The hall was silent for a long, uneasy moment. Dust floated in the air, catching the dim light above the dueling ring. Then, Henry stepped forward, and behind him Juillet followed with measured steps, her face composed, fearless, and unreadable.
Whispers rippled through the crowd.
"Is that Juillet?" one spectator murmured.
"She brought someone new," another replied from across the stands.
"He's too cute to lose his life," a girl whispered, cheeks flushed. "He can't possibly defeat the champion."
Juillet leaned close to Henry's ear. Her voice was low, steady, and almost gentle. "You can do this, Henry. Don't let me down… I don't want to lose you." She patted his shoulder and stepped back.
Stepping forward the grizzled referee with a scar down his cheek looked Henry up and down, then jerked his thumb toward the arena.
Henry gulped, every step felt heavier than the last as he climbed the short ramp into the sand-covered floor. The crowd's murmurs faded into a dull hum. All he could hear now was his own breathing.
"Raw combat," he whispered under his breath. "I can handle that."
On his opposite side stood Brag, tall, broad-shouldered, probably in his twenties, with short silver hair. From his expression he looked like a someone who had done this too many times.
The referee raised his hand. "Round one! No weapons. Begin!"
The sound of a gong echoed through the hall.
Before Henry could brace himself, Brag moved , a blur of speed and strength. His fist cut through the air toward Henry's ribs. Instinct kicked in. Henry twisted away, stumbling slightly, his feet kicking up sand.
Brag smirked. "Too slow."
Henry steadied himself, narrowing his eyes. 'Let's go with this' he thought, shifting his stance lower like a martial artist preparing to strike.
When Brag charged again, Henry dropped and swept his leg through the sand. The move caught Brag off guard, knocking him off balance.
The crowd gasped.
"Yes! That's my boy!" Juillet shouted from the sidelines, her voice ringing with pride.
Confidence flickered in Henry's eyes. Then a faint chime sounded in his head.
[Cooldown time for Transformation Skill: 3 hours, 59 seconds]
'I'll be out from her by then' Henry spoke inwardly.
Brag lunged again, his fist aimed high. Henry ducked, thinking he'd dodged but Brag's knee came up sharply, smashing into his mouth.
"Ahhh!" Henry cried out, blood spilling as he hit the ground.
[-5 HP]
[HP: 40/45]
He barely had time to react before another kick came crashing down, stamping against his head.
[-8 HP]
[HP: 32/45]
Henry rolled, pain blazing through him. He could faintly hear Juillet shouting his name from the sidelines, but her voice seemed far away fading behind the ringing in his ears.
For a moment, flashes of his past life flickered through his mind, the bullies, the helplessness, the humiliation.
'Not again' he thought 'Never again.'
With a groan, he clenched a handful of sand. When Brag charged for another hit, Henry hurled it straight into his face.
Brag roared, staggering back. "No!" His hands flew to his eyes, now close.
Henry seized the opening. He rammed his shoulder into Brag's chest, driving him to the ground. They rolled in the sand, a tangle of limbs and fury, until Henry pinned him down.
Brag struggled, pulling at Henry's arms, then stopped. Breathing hard, he glared up through squinted eyes. "Do it," he hissed. "Finish it!"
Henry froze. His fist trembled above Brag's face. Around him, he could hear the crowd chanting, half cheered and half jeered, they wanted to see what will happen next.
Henry looked toward Juillet. She didn't speak, only lifted two fingers in a signal. It meant wait.
Henry didn't understand her reason, but he trusted her. He lowered his hand slowly. "Not now," he said quietly, stepping back.
The referee raised his arm. "Winner Henry! Round one goes to him!"
A wave of noise swept through the hall. Some clapped, others booed, but Henry barely noticed. He wiped blood from his mouth and turned toward Juillet, his chest rising and falling with exhaustion.
She met him at the ring's edge, eyes steady. "Thanks for obeying me," she said softly.
Henry frowned. "Yeah, I did. But I want to know why."
Juillet's lips curved into a sly grin. "Because," she said, tilting her head, "I made a big bet that you'll kill Brag in round two. And I don't plan on losing my coins."
Henry stared at her, speechless then let out a shaky laugh, half in disbelief, half in admiration.