As the second day of the tournament unfolded, the intensity of the matches heightened. Amon had successfully made it past the earlier rounds, and despite the overwhelming competition, his performance continued to draw attention. Koman watched from the stands, surrounded by townspeople who couldn't stop praising their king, Zylir.
Yet, there were whispers—people questioned how Zylir was able to conquer so quickly, with some suspecting dark forces behind his success.
Amon was preparing for his most challenging fight yet—the quarterfinal match. The arena was packed with people cheering for their favorite fighters, but all eyes were on Amon. Koman, watching from the sidelines, couldn't help but feel a strange sense of tension building. The opponent in front of Amon was unlike anyone he'd faced before, taller and much more physically imposing.
As the match began, Amon's confidence faltered for a moment. His movements became cautious, and for the first few strikes, it seemed as if the fight was slipping away from him. But just when it seemed that Amon might lose, something inside him shifted. He dodged a powerful blow and countered with speed and precision. Amon fought with a wild determination, pushing himself to his limits. He attacked fiercely, his reflexes sharper, his focus unbreakable, almost as if something had awakened within him.
In the royal box, King Zylir was watching closely. His expression, typically composed, flickered with a hint of surprise. As Amon delivered a final decisive blow that won him the match, Zylir murmured to his advisor, "He fights like I did in my youth. There's something about that boy."
By the end of the second day, Amon had made it to the quarterfinals, but his next opponent proved too much for him. The battle was grueling, and despite his earlier victory, Amon was eventually defeated. Still, his performance had left an impression on many, particularly King Zylir.
After the final fight, Zylir summoned his top advisor and the tournament leader. "Find out who that boy is," he ordered, his voice calm but filled with curiosity. "He's not from here. And I want to know how he and his companion managed to sneak into my tournament."
Word spread quickly that the king was interested in Amon and his mysterious friend, Koman. When Amon, exhausted and defeated, was led before the king later that day, Koman was not far behind. The two were taken into a chamber inside the palace, where Zylir awaited them. The king, now more intrigued than ever, looked upon them with a mix of curiosity and calculation.
"You fought well," Zylir said, his eyes locked on Amon. "In fact, you reminded me of myself when I was your age. But what interests me more is how two strangers managed to enter my tournament undetected."
Amon glanced at Koman, unsure of how to respond. Zylir stood up and took a step closer. "I don't take kindly to deceit in my kingdom. But I recognize potential when I see it." His gaze shifted between the two of them. "So, tell me… what exactly are you two looking for here?"
Koman and Amon stood before King Zylir, whose scrutiny rested on them. The tension in the room was palpable, and Koman felt he had to be careful how he responded. He took a deep breath before he began to speak.
„I'm here because of a friend," Koman began calmly, "he once lived in this kingdom. Out of curiosity, I traveled here to find out more about this country." He withheld the truth that Teng had once mentioned magic for the time being. Koman believed that this information could be of great importance in an empire like Manzenier. He didn't want to reveal them too soon. Amon, on the other hand, grimaced and answered without hesitation.
„ I had to follow this idiot here," Amon said, pointing at Koman, "because of a promise we made to each other." Amon rolled his eyes as King Zylir laughed, a deep, amused laugh.
"Ah, two young people on an adventure," said Zylir, "something like that must be nice at your age. The freedom of young people to travel and discover the world."
But despite his amused demeanor, Zylir was not easily fooled. His eyes narrowed slightly as he looked sharply at Koman. "But you," said Zylir suddenly, "you're hiding something, aren't you? Why are you really here?"
Koman held the king's gaze for a moment before finally giving in. "There is something that brought me here," he began, his voice taking on a mysterious tone. "A friend of mine, he saw something... he believed magic existed. He told me about it and I wanted to search for the truth myself."
Amon turned to Koman in shock, his eyes widening in disbelief. What? he thought. Has he gone crazy since we got here?
King Zylir laughed loudly, but this time with a hint of contempt in his voice. "Magic? Such nonsense! Magic or sorcery – that is mere superstition. There is no place for such ridiculous fantasies in my world."
But Koman was not so easily intimidated. He took a step forward, his eyes fixed on the king. "Then how did you manage to achieve so many successes? Are you trying to tell me that all of this was achieved through normal means? I don't believe you."
Zylir smiled, but this time without any warmth. His voice lowered and took on a threatening tone. "You've got a lot of courage, little boy, to open your mouth so wide in front of a king like me." He walked towards Koman, his figure suddenly seemed intimidating. "I was born to lead this empire. People need me. I utilized my talents, honed my skills, and overcame all competition. This is not magic, this is the result of my power and ingenuity."
Zylir stepped back as he said this, but the impact of his words hung heavy in the air. Koman looked into his eyes and sensed that this man was not to be underestimated.