Scathach had asked Kevin twice if he wanted to be a hero. Both times, Kevin had replied with a resolute no.
Each time, Scathach smiled knowingly, saying nothing. She didn't need words because she already understood the truth in her heart.
…..
In the Colosseum, dust swirled, sparks flew, and the metallic clanging of weapons reverberated through the air.
The crowd erupted in cheers as the battle unfolded. What had begun as dissatisfaction among the audience—their disdain at Kevin's initial refusal and Cu Chulainn's impromptu challenge—had now turned into full-throated praise for the two warriors.
Kevin had captivated them with his precision and cunning, while Cu Chulainn's sheer ferocity was intoxicating to behold. The crowd loved violence, yes, but they revered strength even more.
Even the noble ladies who initially whispered in disapproval were now swooning. If anyone had the courage to voice their inner thoughts, the arena would be filled with declarations of love like, "I want to bear their children!"
On the battlefield, Kevin narrowly dodged another brutal swing of Cu Chulainn's greatsword. He retaliated with a sharp thrust of his spear, grazing Cu Chulainn's head and slicing off a few strands of hair.
Instead of being alarmed, Cu Chulainn laughed maniacally. His eyes burned with the thrill of the fight.
"Come again!" he roared, bringing his weapon down with a force that seemed capable of splitting the earth.
Kevin evaded the strike and returned with a precise counter. His attacks were sharp, tricky, and designed to exploit Cu Chulainn's openings. Over time, Cu Chulainn's once pristine figure began to show signs of wear—minor cuts and bruises dotting his body.
Despite this, Kevin cursed under his breath, frustrated.
"Damn demigod..."
Cu Chulainn's body, blessed by divine blood, was a maddening cheat. Kevin's attacks, no matter how precise, barely seemed to slow him down.
From his seat in the audience, Connor observed the battle with sharp eyes. "It's going to be a long one," he murmured.
The grizzled warrior had been Cu Chulainn and Kevin's first instructor. Now, watching the clash of his two former pupils, he could clearly see the differences in their strengths.
Kevin, trained under Scathach, wielded superior technique and cunning. He had been forged through countless life-and-death trials. His every move was calculated and lethal.
But Cu Chulainn...
"He's a monster," Connor admitted to himself. Cu Chulainn's raw power and seemingly endless stamina, combined with his natural battle instincts, were terrifying.
"Come again, come again, come again!"
Cu Chulainn's laughter grew more frenzied with each passing minute. His attacks became fiercer, each strike carrying a ferocity that seemed to shake the air itself.
Kevin's advantage began to dwindle. Cu Chulainn adapted to his opponent with terrifying speed. The bruises Kevin had inflicted earlier were now healing faster than Kevin could add new ones.
Pervert.
Kevin gritted his teeth, his mind racing. He realized with mounting frustration that his chances of ending the fight cleanly had already passed. In the first three minutes of the battle, he'd had multiple opportunities to deliver a decisive blow. But each time, he'd held back, unwilling to seriously injure Cu Chulainn.
Now, those openings were gone.
With a final clash, their weapons collided violently, forcing both fighters apart.
Kevin landed lightly on his feet, his breathing steady. Across the arena, Cu Chulainn stood with his sword planted firmly in the ground, catching his breath. Despite his exhaustion, a wild grin spread across his face.
"You're insane," Kevin muttered, his voice tinged with both frustration and awe.
"And you're holding back," Cu Chulainn retorted, his grin widening.
Kevin frowned. He hated to admit it, but Cu Chulainn was right. If he continued to hold back, this battle would never end.
Kevin's thoughts raced.
Should I keep fighting?
Logic dictated that the fight had already served its purpose. He'd proven his strength to everyone in the Colosseum. There was no need to push further.
But...
Kevin clenched his fists. A spark of defiance flickered in his chest.
No.
He wasn't ready to walk away—not yet.
"I'm going to knock you down, you idiot!" Kevin growled, his voice filled with newfound determination.
Cu Chulainn blinked, momentarily stunned. Then his grin returned, more feral than ever.
"Bring it on!"
The crowd roared as the two warriors prepared for another round.
This time, Kevin wasn't holding back. His movements became sharper, his attacks more relentless. The pitch-black spear in his hands moved with deadly precision, each strike aimed to overwhelm Cu Chulainn's monstrous strength.
Cu Chulainn, for his part, rose to the challenge. His greatsword moved with devastating power, each swing carrying enough force to shatter bones.
The two clashed again and again, their weapons creating sparks that illuminated the Colosseum.
"Kill him!" someone in the crowd shouted.
"Go on!"
"End it!"
The cheers were vulgar and bloodthirsty, but Kevin found himself invigorated. His blood boiled, his body moved faster, and his strikes became fiercer.
He thought of Scathach, who had seen through him five years ago.
When she asked if he wanted to be a hero, Kevin had denied it.
But deep down, Kevin knew the truth.
Of course I want to be a hero.
Standing alongside a legend like Cu Chulainn, how could he settle for anything less?
Kevin smirked, his grip tightening on the spear.
"Time to end this," he muttered.
With a burst of speed, he closed the gap between himself and Cu Chulainn. His spear moved in a blur, each strike more aggressive than the last.
Cu Chulainn responded in kind, his greatsword meeting Kevin's attacks head-on. The two warriors pushed each other to their limits, neither willing to back down.
Finally, Kevin saw his opening. With a precise thrust, he disarmed Cu Chulainn, sending the greatsword flying across the arena.
Before Cu Chulainn could react, Kevin's spear was at his throat.
The Colosseum fell silent.
Kevin panted heavily, his black eyes locked onto Cu Chulainn's defiant gaze.
"I win," Kevin said simply.
Cu Chulainn grinned, his expression filled with both pride and frustration.
"You got me this time," he admitted, raising his hands in surrender.
The crowd erupted into deafening cheers, their earlier discontent forgotten.
As Kevin lowered his spear, Cu Chulainn stepped forward and clapped him on the shoulder.
"That was one hell of a fight," Cu Chulainn said, his voice filled with genuine admiration.
Kevin smirked. "Damn right it was."
Together, the two warriors walked out of the arena, their bond stronger than ever.
In that moment, Kevin knew one thing for certain: he wasn't just standing alongside Cu Chulainn anymore. He was his equal.
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