The battle between Dan and Daki was moments away. The tension in the air was palpable as the announcer's voice echoed across the packed arena.
"This action-packed final match is about to begin!" the announcer declared.
The crowd roared with excitement.
"My money's on the lightning kid!" one voice shouted.
"I'm betting on the underdog! Daki for the win!" came another.
Dan adjusted his stance, his focus razor-sharp. I have to come at him fast and try out my new special move. Just like the last one, it has to be at close range.
Across from him, Daki stood tall, gripping his bamboo staff. "Boy, let's have a good match," he said.
Dan nodded respectfully. "Yes, sir."
The announcer raised his hand. "Alright, begin!"
Dan wasted no time, charging at Daki with incredible speed. Just as he closed in, Daki drew sharp bamboo sticks from the ground, thrusting them toward Dan. Reacting quickly, Dan ducked beneath the attack, narrowly avoiding a critical hit, and retreated.
A sharp cut appeared on Dan's left cheek, blood trickling down. He wiped it with his hand and smirked. "Wow, you really won't be an easy win."
Daki's expression remained calm but determined. "I am here only to win.
This guy is tough, Dan thought. I have to get close to him and finish this before I lose stamina.
At the Knight Administrators' Office
In their office, the Knight administrators watched the match through the Crow bird eye transmitting it on the screen, which transmitted the battle from the arena below.
Greg leaned back in his chair, observing the fight intently. "This final match is shaping up to be interesting."
Vixen glanced at him with a smirk. "Your bet on who's going to win?"
DG responded confidently, "Dan".
Greg grinned, his eyes locked on the crow-eye's glowing surface. "Let's see how this plays out."
Back in the Arena
Daki launched a flurry of bamboo sticks from the ground straight at Dan. The lightning user dodged some but couldn't avoid all of them, sustaining more cuts on his arms and legs.
Damn it, Dan thought, wincing from the pain. Why are his bamboo sticks so hard to break?
In a desperate move, Dan grabbed one of the bamboo sticks and used all his strength to snap it in half.
Daki raised an eyebrow. "Wow, you actually broke one. But that doesn't—"
Before he could finish, Dan threw the broken stick at him. The sharp edge grazed Daki's left cheek, leaving a small cut.
Dan grinned. "Oops, I missed."
Daki's eyes flared with anger. "How dare you—"
Dan didn't wait for him to finish. Lightning surged through his body as he charged forward with blinding speed. His fists and legs moved in a flurry, delivering rapid punches and kicks to Daki's stomach, legs, and face, all enhanced by lightning. With one final blow, Dan tossed Daki across the arena.
Finally, the match is going in my favor, Dan thought, his confidence growing.
He rushed toward Daki again, aiming a powerful punch at his opponent's left cheek. But Daki roared in frustration. "Enough!" With a wave of his hand, he summoned more bamboo sticks from the ground, forcing Dan to retreat.
Dan laughed as he dodged the attacks. "I knew you'd do that."
Moving behind Daki, Dan clenched his fist tightly, ready to unleash his "Lightning Karate Straight Punch." Just as he swung, Daki reacted instantly, summoning thick bamboo branches from the ground that pushed Dan away.
"What the heck?" Dan muttered, stumbling back.
Daki with a serious stare. "You're tough, kid. I'll give you that. But this is where it ends. I have to win, no matter what."
The bamboo branches began to grow rapidly, covering the entire battlefield. One after another, they struck Dan, trapping him in a makeshift prison.
Daki laughed. "Game over, boy. You're stuck in my bamboo prison."
At the Knight Administrators' Office
Talar smirked. "Hehe, looks like I'm going to win money today."
DG frowned, leaning closer to the screen. "Come on, Dan. You overcame tougher fights than this. Don't give up now."
Vixen glanced at Greg. "Does this mean it's the end of the road for him?"
Greg laughed. "He won't give up. Did you forget what I told you about that family line? They think fast on their feet and always pull off surprise victories. They're not the strongest just for show. That kid has what it takes to deliver."
In the Arena
Dan gritted his teeth as the bamboo branches struck him repeatedly. This hurts like hell… but I can't give up yet.
With a surge of determination, he jumped onto the branches, hopping from one to another.
Daki smirked. "You think I can't attack you there?"
The bamboo branches shifted, leaving Dan with nowhere to stand. He fell back to the ground, where the branches resumed their assault.
"Fine," Dan muttered, electricity crackling around him. "I'll destroy all these branches and make my way to you."
Lightning engulfed his body as he began to shatter the branches one by one. But when he got close to Daki, he felt a sharp sting in his hand as he punched one of the remaining branches.
"What the hell?" Dan winced.
Daki laughed. "You won't penetrate these. I've made them solid and unbreakable."
Dan's eyes narrowed. "Shut up!" He clenched his fist, determination burning in his eyes. I won't let anything stop me from becoming a knight. If I must break my bones, so be it.
Ignoring the pain, Dan continued attacking the branches relentlessly until they began to crack and fall.
Daki's confidence faltered. "What? This is impossible! How are you able to do this?"
Dan coughed up blood but kept moving forward. Keep going…
At the Knight Administrators' Office
DG jumped out of his seat. "Hell yeah!"
Talar groaned. "Oh no…"
Vixen's eyes widened. "What a comeback."
Greg chuckled. "What did I tell you? This kid is incredible."
Back in the Arena
Daki gritted his teeth. I'll just make more.
Before he could summon additional branches, Dan charged at him, delivering a barrage of lightning punches. "Time to end this!"
Dan clenched his fist tightly and unleashed his "Lightning Karate Straight Punch," slamming into Daki's stomach.
Daki coughed up blood, staggering back. This kid… he's unbelievable.
But before Daki could collapse, Dan roared, "Don't you dare pass out yet!"
He imbued his hand with lightning once more and performed his finishing move—the "Lightning Karate Chop." The strike landed on Daki's neck, sending him crashing to the ground, unconscious.
Dan fell to his knees, panting heavily. "Finally… I won."
The announcer's voice rang out. "What a final match, folks! The winner is Dan from the Lightning Nation!"
The crowd erupted in cheers.
Dan blinked, his vision blurry. "Did I… win?" He smiled faintly before collapsing to the ground.
At the Knight Administrators' Office
Greg grinned. "What an interesting match. That kid is incredible. I wonder what he'll do in the main exams."
Vixen nodded. "So, our work supervising these matches is done."
Greg rose from his chair. "Yes. DG, inform the other nations that we're finished here."
"Sure thing, sir," DG said, leaving the office immediately.
Preparations for the Main Exams
News of the upcoming main exams quickly spread across the nations.
In the Air Kingdom's 2nd branch, White turned to his partner. "Esther, are you done training? We'll need to leave for the Fire Nation's 8th branch soon."
Esther smiled. "Yes, White."
At the Ice Kingdom's 10th branch, a messenger informed Ash of the exams. He smirked, leaning back as a girl kissed him. "Wonderful. But I'll miss my girls here."
In the Fire Kingdom's 6th branch, Agi burst into the training room. "Steven, the main exams will start soon!"
Steven scowled. "Shut up. Don't go overboard."
At the Lightning Nation's 16th branch, Chase spoke to Rebecca as they played chess. "Looks like the main exams are about to start."
Rebecca nodded. "Yes. We need to do great."
And at the Weapons Nation's 3rd branch, Elke approached his master. "Master Alexis—"
Alexis interrupted, a sword in hand. "Sorry for cutting your arm slightly. I was practicing. What is it?"
Elke winced but delivered the news. "The main exams are starting in the coming days."
Alexis smirked, resting his sword on his shoulder. "Interesting. I can't wait."