Chapter 39: I’m Just Testing The Kid
The cheers of the crowd still echoed across the arena as Aamir, sitting cross-legged at the edge of the stage where his own battle had ended, turned his attention toward Raj’s match. His posture was relaxed, but his sharp gaze betrayed his focus as he watched his friend face off against a quick-footed opponent.
Raj’s opponent, Kaushal, was a wiry boy with a pair of deadly daggers and an uncanny speed that left the crowd on edge. Unlike the towering and powerful Raj, Kaushal moved with an energy that was almost impossible to track. His agility made it clear that this fight wasn’t going to be easy. Despite Raj’s immense strength, Kaushal’s rapid movements had given him the upper hand even before the match began.
The crowd roared as the referee signaled the start of the fight. Kaushal wasted no time. He darted forward, his movements so quick they seemed like a blur to everyone watching. Raj raised his sword, a hefty, two-handed blade that most people couldn’t even lift, let alone wield in battle. He swung it in a calculated arc, but Kaushal was already behind him, delivering a shallow slice across Raj’s arm.
Raj winced but didn’t falter. He swung his sword in a wide arc, forcing Kaushal to retreat momentarily, but the reprieve was short-lived. Kaushal used the moment to dart around again, striking Raj’s side with the hilt of his dagger, the force knocking Raj off balance.
The crowd gasped as Raj stumbled to one knee, his chest rising and falling heavily. Aamir, still seated, narrowed his eyes, studying the fight carefully. He had seen Raj face countless opponents before, but something about this match seemed different.
Kaushal didn’t waste a second. He dashed around Raj in unpredictable patterns, his daggers a blur of motion. Each strike was precise, calculated, and meant to exploit Raj’s slower movements. Raj managed to block a few strikes, but his slower reactions were no match for Kaushal’s relentless assault. Every time Raj raised his sword to counter, Kaushal slipped past his guard, delivering quick cuts and blows that began to wear him down.
"Too slow!" Kaushal taunted, his voice carrying over the noise of the crowd. A smirk stretched across his face as he danced around Raj like a predator toying with its prey. "All that strength of yours is useless if you can’t even hit me!"
Raj growled in frustration, his knuckles whitening as he gripped his sword. He swung again, the blade slicing through the air with incredible force, but Kaushal sidestepped easily and countered with a slash across Raj’s shoulder. Blood trickled from the wound, staining Raj’s shirt, and the murmurs in the crowd grew louder.
Kaushal took a step back, his confidence growing. "What’s wrong, big guy?" he mocked. "Getting tired already? Don’t tell me this is all you’ve got!"
Raj clenched his jaw, his muscles tense as he tried to steady himself. His breathing was labored, and the weight of the fight was beginning to show. Kaushal circled him, his daggers gleaming in the light as he prepared for another round of strikes.
Kaushal darted forward, his twin daggers flashing in rapid arcs, forcing Raj to raise his massive sword once again. Despite Raj’s immense strength, it wasn’t enough to keep up with Kaushal’s relentless speed. Another strike landed, slicing across Raj’s arm, though shallow enough not to be serious.