The first light of dawn crept over the horizon, casting a faint glow on the arena. I hadn't slept a wink. I stood outside the entrance, a storm of fury brewing inside me. Mervan's kidnapping had left me seething with anger, my mind consumed with thoughts of revenge.

The arena slowly filled with spectators, their chatter growing louder as the sun rose higher. The announcer's voice thundered across the battleground, drawing the crowd's attention. "Ladies and gentlemen, prepare yourselves for today's match! Su vs Rockie"

Rokie stood tall and thin, his snake-like eyes full of malice. He wore a chest piece of armor and leather forearm guards, his sneer making my blood boil. "Where is Mervan?" I demanded, my voice laced with fury.

Rokie chuckled, a mocking sound that fueled my rage even further.

As the announcement ended, I felt a surge of adrenaline. My muscles coiled like springs, and I launched myself towards Rokie with explosive speed. The ground blurred beneath me as I closed the distance, my eyes locked on him.

"I asked you where Mervan is!" I demanded, my voice laced with fury.

Rokie sidestepped my attack with a sneer, his eyes glinting with malice. "You don't need to worry about the kid," he mocked. "I've taken good, good care of him."

I tried landing a punch again, but Rokie dodged effortlessly. "That's not how you're going to bring Mervan back," he taunted, lifting his arm to reveal a magical seal. "The moment you hit me, Mervan receives the same amount of damage."

"You son of a...!" I growled, my fists clenching.

Rokie attacked with incredible speed, his battle axes slicing through the air. He struck me in every place he could reach, and I couldn't retaliate. Each blow landed with brutal force, sending waves of pain through my body. My arms and legs were covered in cuts and bruises, blood seeping from the wounds.

Rokie's mocking voice echoed in my ears. "Yes, that's it. Keep holding back so Mervan can live a long, long life."

Struggling to stay on my feet, I recalled a grueling training session with Eldran from the past month. His voice echoed in my mind, stern and unwavering.

"Su, you need to focus on your defense," Eldran had said, his eyes boring into mine. We were in the middle of the desert, the sun beating down on us. I was exhausted, my muscles aching from hours of relentless sparring.

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"But I don't have the ability to use aura ," I had protested, panting heavily.

Eldran had merely nodded, acknowledging my limitation. "True, but that doesn't mean you can't learn to protect yourself. Watch closely."

He had demonstrated a defensive technique, his movements precise and fluid. "By enhancing your muscles through intense training, you can harden them, minimizing damage. And always remember to protect your vitals by positioning your arms in front of your torso. This way, even without aura, you can withstand powerful attacks."

I had watched in awe as he executed the technique flawlessly, each movement a testament to his mastery.

Back in the arena, I drew upon that memory, channeling the determination Eldran had instilled in me. I focused on my muscles, recalling the way Eldran had taught me to brace for impact. Positioning my arms in front of my torso, I readied myself for Rokie's next attack, my resolve solidifying with every passing second.

Rokie's axes clashed against my hardened muscles, the impact lessened but still painful. I gritted my teeth, enduring the onslaught. As Rokie continued his relentless assault, I noticed the magical seal on his arm beginning to crack.

"Su!" a voice shouted, cutting through the chaos. I turned to see Mervan and Eldran standing at the edge of the arena. Relief flooded through me, and I met Eldran's proud gaze. He gave me a nod, silently urging me to finish the fight.

Rokie's face twisted with rage. "Even if the kid is not in my possession, I can kill you so easily!" he spat, lunging at me with renewed fury.

But now, I had a clear mind and a purpose. I dodged his attacks swiftly, each movement precise and calculated. When Rokie overextended, I seized the opportunity, delivering a powerful kick to his face. He staggered back, blood streaming from his nose.

"I'll kill you," Rokie screamed, his voice filled with venom. "Then I'll find the kid and torture him to death!"

"No one is going to take anything from me anymore!" I shouted, contracting my leg muscles to the extreme. I appeared in front of Rokie in a flash, my fist connecting with his face in an explosive punch. The force launched him across the arena, slamming him into the wall. He crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

The arena fell silent, the crowd in stunned disbelief. I stood there, blood dripping from my wounds, my chest heaving with exertion. Slowly, I made my way backstage, each step a painful reminder of the battle I had just fought.

"Ladies and gentlemen," the announcer's voice reverberated through the arena, cutting through the silence, "we have our winner! Su has triumphed and secured his place in the final round of the tournament!" The crowd erupted into cheers and applause, the deafening noise filling the arena.

Mervan came running toward me, his eyes wide with worry. "Su, you're hurt!"

I managed a weak smile as Eldran approached, his expression a mix of pride and concern. "You did great, brat," he said, clapping a hand on my shoulder.

"Thank you…" I whispered, the adrenaline fading and exhaustion taking over. My vision blurred, and darkness closed in. I fainted, my body finally succumbing to the strain.