The air buzzed with anticipation as Stoinis stepped out of the arena, still riding the high of his recent victory. He reveled in the cheers and murmurs of the crowd, but his moment of triumph was abruptly shattered by a sharp sting at the back of his shoulder. He spun around to find Hiran, the arrogant young master he had just humiliated, stalking toward him with a venomous glare. "What's the meaning of this?" Stoinis demanded, irritation lacing his voice. Hiran's face was flushed with humiliation, his fists clenched at his sides. "You bastard! You think you could get away with this? If only my leg hadn't twisted that time, I would have—" His voice faltered as he struggled to regain his composure, fury boiling just beneath the surface.
Stoinis couldn't help but smirk, enjoying the sight of Hiran's frustration. "You lost on utterly fair grounds," he shot back, the mockery evident in his tone. Hiran's face twisted with rage, his eyes blazing as he lunged forward, attempting to reclaim his shattered pride. Stoinis sidestepped Hiran's reckless charge, feeling a rush of exhilaration as he grabbed Hiran by the collar and dragged him toward a nearby tree. "Let's teach you a lesson," he said, a gleam of mischief dancing in his eyes.
With deft movements, Stoinis tied Hiran to the tree using the young master's own belt, securing him tightly as Hiran struggled and cursed. Stoinis smirked as he covered Hiran's mouth with a cloth to muffle his frantic protests. "This is what you get for underestimating me," he taunted, stepping back to admire his handiwork. Then he unleashed a series of playful punches to Hiran's gut, the soft thuds of his fists meeting flesh punctuating the air. Laughter echoed in Stoinis's mind, each jab a small triumph over the arrogance that had been directed at him just moments before. The thrill of the playful retribution invigorated him, making the confrontation feel like a cathartic release.
After what felt like an eternity, Stoinis finally untied Hiran, leaving him gasping for breath and red-faced, a mixture of anger and embarrassment painting his features. "I'll get you for this!" Hiran shouted as Stoinis walked away, his voice strained with frustration. "Good luck with that," Stoinis replied over his shoulder, exchanging a triumphant glance with Raylor as they shared a laugh. "It's been too long since we had that much fun," Raylor chuckled, clearly amused by the spectacle.
Back in their rented room, the atmosphere shifted from lightheartedness to seriousness as they prepared for the next day's battles. Stoinis sank into deep thought as he practiced his stances, the earlier joy giving way to a more contemplative mood. Ever since I met Shadow, I've become a lot stronger, but even without him, I could have defeated these weaklings with ease. Why am I even training? His fists clenched around the wooden training sword, frustration bubbling beneath the surface like a volcano ready to erupt. Raylor, observing him keenly, stepped closer. "You're pushing yourself too hard, Stoinis," he said, his voice calm but firm. "Strength is not just about power; it's about knowing when to wield it."
Stoinis nodded, although the doubt still lingered in his mind. As they continued to train, Raylor, despite being weaker than Stoinis, demonstrated techniques with an adeptness born of experience. "You need to think ahead, anticipate your opponent's moves," he instructed, showcasing a quick feint that left Stoinis momentarily off balance. "Martial arts is as much about the mind as it is about the body." Stoinis watched with a mix of admiration and frustration, absorbing Raylor's words. As they practiced, the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of crimson and violet, a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing in Stoinis's mind.
The next day dawned with the smell of excitement in the air as the tournament resumed, the crowd buzzing with energy. As Stoinis stepped into the arena for the quarterfinals, he felt the weight of the spectators' gazes, their anticipation palpable. His opponent, a young fighter named Kellan, approached with a mix of caution and resolve. "I know you're strong, so I best not underestimate you. Let's give it our all," Kellan declared, his confidence radiating from him like a beacon. Stoinis smirked, his mind racing as he thought to himself, I would be happy to— if you were worthy enough.
The match began with Kellan launching a flurry of attacks, each strike fueled by his determination. Stoinis quickly realized that this opponent was stronger than those he had faced before. He couldn't rely solely on dodging; he had to fight back. Kellan's strikes were precise and powerful, and Stoinis found himself blocking and countering with newfound energy, feeling the adrenaline coursing through his veins. With each movement, he realized he needed to showcase his skills more prominently.
In the semifinals, Stoinis found himself facing a much weaker opponent named Dorian, whose confidence faltered the moment he stepped into the arena. Dorian stumbled forward, launching a half-hearted attack that Stoinis easily sidestepped. With a swift motion, Stoinis landed a single blow that sent Dorian sprawling to the ground, gasps erupting from the crowd. Whispers of admiration and disbelief rippled through the spectators as Stoinis advanced, leaving Dorian defeated before he even had a chance to strategize. The air crackled with excitement and anticipation, the crowd buzzing as Stoinis prepared for the finals.
The final match was to be against Sariella, the Snow Princess, a name that had echoed through the tournament. However, Stoinis was taken by surprise when he learned that Torosolla, last year's winner, had forfeited his match against Sariella because Sariella was injured and he didn't want to take advantage of her state. Stoinis felt a mix of respect and admiration for Torosolla's decision, a true sign of sportsmanship that added weight to the impending confrontation. As he prepared for the final battle, Stoinis couldn't shake the feeling of anticipation mixed with uncertainty. However something in him wanted him to teach Sariella a lesson, she was a majestic girl, the type bandits wanted to hunt down most.