The atmosphere in the training area was palpable as Frank stood at the center.
He was facing Elara, Max, and Leo in a 1-on-3 brawl, a contest that would serve as the ultimate test of the growth he had achieved during their rigorous month of training.
"Remember," Elara said, her voice firm and focused, "this is a test of your skills, and we're here to push you, and ourselves, to our limits. We won't be looking for blood, but otherwise, we won't be holding back. So you better not either."
Frank nodded, his excitement growing. He had trained relentlessly with them, refining his techniques and learning to adapt to their combat styles. He had grown to the point where he could hold his own against any one of them. But all three at once? That might be a different story.
His opponents were formidable, that much was undeniable. They were likely the finest fighters the local military had to offer.
If he could make it through this, if he could win, he was confident there wouldn't be much out there that could threaten him. His mission to keep Ana safe would be all the easier.
'I just don't get it, why is this so exhilarating?' he wondered, 'Hopefully, I'm not turning into some kind of adrenaline junkie.'
With that thought, he watched his opponents step into their positions. He recognized their formation well.
Elara took her place to the right, locking onto him with a determined, calculating gaze.
Max stood directly behind her, his imposing figure radiating raw power as he hyped himself up, cracking his knuckles and rolling his shoulders.
Leo fidgeted at the back, his frame coiled like a spring. He didn't look threatening, but Frank knew better, Leo was already analyzing his every move, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
"On your mark, get set, go!" Elara announced, signaling their start.
She lunged first, her attacks swift and precise. Her blows rained down on Frank with remarkable speed, but she wasn't landing a single hit. Still, she kept him on the defensive, her movements clearly deliberately creating openings for the others.
Leo saw his moment when Frank was forced to use both arms to block a strike. He darted forward with remarkable agility, scaling the side of a nearby training dummy and launching himself at Frank from above.
The young fighter moved swiftly, but Frank's "Sixth Sense" was way ahead of him. In the split second between Elara's strikes, he sensed Leo's attack and sidestepped, redirecting the young man's momentum and sending him crashing into Elara.
"Nice try, Leo, but you'll have to do better than that!" Frank exclaimed, a competitive grin spreading across his face.
"Leave him to me!" Max shouted as he charged forward. He grabbed Frank in a powerful bear hug, his massive arms squeezing with enough force to make Frank's ribs creak.
Max's strength was his greatest asset, and he used it to full effect, trying to force Frank to the ground, or at least tire him out.
'Maybe if this were one month ago, Max.' Frank thought, before slowly pushing Max backward.
[Strength: 27]
As Frank kept his footing and resisted, he noticed Max's strength beginning to falter. Meanwhile, Frank felt just as strong as ever thanks to his "Persisting Strength" skill.
The opposing bursts of energy began to wane as Max expended his last reserves, and Frank seized the opportunity.
Using his advantage he threw Max into the path of the oncoming Leo, who was moving too fast to stop.
The momentum carried him forward, and Leo collided with Max, sending both of them tumbling to the ground.
"You guys really need to work on your coordination!" Frank taunted, his adrenaline pumping.
Elara returned with renewed vigor, determined to outmaneuver Frank. "Who says we didn't plan this?" she taunted back, attacking with a series of calculated kicks, aiming to exploit his fatigue after such an intense bout.
Her strikes were elegant as ever, but each time she aimed for an opening, Frank was ready to counter.
'Seriously? He's not even tired?' she thought, frustrated.
Yet the fight HAD begun to wear on Elara. The relentless assault was difficult to maintain, and it became increasingly clear that she was struggling to break through his defenses.
"Come on, Frank! No fair! Give me something to work with!" she pouted, as Leo and Max rejoined the fight.
Even with the backup, her confidence wasn't what it had been before.
The three of them were tiring out, while Frank didn't seem to have broken a sweat.
It didn't take long for Frank to notice their formation faltering. Seeing the opportunity, he didn't wait for an invitation to act.
