###Chapter 16: Fear

The teacher's voice cut through the noise once more, commanding everyone's attention. "Next pair—Kian and Kimmy!"

From the waiting area, two figures stepped forward. Kian, tall and broad-shouldered, carried a single longsword strapped to his back. His confident grin showed no trace of hesitation as he glanced at the arena ahead. Beside him, Kimmy, lithe and nimble, adjusted her twin blades with precision. Her determined gaze remained fixed on the arena floor, already planning their approach.

The teacher gestured toward the center. "You'll be facing the Grimshale that the previous pair could not defeat."

A wave of whispers rippled through the crowd. The Grimshale had proven its strength by defeating the pair of mages before them. Now, all eyes were on the two swordsmen, wondering if their physical prowess could tip the scales.

Kian drew his blade with a flourish, the sound of steel cutting through the air silencing the murmurs. "Let's end this quickly," he said, his confidence evident in every step he took toward the center.

Kimmy, more reserved, nodded as she unsheathed her twin swords. "Focus on its patterns. We won't get a second chance if we slip up."

The Grimshale loomed over Kian and Kimmy, its red eyes glowing with malicious intent. The air around it seemed to thrum with power, an oppressive energy that weighed heavily on the pair of swordsmen.

Kian gripped his longsword tighter, his jaw set in determination. "I'll keep it distracted. Go for its weak spots when you see an opening," he instructed, his voice low and steady.

Kimmy nodded, her dual swords glinting as she adjusted her stance. Her focus was razor-sharp, her movements calculated as she began circling the Grimshale.

Kian charged forward first, his blade raised high. The Grimshale let out a guttural snarl and met him head-on, swiping with one of its massive claws. Kian dodged to the side, the creature's strike narrowly missing him and crashing into the ground, sending chunks of rock flying. He retaliated with a swift slash aimed at the beast's forearm.

The blade connected with a loud clang, cutting into its thick hide but failing to deal significant damage. The Grimshale growled and lunged forward, its massive bulk moving faster than expected. Kian barely managed to leap back in time, his boots skidding against the arena floor.

Meanwhile, Kimmy darted in from the side, her dual swords a blur as she targeted the creature's exposed flank. Her blades struck true, slicing through the softer sections near its ribs. Green liquid oozed from the wounds, but the Grimshale hardly reacted, its focus still locked on Kian.

Kimmy pressed her attack, landing another series of precise cuts. This time, the Grimshale turned its attention to her. It swung its claws with alarming speed, forcing Kimmy to leap back. One claw grazed her arm, leaving a shallow but stinging wound.

"Stay sharp, Kimmy!" Kian called out as he charged back into the fray. His longsword gleamed in the dim light as he delivered a powerful downward strike, aiming for the creature's head. The Grimshale raised an arm to block, its thick scales absorbing most of the impact, but the force of the blow staggered it slightly.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

"Nice one!" Kimmy shouted, seizing the opportunity to slash at its legs. Her strikes were quick and relentless, her swords leaving deep gashes in the creature's thick hide. The Grimshale stumbled, momentarily off balance.

The crowd erupted into cheers as it seemed the pair might finally gain the upper hand.

But the Grimshale wasn't finished. It reared back and let out a deafening roar, its claws slamming into the ground with immense force. The impact sent shockwaves rippling through the arena, knocking both Kian and Kimmy off their feet.

Kian groaned as he scrambled to his knees, his sword lying several feet away. "What was that?!"

Kimmy winced as she pushed herself up, her grip tightening on her weapons. "It's not just strong—it's using its magic now."

Before they could recover, the Grimshale unleashed another attack. Wooden spikes erupted from the ground around them, twisting and curling as if alive. Kian managed to roll out of the way just in time, but Kimmy wasn't as lucky. A spike grazed her leg, throwing off her balance.

"Kimmy!" Kian shouted, his voice filled with worry.

"I'm fine," she gritted out, though the pain was evident in her tone.

Kian rushed forward, retrieving his sword and launching a series of powerful strikes at the Grimshale. His blows were precise, each one aimed at weakening the creature's limbs. Kimmy joined him moments later, her dual swords flashing as they worked together to corner the beast.

The Grimshale, however, proved to be a relentless opponent. With a swift motion, it swiped at Kian, its claws sending him sprawling to the ground. Before he could rise, the Grimshale stomped down, narrowly missing him but cracking the ground beneath its massive foot.

Kimmy lunged forward, her blades slicing through the air as she aimed for the creature's neck. But the Grimshale twisted at the last moment, her swords glancing off its hardened scales. It retaliated with a backhanded swipe, the force of the blow sending her crashing into the arena wall.

The crowd fell silent, the tension palpable as both Kian and Kimmy struggled to rise. The Grimshale stood tall, its chest heaving as it let out a triumphant snarl.

"Enough," the teacher's voice rang out, his hand raised. "Kian and Kimmy, withdraw."

The Grimshale retreated obediently as the gates to its enclosure opened, and the pair limped back to the waiting area.

Kian sheathed his sword, his expression grim. "We gave it everything we had..."

"But it wasn't enough," Kimmy finished, her tone resigned.

The process continued, pair after pair stepping into the arena. Some fought enhanced Hell Hounds, their fiery maws leaving scorch marks across the stone floor. Others faced aquatic monstrosities, their battles taking place in a rapidly flooded section of the field. The monsters grew increasingly fearsome, each one testing the limits of the competitors.

While the other pairs battled fiercely in the arena, Arie sat quietly in the waiting area, his nose buried in a thick, weathered book. The chaotic sounds of combat—the roars of beasts, the clash of weapons, and the crowd's cheers—seemed distant and irrelevant to him. Yet, his rigid posture betrayed the calm facade.

The Princess sat beside him, her eyes occasionally flicking to the battered pages of his book. Though she can't read the book since it's blank to her eyes, it was clear that Arie wasn't reading for leisure. He was preparing, though his focus seemed almost desperate, as if he was clinging to the words to keep himself steady.

When the teacher approached, clipboard in hand, both of them stood, tension thick in the air.

"Arie and Lea," the teacher called, his tone carrying the slightest hint of amusement. He handed them a slip of paper. "This will be your opponent."

Arie took the slip with a steady hand, his expression unreadable as his eyes scanned the name written on it. But the moment he registered the words, his eyes widened in disbelief, his grip tightened on the paper, and his calm facade shattered. His breath hitched audibly.

Lea leaned in to see what was written. Her lips parted in disbelief, and her face drained of color. "You're kidding… That's what we're fighting?"

Arie let out a bitter chuckle, though there was no humor in it. "That's completely absurd," he muttered under his breath. He crumpled the slip of paper in his fist and looked away, his jaw clenching tightly.

The Princess was at a loss for words. It was rare to see Arie show such raw emotion, but the fear in his eyes was unmistakable. For someone as composed as him to react like this, their opponent is truly monstrous.

The teacher gave them a small, knowing smirk. "Well, I suggest you prepare yourselves. You'll be up next."

As the teacher walked off, Lea turned to Arie, her voice low and laced with concern. "Are you… alright?"

He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he turned his gaze back to the book in his hands, his fingers trembling ever so slightly as he flipped to a specific page.

"No," he admitted quietly, his voice heavy. "But I'll have to be."

The scene—cuts back to the arena, where the roars of the crowd grow louder, as the tracher announced, "And finally, For our last pair, Arie and Princess Lea, it's your turn."