Chapter 282
The air in the training field was thick with expectation. All around me, the crowd’s chatter had quieted into a hum of tension as Leon and Timothy stepped into the circle.
The sunlight glinted off Leon’s sweat-sheened arms, and I could see the cocky grin tugging at his lips even before the first move was made. Timothy, by contrast, looked calm, shoulders loose, his stance relaxed yet firm, as though the fight were nothing more than a formality he had agreed to for the sake of order.
I sat between Diana and Naomi, my eyes fixed on the two males.
“Leon looks too sure of himself,” Diana whispered, nudging me with her elbow.
I gave her a small nod, not taking my gaze off the pair. “You are right p>
Naomi scoffed lightly. “He always does. But overconfidence never saved anyone. I’m sure my brother can take him p>
Let’s see then. The proud fool versus the humble idiot.
The whistle came from Naomi, sharp and cutting through the silence. Instantly, Leon lunged forward, his movements sharp and fast.
The crowd erupted in a cheer, though I could hear more voices calling Timothy’s name.
Leon’s fists swung, heavy and arrogant, the sort of blows meant to intimidate rather than connect with skill. Timothy blocked them with ease, his calm demeanor unchanged, his footwork steady.
I felt my pulse quicken as I watched. There was something about seeing two bodies in motion, colliding with raw power, that always awakened something primal in me, like I wanted blood.
I bit down on my lip, chasing away the weird thought.
Leon sneered, throwing a punch that grazed Timothy’s jaw. He laughed, raising his hands as though he had already won. “Too easy,” he gloated.
But Timothy only shook his head. “You talk too much.” His voice was low, and I caught myself smiling.
With one swift movement, Timothy ducked under Leon’s next punch, catching him off-balance. He spun, grabbing Leon by the arm, and slammed him hard onto the ground. The circle thundered with cheers.
Naomi leaned closer to me, her eyes gleaming. “See? I told you Timothy’s not one to underestimate p>
I bit my lip, torn between admiration for Timothy’s humility and irritation at Leon’s foolish pride. Leon scrambled up, growling, charging again. His fists swung wildly, but Timothy caught his wrist, twisted, and forced him back to the dirt with a resounding thud.
The crowd roared louder this time, voices echoing across the field. Naomi’s smile was wide as she shouted, “Timothy takes the lead p>
Leon’s face twisted with fury. He staggered to his feet, chest heaving, sweat dripping down his brow. His eyes flickered over the circle, darting to me for just a second, before he spat onto the ground.
I shifted uncomfortably under his glare. Something about the way he looked at me was… unsettling. Why was he even looking at me? Or was it just a coincidental look?
Timothy, meanwhile, gave him a nod, as if offering him one last chance to fight with dignity. But Leon didn’t take it. He charged recklessly again, fists flailing, and Timothy met him with a single, brutal kick to the stomach. Leon folded, crashing onto his knees.
The crowd erupted into deafening cheers, chanting Timothy’s name. My own hands clapped without me realizing it, glee warming my chest. Beside me, Diana let out a loud whoop, punching the air.
Naomi stood, stepped forward, raising her hand to announce, “The winner is Timothy p>
And that was when I saw it. Leon, crouched low, his face twisted with rage, was shifting his weight. His eyes flicked to Timothy’s exposed side. I knew, without question, what he intended—he was going to strike Timothy from behind, a cheap blow after his loss.
“No,” I whispered, my fists tightening. Something in me burned hot and sharp, like a surge of lightning racing beneath my skin. Before I realized it, my magic lashed out.
Leon froze, his body locked in place mid-movement. His leg hung in the air, trembling, as though an invisible force had caught him. The crowd gasped, their cheers faltering into shocked silence. All eyes turned, confusion rippling across the faces around me.
I could feel my chest rise and fall rapidly, my magic thrumming wild and restless in my veins. I hadn’t meant to. I hadn’t even thought.
“Dora Diana’s voice was hushed, but I could hear the awe laced within it.
Timothy blinked, noticing Leon’s frozen stance, and for a moment his brows furrowed in confusion. Then, as if instinctively, I released my hold. Leon stumbled forward. And in that instant, Timothy’s boot connected with his chest, sending him sprawling into the dirt.
