I, Aaron Kaien, absentmindedly looked at the extreme and nonsensical
exchange of offense and defense from the side of the arena.
Zack's kicks and punches were hitting empty air.
「UWA!?」
It seemed Zack lost his posture when his attack missed its target. As a
result, Kai Heineman swept his leg and threw him into the air. After turning
a few times in the air, Zack again crashed on the ground on his back. Kai
Heineman moved away by shifting his center of gravity as if to react to
Zack, who immediately stood up.
Maybe, it was a prediction. Yeah, that was the only answer I could think
about.
Maybe, he was making his move based on Zack's expressions, gaze, and all
the minute movements he made. Everything culminated into clairvoyance
that resembled a future vision.
「Aah…」
A voice of admiration escaped from my lips.
Yes! Clairvoyance was the essence of all martial arts and also its most basic
principle. To put it in another way, clairvoyance was the lifelong goal of all
martial artists. Every martial artist, including me, polished our skills every
day to achieve that state in our life. And just now, Kai Heineman showed to
all of us that he was already in the legendary realm of martial arts.
「Or even past that…」
The tears I held back flowed out like the water in a bursting dam. Never had
I expected that I could have the honor to see that legendary realm at my
age.
Zack unleashed a roundhouse kick with his right leg toward Kai
Heineman's head, but that kick also missed its target. Yet, Zack didn't stop
turning in the air. He pushed his right palm to the ground as a fulcrum, then
unleashed another kick with his right leg, which had gained momentum
from his previous kick. The resulting shockwaves shredded the stone arena
to pieces, but Kai Heineman had already retreated beyond Zack's attack
range.
「GUGAA!!」
When he realized that his chained attack had just failed, Zack tried to open
some distance while letting out a bestial roar. However, Kai Heineman
didn't miss that opening and unleashed a kick that sent Zack flying to the
edge of the arena.
Zack managed to stand up again, albeit with much difficulty. The look on
his face wasn't that of disbelief or frustration; it was an expression
overflowing with joy since he could challenge someone with genuine,
absolute skills, someone who he couldn't defeat no matter what.
「Maybe I'm envious of him…」
Yes. I was really envious of Zack. To be able to challenge someone who
stands in the realm of martial art gods. It was the dream and the highest
honor for every martial artist. And right now, I was really mad at myself
since I had let go of that chance.
「Da*mmit all.」
Recruiting that martial art god(Kai Heineman) into Kaien-style?
Ridiculous! It would be like a person holding the sword for the first time
trying to teach an assistant instructor. It would be just how ridiculous I'll
look if I try to recruit Kai Heineman.
The battle had been going on for more than thirty minutes. Zack didn't
show any signs of giving up. And that martial art god properly responded to
Zack's fighting spirit. Things might keep going on until Zack can't even lift
his finger.
「It seems I can't stop it either.」
This was the greatest moment in Zack's entire life. There was no way I
could stop him even if it cost his life. That was why I decided to see
through his struggle till the end.
However, the moment I sat in the arena, two youths suddenly rushed out
from the passage.
Both of them were dragging along several tournament committee members
who were trying to stop them. I was about to stand up and throw these
boorish youths out of this place, but they suddenly groveled right before the
arena.
「KAI HEINEMAN!! Barse city is in danger! Please, please save the
city!」
The blonde man shouted at the top of his lungs while pressing his forehead
on the ground.
For the first time since the start of the match, Kai Heineman looked away
from Zack and gazed at the two youths who were grovelling right before the
arena.
Maybe because he had also sensed something off after hearing those
youths' pleas, Zack released his stance and crossed his arms while watching
over the situation.
「What's happening? Tell me in detail.」
Kai Heineman asked the two of them to explain the situation.