As Baturay and Wolfram squared off, the tension in the air was palpable. The knights watched in silence, their anticipation growing as the two warriors began their match. Both men took their positions—Baturay, towering and powerful, while Wolfram stood calm, calculating his next move.
They circled each other briefly before Baturay lunged forward, grabbing for Wolfram's hands in an attempt to overpower him. Baturay's grip was like iron, and for a moment, it looked as if he had Wolfram under control. Their muscles tensed, bodies locked in a test of sheer strength as they grappled, trying to force each other off balance. Baturay was using his size to press Wolfram down, hoping to pin him early and dominate the fight.
But Wolfram had trained for moments like this. His time spent under Kara's guidance had prepared him for situations where brute strength alone wasn't enough. He knew how to react, how to read the flow of a fight and use his opponent's force against them. In an instant, Wolfram twisted his right hand free from Baturay's grip, and without hesitation, he drove his elbow into Baturay's chin with incredible precision.
The impact of bone on bone echoed across the field, and the knights, watching intently, let out an audible "Uuuu!" of surprise. Baturay staggered back, momentarily disoriented by the blow. He gritted his teeth, his eyes narrowing at Wolfram. The strike had rattled him, but it hadn't broken his resolve.
With a low growl, Baturay wiped the corner of his mouth and glared at Wolfram. "So, that's how you want to play? Fine." His voice was thick with challenge. Angered, Baturay charged at Wolfram, his large frame bearing down on him like a crashing wave. Wolfram barely had time to react before Baturay tackled him, using all of his weight to bring him to the ground.
Now, they were wrestling in the dirt, Baturay attempting to use his size and strength to overwhelm Wolfram. For a moment, it looked like Baturay had the upper hand, as he struggled to pin Wolfram beneath him. But Wolfram was far more agile than Baturay had anticipated. Years of combat training had honed Wolfram's reflexes, teaching him how to escape holds and avoid being crushed by opponents larger than him.
In a fluid motion, Wolfram caught one of Baturay's arms and wrapped his legs around Baturay's head, locking him into a tight submission hold. The knights gasped, shocked to see the smaller man putting the massive Baturay in such a dangerous position. Wolfram tightened the hold, squeezing his legs and attempting to choke Baturay, cutting off his air supply. It was clear that Wolfram was using strategy over strength, applying pressure in all the right places to gain the upper hand.
Baturay, however, was not so easily defeated. His sheer physical power allowed him to resist the hold, and with a roar, he lifted Wolfram off the ground, attempting to slam him down in an effort to break free. He slammed Wolfram to the ground three times, the sound of each impact reverberating through the air. The knights winced at the sight, but Wolfram remained composed, tucking his body with each fall to avoid the full impact of the ground and prevent any serious injury.
Despite the brutal force of Baturay's slams, Wolfram held on, refusing to let go of the submission hold. The fight had turned into a battle of endurance, with Baturay struggling to breathe, his face turning red from the lack of oxygen. The knights watched in awe as the seasoned warrior's strength began to wane, his body growing heavier as the fight dragged on.
Baturay's breathing grew ragged, his chest heaving as his body started to give out. His face flushed, and it became clear to everyone watching that he was on the verge of losing consciousness. Wolfram, sensing that his opponent was nearing his limit, chose that moment to release his hold.
He stood up slowly, his breathing steady but his eyes still sharp and focused. Baturay lay on the ground, gasping for air, his body unable to continue the fight. Wolfram remained calm, showing no signs of exhaustion, and as Baturay struggled to rise, Wolfram offered him his hand.
"Good match," Wolfram said simply, his voice carrying no malice, only respect. He helped Baturay to his feet, and the larger man, though bruised and weary, looked at Wolfram with newfound admiration.
Baturay, still catching his breath, nodded in acknowledgment. "Now I believe the stories I've heard about you," he said between breaths, a small smile appearing on his face. "You've truly become like Kara. It's clear in the way you fight. You have my respect, Gengiz." The use of Wolfram's Turk-il name, Gengiz, was a mark of respect, and it was clear that Baturay now saw him as an equal—a true Tarkan warrior.
The knights, who had been watching in stunned silence, erupted into cheers, their admiration for Wolfram reaching new heights. They had known him as a skilled fighter, but to see him match Baturay's strength with skill and cunning had earned him their full respect.
The knights gathered around him, clapping him on the back and offering their congratulations. Sir Leopold von Eisenberg was the first to reach him, his eyes gleaming with pride. "That was a remarkable display, my prince," he said, his voice full of admiration. "You've truly earned the title of Tarkan warrior today."
The other knights nodded in agreement, offering their own praises as they surrounded Wolfram. But even in the midst of the celebration, Aslı stood slightly apart, watching from a distance. Her eyes were locked on Wolfram, and though she did not join the knights in their congratulations, the pride in her gaze was unmistakable. She had known all along that Wolfram had the potential to become a great warrior, but now, seeing him defeat Baturay in such a calculated and controlled manner, she knew he had truly embraced the mantle of the warrior he was meant to be.
For Wolfram, the fight had not been about brute force or dominance. It had been about proving his skill, his ability to outthink and outmaneuver even the strongest of opponents. And in that moment, as the knights gathered around him, it was clear that he had succeeded.