The morning air in the gymnasium felt electric, the anticipation of the crowd rippling through the space like a storm waiting to break. Tobias stood at one end of the ring, his scaled arms crossed over his chest, his expression calm but focused. Across from him stood Liam, the student Mr. Reyes had convinced to fight. Liam's face was pale, his hands trembling slightly as he adjusted his freshly crafted, supposedly poison-proof suit.
To everyone else, it was a match that looked over before it began. But to Liam, it was a battlefield. He'd stayed up all night studying Tobias—watching old footage, reading analysis reports on poison users, and even memorizing the known limits of defensive scales. He'd crafted his plan with the kind of desperate determination that only someone on the verge of academic failure could muster.
Tobias, on the other hand, had stayed up just as late. But instead of plotting victory, he'd spent hours thinking about how he could control his powers, make them "friendlier." He didn't want to melt the floor or terrify everyone in the gym like he had in his last fight. He wanted to fight like someone people could root for.
Still, the contrast was clear: one of them was punching over his maximum. The other? Pushing under his minimum.
---
The referee stepped into the ring, raising his hand. "Fighters ready?"
Liam shifted into a defensive stance, his knees shaking but his face determined. "I… I'm ready," he said, though his voice cracked slightly.
Tobias sighed, uncrossing his arms and stepping forward. "I'll try not to melt your suit. No promises, though."
The crowd chuckled nervously, but Liam didn't flinch. "You won't. I designed it to resist poison," he said, trying to sound confident.
Tobias smirked faintly. "Good luck with that."
---
The bell rang, and the fight began.
Liam moved first, charging forward with a loud, determined yell. He wasn't particularly fast, but his sheer effort was impressive. He threw a wild punch aimed at Tobias's midsection, the kind of swing that screamed, I need this more than you could possibly know!
Tobias dodged without even moving his feet. He just leaned slightly to the side, the punch whiffing past him like a gust of wind.
"Okay," Tobias said calmly. "Good start. Now, how are you gonna deal with this?"
Without waiting for a response, Tobias stepped forward and flicked his claws gently. A thin, almost invisible mist of poison drifted toward Liam. It wasn't toxic enough to harm him, but it was enough to test that "poison-proof" suit.
---
Liam froze for a second, staring at the mist, then yelped as the material of his sleeve started to sizzle. "What?! No way! It's supposed to be resistant!"
"Resistant isn't the same as immune," Tobias said, shrugging. "This is a dissolving poison. Non-organic stuff melts too. Didn't think about that, did you?"
Liam frantically swatted at his sleeve, trying to stop the melting. "How is that even fair?!"
Tobias chuckled, his deep voice carrying over the crowd. "You studied me all night, didn't you? Maybe you should've spent some of that time studying chemistry."
---
But Liam wasn't giving up. His panic turned into resolve as he threw himself back into the fight, darting around the edges of the ring to stay out of range of Tobias's mist. He wasn't fast, but he was resourceful. Spotting a loose panel on the floor, he ripped it up and hurled it at Tobias like a makeshift projectile.
Tobias tilted his head slightly, watching the panel fly toward him. Then, with a flick of his wrist, he dissolved it midair with a tiny burst of poison spray. The panel hit the ground in a steaming puddle of goo.
"Nice try," Tobias said, his tone calm but faintly amused. "What's next? You gonna throw your shoes at me?"
---
Liam didn't answer. Instead, he crouched low, clearly planning something desperate. Tobias raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"What's the plan, Liam? You gonna dig a tunnel out of here?"
Suddenly, Liam charged again, this time feinting left before veering right. It was clumsy, but it was unexpected enough that Tobias actually had to step back to avoid the swing.
The crowd cheered, more out of surprise than anything else.
"Hey, not bad," Tobias said, smirking. "But you know I'm not even trying yet, right?"
---
And then Tobias decided to make his point. He activated Poison Fog, a swirling cloud of greenish mist spreading outward from his body. Liam froze, his confidence visibly cracking as the fog inched closer.
But instead of pressing the attack, Tobias reined it in. The fog stopped just short of Liam, hovering in place like a coiled snake waiting to strike.
