Kaiden found himself back in the waiting room after his grueling battle with Nira. The cool air of the room was a stark contrast to the heat of the arena, and he let out a long breath as he leaned back in one of the chairs. His body was still sore from the earlier fights, but he couldn't help the smirk that tugged at his lips.
I'm still standing, he thought, his mismatched eyes staring at the ceiling. Not bad for a so-called underdog.
He glanced at his wristband, noting the time. He had about an hour before his next match. Perfect. He'd already been through enough battles today, and while his Flow reserves were stable, he knew he needed to conserve his energy.
Without much thought, Kaiden slid down further in his chair, folding his arms behind his head. "Might as well grab some rest," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. Sleep wasn't just a luxury in this competition—it was a necessity.
The Call to Battle
Kaiden woke to the sharp sound of his name being called. His eyes snapped open, and for a moment, he blinked, disoriented. Then he remembered—he was still in the Trial of Blades.
"Kaiden Solivare, prepare for your next match."
He sat up quickly, stretching his arms as he got to his feet. His body felt stiff, but he rolled his shoulders, shaking off the lingering aches. His thoughts were already on his next opponent.
Who's it going to be this time? Another speedster? Maybe some hulking brute with a hammer again? Kaiden couldn't help but smirk at the possibilities.
When he stepped into the arena, his smirk faded.
The Matchup
Standing across the arena was someone Kaiden knew all too well—Kasir's son.
The boy was tall and slender, his physique almost unnervingly skinny. His pale skin and sharp features gave him an almost ghostly appearance, and his black hair was perfectly combed, framing his angular face. He exuded an aura of calm detachment, his sharp gray eyes scanning Kaiden as if analyzing every detail about him.
Kaiden couldn't stop the grin that spread across his face. "Well, well, well," he muttered under his breath. "This is a matchup I've been waiting for."
He tightened his grip on his sword, his excitement bubbling to the surface. For months, he had dreamed of this moment. Kasir had been a thorn in his side, and now Kaiden was finally standing face-to-face with his son. This wasn't just a fight—it was personal.
The Commentary
"Ladies and gentlemen!" the commentator's voice boomed across the arena. "We have a very special match for you today! In this corner, we have Kaiden Solivare, the Rank 1 of Group 6-A, known for his cunning and unmatched determination. He's been on a winning streak, and his last match against Nira Valen left the crowd in awe!"
The audience erupted in cheers and applause, their energy filling the air.
"And in the opposite corner, we have Lucian Kasir, the Rank 1 of Group 6-D, son of the renowned noble Kasir! Known for his sharp mind and enigmatic presence, Lucian has been a mystery throughout this tournament. Will this match reveal his true strength?"
Kaiden's grin widened. "Enigmatic presence, huh? That's one way to say he hasn't done anything worth noting yet."
Lucian remained silent, his expression unreadable as he stood in the center of the arena. His hands were at his sides, his posture relaxed, as if he wasn't even taking the fight seriously.
The commentator's voice rang out once more. "Contestants, are you ready?"
Kaiden's sword was already raised. He didn't wait for a response. "Let's get this over with," he muttered, his body coiled like a spring, ready to strike.
The Surprise Twist
The moment the word "Start!" echoed through the arena, Kaiden was already moving. His feet hit the ground with practiced speed, and he surged forward, closing the distance between them in an instant. His sword gleamed in the light as he prepared to strike, aiming to end the battle quickly.
But before he could land a blow, Lucian raised his hand.
"I quit."
The words stopped Kaiden in his tracks. His sword hovered inches from Lucian's neck, his eyes wide with confusion.
"What?" Kaiden asked, his voice incredulous.
"I quit," Lucian repeated calmly, his tone devoid of emotion. He stepped back, his hands still at his sides.
The arena fell silent, the crowd stunned into silence. Even the commentator was speechless for a moment before finding his voice. "Ladies and gentlemen... it appears that Lucian Kasir has... forfeited the match!"
A murmur rippled through the audience, their confusion and disappointment palpable. Kaiden stepped back, lowering his sword as he stared at Lucian.
"What the hell are you playing at?" Kaiden demanded, his voice sharp.
Lucian didn't respond. He simply turned and walked away, his expression unchanged. The teleportation system activated, whisking him back to his room without another word.
Kaiden's Thoughts
Kaiden stood in the middle of the arena, his sword still in hand, his mind racing. The commentator's voice rang out again, announcing Kaiden as the winner, but he barely heard it.
As Kaiden was teleported back to his waiting room, he couldn't stop thinking about what had just happened. He sank into a chair, his mismatched eyes narrowing in thought.
Why did he quit? Kaiden's mind ran through the possibilities, trying to make sense of it.
Option 1: Hiding His True Power
The first thought that crossed Kaiden's mind was that Lucian was trying to hide something. Maybe he didn't want to reveal his abilities in front of the crowd. If that was the case, it meant Lucian was far more dangerous than he seemed.
Option 2: Escaping a Beating
Kaiden smirked to himself. Maybe he just didn't want to get embarrassed. It wasn't out of the question. Lucian was skinny, almost frail-looking, and it was possible he knew he couldn't match Kaiden in a fight.
Option 3: A Different Kind of Strength
But there was a third possibility, one that Kaiden couldn't ignore. What if Lucian wasn't physically strong at all? What if his strength lay elsewhere—strategy, manipulation, or something Kaiden hadn't considered yet?
Kaiden sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Whatever. It doesn't matter," he muttered to himself. "A win's a win."
He stretched out on the bench, his body relaxed despite the lingering tension in his mind. He wasn't tired, not really, but the comfort of the room was enough to lull him into a sense of ease.
"Guess I'll sleep," Kaiden said aloud, his voice tinged with amusement. "Not because I need it, but because I can."
And with that, Kaiden closed his eyes, letting the questions and uncertainties fade into the background.
End of Chapter 62
Kaiden secures an unexpected victory against Lucian Kasir, but the reasons behind Lucian's forfeit leave more questions than answers. As Kaiden prepares for the next stage of the Trial of Blades, his thoughts linger on the enigmatic opponent he didn't get to fight.
To be continued...