The steel kivet fell off to the ground and bounced a little, Gahiji looked at where his stone was supposed to be; there was only a hole. Both gaze the kivet in question, Raen quickly kicked it, then the two of them rushed at the same time to pick it up, the soldier with longer arms was about to grab it, then the prince stabbed his hand with one of his arrowheads.

Raen took the stone and toss it away from the ring, he removed the rest of arrows he still had embedded in his body and took a fighting pose ─. Now we’re more even.

The assault became a hand to hand battle. The situation had improved for the boy, since the soldier specialized in long-range combat, he was at a clear disadvantage. So, Raen dominated the encounter, giving punches, kicks and as usual, he attacked the balance points to knock the opponent to the ground. Gahiji hit his head when falling with a metal object, knocking him out.

─Huff, huff ─Raen was exhausted. The public cheered for the boy, including more and more imperials.

─Wow, Gahiji is unconscious, but he is still inside the ring ─Jullien reminded the kid he hasn’t won yet. He regained some strenght and yanked his sleeping opponent of his feet, pulling him out of the stage. The bell rang ─. What nobody expected to see today, despite a rough start, this boy has won for the third time in a row!! ─he raised his arm along with the boy’s. The crowd celebrated, the prince was smiling, but he was really tired.

<<Yeah, I’m so out of shape>>.

─Who would be the next challenger? Who will go against this unstoppable Dragon Boy?… Nobody?

─Wait… Can I just leave. I’ve had enough for today.

─Hahaa, Sorry. Once you enter the tournament, the only ways to leave are by getting out the ring during a combat, or defeating five opponents ─Jullien explained with his normal voice. The boy’s smile faded away with a sigh.

─Fucking damn it!, How is this possible? Grrr! ─Yago flipped the table. The other general were laughing ─. Why are you two laughing, don’t you see what’s happening? the brat is encouraging the other insects to confront the soldiers.

─Calm down, you’re overreacting friend ─Louis said ─. Is just a tournament to show off abilities and skills.

─Besides he’s already tired and wounded. There’s no way he wins the next round ─Melchior added.

─If nobody volunteers, can I leave? ─Raen kept insisting in retreat from the tournament.

─Nope, in that case the generals will force someone to face you ─Jullien said ─. Someone c’mon, do not keep our great winner waiting.

─Marlon! confront that brat and decimate him ─Yago ordered ─. I don’t care if you kill him. Make him suffer, humiliate him, go all out.

─As you wish my general ─in a blink of an eye, Marlon showed up in the middle of the ring, with his kivet ability activated, an electric kivet armor.

─Seems we have a challenger! ─the soldier nodded ─. Ladies and Gentlemen with you… Marlon! ─he pushed Raen to his place on the ring.

─Oi, oi, oi, don’t you think this is too far? ─he pointet at the sparkly screeching armor ─. There’s no way I can defeat you in this conditions, you win, ok? ─the soldier with his serious and angry countenance, only increased the sparks coming out of this body. <<Aaaw man, this sucks, is not good at all… Crap! even with my powers, I’ve never been able to defeat Wilhem in his kivet armor(1), on my own… Argh… it’s time for plan F…>>.

─Staaaart!

<<…Fleeing >>. Inmediately Raen turn around, and ran as fast as he could to jump out of the ring; but before he could do it, Marlon was already in front of him punching him. The boy managed to cover with both arms, the impact was such that he flew over the other edge of the scenario.

─Remember this will not give you a permit, you can’t miss the mines tomorrow ─Melchior yelled at Raen with a contemptuous smile.

<<Is he serious?… I don’t even think I’m going to be alive tomorrow>>. Marlon continued beating up the prince, electroshocking him, kicking him. He was so fast that the other could not defend himself.

─No… Raen, Can’t we do somethig to stop this? ─Ingrid asked.

─Cht, damn thug! ─Rozen yelled.

The rest of the spectators that didn’t belong to the empire, resentfully booed the soldier, it wasn’t necessary such humiliation towards the boy.

The electric user grabbed Raen from his hair ─. This is a proof that none of you… can do something against us ─he pointed the villagers.

─I just kicked their asses, three of you! ─with the strenght he had left, he kicked Marlon to set himself free. He was so close to de edge of the ring, without thinking it twice, he rolled out of it. The bell rang finishing the match.