Jumping in, he felt the power of his increased stats at full effect. He was now stronger than when he fought that spider even without "Oathkeeper" in effect.
[HP: 60/60
MP: 25/25
Strength (STR): 27+
Constitution (CON): 30+
Agility (AGI): 13+
Intelligence (INT): 7+
Charisma (CHA): 5+
Luck (LUC): 0
Stat Points: 10]
'I should probably spend those stat points sometime,' he mused, before maneuvering around Max and sweeping his legs.
The unexpected move sent Max tumbling to the ground.
Leo once again found Frank's blind spot, but just like before, Frank's "Sixth Sense" warned him in time.
Only this time, Frank held onto Leo's arm tightly, swinging him like a flail into Max.
They crashed into each other hard, both letting out a loud groan before raising their hands in defeat, signaling that they were out of the fight.
"Elara!" Frank called out, taunting his only remaining opponent.
"Yeah, yeah, I get it," she replied, rolling her eyes.
She didn't have much energy left, but surely Frank had to be tired too. She wasn't about to give up just because she was alone.
Mustering her remaining strength, she charged at him.
Her movements were still precise, but noticeably slower.
Seeing this, Frank knew this was over. In the last ten seconds, he had spotted at least three opportunities to land a devastating, decisive blow.
'But hitting a woman, even her?' He wasn't the overly chivalrous type, but it still felt like too much.
Ultimately, he decided against it. Instead, he waited for his opportunity, grabbed her by the arm, and forced her to the floor.
He pushed her face into the ground, straddling her back and restraining her arms.
Elara was shocked at being forced into such an aggressive and restraining position. She hadn't expected him to go for a submission hold.
A strange mix of emotions surged through her, embarrassment, frustration, and something else she couldn't quite place. Her face flushed deeply, and her breathing grew heavier, which was strange to her. She wasn't that exhausted, was she?
She mustered all the strength she could to try and escape, but Frank tightened his hold as she struggled to break free.
'Too... close,' she thought as she felt his body pressed against hers, robbing her of her movements. A part of her hated how vulnerable she felt, but another part—
"Submit," Frank urged, interrupting her thoughts by pulling on her arm.
"I-ah—" Her voice wavered, her face burning. "I submit! Dammit, I submit!"
Hearing her surrender, Frank let go of her and helped her off the ground.
"Heck yeah! Victory! All opponents have been defeated!" Frank declared, giving a "boo-yah" motion.
Yet, as he stood triumphant, the rest of their faces were not filled with joy. Instead, embarrassment was evident as they caught their breath, painfully aware of not only the three-against-one defeat but the rather unfortunate position he had used to defeat Elara.
Both Max and Leo were dead quiet, not wanting to get in the way. They knew Elara well enough to know that Frank was probably a dead man.
None of this registered to Frank, though, as he was caught up in the thrill of his victory.
As Elara regained her composure, her face remained bright red. She avoided eye contact with Frank, her usual confidence replaced by a flustered awkwardness.
Taking deep breaths to calm herself, she remarked, "A-alright, Frank, you won. I'm uh, I'm tired, so I will be going to my room now." She stated before quickly walking, almost running, out of the training area.
"Y-yeah," Max grunted, amazed that Frank was still among the living. "But this isn't over. We'll get you back next time."
"I-I'll train harder," Leo chimed in, "I won't let you take me out like that again!"
Frank was touched. Sure, it was just a fight, but these people had helped him grow so much. He just couldn't help but feel sentimental.
So why were they all leaving in such a hurry?
Seemingly deciding now wasn't the time for Frank to think unnecessary things, the system chimed.
[Bonus XP for outstanding performance: +200 EXP
Immediate Level Up! Level 7 Achieved
New skill acquired!
Diligent Student (Innate): Increases the effectiveness of training by 100% when fighting against, or training alongside more capable practitioners.]