"See this?" Tobias said, gesturing to the fog. "This could've ended the fight already. But I'm pulling it back. You know why?"
Liam didn't answer, his eyes locked on the fog.
"Because I'm trying to be nice," Tobias said, his voice calm but firm. "You're giving it everything you've got, and I respect that. But if you're gonna fight me, you need to know something—this isn't a level playing field. It never was."
---
Liam gritted his teeth, his hands balling into fists. "I don't care! I'm not quitting!"
Tobias's smirk faded slightly. He tilted his head, his reptilian eyes narrowing as he studied Liam.
"You've got guts," Tobias said quietly. "But guts aren't enough against someone like me."
And with that, he stepped forward, his movements slow but deliberate. Liam threw another punch, but Tobias caught it easily, his scaled hand gripping Liam's wrist like a vice.
The crowd went silent as Tobias leaned in, his voice low. "I'm not trying to scare you. But I need you to understand—this is me holding back. If I didn't, this match wouldn't even last a second."
---
Liam stared at him, his face pale but his resolve unbroken. "Then why are you holding back? Just finish it already!"
Tobias hesitated, his grip loosening slightly. "Because," he said after a moment, "I'm trying to prove something—to them, and to myself."
He released Liam and stepped back, gesturing for him to try again. Liam hesitated, then charged once more, his movements wild and desperate.
This time, Tobias didn't dodge. He let the punch connect with his scales, the impact barely making him flinch.
"Good hit," Tobias said, though his tone was more encouraging than sarcastic.
---
The fight continued, the contrast between them growing clearer with every exchange. Liam was giving everything he had, pushing beyond his limits just to land a single hit. Tobias, meanwhile, was holding back so much that it almost felt unfair.
But as the match wore on, something strange happened. The crowd, which had been tense and nervous at the start, began to cheer for Liam—not because they thought he could win, but because he refused to give up.
And Tobias, despite himself, felt a flicker of pride for his opponent.
---
Finally, after one last desperate charge, Liam collapsed to his knees, gasping for breath. Tobias stood over him, his expression unreadable. For a moment, it seemed like it was over. Tobias had barely even been forced to break a sweat, while Liam was struggling just to stay upright.
But then, something changed. Liam slammed his fists into the ground, the sound echoing through the now-silent gym. His head stayed bowed, but his voice, strained and filled with frustration, cut through the tension.
"No," he growled. "Not like this. I'm not done yet!"
Tobias tilted his head, his reptilian eyes narrowing slightly. The murmurs of the crowd grew louder. He crossed his arms, watching Liam with quiet curiosity. "You've got heart," he said casually. "But at this point, heart isn't going to save you."
Liam gritted his teeth, his entire body trembling as he pushed himself to his feet. He swayed for a moment but steadied himself, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. "You think… you think I've been fighting you at my full strength?" he said, his voice shaking with exhaustion but also anger.
Tobias raised a scaly brow. "Oh? You've got more in the tank?"
---
The air around Liam began to ripple faintly, as though the space itself was distorting. Tobias's gaze sharpened, his stance shifting slightly. "What's this?" he muttered under his breath, intrigued.
Liam's voice grew stronger, fueled by desperation and adrenaline. "I didn't want to use this because I can't always control it… but if I lose here, I'm done. And I'm not letting this end without giving you everything I've got!"
The ripple in the air intensified, and then, with a sudden burst, Liam's body began to change. His arms and legs seemed to shimmer and distort before snapping into a new form—a semi-translucent, jagged structure that reflected the light in strange, shifting patterns.
The crowd gasped, and Tobias's eyes widened slightly as he realized what was happening. "Crystalization," Tobias murmured, his voice low.
---
Liam's body was now partially covered in glowing, crystalline structures—sharp and jagged, like they had erupted straight from his bones. His fists were massive, encased in layers of shimmering crystal that pulsed faintly with energy. His legs gleamed with the same crystalline material, giving him an almost otherworldly appearance.
Tobias couldn't help but smirk. "Okay, now you're starting to get interesting."
