The Ashen Dominion

"LET'S ALL WELCOME, KAIIIIISEEEEER—!!!"

The announcer's voice boomed across the packed coliseum, electrifying the atmosphere.

And after hearing him, the crowd erupted—

"WHOOOOOAAAHHH—!!!"

"I'VE BEEN WAITING!!!"

"KID...! I SAW YOUR FIRST EVER MATCH A FEW MONTHS BACK, I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU'RE STILL ALIVE!!!"

"KILL YOUR OPPONENT!!!"

The cheers were thunderous, echoing throughout the arena. Nobles and merchants leaned forward, eyes glinting with excitement. The stands were raging with energy, and even the guards posted around the perimeter couldn't help but smirk.

TAP.

Kaiser stepped out from the waiting room, his boots making a sharp sound as they touched the ground of the arena. A calm expression rested on his face— unshaken, composed, and indifferent to the raving masses.

He walked forward with measured steps, his now long black hair tied back, metal vambraces reflecting the sunlight, and three javelins strapped across his back.

The sun above glared fiercely, but Kaiser didn't flinch.

He reached his designated starting position— and then—

SWISH—

He casually swung his massive greatsword... with just one hand!

Gasps and impressed murmurs spread like wildfire after seeing that.

Kaiser ignored them and silently stared at the blade of his sword. Then, a small smile tugged on the corner of his lips.

He remembered the past. The first time he laid his hands on Lagoras' greatsword. He couldn't even lift it. Back then, it felt like trying to move a mountain.

But now?

'It's become light to me now.'

He thought, his hand tightening around the grip.

SLASH—

He casually sliced the air again, the edge of the blade cutting wind like paper. The crowd roared louder.

He didn't acknowledge them.

Instead, he calmly adjusted his stance and waited. And at that moment...

The announcer's voice returned, charged with energy.

"THIS IS HIS 12TH FIGHT NOW— AND HE'S NEVER LOST BEFORE! ALSO, BELIEVE IT OR NOT— HE'S ONLY 17 YEARS OLD!!!"

Shockwaves ran through the audience because of how loud he was.

Also, mentioning Kaiser's age at the last part was a bit necessary, to be honest.

After all—

Kaiser's appearance didn't scream "teenager" anymore.

He stood at 5'7 now, a far cry from the 5'0 flat frame he had when he first arrived in this world. His lean frame was packed with hard-earned muscle, and his tan skin showed just how many hours he spent training under the sun. Every inch of him radiated strength, the kind that wasn't handed to him, but earned through blood, sweat, and countless days of pushing his limits.

And the way he moved— the way he carried his weapon with complete ease... it was clear.

This wasn't the same kid from a few months ago.

Kaiser was now looking like a real gladiator.

A warrior.

Anyway—

The crowd had barely settled when the announcer raised his voice again.

"AND NOW— HIS OPPONENT!!! THE VETERAN OF THIS COLISEUM! WITH FIFTEEN VICTORIES UNDER HIS NAME, THE MAN WHO WIELDS A BATTLE AXE LIKE IT'S AN EXTENSION OF HIS BODY—RAMOOOOON!!!"

He energetically introduced Kaiser's opponent today.

"YEAAAAAAHHH!!!"

"WAAAAAAAAHHH!!!"

"KILL THAT COCKY KID!!!"

Another explosion of cheers shook the arena.

Then from the opposite side... Ramon emerged.

TAP—

He was a tall, burly man in his mid-thirties. A thick beard framed his face, and his battle-worn armor bore the scars of dozens of fights. His massive axe rested on his shoulder, a weapon so heavy most couldn't even lift it with two hands.

But Ramon? He held it like a toy.

"OOOOHHH—!!!"

"IT'S RAMON!! THIS'LL BE GOOD!"

"I'M BETTING TEN GOLD ON HIM— NO WAY THAT KID LASTS!"

"HE'S BEEN HERE A YEAR!"

The crowd's split now. Some cheered for the rising star.

Others roared for the veteran.

Ramon cracked his neck.

"You sure you're ready for this, boy?"

He asked with a grin as he walked to his side of the field.

Kaiser just stared at him.

No words.

"..."

Just silence.

Of course this annoyed Ramon, but he doesn't care. Kaiser just doesn't feel like talking to him.

And then—

DING—!!!

"START THE FIGHT!!!"

The announcer announced that.

And Ramon was the first to move.

BAM—!

He dashed forward, fast despite his size. His massive axe already raised above his head. The ground beneath his feet cracked slightly.

Kaiser didn't move.

He calmly waited. Focused.

And just as the axe came crashing down—

SWOOSH—!

Kaiser shifted.

A half-step to the right—barely evading it.

BOOOOM—!!

The axe smashed into the floor, sending chunks of stone flying.

But before Ramon could recover—

CLANG—!

Kaiser countered with a wide horizontal swing of his greatsword!

Ramon blocked it with his axe, but his eyes widened—

"...?!"

That strength... He was pushed back by several steps!

"WHA—?!"

The crowd gasped.

"HE MATCHED RAMON'S POWER...?"

They couldn't believe it, they thought Kaiser would be below in term of strength.

