The excitement of the Tier Five Malenta Reiti-Kalem had yet to settle down. Although the champion had been crowned, the brimming arena still rumbled for the action taking place in the centre of the ring.

The traditional challenger match was a spectacle in its own right. Historically these matches proved to be just as, and often times, more exciting than the final. The thrill of witnessing an underdog go toe to toe with the champion, and in some cases hold their ground, was too intoxicating to miss.

Unlike the final, an official stood at ringside to oversee the match. His duty was to end the match immediately if either competitor surrendered or lost consciousness, although not explicitly stated, he was there for the safety of the challenger.

"How can this be allowed to continue?" Logan said, staring wide eyed over the balcony.

The reason for his confusion was due to the clear difference in power between the two combatants, the newly crowned tournament Champion Alixus Stalhart and the challenger Johal Geldo.

Five minutes passed since the official started the match, despite his best efforts, Johal could not even graze his opponent, much less land a solid hit. On the other hand, the tournament champion faced zero resistance when attacking, effectively reducing his opponent to a blood soaked punching bag.

To make matters worse, it appeared as though Alixus enjoyed toying with the challenger. His blows were heavy and had power behind them, but not enough to render his opponent unconscious.

"Why is no one putting a stop to this?" Logan said, staring at the cheering crowd.

"Don't they care what happens to him?"

"It is not that simple, this is the rule of challenge." Mr Gremzor said.

"What does that mean?"

"The only way for this match to end is if one of them is rendered unconscious or submits, there may be no outside interference." Mr Gremzor said.

"Everyone is cheering for the both of them you see, for the champion that is displaying his dominance, and for the challenger's tenacity and resolve." Dormain said.

"But why would he put himself through this? Surely he knows how strong his opponent is..."

"The reason is simple, promotion." Mr Gremzor said.

Logan shook his head. "I get that, but this is too much."

"They're in the same Tier only separated by four ranks, how can the difference be this great?"

Logan said as the audience's cheers grew louder each time Johal got back on his feet.

"They may be in the same Tier, but their ability to use their power is vastly different. To put it into perspective, one of them has the efficiency to lift a car above his head comfortably, the other can do the same thing but with the added weight of three busses stacked on top. Now that was just an example, however you get the picture, there is no contest here." Mr Gremzor said.

Logan stared at them wide eyed, then glanced at Nathan.

"Are you all right?"

Nathan did not respond, however, Logan sensed a menacing pressure radiating off him. His jaw clenched tight, he glared at the ring seemingly oblivious to his surroundings.

An ice cold sweat ran down the side of Logan’s face, he swallowed reflexively.

In the ring, Johal was on the ground struggling to bring his beaten and bruised body onto his knees. The official asked if he wanted to surrender, rather, he pleaded with him desperately.

Johal shook his head.

"Never!" he yelled.

He managed to get back to his feet, and glared at Alixus who entertained the crowd by performing various bodybuilding poses.

He attempted to raise his fists but they fell limp to his sides, Alixus grinned and raised his hand in the air.

"Shall I finish it?!" he said.

Parts of the crowd cheered and chanted [Yes] [Yes] [Yes]

"Well you have heard them, my adoring spectators want a finishing blow, prepare yourself!"

He charged towards Johal at incredible speed, he cleared the five meter distance between them in a matter of seconds, he pulled his fist backwards like nocking an arrow and prepared to end the match.

In the crowd, Logan’s group watched the final moments with some animosity.

"Father!" Nathan said, staring intently at the ring.

"Yes, I see it." Mr Gremzor said.

He glanced at Nathan and he noticed his tightly clenched fists on his lap.

"I understand." he said and placed a firm hand on Nathan's shoulder.

Back in the ring, Alixus contracted all the muscle fibres in his right arm and punched Johal in the face, the force of the punch crushed his skull and sent him crashing into the reinforced barricade below the crowd.

At least, that's what would have happened if he had made contact with Johal's face.

Alixus stared wide eyed at his arm that had been stopped short of his target, he trembled at the sight of four fingers curved around his fist.

The gasps of the crowd echoed across the arena at the sudden and dramatic turn of events.

The official closest to the action blinked a few times and shook his head in confusion.

"Wha…what are you doing?" he said.

Annoyed at the lack of response, the official stepped closer and said again

"What is the meaning of this, Nyelekai Gremzor!" his voice echoed in the stunned silence of the audience.

Logan too stared at the ring in confusion, the sight of Nathan suddenly appearing in front of

Johal and stopping Alixus' punch still processing in his mind.

‘How did he get down there that fast without me noticing, more than that, how did he make it in time and to stop him so effortlessly?’

Despite being confused and utterly speechless at this development, the corners of his mouth curled upwards and the hair on the back of his neck and arms stood on end.

Nathan glared at Alixus then released his fist.

"Johal has been unconscious for the past thirty seconds, this match is over!" he said.

Understandably, many in the arena were puzzled by that revelation, including the official. He decided to take a closer look at Johal, he determined that Johal had indeed been unconscious, despite standing upright with his eyes open, he was completely unresponsive.

The official ended the match and declared that Alixus was the Victor.

The crowd cheered ecstatically for their champion, but their jubilation did not reach him. He solely focused on one person, and that was the man who embarrassed him in front of everyone.

With a scowl on his face he raised his arms in the air, he opened his palms and lowered them slowly pointing towards the floor. The crowd responded to his movement as if being controlled by magic, their cheers lessened and eventually faded away all together.

"I do not accept this victory, it has been tarnished by this intruder before me." Alixus said, glaring at Nathan who returned a look of disinterest.

"I seek retribution, penance for breaking the rule of challenge!" he said.

"The match was over, you already had your victory." Nathan said.

"I was announced the victor after you interfered!"

"Johal would have died had I not stopped you."

"So you acknowledge your transgression!"

"Please take Johal to the medical room, his wounds are quite severe." Nathan said turning to the official.

Alixus' anger boiled even further at the sight of Nathan blatantly ignoring him.

"Your utter disregard for the rules is appalling Nyelekai, someone should teach you a lesson about respect." Alixus said with his hands in the air inviting the crowd to voice their opinion. A few scattered cheers responded to him, but not enough to rile the entire arena. The lack of a meaningful response infuriated him even further.

He grit his teeth.

"Nyelekai Gremzor, I challenge you to a ranking match!"

The sudden challenge stunned the entire area, even more so than when Nathan appeared in the ring.

"I refuse." Nathan said turning his back to him and proceeded to leave the ring.

"Do not tell me that the great Nyelekai Gremzor is afraid to face me in combat!"

"You have no right to challenge me." Nathan said over his shoulder.

"Under normal circumstances yes, but today is an exception.”

"Would you not agree?" Alixus said to the audience. Again, only a few scattered cheers echoed in the arena.

"I demand penance, if not a ranking match then something more severe!"

"Alixus, that is enough" the official said, standing between them.

"There will be no..." he said but stopped immediately as something caught his attention.

Alixus turned around to follow the official's gaze, they stared at the balcony a few tiers above the entrance to the ring, the row reserved for the Supreme Order of Nava.

Elder Zhaan raised his hand to silence the entire arena, Nathan noticed the change in atmosphere and instinctively understood the cause of the sudden change and turned around towards the Nava’s balcony.

"Nyelekai, it is true that you broke the rule of challenge, that is clear for all to see. And as such, you should receive a punishment appropriate to your actions!" the Elder said.

Alixus glanced at Nathan with an enormous smirk on his face and winked.