CHAPTER 35: FIGHT BETWEEN TWO MONSTERS?

After the short break, the school ground trembled with life once again. Every seat was filled, every corner was buzzing with noise. Flags waved high up in the sky.

Ryan sat near the front row in the Boxing Club dugout, hands clenched on his knees. The stage was in front of his eyes; he was waiting for the announcer to come and give the next signal.

Slowly the announcer’s voice came—filled the entire arena as it cut through the noise. "Next up—the match you’ve been waiting for! Muay Thai Club Versus Taekwondo Club!"

The crowd erupted with noise once again, the cheers rolled like thunder, shaking the stands. Even Ryan’s heart thumped a little faster than usual.

The announcer then continued as he said loudly, "Representing the Muay Thai side, we have the captain himself—Aiden Kraison."

The arena erupted with loud roars once again as they heard that name. Chants of his name echoed through the arena. "Aiden! Aiden! Aiden!"

Aiden slowly stepped up on the stage, barefoot, calm and composed, mind completely focused, every step of his was measured, every muscle was under control.

Tanned skin, sweat-sheened shoulders, short black hair that was sticking slightly up. His eyes were dark, unwavering—didn’t search for any attention. They were completely locked onto the center of the stage.

He bowed to the referee, showing his respect towards him and the sport. He slowly raised his hand in the traditional Muay Thai gesture of respect—the wai kru. The crowd went quiet as they watched him. There was something sacred about it, almost ritualistic.

Ryan swallowed hard as sweat rolled down his temple, completely overwhelmed by the situation.

’System... scan this guy’s stats for me.’

[Okay, Host. I’ll begin the scanning right away.]

[Scanning Opponent...]

[Name: Aiden Kraison]

[Strength: A–]

[Speed: A–]

[Endurance: A]

[Technique: S]

Ryan’s breath hitched as he muttered under his breath. "Straight A’s... That’s just one level lower than Arthur’s. No wonder everyone in the crowd is losing their mind."

Even Arthur’s eyes sharpened slightly as he looked at Aiden, a faint hint of approval in his voice. "He’s a good fighter," he said, voice low.

The announcer’s voice thundered in the air once again. "And from the Taekwondo Club..." The announcer dragged out the pause, teasing the audience before delivering the name. "Their one and only member—Daniel Rainsfold."

If Aiden’s entrance had earned him respect and loud cheers, Daniel’s drew chaos. The crowd screamed as loud as they could, most of the voices came from the girls in the audience. Cheers, whistles, clapping—he got everything.

He walked on the stage like it belonged to him—tall, six-foot-one, lean yet athletic, confident.

His black hair streaked with red caught the lights of the arena as he ran a hand through them, pulling them backward. His sharp jawline and fair skin made him look like he’d just walked out of a commercial ad.

But behind his charming smile, there was something colder, the same aura that Ryan had recognized from Arthur: the air of someone who has tasted countless victories.

Ryan looked at Daniel as he thought. ’System, can you scan his stats for me too?’

[Okay, Host. I’ll begin the scanning on him too.]

[Scanning Opponent...]

[Name: Daniel Rainsfold]

[Strength: S–]

[Speed: S]

[Endurance: A+]

[Technique: S+]

Ryan’s jaw dropped as he stared at the system’s window. ’He’s almost the same level as Arthur? What kind of monsters are these two guys?’

Daniel stopped in front of Aiden, smirking as he leaned in a bit. "Yo, Aiden. You got a dollar?" he asked casually with a playful tone.

The crowd chuckled as Aiden didn’t even blink, his voice came out loud. "Focus on the match, Daniel. I’m not here for your small tricks but to fight my match. So fight me and show me how much you have improved."

Daniel tilted his head, amused. "Still the same lion, huh? Guess I’ll have to remind you why the dragon flies higher."

The announcer didn’t waste any second as he lifted his hand in the air. "Both fighters ready?"

The two of them raised their fists; the crowd went silent.

"Then—BEGIN!"

The world seemed like it just stopped for a second as both fighters dashed towards each other at once, meeting at dead center—elbows, legs, and fists started colliding in a blur.

THUD!

Daniel spun, launching a strong yet fast roundhouse kick towards Aiden’s head. Aiden ducked under it as he answered back with a low shin kick. The blow cracked against Daniel’s thigh, forcing him to take half a step backward.

A wide grin slowly formed on Daniel’s face as his voice came out low. "Still aiming for the legs first, huh? You haven’t changed a bit, you’re so easy to predict, Aiden."

Aiden’s tone was calm, detached. "Still talking too much. Don’t talk to me, just fight me."

He moved again—an elbow slash that barely missed Daniel’s ribs. Daniel counterattacked it with a spinning kick that Aiden blocked with his forearm. The sound of the collision echoed like thunder through the arena.

The crowd’s screams grew even louder, getting all excited and pumped because of the energy of both fighters.

Ryan leaned forward as he grabbed the metal railing of the dugout. "What... What was that speed?" Ryan muttered under his breath, astonished.

Arthur noticed Ryan and spoke without looking at him. "That’s what the mastery of your techniques looks like. They’re not fighting for the win, but to assert dominance," Arthur said, voice low yet cold.

Daniel’s smirk widened, cheerful. He was already ready to take on Aiden’s elbow. "That’s it? I didn’t expect you to get weaker since the last time we met."

Aiden’s expression didn’t falter as his voice came out loud. "Then you’ve gone blind or your senses are at fault."

Daniel smiled brightly, trying to mock Aiden. "I don’t think that’s the case, I think you should just agree with me at this point."

He lunged forward again as he completed his sentence—two steps then spin, whip-crack!, it was a roundhouse kick at Aiden’s temple. Aiden tilted his head back just in time for the kick to pass his head.