Jason stepped through the curtain into the blinding light of the arena. The crowd erupted as his name was announced over the speakers. His heart pounded, but it wasn't from nerves — it was from pure, unfiltered excitement.
The ring loomed in front of him, surrounded by screaming spectators. Jason's sharp eyes locked onto his opponent — a tall, lean 17-year-old named Brandon "The Bull" Keller. His opponent had a reputation for being a power puncher, knocking out most of his opponents within two rounds.
Jason smirked. Good. Let him think power is enough.
In the stands, Jason caught a glimpse of his family — his father sitting at the edge of his seat, his mother nervously clutching her hands, Emily bouncing with excitement. Just a few seats over, the Dunphys were all present. Phil was already standing, looking like he was at a football game. Jay had a skeptical look, like he didn't expect much. And Alex… she was locked in, her eyes never leaving Jason.
The referee called both fighters to the center of the ring.
"Gentlemen, you know the rules. Protect yourselves at all times. Listen to my instructions. Touch gloves if you want to."
Brandon extended his glove lazily, smirking. "Hope you brought a mouthguard, tough guy."
Jason didn't even blink. He bumped gloves without a word and backed into his corner. His coach leaned in, whispering. "Don't toy with him. Make a statement."
Jason grinned. "Yes, sir."
DING DING!
The first round started.
Brandon charged forward immediately, throwing a hard left jab, aiming to test Jason early. But Jason's body reacted instinctively — a subtle head slip, allowing the punch to sail inches from his face.
The crowd gasped.
Brandon didn't stop. He fired a hard right hook to Jason's ribs — but Jason simply stepped back, letting the punch miss by mere centimeters. It was effortless.
He's slow.
Jason's mind was razor-sharp, already dissecting his opponent. Brandon relied on brute strength and aggressive pressure. No technique, no grace — just power.
Brandon lunged again, throwing a heavy combination — left hook, right hook, uppercut. Jason weaved effortlessly, dodging all three. It was like he was a ghost, untouchable.
"COME ON!" Brandon roared, frustrated.
Jason smirked. My turn.
He stepped in fast — a piston-like right straight to Brandon's body. CRACK! The sound echoed through the arena as Jason's fist sunk into his opponent's ribs.
"AGHHH!" Brandon stumbled back, his face twisted in pain.
The crowd gasped again.
Jason didn't hesitate. He exploded forward, landing a picture-perfect one-two combination — jab to the nose, straight to the jaw. Brandon's head snapped back violently, his mouthpiece nearly flying out.
"OH MY GOD!" Phil shouted from the stands.
Brandon staggered, eyes wide with disbelief. He swung wildly in retaliation — but Jason simply leaned back, watching the punch whiff past his nose. Without hesitation, Jason countered with a vicious right uppercut.
CRACK!
Brandon's head snapped back as blood sprayed from his mouth. His legs wobbled.
"FINISH HIM, JASON!" David roared.
Jason's eyes darkened. He stepped in, unleashing a monstrous combination — a left hook to the liver, right cross to the jaw, and a devastating right hook to the temple.
CRACK-CRACK-CRACK!
Brandon's entire body twisted from the impact before collapsing to the canvas. The crowd erupted in shock and awe.
"OH MY GOD, HE'S OUT COLD!" one of the commentators screamed.
Brandon lay there motionless, his body barely twitching. The referee immediately waved it off. "STOP! IT'S OVER! IT'S OVER!"
DING DING DING!
Jason didn't celebrate. He simply stared down at his fallen opponent, heart still pounding. He hadn't been hit once. Not a single scratch.
The crowd was going insane.
"WHAT DID WE JUST WITNESS?!" the commentator screamed. "JASON CARTER WITH A FLAWLESS VICTORY! ZERO HITS TAKEN!"
Phil was practically losing his mind in the stands. "DID YOU SEE THAT?! HE DIDN'T GET TOUCHED! NOT ONCE!"
Jay, wide-eyed, muttered, "Holy crap. Kid's a machine."
Claire was in shock. "That's… that's not normal."
Gloria just smiled proudly. "That boy fights like a tiger."
And Alex… she couldn't take her eyes off him. Her heart was hammering. That was the same guy who asked me out yesterday?
Jason finally turned toward his corner, walking back like nothing happened. His coach was grinning ear to ear. "Jesus Christ, kid. You just made a statement."
Jason smirked. "Told you."
As he stepped out of the ring, his family was already waiting. David grabbed him first, pride radiating off him. "Son, that was… perfect. You didn't get touched!"
Jason grinned. "I told you I was ready."
His mom hugged him tightly. "Oh my god, I couldn't breathe the whole time!"
Emily practically jumped on his back. "BRO, YOU KNOCKED HIM OUT COLD!"
And then came the Dunphys. Phil looked like a teenager at a rock concert. "DUDE! I swear you're like… like a superhero or something!"
Jay actually shook his hand, respect in his eyes. "Kid… you got some real talent. That wasn't luck."
Gloria kissed his cheek. "You made us all proud!"
Luke's eyes were still bulging. "Dude… I thought you were gonna kill him."
Haley, though pretending to be indifferent, muttered. "Okay, that was kinda hot."
But Alex… she just stared at him. Silent. Processing.
Jason met her gaze. "So… you still worried about me?"
She blinked, visibly flustered. "…Shut up."
Jason smirked. Best. Day. Ever.