The crowd exploded again, this time with laughter and disbelief. They must have realized what happened. I caught a few stares of appreciation even.
Adam rose from his seat, his voice booming. “Leon! You are banned from training and from all activities during this celebration. Get out of the circle p>
The command reverberated with authority, silencing any protests. Leon’s face burned red as he staggered to his feet, fury etched into every line. His eyes cut toward me, dark and venomous.
The stink eye he gave me made my skin prickle.
I straightened my spine, refusing to look away, though my magic still hummed beneath my skin like a living thing.
He turned to leave, but before he could take two full steps, his shorts slipped from his waist. For a brief, horrified heartbeat, the entire crowd froze—then Leon stood completely naked, his manhood dangling pitifully as a stream of urine dribbled down his thigh.
Gasps turned into thunderous, uncontrollable laughter. People clutched their stomachs, bending double. Diana burst into a howl of mirth, clutching my arm.
“Diana!” I hissed, covering my eyes with my palm. “Why would you p>
“Why not?” she shot back, her smirk devilish. “He shouldn’t be giving you the stink eye. That will teach him p>
The laughter grew louder, echoing across the field as Leon scrambled to grab his shorts, his face the color of raw meat. With a strangled shout, he fled the circle, disappearing into the crowd’s jeers.
I shook my head, still half-hiding my face with my hand. “You’re impossible p>
“And you love me for it,” Diana said, still laughing.
The tension dissolved, and soon two more pairs of fighters were called to the circle. Their bouts were fierce, but I only half-watched, my mind still replaying what had just happened.
The crowd’s cheers rose and fell, but my focus drifted, my thoughts circling around my magic. I hadn’t meant to interfere like that. Could it now function without my go-ahead?
Stop worrying. You actually did release it. It picked your distress, your wish to stop the bully, and acted. Nothing deep. El interrupted.
When the last male fight ended, I leaned toward Naomi. “Is it only men who battle in this place p>
The words slipped out bold and clear, carrying enough weight that several heads turned in my direction. Naomi blinked, then her eyes flickered slyly. She gestured toward the women in the crowd. “Not anymore. Claire. Cassey. Step forward p>
My gaze followed them as they entered the circle. I remembered Cassey, Claire’s enemy then, her confident strut unmistakable. The crowd buzzed with excitement as the two females faced each other.
The fight was fierce from the first moment. Cassey was fast, her strikes sharp, but Claire… Claire moved with a predator’s grace. Every block, every counter, was precise. Their fists met with resounding cracks, their feet pounding the dirt as they grappled.
I couldn’t tear my eyes away. My breath quickened as I watched Claire slam Cassey to the ground, only for Cassey to roll free and launch back at her. Back and forth they went, power meeting power, speed meeting speed. The crowd roared, feeding the frenzy.
Finally, Claire’s fist connected with Cassey’s jaw. The crack echoed, and Cassey went down hard, sprawling in the dirt. The circle shook with cheers as Naomi lifted Claire’s hand high.
I blinked, my mouth slightly open. I had never seen Claire fight. I had thought of her as nothing more than a schemer, a flirt, a woman who relied on her beauty and cunning. But now I understood. Her strength, her precision—it made sense why the Lycan King had wanted her for his sons. She might be a slut, but she was also a warrior.
Claire’s gaze snapped to me, cutting my thoughts short, her lips curling into a sneer. “Tell me, Dora,” she said loudly enough for all to hear, “can you fight well without your magic p>
The crowd hushed, tension snapping into place.
I tilted my head, meeting her eyes. “Weren’t you around during the contest when I emerged the winner p>
“That doesn’t count here. You lot were barely above average p>
Diana smirked beside me, her amusement barely contained. Get full chapters from
The crowd wanted it. No one moved to stop it. If anything, they leaned forward, eager for more.
I rose to my feet, my pulse hammering. “Fine. Let’s find out p>
The circle widened, and I stepped into its heart. The air seemed to thrum with anticipation. My magic stirred inside me, restless and hungry.
“El,” I whispered inwardly.
I’m here, the voice replied, smooth and powerful, filling me with a surge of energy that almost stole my breath.
I smiled, my lips curving as the power rushed through me. This fight was going to be mine, again.