Revenge pact

***

Present day

Hero City- Robur Kingdom, Caelum Empire.

John swiftly lunged towards Lutz, his determination evident in the intensity of his movement. With a calculated focus, he initiated his opening strike – a forceful roundhouse kick launched from his rear leg, aimed directly at his opponent's head.

"With this bout, I settle the score!" He proudly declared.

"There's a score to settle?"

Observing the situation with precision, Lutz swiftly crouched, sidestepping John's roundhouse kick with effortless agility.

Although John's initial attack missed the mark, his determination remained unshaken. He promptly readied himself for another assault, resolute in denying Lutz any chance to turn the tables.

Continuing to employ his innovative leg techniques, John executed a fluid rotation of his torso, seamlessly transitioning into a different stance.

With calculated precision, he propelled his alternate leg toward Lutz, who maintained a lowered position. Sensing the imminent threat, Lutz raised both his arms to shield his face, anticipating the impact of the impending strike.

BAM

The force behind the kick was formidable, threatening to breach Lutz's guard. However, the blonde aristocrat managed to endure the blow's power, with his defense holding strong despite being forced back a few paces.

The impact, though fierce, left him relatively unfazed.

John's momentum surged onward, detecting Lutz's momentary vulnerability as an invitation to press on.

Stepping forward briskly, he readied his next move – a potent punch charged with all the energy he could muster in that fleeting instance.

Having studied John's combat style closely over time, Lutz accurately predicted this maneuver. He raised his guard in a timely manner, but instead of absorbing the blow as before, he capitalized on his understanding of John's approach.

Swiftly slipping beneath the brunette's outstretched fist, Lutz seized the opportunity to retaliate.

Harnessing the power of his left hand, Lutz unleashed a devastating body hook aimed squarely at John's exposed lower abdomen, a target vulnerable to such an attack.

However, John's knowledge of Lutz's tactics was equally comprehensive. He had internalized Lutz's fighting style to the point of almost anticipating his moves.

Thus, he responded with calculated composure, sidestepping deftly to evade the formidable blow aimed at his midsection. Unperturbed, John seized the chance to reverse the momentum.

Lutz, perceiving John's withdrawal as a chance to dominate, pursued his retreating opponent.

Closing the distance rapidly, he extended a leg, setting up for a forceful front kick intended to shatter John's defense.

Aware of the impending strike's intent, John opted not to engage head-on.

Instead, he maneuvered adeptly, sidestepping the thrusting kick as it sailed past him, harmlessly impacting the air next to him.

Determined to maintain the tempo of the bout, John employed his own leg to attempt a trip on the grounded leg of Lutz, seeking to regain control of the encounter.

"Shit."

Right after the bridge of John's foot came in contact with Lutz's ankle he he was sent falling to the ground like the last domino.

John's face morphed into a triumphant grin as he saw his opponent falling, but said grin instantly disappeared when he saw what happened next...

In a split-second before his back made contact with the ground, Lutz instinctively positioned both hands behind his neck, exerting force against the earth beneath him.

This sudden push propelled his body upward, launching him into the air with a remarkable display of agility. Mid-flight, he executed a skillful and acrobatic somersault, tracing an elegant arc through the air.

As gravity once again exerted its influence, Lutz descended gracefully, his movements culminating in a flawless landing that exuded both poise and control.

"Huh?!" Dozens of the students gasped as they witnessed him miraculously recover as if he was never in a losing position.

{Not bad.}

'That's Lutz alright.' Adonis giggled proudly.

"Hahaha, I wouldn't want to win that easily anyway!" John chuckled as he once again took a fighting stance preparing to clash against Lutz once more.

"The fact that you believe you actually held the advantage is humorous." Lutz scoffed arrogantly.

The one to go on offense this time was Lutz, who fearlessly approached his opponent with both his arms up. The blonde youth opted for a left calf kick to start off his combo, which was appropriately checked by John.

"That all you got?"

"..."

Opting to forgo any exchange of taunts, Lutz seamlessly pressed on with his combination.

Employing the same leg that had executed the calf kick earlier, he directed a forceful kick toward the right side of John's abdomen.

Undeterred by this fresh maneuver, John maintained his composure.

He promptly elevated his arms, poised to protect the exposed right flank of his body. His defensive stance was a testament to his anticipation of Lutz's actions, showcasing a level of readiness that left him unruffled by the incoming assault.

"This is kinda disappointi-"

At the crucial juncture when the attack was on the verge of making contact with John's awaiting guard, Lutz executed an unexpected maneuver.

With a surprising twist, just inches away from John's outstretched arms, Lutz halted his advancing foot in midair. Then, in a deft display of agility, he swiftly altered the trajectory of his foot's movement.

The roundhouse kick's momentum seamlessly transformed into the dynamic motion of a reverse hook kick, now purposefully directed towards the left side of John's face.

