Chapter 39: I’m Just Testing The Kid

Chapter 39: I’m Just Testing The Kid The cheers of the crowd still echoed across the arena as Aamir, sitting cross-legged at the edge of the stage where his own battle had ended, turned his attention toward Raj’s match. His posture was relaxed, but his sharp gaze betrayed his focus as he watched his friend face off against a quick-footed opponent. Raj’s opponent, Kaushal, was a wiry boy with a pair of deadly daggers and an uncanny speed that left the crowd on edge. Unlike the towering and powerful Raj, Kaushal moved with an energy that was almost impossible to track. His agility made it clear that this fight wasn’t going to be easy. Despite Raj’s immense strength, Kaushal’s rapid movements had given him the upper hand even before the match began. The crowd roared as the referee signaled the start of the fight. Kaushal wasted no time. He darted forward, his movements so quick they seemed like a blur to everyone watching. Raj raised his sword, a hefty, two-handed blade that most people couldn’t even lift, let alone wield in battle. He swung it in a calculated arc, but Kaushal was already behind him, delivering a shallow slice across Raj’s arm. Raj winced but didn’t falter. He swung his sword in a wide arc, forcing Kaushal to retreat momentarily, but the reprieve was short-lived. Kaushal used the moment to dart around again, striking Raj’s side with the hilt of his dagger, the force knocking Raj off balance. The crowd gasped as Raj stumbled to one knee, his chest rising and falling heavily. Aamir, still seated, narrowed his eyes, studying the fight carefully. He had seen Raj face countless opponents before, but something about this match seemed different. Kaushal didn’t waste a second. He dashed around Raj in unpredictable patterns, his daggers a blur of motion. Each strike was precise, calculated, and meant to exploit Raj’s slower movements. Raj managed to block a few strikes, but his slower reactions were no match for Kaushal’s relentless assault. Every time Raj raised his sword to counter, Kaushal slipped past his guard, delivering quick cuts and blows that began to wear him down. "Too slow!" Kaushal taunted, his voice carrying over the noise of the crowd. A smirk stretched across his face as he danced around Raj like a predator toying with its prey. "All that strength of yours is useless if you can’t even hit me!" Raj growled in frustration, his knuckles whitening as he gripped his sword. He swung again, the blade slicing through the air with incredible force, but Kaushal sidestepped easily and countered with a slash across Raj’s shoulder. Blood trickled from the wound, staining Raj’s shirt, and the murmurs in the crowd grew louder. Kaushal took a step back, his confidence growing. "What’s wrong, big guy?" he mocked. "Getting tired already? Don’t tell me this is all you’ve got!" Raj clenched his jaw, his muscles tense as he tried to steady himself. His breathing was labored, and the weight of the fight was beginning to show. Kaushal circled him, his daggers gleaming in the light as he prepared for another round of strikes. Kaushal darted forward, his twin daggers flashing in rapid arcs, forcing Raj to raise his massive sword once again. Despite Raj’s immense strength, it wasn’t enough to keep up with Kaushal’s relentless speed. Another strike landed, slicing across Raj’s arm, though shallow enough not to be serious. The crowd was captivated by the fight, murmuring about Raj’s struggle. He was clearly stronger, but Kaushal’s agility and sharp reflexes were proving too much for him. From his seat at the edge of the stage, Aamir frowned. He’d known Raj for long enough to recognize what was happening. Raj wasn’t fighting with his full power. "Why isn’t he using his energy?" Aamir muttered under his breath, his eyes narrowing. "He’s just letting this guy walk all over him." Kaushal smirked as he circled Raj, keeping his movements unpredictable. "What’s wrong, big guy? Can’t keep up? All that muscle, and this is the best you can do?" Raj ignored the taunt, his breathing steady but his gaze focused. He blocked another flurry of attacks, though it was clear that each strike was pushing him closer to the edge. Kaushal’s relentless assault was starting to wear him down. Kaushal lunged again, aiming for Raj’s exposed side. This time, Raj barely managed to parry the strike, the force driving him back a step. He dropped to one knee, his