THIRD PERSON'S POV
Let's return to a previous point in time, right after Will had finished his 10th match.
Inside the administrator's room in the fighting grounds, two people were discussing the ongoing events.
"That Alad, is he truly a devil incarnate?" Ricky pondered, contemplating the situation.
"He's having that first-year fight fifty people without a break. That guy was already weak when he entered the arena. Maybe Alad tortured him beforehand," Ricky added.
"We can't interfere with the event, or we'll get into trouble," Julie replied, deep in thought.
"Not only that, Alad managed to get nearly everyone in the arena to bet their money on this event – almost 200 gold coins," Ricky explained, grabbing Julie's attention.
"What did you say?" Julie asked.
"That he got almost everyone to bet their money?" Ricky responded.
"No, after that," Julie inquired.
"That the total amount of bets for this event is nearly 200 gold coins?" Ricky clarified.
"That's it!" Julie exclaimed, standing up.
"Why? What's the problem?" Ricky asked, surprised by Julie's sudden interest.
"You know, we've already collected 750 gold coins. We're short by just 250 gold coins to reach our goal of 1000 gold coins. This plan could work," Julie explained.
"And so? Are you planning on taking the 200 gold coins from Alad?" Ricky asked.
"Yes! If that guy persevered and last until 40th match, that means Alad already won" Julie said
"Why is that?" Ricky asked
"Just think about it, is there a sane person who would bet that that guy would last until 40th match?" Julie explained
"And do you think he can last until then?" Ricky asked
"Of course, he has beaten Alad after all" Julie said smiling.
"But you know, taking 200 gold coin from Alad only makes our gold 950 and we're still short 50 gold coin for our goal of 1000 gold coin. Also if we do it, there's no way Alad would let it slide and he might tell the principal this place" Ricky said
"Oh, about that – last week, we, the top card and the top magicians, were called to a meeting. One of the topics was revealing the location of the fighting grounds. The principal offered 50 gold coins to whoever could disclose its whereabouts," Julie said.
"Does that mean you're going to sell the location of the fighting grounds?" Ricky inquired.
"Of course. Once we've secured Alad's 200 gold coins, before he can turn on us and reveal the location, we'll be the first to report it. We'll claim to be spies so we won't get arrested, and we'll get 50 gold coins as a reward. It's a perfect plan," Julie explained excitedly.
"Yeah, it's a brilliant plan, but it only works if that guy makes it to the 40th match," Ricky noted.
"That's right. We have to believe in him. We're going to use everyone for the sake of our plan," Julie stated.
**RICKY'S POV**
The matches continued, and the 39th bout had just begun. The guy, despite his condition, was still battling. I felt guilty for using him, but we had no other choice.
Our plan was for Julie to proceed after the 39th match and take the 200 gold coins from the betting box.
All the spectators were so absorbed in the match that they wouldn't notice someone taking the bets. Perhaps it was because they had already given up hope of winning, and they just wanted to see how the match would conclude.
"The winner of the 39th match is none other than the tenacious Will!" Alad announced, marking the end of the 39th bout.
As he proceeded to introduce the next opponent, it was my turn to play my part.
I unsheathed my sword and threw it into the arena. Everyone's eyes were on me, and that was the signal for Julie to execute her part of the plan, which was to take the 200 gold coins.
"Alad, that guy's sword is almost broken. Let him use mine!" I shouted.
People were surprised by my sudden intrusion.
"Ricky, what are you doing? Is it not against the rules to interfere in the game, especially during an event?" Alad said, looking furious that his playtime was interrupted.
"But look at the guy's sword; it could break any minute!" I explained.
"So what?" Alad retorted with a piercing look.
While Alad was focused on me, I saw Julie entered the administrator's room and that means she succeed.
"N-no, don't mind me. Sorry for interrupting," I said before heading to the arena and picking up my sword.
While I was retrieving my sword, I looked at the first-year student. He was looking at me, and he gave me a grateful nod, as if saying thanks.
I'm sorry; I've only used you. I don't deserve that nod.
Those thoughts weighed heavily on my mind as I left the arena and made my way to the administrator's room, knowing our plan had been successfully executed.
**WILL'S POV**
After the unexpected intrusion by an unknown individual, Alad's temper flared. But it didn't disrupt the subsequent matches.
I had just completed the 49th match, leaving only one more to go before we could finally escape this ordeal.
But I wasn't sure if I could even move my body anymore. I had five deep wounds: two on my left leg, one on my right leg, one on my left arm, and one on my side. My body was covered in bruises and cuts. I was trembling, but I needed to endure; only one match remained.
"Now, we've reached the final and most thrilling round of the event – the ultimate match!" Alad announced, getting back into the spirit.
"Without further ado, Will's fiftieth and final opponent is none other than... me, the great Alad!" Alad declared, stepping into the arena.
What did this mean? Was he my last opponent?
Everyone in the fighting grounds seemed surprised, but it appeared that the idea of me facing Alad for the final match excited them. Perhaps they wanted Alad to exact revenge and deliver a thrashing to compensate for their losses.
"Now, let the last match commence!" Alad shouted, unsheathing his sword.
I also unsheathed my sword, but the trembling of my hand caused it to fall to the ground.
"Hey, what's happening? Pick it up! I haven't even made a move, and you've already lost?" Alad taunted.
I tried to retrieve my sword, but suddenly, Alad's foot was on my face, and he kicked me.
I was thrown off balance, and it almost knocked me unconscious.
"Hey, stand up! I haven't even used my sword yet," Alad demanded, continuing to kick me while I was down.
Each kick was excruciatingly painful, and the agony coursed through my body. He relentlessly continued his assault.
After a while, I coughed up blood, and it stained Alad's foot.
"Hey! What the heck? Did you do that on purpose?" Alad accused.
I didn't get the time to answer before takes his sword and thrust it in my left leg.
"AAAAAAARRRRGGGGGHHHH!" I shouted so loud that it echoed through the whole fighting ground.
A sharp pain runs from my leg as I cried in pain.
I'm going to give up.
I can't take it anymore.
Sorry Crestia but I can't take it anymore.
I was about to give up but no words comes to my mouth, I can't speak, my mouth was blocked my blood.
"That was a loud one, how about I do the other leg next?" Alad said and prepared to thrust his sword at my right leg seemingly enjoying.
Please don't!, I don't want to experience it again, please!
I tried to say those words but nothing comes out from my mouth.
As he prepared to thrust it, I braced myself for another hellish pain.
But before Alad can thrust his sword, a shout of a girl with familiar voice caught the attention of everyone.
"Fireball!" The girl shouted.
The fireball was directed at Alad, but he spotted it in time, leaping backward to dodge the attack.
After the fireball landed in the arena, the sound of footsteps echoed, and three men appeared before me. Two stood in front of me, swords pointed at Alad's neck, catching him by surprise. The third stood by my side, ready to unleash a spell if necessary.
What they're doing here? Where did they get the information that I'm here? Did they come to save me? Even though it's dangerous?
So many questions runs through my head because the one who save me, these three individuals were none other than my best friends: Raiden, Tyiyn, and Tork.
"What do you think you're doing to my friend?" Raiden demanded, his face deadly serious, a side of him I had rarely seen.
"Make one move, and you're done," Tyiyn added, his expression equally serious.
"Will, are you okay? Leave this to us," Tork said, matching the gravity of the situation.