Chapter 30: Coward
Kalon could feel the thousands of eyes watching him.
His mind played games with him.
What do you think they’re saying about you?
Do you think they all know about the way you’ve been bullied?
How many of the people here have seen your micropenis online?
Do you think the professional organisations would want to take a man like you?
Is your opponent even going to be able to take you seriously? Look at him, he’s already laughing.
Kalon looked across the sandy arena at his opponent.
The boy was tall, probably around six feet, with broad shoulders and a confident posture.
His ginger hair was messy, almost as if he couldn’t be bothered to fix it before coming out here.
His arms were decently muscular and could be seen from his rolled-up sleeves.
A faint pressure also radiated from his body.
Is it a physical trait?
The boy wore a confident grin as he stood across the sand from Kalon.
Then he laughed.
It wasn’t even a cruel laugh. It was like he genuinely couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
"Seriously?"
The boy glanced towards the first-year stands.
"Out of all the students in the year, they really put me against you?"
The audience grew quieter.
Kalon didn’t react.
The boy scratched the back of his head.
"Man, I almost feel bad."
He looked at Kalon again.
"But at the same time, who am I to complain? Some of the others would die for an easy fight to put their name on the map."
A few students in the stands chuckled. They knew that was true, especially those who had just had their fight.
The boy continued.
"I mean no offense. I’m sure you’re a nice guy and all, but this is supposed to be a mock battle."
He gestured towards Kalon’s body.
"You just awakened your system, right? And from what I heard, your stats were pretty terrible."
Kalon remained silent, still not saying a single word. He knew that taunting was a part of the game, but he had no plans on indulging him.
The boy tilted his head.
"Don’t take it personally. I’m just saying that this is probably going to be over pretty quickly." He smiled. "I’ll try not to embarrass you too much."
More laughter came from the stands.
Kalon could hear it. Every sound and every whisper. Every person waiting to see him fail and be embarrassed again.
His opponent stepped back into position. He raised his fists. Black markings appeared on his arms.
"My system gave me the Ironhide Body trait." He tapped his chest confidently. "It increases my durability and physical strength."
Kalon looked at him. He had finally had enough.
"Why do you talk so much?"
That was all he said, and it was enough to stun the crowd.
Afterwards, they broke out into chatter.
Kalon was no longer the center of attention. People were laughing at Wilson for being mocked by the biggest victim in school.
Wilson’s fists clenched. His eyes glanced over at the announcer.
"Start the fight now," he said bluntly.
The announcer didn’t listen immediately. Instead, he looked at Kalon to make sure the boy was ready.
After Kalon nodded his head, the announcer shouted the final words before teleporting away from the arena.
"Begin!"
Before the words even left his mouth, Wilson dashed towards Kalon with a high guard that left no openings.
His speed was slow, and since Kalon’s Daily Blessing was currently amplifying his agility, he was able to match it.
No, he was actually faster!
Kalon didn’t meet the man head-on. He circled around like a clumsy dancer.
Boos immediately erupted from the crowd.
If there was one thing they hated, it was a runner.
"Stand there and fight like a man!"
"You think this is going to attract organisations?"
"Shouldn’t have expected anything more from a kid like him!"
But Kalon knew that he wasn’t a runner. That was not the reason he was backing away.
He simply wanted to put distance between himself and his opponent.
After all, he didn’t know if his own flames could affect him.
After a ten-meter distance was put between the two fighters, Wilson momentarily gave up on his chase.
The man lowered his hands and let out a sigh before palming his face.
"Seriously, is this how you plan on fighting the whole time? You realise this is going to affect your social profile?"
Kalon didn’t respond.
He continued dashing backwards, putting more and more space between him and his opponent.
Fifteen meters...
Twenty meters...
Twenty-five meters...
Eventually, his back was all the way up against the wall of the arena, right below the stands, whilst Wilson was still standing at the centre.
People tried to throw objects and food items down at Kalon, and even tried spitting on him.
If not for the protective barrier, he would be covered in trash.
Yet Kalon didn’t care.
This should be enough...
Kalon blocked out the noise and focused on his Emberheart and the ring on his finger.
Then, he activated his skill.
The skill that would shock the world.
[Ninefold Sunbreaker]
"A coward!" A random voice shouted from the crowd. "The kid is a fucking co—"
The voice was cut off as suddenly, nine spheres of burning golden flames surrounded Kalon’s body.
The entire crowd went silent. Not a single noise was being made.
Kalon stood there, suddenly looking like some sort of god. The nine suns began rotating around his body, as though he were the sun and they were planets orbiting him.
He found it ironic.
Each of the suns provided him with heat and strength.
The golden light of the suns momentarily made his face and hair look gold, like he was some sort of alien.
Kalon couldn’t hear what the crowd was saying, nor was he focused on their reactions.
All he was focused on was his opponent, Wilson, who stared at him from across the field with a gaped mouth.
"A-affinity..." The ginger boy’s voice trembled.
Kalon nodded his head.
"That’s right. A fire affinity."
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