─And the winner is…

─Grrr ─Marlon was accumulating electrical energy in his fist to deliver the final blow to the boy, ignoring the referee; he didn’t stopped and casted a thunder at the boy.

A lot of people alerted him from the attack. He just could cover his face with his arms.

THROOOOM, BZZZ.

The thunder impacted, Raen opened his eyes, he wasn’t calcined. <<Roots?… >>. The roots from a tree came out from the ground forming a shell protecting the child, this ones were burning on the side the lightning stroke.

─With all the respect my generals, I’m so sorry to intervene, but Raen had already officially lost the battle, under the tournament’s rules ─Don Vik had save the boy, Raen smiled, he was so happy to see him. Everyone else was waiting their response.

─I haven’t had so much fun in a tournament ─Louis laughed.

Melchior seem pleased too, but he limited to wave Viktor and Raen away. Both generals were holding Yago from each side, he was spitting fire of anger. Don Viktor made a bow towards the generals and then glared at Raen.

─What do you think you were doing?! I told you countless times not to participate!! ─he grabbed him from the arm and pulled him away from the crowd.

─Eh!… ouch… I… Ummn… ─the angry face of Viktor eat his words.

─You’re grounded!!… And don’t even think I’m gonna heal your wounds! ─soldiers and villagers were discreetly laughing of that situation, others astonished ─. This is what happens for disobeying!

─Ugh… Don Viktor I’m sorry… ─they got further and further away ─. Aaaaauch! it huuuurts…

─I’ve never seen your uncle this angry ─Floralia said.

─Yeah, remind me to never make him angry ─Rozen spoke.

─Only Ivan made him this angry ─Ingrid added.

─And the new winner is… Marlon! ─soldiers cheered their commander, the tournament had to continue, officially it hadn’t ended.

•◊◊◊•

Viktor look at their surroundings, they were far enough from the event, he released the boy ─. Hum, that was close… Either way I still think that what you did was extremely dangerous, you shouldn’t have… But it was amazing.

─Eh?… You were watching?

─Of course I was! Last night you asked me to interrupt the fight after defeating your third opponent. How was I supposed to know the moment if I wasn’t?

They entered into the inn, sat on one of the tables of the waiting room.

─Thank you Don Vik, today you saved my life again ─he smiled, the bruises and pain were increasing.

─Don’t be so content, I’m not gonna heal you ─the boy though Viktor was joking ─. Everyone heard I wouldn’t help you, if I do and tomorrow you’re like new; I’ll be in trouble ─Raen looked at the healer in disbelief and anguish to the point of tears ─. I can tell you which beverage to prepare.

─Mmmn… Beverages nooou…

─I asked you to not do that, and yet you did.

─Aww naaah, Don Vik… plwaaaese… at least heal my most serious wounds, yeah?… So I don’t die tomorrow ─he grabbed the man’s hand and place it on his belly.

─We must accept the consequences of our actions ─he removed his hand back.

─Ummn… ─he felt an unknown pain in his heart, he had never been trated this way.

─There’s a green cap ointment in the second drawer, it’ll help to your open wounds ─ he pointet into the healing room.

<<He means it… crap… I really wasn’t specting this>> ─. …Umn, ok ─he undressed in the room. He began cleaning his cuts and apply the prescribed remedy. Shortly Viktor entered with a list, siting next to the young man.

─Add this things to a lubricant beverage and you’ll feel better ─the boy nodded and took the paper, then he felt a soft heat on his neck.

<<Huh?… Ah… He is… Healing me, yujuuuu>> ─. Thanks Don Vik ─said in a tired but relieved tone.

─So you don’t die tomorrow, eh ─both smiled at each other ─. Please think carefully what your next move will be. We don’t know how the generals will respond after what you did today.

─Yes, I will, I promise… <<I really don’t want you to scold me again like you did today, you’re scarier than a furious Ingrid>>.

——-

(1)Wilhem: he’s one of Raidha’s brothers, technically he’s his brother in law. The point here is, Wilhem is also an electric kivet user, with the armor ability. In conclusion, Raen only hints that he can’t beat Marlon with or without his powers. Just in case I didn’t explain myself.