The day had dawned gray inside me, even though golden sunlight spilled through the cafeteria windows. The food in front of me looked like it had been crafted by the dreams of a master chef — perfectly grilled meat, vegetables that glimmered like jewels, and an aroma that would make anyone's mouth water.Anyone but me.
I chewed mechanically, lost in my own head. How in the name of all things magical was I supposed to defeat the Number One of the arena... without mana?
— Stallion, if you don't answer me, I'm going to bite you. — Ciny's teasing voice floated across the table.
But I wasn't there. I was too deep in probabilities, strategies, and that ever-present shadow called despair.
That's when I felt a chill race down my neck. Something warm and wet touched my skin — and then, hickey.
— H-Huh?! Wh-What the—?! — I jolted upright, spinning around, my face burning with embarrassment.
Ciny laughed, biting her lower lip with a mischievous grin.
— I warned you. If you didn't pay attention to me, I'd bite you. — she winked like she'd just won a trophy.
— Sorry… I was just thinking about how I'm going to beat the Number One... if he even accepts my challenge.
She leaned over the table, resting her chin on her hands.
— He will.
— How can you be so sure?
— Because his ego won't let him say no. He'll fight anyone who challenges him. Even if they crawl in half-dead.
I took a deep breath. My stomach couldn't take any more food — or maybe it was the fear making everything taste like ash.
We finished eating, and out of nowhere, Ciny grabbed my hand.
— Come on. Let's go watch his fight. Might give you some "inspiration."
Central Arena.
The crowd roared like a stormy ocean as we found our seats in the stands. And there he was… the announcer who seemed like he'd signed a pact to narrate my entire life.
— Does this guy follow me even into the audience? — I muttered.
— Maybe it's love. — Ciny said, resting her head on my shoulder.
— The same love you feel for me? — I murmured, cheeks heating up.
— Ooooh… someone's feeling bold. Want another hickey? — she teased, grinning.
I gulped. And shut up.
— If you can't handle the heat, don't come into the kitchen. — she whispered, flashing that devilish smile of hers.
The announcer's roar shattered the air.
— HOW'S MY BEAUTIFUUUUUUUUUL AUDIENCE DOING TODAYYYYYYYYYYYYY?!
The stands went wild. Words weren't enough to describe the crazed excitement pulsing through the air.
— AND ON ONE SIDE… YUUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!
Ciny raised an eyebrow.
— Didn't you already beat that loser?
— Guess it wasn't enough... — I muttered.
She chuckled with that cheeky little giggle of hers.
— AND ON THE OTHER SIDE... THE UNBEATABLE, THE RELENTLESS, THE NUMBER ONE OF THE ARENA... CHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD!!!
A man walked in.
No — a walking wall wrapped in smiles. Chad was the kind of guy who made spotlights look like personal lighting. He waved at the crowd like they were all his old buddies… and when his eyes found mine, he winked.
He winked at me.
— Looks like our boy's getting popular… — Ciny whispered, hugging my arm and sticking her tongue out at Chad like she was claiming her territory.
Chad just laughed.
— FIGHTTTTTTTTTTT!!!
The silence before the battle was thick, like the air before a lightning strike. Everyone expected an epic fight.
But… there was no fight.
Chad vanished.
And before anyone could blink, Yun was already on the ground, unconscious, with Chad standing behind him — like a shadow that knew the ending before the story even began.
The announcer stammered, stunned:
— I-INCREDIBLE! THE FIGHT WAS OVER BEFORE IT EVEN STARTED!
The arena exploded. Applause. Screams. Complete, unhinged madness.
And me?
I just stared at the floor of the arena.
My heart clenched. My mouth went dry. My soul felt heavier.
How in the name of the gods was I supposed to beat that?