A True Warrior

Terran shouted, "Way to go!! You are still top of the leader board."

Vin was nervous but still applauding to the princess. She said, "Not bad you didn't make us look bad."

However, Princess Uriko did not dwell on that. She was more interested in specific person's opinion. As she asked, "Terran, how did I look? Was that awesome? I was totally taken aback that it was demon in disguise. I really wanted to not let you down. Did I look like a true Imperial Knight?"

I was surprised at the rambling princess. I could only say "You still make me worry. I feel like I still chasing you in the rankings."

Uriko blushed at hearing the words "chasing you', and she stammered again, "I will remain strong so not to make the offspring of Hero party like jokes." 

I replied, "Heh!? I feel so pathetic, I made my breakthrough and here the princess is still so outstanding." 

Uriko did not hestitate, she put her hand on my shoulder and said, "I will stand as a true knight, I will not allow harm to come to my friend and the loyal subjects of the Empire. I will be the one to protect you."

This was my turn to blush, as I was astonished by her confidence. I replied, "Well, I will not back down either."

Then the announcer declared the next match. "Next match of the quarter finals, Terran of the Imperial City will face off against the warrior Captain Kael. 

The air crackled with anticipation. I tied my favorite head band around his head. I was wearing a basic smock to cover my torso and legs with arms torn off. 

Vin was admiring the gleaming, sweat that coated the exposed arms as Terran stood poised.  Vin said, "Oh my, honey knows how to impress."

Uriko herself was still breathing hard and wiped herself dry from sweat. She teased Vin, "You better not lose, or Honey probably never look at you again."

Vin did not take the bait, as she put her hand in front of her mouth and chuckled. 

Across the arena, Kael, a seasoned warrior with scars that spoke volumes. He was a soldier that survived the Demon War. He leaned against a crumbling stone pillar, a predatory glint in his eyes. Kael wasn't just a fighter; he was a strategist, a master of deception, a man who could read the battlefield like an open book. 

He’d fought demons, survived betrayals, and tasted victory in the crucible of war. He saw Terran, young and vibrant, a newcomer to the arena, and a flicker of disdain crossed his face. Kael wore a light armor plating and wielded a sword and shield. 

I felt the gaze of the opponent and I truly did not care what they thought. I wanted to fight 

Enuma coaching me with prep said, "Oi boy. This is not time to mess around, if you want to win go with breakthrough at the start and be aggressive. This opponent is good at adapting, stick to your core and you can handle almost anything he dishes out." 

Kael underestimated the green glow that pulsed around Terran, a faint shimmer of magic that seemed to amplify the warrior's movements.

Kael, initially dismissive, began to feel a subtle shift in the tide. My strikes were growing more powerful, each one infused with a potent energy. He saw the glint in Terran's eyes, the unwavering focus that spoke of a determination forged in the heart of battle. He was facing more than just a warrior; he was facing a force of nature.

Kael countered with a feint, a deceptive thrust that sent me reeling. He followed up with a powerful kick, aiming for my gut. But I was anticipating the move, shifted my weight, and the green aura flaring, and deflected the kick with a swift block. 

Then I followed up with a devastating uppercut, the green light intensifying as it connected with Kael's jaw. Kael staggered back, his eyes widening in surprise. He had underestimated the power of this young warrior. The fight raged on, a dance of skill and determination. 

Kael, though wounded, fought with a fury born of experience. He used every trick he knew, every tactic he'd honed over years of war. But Terran, fueled by the Breakthrough magic, responded with equal measures of agility and calculated aggression. The arena was a whirlwind of flashing steel and crackling energy. 

Finally, with a mighty roar, I unleashed a flurry of jabs with my left, each imbued with the full power of enhancement magic. 

Kael, battered and bruised, tried to block, but the sheer force of my attack overwhelmed him. Then I delivered the misdirection with a heavy jab with my left and slid my feet to other side with my fist smashing into the armor and damaging Kael's stomach. I then quickly followed up with a right hook to the defenseless head of Kael. 

He was sent sprawling, his body hitting the ground with a dull thud. Terran stood over him, the green light fading. Kael, gasping for breath, looked up at the young warrior. 

 A grudging respect flickered in his eyes. "You are a force to be reckoned with," he admitted, a hint of admiration in his voice. "You fight with a heart as fierce as any demon." 

I bowed his head in acknowledgement. He had won, not just the fight, but the respect of a seasoned warrior. I thought, "Maybe I am as fierce as a Demon King."

Which Enuma smirked, "As an instructor, I can say you are quite fierce. But not so ... severe."

The hooded red head man up in the suite smiled at such strong victory. Then the mystery man said, "Will you strike the Princess just like that, I wonder?" 

I had proven to many in the crowd of my worth, not just as a prodigy, but as a true warrior.