"I wasn't using this before," Liam said, his voice steadier now as the transformation seemed to strengthen him. "Because if I push too hard, the crystal takes over and… well, let's just say it's not pretty. But I don't have a choice now."
Tobias's smirk faded slightly as he heard the genuine desperation in Liam's voice. "You're really that desperate to win, huh?"
"I failed three exams, okay?!" Liam shouted, his voice cracking as his fists tightened. "If I don't win this, I'm going home to parents who already think I'm a failure. So yeah, I'm desperate!"
---
The crystalline glow around Liam intensified, and with a sudden burst of speed, he lunged at Tobias. His crystal-covered fist swung toward Tobias's chest, the sharp edges glinting in the gym lights.
Tobias raised his arm, letting his Dragon Scales take the hit. The impact rang out like a hammer striking stone, the sheer force of it surprising Tobias. He didn't budge, but he felt the power behind the punch.
"Not bad," Tobias admitted, lowering his arm. "But my scales aren't going to crack that easily."
Liam didn't stop. He swung again, this time aiming for Tobias's side. Tobias dodged, but the jagged edges of the crystal grazed his scales, creating a faint screeching sound.
---
The crowd was on the edge of their seats, watching as Liam pressed the attack. His punches were wild but powerful, each one sending shockwaves through the arena. Tobias, for the first time, had to move more deliberately, sidestepping and blocking with precision.
"You're putting on a good show," Tobias said, his voice calm despite the flurry of attacks. "But you're burning through your stamina. How long can you keep this up?"
Liam didn't answer. Instead, he stomped his crystal-covered foot into the ground, sending jagged spikes erupting toward Tobias.
Tobias jumped back, avoiding the spikes with ease, but his eyes narrowed. "So it's not just your body. You can use that crystal stuff to change the environment too, huh? Nice trick."
---
But Tobias wasn't just observing. He was calculating. He could see it now—Liam's movements were getting slower, his crystalline form flickering faintly. The power was strong, but it was unstable, and it was draining him fast.
Liam lunged again, his fist swinging in a wide arc. Tobias ducked under it, his claws raking across the crystal in a controlled swipe. The shards splintered slightly, but the attack didn't stop Liam. He pivoted, bringing his other fist down in a heavy strike aimed at Tobias's shoulder.
Tobias caught the punch with his scaled hand, the impact sending a shockwave through the ring. For a moment, they stood locked in place, Liam's crystalline fist trembling against Tobias's unyielding grip.
---
"You're strong," Tobias said, his voice quiet but firm. "But strength isn't enough when you're fighting someone like me."
With a sharp twist, Tobias shattered the crystalline structure around Liam's fist, the shards falling to the ground in a sparkling heap. Liam staggered back, his breathing ragged, the glow of his crystal form flickering like a dying light.
But still, he didn't fall.
"Why won't you just stay down?" Tobias asked, his tone more curious than mocking.
"Because I can't," Liam said, his voice barely above a whisper. "If I fall here… I lose everything."
---
For a moment, Tobias didn't move. He just stared at Liam, watching as the other boy struggled to stay upright, his body trembling with effort.
"You've already won," Tobias said finally. "Not this match, but the fight you're really in. You stood up when you didn't have to. You gave it everything, even when it hurt. That's what matters."
Liam shook his head weakly, his crystal form shattering as he fell to his knees. "It's not enough…"
Tobias stepped forward, extending a hand. "It's more than enough. Trust me."
The referee stepped in, raising Tobias's hand. "Winner: Tobias!"
---
The crowd erupted into cheers, but Tobias's focus remained on Liam. He helped him to his feet, steadying him as he swayed unsteadily.
"You've got nothing to be ashamed of," Tobias said. "You fought harder than most people ever would. And if anyone gives you grief for losing, send them to me."
Liam managed a weak smile, his voice still shaky. "Thanks… but I really needed that credit."
Tobias chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You'll figure it out. Just don't give up."
As they left the ring, Tobias glanced at the crowd, his expression unreadable. For once, he didn't care about the whispers or the stares. In this moment, he felt something he hadn't felt in a long time—pride.
