The old man saw Michael leap down from the spectator stands — come by a surge of rage. Zigrane had just started brutally kicking his opponent, Spinner, who was already too weak to stand. Michael was falling fast, aiming to hit first.
Just as Zigrane raised his leg again to stomp on Spinner, so blinded by fury he didn't notice Michael falling toward him — ready to land a full-force kick.
At the very last millisecond, Zigrane caught a glimpse of Michael in the corner of his eye—and then the kick landed, smashing into Zigrane's cheek.
To avoid crashing down on top of Spinner, Michael pushed off Zigrane's face with his other foot, propelling himself away and softening his landing. Zigrane was knocked off balance and hit the ground hard.
"How low can you go?! It's disgusting even to think someone like you could become a champion!" Michael shouted, fury burning in his voice.
"I didn't think he'd jump in!" thought Ralph, surprised. "I was about to step in myself. Well then… let's see where this goes."
"Huh? What the hell was that!?" Zigrane barked, pushing himself up.
Michael stepped forward and stood protectively in front of Spinner.
"What are you doing here? It isn't your fight," Spinner said to Michael, grimacing.
"Not my fight, huh?" Michael shot back. "If I'd just stood by and let him keep kicking you like that, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself."
"He's still strong, and now he will be even angrier! Get out of here while you can! I mocked you, called you weak — you've got no reason to protect me!" Spinner said, still trying to catch his breath.
"I don't care what you called me," Michael answered. "I'm just doing what feels right. And besides… I doubt he's gonna let me walk away after that."
"That kick hurt, Michael," Zigrane said with a twisted grin, though his eyes were burning with rage. "And for that… I'll enjoy snapping a few of your bones."
"Then get ready for a couple more just like it," Michael said, smirking despite his anger.
"Oh yeah? You think you can even hit me another one?" Zigrane snarled, his grin turning vicious.
Michael dashed forward — pulling Zigrane's attention away from Spinner and forcing the fight away from him. He took a few hits on purpose to ensure Zigrane's focus stayed on him alone.
"What's wrong, Michael!? Can't keep up with my strikes?" Zigrane mocked, laughing while relentlessly attacking.
"I was just testing how you fight when you're angry," Michael said. "Pretty much what I expected — nothing but brute force."
"What did you say?! Say that again!" Zigrane shouted, enraged.
Michael didn't respond. He dodged, and Zigrane's strikes — wild with fury — became more and more predictable. Exhaustion began to set in, slowing him enough for Michael to dodge cleanly and land occasional hits in return.
As Zigrane's frustration grew, his punches got sloppier, and his movements became easier to predict. Michael dodged around him — focused, alert, in control.
Realizing the problem, Zigrane suddenly stopped and breathed, "Hah… I calmed down a little. Now I get it. That's what was messing me up," he said, his tone steadier now. "I'll be less predictable now… even if I'm still slower than before."
He came at Michael again. The blows were harder to predict this time, and though Michael still dodged many, it was clear Zigrane had regained some of his edge.
Then — out of nowhere — a sword made of solid, magically forged earth flew toward them at high speed.
Michael felt it in the air. Zigrane, still locked on Michael, only noticed it at the last moment.
Michael spun and snatched the sword by its handle mid-air — and in a single fluid motion, he swung it toward Zigrane.
Zigrane barely dodged in time, eyes wide.
"Who else jumped in!?" Zigrane snarled, glancing around.
He spotted someone nearby and hissed, "So it's you, huh!?"
Michael turned his head toward the direction the sword had come from—and saw Torren already walking toward him.
"Looks like you could use a hand," Torren said with a smirk. "You won't beat him alone."
Michael nodded. "You're right! Thanks for coming to help!"
"Ready to keep going?" Torren asked, forming another earthen blade in one hand and a small shield in the other.
"Absolutely!" Michael said, taking his stance again. "Now there's two of us! What now, Zigrane?"
Zigrane snarled. "Two or twenty, it doesn't matter. I'll take you all down!"
