumped up with his left hand and landed a few feet away from Argan.
As the fight was going on everyone was cheering and yelling. The three Elders in the booth were watching the battle, giving comments about the fight.
"Even though this is his first fight, he's doing pretty well." Elder Jin said. "Especially against such an experienced fighter like Jackson."
"Well, it is obvious Jackson has the upper hand. It won't be long until Argan is beaten." Elder Inmah retorted.
"Haha. We will just have to wait and see. Don't forget who his grandfather is, haha," Elder Baine said. As he said this, Elder Inmah gave a solemn expression.
As Jackson jumped away, so did Argan. They both used this chance to take a breath.
"You're pretty good. For scum of the earth like you, that is. This time, I'm actually going to use my full strength. Get ready." Jackson said and dropped his sword into the ground. He started to do something weird with his hands. He curled one up into a ball and covered it with his other hand.
"Oh! Boost of the Dragon! I didn't expect you would pass down this skill to him, Inmah. And for him to be able to comprehend this much," Elder Jin said.
"Well, he is my nephew. It is the least I could do," Elder Inmah said with a proud expression.
"It was a good fight, but with this, it is over. There is no way Argan can beat Jackson now," Elder Baine said.
On the stage, Jackson's aura was rising. His very presence was like that of a dragon's, although a small one. After a few seconds, Jackson looked very ferocious.
"Watch out," Jackson said, as he charged, this time much faster than before. Argans eyebrows furrowed, as he charged forward as well. The fight continued, but Jackson's speed was a little more than Argan could handle. He was just barely dodging Jacksons attacks, and even stumbled a few times.
Jackson punched towards Argan, but Argan just barely dodged. The fist grazed his right shoulder. But right as Argan was about to counter, Jackson kicked his leg, causing Argan to fall backward. Argan did a backflip and instantly charged forward, this time stabbing with his dagger. Jackson saw this and was about to chop at Argans Arm, but as soon as Argan got close, Jackson felt a pain in his chest. He flew backward a few feet, right in front of his sword. He looked at Argan and saw Argans fist out.
"Wha...what was that?" Someone in the crowd asked. Even the Elders were stunned by this attack.
"Wait. I think I remember what that skill is called." Elder Baine said. "It was brought back by the old clan head. I think it was called...[Peerless Fist of Speed],"
"Wait. I remember now! Back when old clan head brought it back, no one was able to comprehend it! The only two who were able to were..." Elder Inmah said but stopped midway.
"Argans Grandfather and mother." Elder Jin completed the thought., as all the Elders had a weird expression on their face. "Well, it must be destiny for his bloodline to learn that skill." Elder Jin sighed as he said.
Back on the stage, Jackson was astonished. 'That speed was faster than mine! And I didn't feel any Inner Energy on the fist either. No, it impossible he reached that speed with his physical body alone!' Jackson thought. Then he remembered what his uncle told him. 'Slash near his eyes.' Jackson picked up his sword and took a breather. He still felt the pain from the fist but brushed it off. He swung his sword down, and then charged once again, this time, he put his Inner Energy inside of his chest, to protect him. Argan saw Jackson rushing and did the same. As they got near, Argan once again stabbed out with his dagger, the same way he did earlier.
"Is he a fool? Doing the same attack twice?" Someone in the crowd asked.
"Not this time," Jackson said, as he punched with his left hand towards Argans left shoulder. Midway, their fists met. Argan was astonished. Right when he felt this attack, he tried to move his dagger, but then saw the wooden sword coming for his face. He leaned back, trying to dodge, but then something happened.
Blood splattered, and Argan fell down, covering his face. His eyes in excruciating pain. The crowd went silent, and everyone had a shocked expression. On the stage, Jackson had a horrified expression. He looked up towards his uncle, only to see him looking at him with disdain.
"JACKSON WEY! You dare disobey the rules and bring a real sword into the battle?!" Elder Jin yelled, with a furious expression.
"No! No...I..I didn't..." Jackson stuttered. "There is no getting out of this! Come! Follow me!" Elder Jin said as he leaped onto the stage. Elder Baine jumped down as well and picked up Argan. He left the arena quickly, bringing him towards a large building.
In the arena, everyone was mumbling about what happened. Almost everyone was shocked.
"Jackson was usually a nice person, no matter how arrogant he got. I can't believe he would do something like this." One said. Some of Jacksons diehard fans even outright denied that jackson did this, and it was all a ruse by Argan.
Elder Inmah stood there in the booth, with no expression. Soon a smirk creeped up on his face, as he left towards where Elder Baine did.