Chapter 5

Thomas was already standing in the arena. He has prepared mentally and physically for this test. Although the preparation is short, he will do all his power to pass.

Tristan enters the arena. He is the first opponent Thomas will face. Tristan's stare remains sharp. But now the look is more intimidating.

"Both of you, prepare yourself!" Dixon gives instruction.

"Yes, Master!" Thomas replies.

"Okay!" Tristan replies.

"Ready? Fight!"

Thomas and Tristan attack each other. Thomas runs while preparing to attack first. At the same time, Tristan runs faster than Thomas. His hands are in a claw pose.

SET

'What?'

Tristan easily avoids Thomas's punch. He quickly gets behind Thomas while swinging his hand to attack.

SET

Thomas succeeds in dodging. He lowers his body with his knees as a toehold. In that position, Thomas is jerking his feet backward to attack. But Tristan will still be able to catch the attack.

'It's bad!'

Tristan spins his body until Thomas's body is lifted. Then he throws him,

TRSSSS!

Thomas was thrown. Luckily, he can still use his hands and knee as toehold, so he doesn't fall. Thomas immediately feels the difference in the battle between himself and the trained students of the White Tiger Academy.

"He can predict my attack direction. His movement is also agile. It won't be easy."

Thomas runs forward again to start the attack. This time, he moves from the side. Thomas runs around Tristan. This movement uses to look for gaps in the opponent.

Tristan is still calm, facing Thomas's movement strategy.

Thomas is turning with a faster movement to attack from behind.

DAK!

The punch hits Tristan. Tristan Purposely blocks with his right palm. However, he shocks to feel the power of Thomas's punch.

"Damn it! It's strong."

Tristan's body pushed back. Tristan claws using his left hand.

Thomas avoids it.

Tristan uses this opportunity to jump backward away from Thomas.

"Damn it! My hands are tingling. I thought the punch wouldn't be strong, but I was wrong."

Tristan's right hand is trembling after holding Thomas's punch.

Thomas realizes his punch affects his opponent. He moves forward again.

The fight is back on. Thomas throws various punches at Tristan. Tristan dodges while occasionally clawing. However, Thomas is also able to dodge too.

Edward and Dixson, beside the arena, comment on the fight between Thomas and Tristan.

"Their way of fighting looks completely different. What do you think?" Dixon Asks.

"I think that's quite interesting. Thomas fights according to the abilities of his opponent. His fighting style is like a beast. It's perfect for adapting to situations like now. However, Tristan is more trained. He can move effectively to determine the appropriate action at every step. His movement is calculated." Edward responds.

"But Tristan had time to weaken, so he received a crushing attack which was quite painful." Dixon says.

"Right. It was his fault." Edward says.

"I'm not confident Thomas can pass this test." Dixon doubts Thomas.

"Too early to guess the result."

In the battle, Thomas jumps back. Likewise Tristan. They had trouble knocking each other.

However, their conditions are different. Tristan looks more tired than Thomas. His breath is fast. At the same time, Thomas's energy is more stable. However, his face and hands received scratches. His clothes were torn on several sides.

'I don't think he is that strong. I've tried hitting vital points to immobilize him, but my attacks are always thwarted and only cause minor scratches. Damn it!.' Tristan is annoyed. He grumbles within himself.

This time, Tristan attacks first. He moves straight, very fast, toward Thomas.

Not to be outdone. Thomas is also moving forward.

Thomas does a punch. Tristan can dodge it sideways.

Thomas lowers his body while turning around, swinging his right leg to attack from below. However, Tristan quickly jumps while clawing from above.

Thomas parries a few scratches using his hand.

Then, Thomas opens the defense while changing the position to jump, raising his left leg.

CRASSS!

Thomas receives a few scratches on his face after no defense.

DAK!

"Aargh!"

Thomas' knee hit Tristan's stomach.

Tristan was still in the air, so he didn't have time to defend.

DAK! DAK!

Thomas quickly does two more hits. Tristan's body floats higher.

Now the position is reversed, feet on top and hands as a toehold.

"I won't let you touch the ground!" Thomas shouts. He sees an opportunity to attack Tristan all out.

Thomas stamps his hand until his body is raised. He bends his leg to hit Tristan again.

Tristan crosses his arms in defence.

Thomas lunges. But he doesn't hit Tristan. Instead, he flanks Tristan with his legs flank the body, while his hands flank the legs. Now Tristan's body is locked by Thomas.

"This is bad. I can't move."

Tristan tries to break free. But Thomas's restraint is powerful.

Thomas and Tristan slide down.

Thomas rotates his position. So now he's upright and Tristan upside.

"Give up, Senior! If not, your head will hit the floor." Thomas gives a warning.

Tristan still tries to break free from restraints. But no matter how hard he tries, it isn't open.

"Senioooor!" Thomas shouts a last warning.

They will hit the fighting floor

"I give up!"

Thomas immediately opens the restraint and then pushes Tristan.

BRUK!

Tristan threw and fell outside the arena.

Thomas deliberately pushed Tristan out of the arena onto the ground so as not to hit the floor.

Thomas runs to Tristan.

"Senior! Are you okay?" Thomas worries about Tristan's condition.

Tristan stands up, assisted by Thomas. He holds his aching body.

"I'm okay. Thank you. You helped me avoid hitting the floor." Tristan says.

Other friends also approach them.

"Tristan, why were you lying on the ground? Hahaha." Felix laughs teasingly at Tristan.

"I will beat you, Felix!"

"You sleep too much. That's why you lose." Felix is still teasing with his annoying smile.

TAK!

Sena hits Felix on the head. "It's you, idiot."

"Take a break, Tristan."

"Good job, Thomas. Your fight is good. I'm impressed." Sena gives praise to Thomas.

"Thank you. It was just a coincidence." Thomas is humble.

"Sena, who's next opponent?" Dixon Asks.

"The next fighter is Felix."

"Yahooo!" Felix cheers happily to get his turn to fight.

"Get ready for your next battle. Good luck!" Sena pats Thomas's shoulder. After that, he left while helping Tristan.

"I won't be too hard on you. Hihihi." Felix teases Thomas to drop his mentality.

"Don't mind Felix. Just beat him to KO. He sure is annoying." Gary encourages Thomas.

Thomas smiles. Thomas doesn't feel intimidated.

A few minutes later, Thomas and Felix were already in the fighting arena.

Felix shows a strange thing. He doesn't prepare to fight but instead sits down and picks his nose.

Edward, Dixson, and their friends only slap foreheads when they see Felix's ridiculous behaviour.

Ignoring Felix's behaviour, Dixon begins the fight.

"Ready? Fight!"

Thomas runs forward. When the target is within range, Thomas jumps, hitting Felix with a kick.

However, Felix can parry Thomas's hit using only one hand.

"What?" Thomas shocks that his attack was easily blocked.