Moving on, Kaiser didn't let up.

He advanced.

SWOOSH— SLASH— SWISH—

And he started attacking actively!

His movements weren't fast— but they were efficient and clean. Each strike was calculated. Controlled.

All the experience he had accumulated for nearly half a year now is showing!

"Gurgh... Shit...!"

Ramon cursed and retaliated with a brutal diagonal slash!

TANG—!

Kaiser blocked it using the body of his greatsword. Sparks flew.

Another heavy strike came down—

TING—!

Then another!

C L A N G—!

"Ugh...!"

Kaiser's knees bent slightly under the pressure—but his eyes never wavered.

TANK— TUNG!

T I N G—

Their weapons clashed again and again, neither side giving an inch. The ground under them shook from the sheer force behind each blow.

But slowly—

Kaiser began to adapt.

He watched. Read. Adjusted.

Ramon's wildness was his strength... but it's also his flaw.

"..."

Kaiser's breathing steadied.

Tap-

His footwork became sharper.

Fwip~

His grip more precise.

And without even realizing it—

T I N G—!!

"Urgh...?!"

Ramon was beginning to lose ground!

'What the hell...?'

He was confused, but nevertheless— he just went and launched a horizontal attack!

TINK!

It collided with Kaiser's greatsword. Then Kaiser, he redirected it! Making Ramon's axe just fly past him!

SWISH—

It wasn't smooth, but it did the job!

"...!"

Ramon's eyes widened.

And while he was defenseless because he couldn't pull back his weapon fast enough—

TWHACK!!

Kaiser kicked him in the stomach!

"ARGHH—!!"

Ramon was forced back, sliding on the samd!

But Kaiser didn't give him any space!

BAM!

He dashed forward, not that fast, but straight— shoulders squared, eyes locked.

He raised his greatsword, and swung it down!

CLANK!!

Ramon tried to block with the lower handle of his axe—but the weight of Kaiser's strike still sent vibrations down his arms!

"Ghh...!"

Kaiser pressed forward!

Then after that, blades clashed again—

CLANG! TANG! TUNK!

Each time, Ramon backed up slightly.

"?!!"

His strength should've overwhelmed Kaiser.

But why did it feel like...

'He's matching me blow for blow?!'

"GRRGH...!"

Ramon gritted his teeth.

And then—

SWISH!

Kaiser's blade came down vertically straight at him!

"!!"

Ramon lifted his axe to block. He succeeded, but—

T A A A N G!!!

CRACK—!

"URGH...!!"

The ground beneath him split from the impact!

And Kaiser didn't stop there...

His shoulders twisted, bringing the greatsword around again—

C L A N G—!!

And following up another heavy strike!

"GAAAH—!!"

Ramon staggered!

And then—

SWOOSH—!!

Kaiser spun, using the momentum of his previous swing—and—

BAM!!!

His greatsword slammed into Ramon's ribs!!

"GAAARGH—!!"

The crowd screamed in excitement as Ramon was knocked to the side!!

He tumbled!

But landed on his feet, panting.

"Haaaaa... haaaaa... haaaa..."

Blood leaked from his mouth.

"..."

Kaiser didn't say anything, just kept his eyes on him.

Then...

Tap. Tap. Tap.

He walked toward Ramon again, dragging his blade—

SSSSHHHHHH—

It carved a shallow line across the arena floor.

Then in that moment—

"GRAAAAAAAAHHH—!!"

Ramon roared to ignore the pain he was feeling!

Then he charged forward!

BOOM—!!

The ground erupted from his steps!

"RAAAAAAAHHHH—!!!"

He raised his axe for a vertical smash!

But—

Kaiser didn't back away.

He ducked low!

FWOOSH—!!

The axe passed over him—

And then—

THWACK—!!

Kaiser slammed the flat side of his greatsword into Ramon's leg!!

"AGHHHH—!!!"

The man's leg buckled!

And before he could recover—

BAM!!!

A second strike came down on his shoulder!

"GAHH—!!"

He knelt down, stunned—

And then, swiftly—

SLASH—!!

Kaiser's third strike cut across his chest!!

SPLASH~

Blood sprayed into the air.

"URRGHH—!!"

Ramon collapsed backward, his weapon slipping from his hand—

THUD!!!

Dust flew up as his back hit the dirt!

"..."

The crowd froze.

They were stunned silent.

Ramon's chest was bleeding... but he was still breathing.

He wasn't dead.

But... He wasn't getting back up either. Not anytime soon.

"..."

Kaiser lowered his sword. Eyes calm.

His muscles tensed... but he didn't make another move.

He was waiting.

For the announcer. For the verdict.

For the end.

Though, suddenly—

"You and your... little group... it... will be destroyed...."

Kaiser heard that below him, and looking down— He saw Ramon, glaring at him with bloodshot eyes and a smirk.

"..."

Kaiser just stared at him with a straight face.

Then, without warning—

S L A S H—!

HE CUT OFF RAMON'S HEAD WITH A FAST SWING OF HIS GREATSWORD USING HIS LEFT HAND!

"Shut up, loser."

Kaiser said, his brows furrowed a bit.