This unanticipated shift in attack showcased Lutz's ingenuity and adaptability, introducing an element of unpredictability to the encounter...

***

5 years ago

Alex City- Miravulum Kingdom, Caelum Empire

John van Ani grinned excitedly as he stretched energetically.

"I've heard you're pretty strong... Don't think for a second that you can beat me though!"

Lutz who had a bored look on his expression yawned casually as he looked at his opponent.

"You talk a lot."

Duke van Alexia chuckled as he watched the two children get ready to start their friendly bout.

"John is quite the talkative one, huh?" He said playfully with a subtle snide tone.

"He is just confident, and rightfully so." Duke van Ani replied.

The coachman who was acting as the referee stood between the two boys with his hand raised.

"You both ready?"

Both boys nodded confidently, John with a large grin and Lutz with a solemn expression.

"Begin!"

Taking the initiative, John, the determined brunette, boldly surged forward towards Lutz with unwavering determination, his defenses firmly in place.

He launched into action at full throttle, opting to open the exchange with a rapid succession of potent punches directed at various strategic points—chiefly, aiming for Lutz's face and upper chest.

Caught off guard by his opponent's fervent onslaught, Lutz found himself met with an unexpected display of aggression.

He swiftly decided to adopt a pragmatic approach, choosing to mitigate any complications by either deflecting or blocking each of the incoming strikes with precision and tact.

Recognizing the need to diversify his tactics after failing to secure a clean hit, John seized the opportunity to introduce his legs into the fray.

Following the culmination of his punches, the youthful scion of the van Ani lineage seamlessly transitioned.

Employing his right leg, he executed a swift and calculated side kick, with its trajectory honed toward the solar plexus of the blonde combatant.

"Hm?"

Perceiving the incoming attack as a substantial and credible threat, Lutz opted against attempting to block the strike. Swiftly assessing the situation, he wasted no time and leapt into the air, his knees drawn close to his chest in a strategic evasion maneuver.

Having adeptly evaded the impending strike, Lutz capitalized on his aerial position by launching a swift counterattack.

Mid-air, he unleashed a rapid kick, with his right leg extending forcefully in a direct trajectory aimed at John's head.

Remaining composed even in the face of this swift retaliation, John reacted decisively.

He calmly executed a ducking motion, seamlessly evading the incoming kick with a calculated maneuver.

With an almost imperceptible margin, he observed Lutz's boot narrowly miss its intended target, the tension in the air palpable as both combatants continued to navigate the dynamic interplay of their movements.

'He can't dodge if he's in the air!' John celebrated internally before he lifted his arms above his head to grab Lutz's extended leg.

Harnessing his quick reflexes, John seized the opportunity as Lutz's leg extended toward him.

He expertly clasped onto Lutz's limb with his small yet determined hands.

Employing a swift pivot of his hips, John executed a skillful throw, leveraging his strength to hoist the blonde opponent over his shoulder with a clear intent to decisively conclude the battle.

However, the situation was not as straightforward as it initially appeared...

Just as John was poised to release his hold on Lutz's captured leg, an unforeseen twist unfolded.

Lutz, displaying his own agility and resourcefulness, swiftly maneuvered his other leg into play.

This extended limb skillfully coiled around John's neck, a strategic move that injected a new layer of tension and complexity into the unfolding clash of strategies and wits.

"AH!?" John's eyes almost popped out of their socket as he exclaimed in pain and surprise.

As he continued to descend, with his legs still locked around John's neck Lutz planted his hands on the ground and used them for support.

Lutz not only completely neutralized the throw using his legs, but he reversed it entirely.

BAM

Recumbent on his back, John's gaze remained fixed upon the blonde youth.

Lutz maintained an unusual stance, balancing deftly on his hands, his countenance revealing a blank and enigmatic expression.

The atmosphere hung heavy with anticipation, as this unexpected turn of events showcased the unique blend of athleticism and mental prowess that defined their intense encounter.

"I lost?"

***

Present day

Hero City- Robur Kingdom, Caelum Empire.

BAM

John lay flat on his ground with the side of his face throbbing a bright red, his eyes filled with tears.

"I lost...again?"

"That was the only feasible outcome, if you genuinely thought you could beat me... then you're dumber than I thought." Lutz scoffed as he walked off the mat, not even bothering to look at his defeated opponent.

'Lutz is... different.' Adonis observed as he bitterly watched his brother walk off the mat.

{What'd you expect? You haven't seen him in eight years, you don't know what his been through.} Eos replied, sounding almost empathetic.

"What happened Lutz?" Adonis whispered.

"The victor of the bout is Lutz van Alexia, Rising Star number four." Professor Avitus announced.

"The next fight will be... Amber Shine PTC vs Marie Jupiter."

After a few seconds, John composed himself and got up so that the new combatants could have the mat.