" That's a black panther. "
" Encountering such a beast at close range, he's really unlucky. "
" It's a master hunter with unrivaled speed. "
" He's done for. " The students sighed in pity as they discussed among themselves.
Among those that had passed their tests, Jake's brows were furrowed. He didn't like Roran's character and had a feeling something unexpected might happen after seeing Roran defeat the python, unlike the others who already given up on him surviving.
He turned to the others beside him and asked. " Don't you guys feel there's something wrong going on? "
They turned towards him listening, it was Nyla who asked " What do you mean?"
ROAR!!!
The beast's roar echoed through the arena vibrating through the arena, drowning out the screams of the spectators, echoing off the steel walls. Roran could feel it in his bones, the weight of hundreds of eyes locked onto him, watching, waiting for the moment he would die. Yet, despite the oppressive tension, his heart remained steady, his breaths calm. That should have scared him. He should have been terrified, but instead, an unnatural calm washed over him.
His fingers flexed around the handle of the combat knife. Across the arena, the panther moved like a shadow, its sleek black body rippling with muscle. It prowled, eyes locked on him, its lips curled in a snarl that revealed razor-sharp fangs.
The panther's growl rumbled through the air as it lowered itself to the ground, ready to pounce.
Whoosh!
The panther moved, turned into a blur towards Roran.
His first thought was simple: I'm going to die.
His second thought was more perplexing coming to realization: Why am I not afraid?
Roran barely had time to react before something flashed in his mind, a sudden burst of a red phantom headed right for him like an arrow.
Move.
Without hesitation, his body responded, throwing itself to the side just as the panther's claws swipe through the space he had stood. He hit the ground hard, dirt and blood swirling around him, but his reflexes kicked in, rolling back to his feet. His muscles ached from the impact, but he was alive. The panther, snarling in frustration, spun to face him once more, it's breath hot and ragged.
What the hell was that? Roran's mind raced, but there was no time to dwell on it.
The panther lunged again, faster this time. Again that red glow flared in his mind again, a perfect map of the creature's attack. He ducked, narrowly avoiding its massive claws.
Shouts and gasps erupted from the students. To them, Roran's movements were raw and unpolished, the desperate scrambles of a man outmatched by a beast far superior. Yet, time and again, he dodged.
" No way, how is he still alive?" one voice muttered.
" Look at his movements." Another muttered.
" Is he... dancing?" Someone muttered.
" No, it almost looks like a sort of weird martial art." Another chimed in.
" Just dumb luck." Another sneered.
But luck had nothing to do with it. Roran wasn't conciously thinking about his next move, his body was moving on instinct. Every time the panther attacked, that red glow would appear in his mind, and his body would automatically respond, sidestepping or ducking, narrowly evading.
Evading more than a dozen times, his feet felt lighter beneath him, his muscles relaxing with every evasive step. The crowd watched in stunned silence as his evasive steps became more and more refined.
The panther snarled, clearly frustrated by its inability to land a blow. Bloodlust burned in its eyes, and Roran knew he couldn't keep up the dance forever. He needed to slow it down, to strike before his luck or whatever was guiding him, ran out.
With a sudden burst of speed the panther attacked again. Roran dodged to the side, his knife drawing an arc slicing out, catching the panther's flank. A shallow cut, but enough to draw blood. The crowd roared, a savage thrill electrifying the arena.
The panther circled him again, this time warier. Blood dripped from its wound, staining the black fur on its side. It moved cautiously, no longer the unstoppable force it was before.
I can do this. The thought struck Roran like lightning. He wasn't just surviving, he was learning and adapting. This strange ability, whatever it was gave him a chance. A real chance.
The panther charged, but this time Roran was ready. He sidestepped with fluid ease his blade flashing to slice the beast's hind leg. The panther stumbled, growling in pain, its fury mixing with confusion.
Roran pressed his advantage, the knife in his hands slashed forming shadows, drawing blood. The cuts were small but strategic. His intention was simple, to bleed the beast's strength bit by bit. Each time the panther lunged, he dodged, slashing again and again. The beast's once powerful legs began to falter, its movements growing sluggish.
The panther hesitated, a light flicked in its eyes. It lowered itself into a crouch, panting heavily, blood dripping from several wounds. For a moment, the beast's predatory gaze seem to shift. Then, in a shocking display, it backed away and lowered its head to the ground, tail tucked between its legs.
Roran froze, blinked in disbelief. The crowd fell silent, stunned by the sight. The beast, the master hunter with unrivaled speed, had submitted.
" What the hell? Somebody please tell me I'm dreaming."
" You're dreaming"
" Am I seeing things. Hey, are you guys seeing what I'm seeing?"
" It... surrendered. Damn, the panther surrendered."
" Oi, how can you surrender. What master hunter? What unrivaled speed? Damn, that panther is more shameless than me."
Roran stepped forward, his combat knife raised, ready to strike. " You... submit to me?" His voice echoed in the quiet arena, uncertain.
The panther's red eyes blinked slowly, and it nodded in a slow deliberate motion.
" What do you think he's going to choose? Is he going to accept its surrender or is he going for the strike?"
" Looks like something interesting is about to happen."
Roran gave the panther a deep look solemnly for a few breaths, he lowered his blade, the tension in his body releasing slightly. He turned to walk away, ignoring the shocked gasps from the crowd.
" He... walked away. He just walked away."
But as he took a few steps away, a sudden violent energy shifted in the air. His instincts screamed in warning.
The panther lunged, faster than it had before, jaws wide aiming for his unguarded back.
In the same instant, Roran spun, his blade spun upwards in one fluid motion. The beast's eyes widened, shock flashing across its face as the blade buried itself into its throat. Blood gushed from the wound as the panther crumpled to the ground, twitching a few times before falling still.
Roran stood over its body, his voice cold and mocking. "Idiot. This is a death fight. Only a fool leaves their back open to the enemy."
He pulled the knife free, flicking the blood from its blade before walking away without another glance at the dead panther. The crowd, still in shock, erupted, especially the females.
" It's dead. The panther is dead."
" He killed it. Roran killed the panther."
" Did you see that last move. The way he turned and striked, so cool."
" I got it on record. Look at his side profile when he turned, those eyes."
Roran didn't hear them. His mind was elsewhere. His last choice to let go of the panther wasn't without consideration. Although it appeared to submit to him, it was also at its his guard against him, he knew if he strike at that moment, even if he won, he would also severely suffer from its desperate counter. He made a gamble, using himself as bait, he gave it an opening. From such close distance, he was certain, it would strike with all its strength, focusing on that strike and at the same time its guard would be lower.
If he won the gamble, he would finish the fight in one strike, if he didn't, he would evade and at the same time lower its strength by a huge margin and that would allow his counteract afterwards less risky.
His mind was replaying the battle, that red glow, and that calm that had taken hold of him. He had bet his life on them. Whatever had just awakened in him, it had saved his life today.
And he had a feeling it wouldn't be the last time.
While he was still engrossed in his mind, a rumble resonated throughout the entire field, Arena 10 shook intensely.
RUMBLE!
The wall behind him opened up.
"Eh!?"
He turned and stared curiously at the opening gate.
"I don't think that's the way out."
Boom!