They charged. Torren and Michael coordinated their attacks, covering each other's backs and pushing Zigrane with everything they had. But Zigrane was calm now, sharp, focused — and growing harder to hit with every passing second.
"What happened to that two-against-one confidence?" Zigrane mocked, slipping through their strikes.
Torren realized they were at a disadvantage. "I can't hold back anymore."
"Earth Magic — Forbidden Technique: Pursuing Earth Serpents!" he chanted.
Zigrane's eyes lit up with curiosity. "A forbidden spell? Finally, something fun!"
Michael blinked. "Forbidden technique?"
Torren shouted the target. "Zigrane Vaynran!"
Immediately, stone pillars erupted from the ground and twisted into serpent shapes, charging at Zigrane.
Zigrane cursed under his breath. "They're trying to wear me out. I've already burned too much energy…"
He made a quick decision — take down Torren. If he eliminated the caster, the spell would end.
He darted toward Torren.
Suddenly, a small ice cube hit Zigrane's face.
"Explode!" shouted a new voice.
The cube burst, knocking Zigrane back. It didn't hurt much — but the shock left him vulnerable to a follow-up strike.
Zigrane stumbled and roared, "You too?! You joined them now?!"
Michael and Torren turned. A new figure stood at the edge of the arena — a teen their age, confident and ready.
"Hey! I figured I'd help out," the guy said. "Name's Roberto. You can call me Rob."
"That thing you threw — what was it?" Michael asked before being punched in the face by Zigrane.
"Don't forget about me!" Zigrane growled, eyes full of fury.
Rob winced. "I'll explain later — after we finish this!"
They regrouped and continued the fight. Even with three against one, Zigrane held the upper hand. Torren's spell began weakening — the earthen serpents fading.
Then Zigrane struck. He vanished and reappeared behind Torren, knocking him out of the fight.
Torren dropped to a knee. "I'm out for now!"
"Alright!" Michael called.
"Take a break," Rob added.
Zigrane stood tall, sweat dripping down his face. "Three of you… and still no match. Incredible."
But before he could finish boasting, Ralph dropped from above, fist crashing into Zigrane's skull.
"Shut up already! You're getting on my nerves!" Ralph said, joining the group.
Michael stared. "Ralph?! What are you doing?!"
"I hate that guy. So for now, whether you like it or not—I'm on your side," Ralph said, walking toward them.
Zigrane pushed himself up, furious. "What did you just say?! Want me to beat you down, too?!"
"You think you can?" Ralph challenged.
Zigrane shouted back, "Oh, I can!"
Michael clenched his fists. "Why do my hands feel like they're burning…?"
Torren, from the sidelines, smirked. "They're finally moving. His magic's awakening."
"Earth Magic — Forbidden Technique: Pursuing Earth Serpent! Target: Zigrane Vaynran!" Torren cast again.
A single serpent surged from the ground. Zigrane casually sidestepped. The serpent missed.
"Only one? Weak." But just as Zigrane finished scoffing, the serpent vanished — Torren had canceled the spell early.
Zigrane blinked. "What the hell was that?!"
He didn't get an answer.
"Now you're going to lose," Ralph growled.
"I won't let that happen. I'm going first!" Zigrane screamed.
But when he tried to move — he couldn't.
"Huh? Why can't I—?" he looked down. Spinner was clinging to his legs.
"You!?"
"Do it! I've got him!" Spinner shouted.
The others didn't hesitate.
"Ice Magic — Blade of Ice!" Rob yelled, forming a crystal blade and charging.
"Wind Magic — Wind Fist!" Ralph joined.
And Michael — his body burning with heat — raised his glowing hands.
"Fire Magic!" he called.
Steam curled around his fingers. His hands flared with orange and gold.
Everyone froze — Michael was using magic for the first time.
"Blazing Hands!"
He dashed in.
Three mages. Three elements. One target.
Would Zigrane withstand it?
The answer was coming in fire, wind, and ice.