A fierce battle unfolded in both arenas. The roar of the crowd echoed through the air, vibrating with burning excitement. All eyes were fixed on two knights—undeniably the stars of this round: Vuuxi and Thaldrim. As if refusing to be outshone by one another, they each displayed their prowess in spectacular fashion.
Vuuxi stepped calmly into the center of the arena, his gleaming sword catching the midday light. His eyes swept over the gathering of participants before he spoke in a steady voice,"I choose five opponents to face me. Who dares accept the challenge?"
Five knights, all ranked in last year's top hundred, stepped forward with confidence. They circled Vuuxi, searching for an opening. But before any of them could move, Vuuxi shot forward like lightning—his speed nearly impossible for the naked eye to follow. In a blur of motion, his blade cut through the air with terrifying precision. One by one, his opponents fell, their weapons knocked from their hands. Within seconds, the battle was over.
But Vuuxi wasn't done.
With a defiant gaze, he raised his sword high."Next ten challengers!"His voice thundered, sending ripples of tension through the remaining contestants.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the arena, Thaldrim was unwilling to be outdone. He stood tall before seven knights from the top fifty. Without a trace of fear, he stared them down, one by one, his expression cold and unreadable.
"Seven?" he said with a sly smirk."That's barely a warm-up. But I'll entertain you for a moment."
The seven rushed at him, attacking from every angle. Yet Thaldrim stood motionless until the last possible second. When the first strike nearly reached him, he shifted with a subtle movement, evading it with incredible agility. Then, with a single swing of his massive blade—almost glowing with a magical aura—he unleashed a wave of energy that slammed into his enemies. The knights were sent flying, some collapsing instantly, others struggling to their feet, breathless and dazed.
Thaldrim drove his blade into the ground, glaring at them with a mocking stare."Is that all? I want twelve opponents—at once!"
The crowd erupted. It was now clear—this wasn't just a round of qualifications. This was a stage for dominance, a duel of power and pride between Vuuxi and Thaldrim. Without words, they challenged each other through action, each striving to prove themselves superior. Their one-sided battles against increasingly stronger opponents had become a spectacle of supremacy.
On one hand, Vuuxi wielded unmatched speed and elegance—his deadly grace cutting down challengers without even being touched. On the other, Thaldrim showcased overwhelming strength and near-perfect technique, crushing enemies in one or two devastating strikes.
Who was stronger?That question hung heavy in the minds of everyone watching that day. But one thing was certain: the true battle had only just begun—a mental war of nerves between Vuuxi and Thaldrim, both reigning as top contenders for the same throne.
After Vuuxi and Thaldrim finished their awe-inspiring showcases, it was now Rogg's turn to step onto the stage.
With sharp eyes and a firm posture, he stood tall in the center of the arena, his gaze sweeping confidently across the crowd. Then, in a voice loud and clear, he issued his challenge.
"This time, I'll show what I'm capable of. Anyone may step into the arena."
His words sparked instant interest among the elders and knight-masters who served as judges and overseers. They exchanged intrigued glances, curious to see just how far Rogg could push his limits.
Master Thalion Velary, one of the assassin masters and a member of the judging panel, stepped forward.
"You may choose the number of opponents," he said, "and if you don't select them yourself, we'll draw lots. But only two rounds of combat are allowed."
Without the slightest hesitation, Rogg looked Thalion directly in the eyes and answered firmly:"Give me twenty knights."
Silence fell like a curtain.
Everyone—knights and spectators alike—was stunned. Choosing to face twenty opponents at once was nearly unheard of, even for elite knights.
Master Thalion's voice grew heavier."Let me remind you again," he said, "this battle is meant to push your limits—not to simply show off. Each fighter must be given the opportunity to select their own opponents. For those who advance to the next stage, their rankings will increase, and so will their chances of entering the elite Doliex forces or even the assassin corps. That is why we usually let fighters choose their challengers, to ensure a fair fight. However, if there are any who wish to accept Rogg's challenge, step forward now. Victory will still affect the rankings."
The crowd buzzed with excitement, whispering and speculating who among them would be bold—or foolish—enough to accept such an outrageous challenge. One by one, twenty knights stepped forward onto the stage. Their faces were resolute, yet there was no denying the tension in their eyes.
Rogg calmly scanned his opponents. He took a deep breath, feeling the surge of energy coursing through him. At Thalion's signal, he moved.
Like a bolt of lightning, Rogg darted forward, weaving between sword strikes from both sides. With stunning reflexes, he blocked a blow from a burly knight using only his forearm, then swept the man's legs out from under him, sending him crashing to the ground.
Two more came at him from behind, but Rogg was ready. With a quick spin, he deflected the first attack with his spear and slammed a kick into the chest of the second, sending him flying several meters back.
Chaos exploded across the arena. Rogg moved like a raging storm—relentless, precise, untouchable. He ducked, countered, and struck with lethal efficiency, balancing close-range combat and flawless defense with masterful ease.
One knight leaped at him, swinging his blade downward at Rogg's head. In an instant, Rogg crouched, then launched himself upward, meeting the knight mid-air with a crushing punch to the gut. The attacker hit the arena floor like a sack of stones.
The crowd roared. But the battle was far from over.
Five remaining knights regrouped, attempting to form a strategy. They attacked from all sides, trying to surround him. Rogg remained unfazed. He read their movements with surgical focus, dodging with effortless precision.
In one swift motion, he jumped backward, twisted mid-air, and landed a spinning kick to one of their heads. The knight dropped, unconscious. The remaining four lunged, but Rogg caught their moves in the corner of his eye.
With a full-body spin, he slashed his spear in a wide arc, creating a burst of wind that forced them back. He charged, parrying one strike and planting a solid fist into another's face—blood splattered as the knight staggered back, defeated.
Only three remained. They struck in unison. Rogg ducked under a blade, then launched himself forward with explosive speed, driving his elbow into one opponent's chest. The knight crumpled.
The last two hesitated, drenched in sweat. Still, they didn't back down. Rogg respected their courage—but he knew it was over.
He dashed toward them, parried a final blow, and hammered his backfist into the chest of the last fighter.
Silence fell.Then the arena erupted. Thunderous applause shook the ground as spectators stood in stunned amazement at Rogg's overwhelming display.
But he wasn't finished.Breathing steadily, his expression unchanged, Rogg turned again to Master Thalion Velary.
"I'm not done," he said. "Give me twenty more."
The crowd lost its mind. Deafening cheers rang out, some gasping in disbelief. Was this man even human?
Another twenty knights stepped forward, ready—or desperate—to face this escalating madness.
The second match began. Rogg, though he'd fought fiercely just moments before, showed no signs of fatigue. He unleashed everything again—dodging, striking, deflecting with deadly rhythm. His movements grew sharper, his blows heavier, and his dominance more absolute.
One by one, his opponents fell. It was a symphony of motion and might, a warrior at the height of his art.
When the final knight collapsed, Rogg stood alone in the center of the arena. His breathing was heavier now, his chest rising and falling—but the fire in his eyes had not dimmed.
He had proven himself.
When Thalion Velary raised Rogg's hand in victory, the entire coliseum erupted in thunderous, earth-shaking applause.
And in that moment, one truth echoed through the hearts of all who witnessed it—Rogg was no ordinary knight.He was a true warrior.One destined to carve his name into the legacy of the Doliex knight arenas.