Chapter 44: Chapter 44: Silence at the Arena Chapter 44: Silence at the Arena
"Begin."
The entire arena held its breath. Phones were already recording.
"Yo, get this on Instalite."
"This is the 5-affinity freak."
"Kael’s gonna wash him."
Kael Drayton cracked his knuckles and grinned. He was 6’1, broad shoulders, his golden Blessed sigil shining on his forehead. His Year 2 uniform was tight on him.
"New guy," Kael said, voice low. "You talk too much. I’m gonna put you on your ass in 10 seconds."
Lynx just stood there. Hands in his pockets. His black and white Academy uniform was neat, his hair moving with the wind.
He looked at Kael, then at the edge of the arena 20 meters away.
’I’ll end this in one blow,’ he thought.
The crowd started chanting.
"KAEL! KAEL! KAEL!"
Kael was already kind of popular in class. And Lynx hasn’t even attended the Fire affinity class up to three times.
Kira stood in the spectator stands, arms crossed. She didn’t chant Kael’s name like those stupid guys or kept drolling over Lynx like the girls. She just watched. Her heart was beating fast for some reason, but of course she knew Lynx would win. Still, her palms were sweaty.
Rose raised her hand. "Fighters, ready... go."
Kael didn’t wait.
He exploded forward with a burst of fire under his feet.
BOOM!
Flames erupted and wrapped around his entire right arm. He roared and threw a straight punch at Lynx’s face. The air distorted from the heat. It was a proper A Rank Fire strike.
Phones zoomed in.
And Lynx... didn’t move.
Not until the last second.
He took one step to the side. That was it.
Kael’s flaming punch missed by an inch and slammed into empty air.
WHOOSH!
The shockwave scorched the ground.
Kael’s eyes widened. "What..."
Lynx exhaled.
Then he moved.
Lynx didn’t chant, or make any fancy stance. Flame just ignited around his own fist. Not wild like Kael’s. It was controlled and quiet.
He stepped in and threw one punch. Straight to Kael’s chest.
CRACK!
The sound wasn’t from the ground cracking. It was from Kael’s bones.
Kael’s eyes bulged. His body jerked.
FWOOOSH!
Kael shot backwards like he’d been hit by a cannon. He slammed through the arena barrier and skidded across the stone floor of the spectator area, tearing a line 40 meters long before stopping.
Dust and smoke everywhere.
Silence.
For 3 whole seconds, no one breathed.
Then someone’s phone dropped with a "clatter"
Kael groaned, rolling over. His uniform was torn and blackened at the chest. Right in the center was a perfect, circular burn mark through the fabric. Skin underneath was red and blistered.
Lynx made sure it wasn’t a lethal strike. It was just enough to say: ’you’re no match for me, and I could have ended you.’
Kael tried to stand, but he failed, then he passed out.
"...Match over," Rose said quietly. Her voice was hoarse.
"Winner: Lynx Azarion."
The Stands ERUPTED.
"WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT?!"
"DID YOU SEE THAT? ONE PUNCH?!"
"BRO, POST THAT! POST IT NOW!"