As the crowd began to disperse, Tobias leaned against the side of the ring, letting out a deep breath. His muscles felt loose, unstrained, as if he hadn't even been in a proper fight. And honestly, he hadn't. He could've ended it a dozen times, maybe a hundred, but he'd held back. The restraint felt unnatural, like holding a lion back when it just wanted to roar, but he had done it.
Before he could fully process the moment, Mr. Reyes appeared at his side, his sharp suit somehow looking immaculate despite the chaotic energy of the gym. He clapped his hands once, brisk and precise, drawing Tobias's attention.
"Well, that was… horrible," Reyes said, his tone matter-of-fact.
Tobias raised an eyebrow, but before he could retort, Reyes added, "But it was an improvement."
Tobias crossed his arms, the corner of his mouth twitching upward in faint amusement. "Gee, thanks for the glowing review."
Reyes sighed, rubbing his temples like a man carrying the weight of the world. "Look, I know restraint isn't exactly your strong suit, but you're making progress. You didn't terrify half the school this time, so that's a win in my book. Baby steps, Tobias. Baby steps."
---
Nearby, Liam was sitting on the edge of the ring, still catching his breath. His crystal-covered body had long since returned to normal, leaving only a few faint scratches on his arms where the transformation had pushed him too hard. Despite the fight's outcome, there was a small, tired smile on his face.
Reyes turned to him, his sharp features softening slightly. "Liam," he said, walking over. "I'll speak with your teachers. I'm sure we can work something out—extra credit assignments, additional projects, something to make up for your grades. You gave this match everything you had, and effort like that deserves recognition."
Liam's eyes widened in surprise, his mouth falling open slightly. "Really? You'd do that?"
Reyes gave a single, curt nod. "Yes. I saw how hard you fought, and so did everyone else. You didn't back down, even when the odds were against you. That kind of determination is worth rewarding."
Liam's smile grew, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten. "Thank you, sir. I… I don't know what to say."
Reyes smirked faintly. "Don't thank me yet. The extra work won't be easy. But if you put in the same effort you did today, I have no doubt you'll succeed."
---
Liam turned to Tobias, his face filled with genuine gratitude. "And you… thanks for giving me a chance. I know you could've ended it in a second. You didn't have to hold back, but you did."
Tobias shrugged, his scaled shoulders moving effortlessly. "You earned it. You gave me a fight, and you didn't back down. I respect that."
Liam nodded, his expression earnest. "Still… you could've crushed me. And you didn't. That means a lot."
Tobias looked at him for a moment, then smirked. "Don't let it go to your head. Next time, I might not be so nice."
Liam laughed weakly, shaking his head. "Yeah, I'll be ready… maybe."
---
Reyes clapped his hands together again, this time with a sense of finality. "Alright, Tobias, let's talk. That match wasn't perfect, but it was progress. You've started to show restraint, which is exactly what we've been working on. Now, the next step is to polish your control even further."
Tobias rolled his eyes but didn't argue. "Yeah, yeah. More training, more control, less looking like a 'monster,' right?"
Reyes raised a finger. "Exactly. And trust me, the better you get at this, the easier it'll be for people to see you for what you really are—a hero."
Tobias didn't respond immediately. Instead, he glanced at Liam, who was now grinning as he chatted with some of his classmates. For the first time in a long time, Tobias felt… lighter.
"Alright, Reyes," Tobias said finally, his voice calm but resolute. "Let's do this."
Reyes gave him a rare, genuine smile. "Good. Because next time, I want to see more of that restraint—and maybe, just maybe, we'll turn you into a crowd favorite yet."
Tobias smirked, his sharp teeth glinting faintly. "Don't hold your breath."
As Reyes walked away, Tobias looked back at Liam one last time, giving him a small nod. Liam returned it, his smile widening as if to say, Thanks for the chance.
And for once, Tobias didn't mind the whispers or the stares. He just stood there, feeling something close to pride—not just in himself, but in the fact that he'd given someone else a reason to believe they could keep fighting, too.