Liam returned to his seat, his mind buzzing with thoughts about Carol and her legendary bow, Forest Eyes. Though the fight hadn't pushed him to his limits, it had offered enough excitement to break the monotony of battling ordinary opponents.
"She wasn't bad," Liam muttered under his breath, glancing at the square where Carol had been escorted off.
"Not bad at all," Ray agreed. "But compared to what's coming, she was just a warm-up. Things are about to get a lot more interesting."
Liam leaned back, observing the other ongoing matches. His gaze fell upon the mage he had noticed earlier, who had decisively defeated the fighter. The mage now stood on the sidelines, his hood pulled low, watching the squares with a calculating intensity.
"That guy's still here," Liam said, narrowing his eyes.
"Why wouldn't he be? He's one of the strongest in Befardo. His presence alone is a warning to anyone paying attention," Ray said.
"Still hiding under that Level 7 Dark Magic disguise?" Liam asked.
"Yup. If he wanted to, he could wipe out most of these contestants without breaking a sweat. He's not here to fight seriously—he's here to observe. Like you."
Liam's lips curled into a smirk. "Maybe I should give him something to observe."
Before Ray could respond, the announcer's voice boomed across the arena. "Attention, everyone! The next matches are about to begin! Contestants, please proceed to the designated squares."
Liam felt a familiar surge of anticipation as his name was called. Rising to his feet, he made his way to the square, his boots echoing against the stone floor. The crowd's energy seemed to swell as he stepped into the ring.
Across from him, a tall man with spiked silver hair and a heavy broadsword slung over his back entered the square. His piercing gray eyes locked onto Liam, and a smirk spread across his face.
"Finally, someone who looks like a challenge," the man said, his voice carrying a mix of confidence and excitement. "Name's Garron. Don't disappoint me, kid."
Liam raised an eyebrow. "You talk a lot for someone about to lose."
The crowd roared with laughter and cheers at Liam's retort. Garron's grin widened, and he drew his broadsword with a flourish. The weapon gleamed under the arena lights, its edge sharp enough to split a hair.
"Careful, Liam," Ray cautioned. "That blade's enchanted. It's designed to disrupt magic and cut through most defenses. Your Divine Shield won't hold up for long against it."
"Good to know," Liam replied, cracking his neck.
The announcer raised his hand. "Contestants ready? Begin!"
Garron wasted no time, charging at Liam with surprising speed for someone wielding such a massive weapon. The ground trembled beneath his heavy steps, and the air seemed to hum with the power radiating from his blade.
Liam sidestepped the initial swing, the sword carving a deep groove into the stone where he had been standing. Without missing a beat, Garron spun around and launched a series of rapid strikes, forcing Liam to stay on the defensive.
"Fast for a guy with a sword that big," Liam muttered, dodging another strike.
"Activate Brew of Forbidden Arts," Ray suggested. "You'll need the extra speed."
Liam nodded, and a surge of energy coursed through him as he activated the skill. His movements became sharper, his reflexes heightened. Garron's strikes, while still fast, no longer felt overwhelming.
The crowd watched in awe as Liam began weaving through Garron's attacks, his movements a blur. Each swing of the broadsword seemed to just barely miss its mark, the blade whistling through the air.
"You're quick," Garron admitted, his tone begrudgingly impressed. "But let's see how long you can keep it up."
With a roar, Garron slammed his sword into the ground, creating a shockwave that rippled across the square. Liam jumped back, narrowly avoiding the attack.
"He's trying to wear you down," Ray warned. "Don't let him dictate the pace."
"Got it," Liam replied, dashing forward.
Closing the gap, Liam aimed a swift kick at Garron's midsection. The larger man blocked it with the flat of his sword, but the force pushed him back a step. Seizing the opportunity, Liam unleashed a flurry of punches and kicks, each one aiming for a weak spot in Garron's defenses.
Garron growled, swinging his sword in a wide arc to create space. Liam ducked under the swing and countered with a low sweep, knocking Garron off balance.
The crowd erupted as Garron stumbled, his heavy frame hitting the ground with a thud.
"Impressive," Garron said, pushing himself up. "But I'm not done yet."
Before Liam could press his advantage, Garron raised his sword and channeled a surge of energy into it. The blade glowed with a crimson light, and the air grew heavy with magic.
"Ray, what's he doing?" Liam asked, his eyes narrowing.
"That's an enchantment called Crimson Surge," Ray explained. "It temporarily boosts his strength and speed, but it comes at the cost of his stamina. Be careful—he's going to come at you hard."
"Perfect," Liam said, a grin spreading across his face.
As Garron charged, Liam braced himself, his mind racing. The larger man's movements were faster now, his swings more powerful. Each strike shook the ground, and the crowd gasped at the sheer force behind them.
But Liam wasn't intimidated. With each swing, he analyzed Garron's patterns, looking for an opening.
Finally, it came. As Garron swung his sword in a wide arc, Liam ducked low and dashed forward, slipping inside his guard.
Garron's eyes widened as Liam's fist connected with his stomach, the force of the blow knocking the wind out of him.
Not giving him a chance to recover, Liam followed up with a spinning kick to Garron's chest, sending him sprawling to the ground.
The crowd erupted into cheers as Garron struggled to get up, his sword slipping from his grasp.
"Do you yield?" Liam asked, his voice calm but commanding.
Garron looked up at him, a grin still on his face despite his defeat. "You're good, kid. I yield."
The announcer's voice boomed across the arena. "The winner is Liam!"
As the crowd cheered, Liam turned and walked off the square, his thoughts already shifting to the next challenge.
"Not bad," Ray said, his tone approving. "But don't get cocky. There are stronger opponents waiting."
"Good," Liam replied, a smirk playing on his lips. "I wouldn't want it any other way."