sword planted in the ground to steady himself. The crowd gasped, murmurs rippling through the arena. "Raj’s losing!" one spectator exclaimed. "Isn’t he supposed to be one of the strongest fighters?" another asked. Kaushal laughed, standing just out of reach. "That’s it? I thought this tournament was supposed to be tough. You’re pathetic!" From across the stage, Aamir finally spoke up, his voice cutting through the noise. "Hey, Raj!" Aamir called, his tone sharp but teasing. "Are you planning on losing? Look, I’ve fulfilled my promise and won. Now, if you’re not going to lose, then end this fight already!" Raj turned his head slightly, a faint grin tugging at the corner of his lips. He let out a low chuckle, despite his battered state. "Yeah, yeah, I remember," he said, his voice steady but tinged with amusement. "Okay, okay. I’m just testing this kid." Kaushal’s smirk vanished, replaced by a glare. "Testing me?" he snapped, his voice dripping with anger. "You think you can mock me like that?" The smaller fighter dashed forward, his daggers flashing as he aimed for Raj’s chest in a furious, double-handed strike. Raj’s eyes narrowed as Kaushal closed in. Up until now, he had deliberately held back, relying solely on his physical strength. He hadn’t felt the need to use his energy—partly out of pride, and partly to see what Kaushal could do. But now, with Aamir watching and Kaushal’s arrogance grating on his nerves, Raj decided it was time to stop playing around. Kaushal’s daggers came within inches of Raj’s chest when Raj’s body surged with power. A faint, golden glow spread across Raj’s skin, and his muscles seemed to ripple with renewed strength. His movements, which had seemed slow and labored moments ago, became swift and precise. The crowd fell silent, sensing the sudden shift in the fight. Kaushal’s eyes widened as his daggers met Raj’s sword, which moved with incredible speed to intercept the attack. The clang of metal against metal echoed through the arena, and Kaushal was forced to retreat, his hands trembling from the impact. Raj rose to his full height, his breathing calm and controlled. The faint glow around him pulsed rhythmically, like a steady heartbeat. "You’ve been wasting energy this whole fight," Raj said, his voice calm but firm. "But me? I’ve got plenty left." Kaushal gritted his teeth, refusing to back down. "I don’t care how strong you think you are! Speed beats strength every time!" With a roar, Kaushal lunged again, his movements faster and more erratic than ever. But Raj was ready. Kaushal’s daggers flashed in rapid arcs as he launched a flurry of strikes. To the untrained eye, it seemed like Raj was standing still, but his sword moved with precision, blocking each strike with minimal effort. Kaushal’s frustration grew as he realized he wasn’t landing a single hit. "Why... won’t you... go down?!" he yelled, his movements becoming more desperate. Raj smirked. "Because you’ve already lost." As Kaushal overextended on his final strike, Raj stepped forward with a speed that belied his size. His free hand balled into a fist, and with a single, devastating punch, he struck Kaushal in the center of his rib cage. The force was immense but controlled—just enough to knock the wind out of Kaushal without causing lasting harm. Kaushal’s eyes widened in shock as his body crumpled, his daggers clattering to the ground. The smaller fighter collapsed to his knees, gasping for air before falling unconscious. Raj stood over his fallen opponent, his chest rising and falling steadily as the golden glow around him began to fade. The referee, stunned by the sudden turn of events, quickly raised his hand. "Raj wins the twelfth match!" The crowd erupted into cheers, their voices filling the arena as they celebrated Raj’s incredible comeback. From across the stage, Aamir grinned, giving Raj a thumbs-up. "About time," he called out, his tone teasing. "I was starting to think you’d forgotten how to fight." Raj chuckled, shaking his head as he sheathed his sword. "Nah," he replied, his voice loud enough for Aamir to hear. "Just wanted to give the kid a chance." From his seat, Aamir let out a laugh. "Sure you did." As Raj stepped out of the ring, the weight of the crowd’s cheers followed him. Despite the challenges, both he and Aamir had secured their victories, moving one step closer to the ultimate clash they had been waiting for. Updated from freewebnovel.(c)om