What Travis hadn’t told anyone—what he hadn’t even fully understood himself—was that he hadn’t come close to unlocking the full potential of Blinding Step. During his time in the cell, while pushing his body and mind to the limit, he discovered a new version of the technique, a form that was far more versatile, far more destructive. He had named it Blinding Flash.
It wasn’t just a speed boost. Blinding Flash broke through every barrier of speed, shattering the limits of what was thought possible. In a fraction of a millisecond, he could cross the distance between himself and his opponent, faster than even light could blink. Faster than anything Blinding Step had ever achieved.
But with this incredible power came a devastating price. Travis’s body, no matter how strong he’d become, wasn’t built for such insane velocity. Every time he used it, his muscles tore, his bones cracked under the force, and his organs threatened to fail. The pain was excruciating, a punishment that would leave him broken if he wasn’t careful. But, through sheer determination and the power of his mana, he could push his body past its limits. Adapt was the key—by using it on overdrive, his body healed with a speed that barely kept up with the damage.
It wasn’t a power he’d ever thought he’d need. But now, staring down Damian, he realized there was no other choice. He had to end this. Fast.
With a sharp inhale, his blood-red aura exploded outward, pulsing with raw energy. His muscles tensed, readying for the unbearable strain he was about to place on them. The arena seemed to hold its breath as Travis gathered every ounce of power into his body, focusing it into a single strike.
"I’ll end this in one punch."
Damian smirked, clearly amused by Travis’s confidence. He opened his mouth to taunt, but before a single word escaped, Travis’s fist was already hurtling toward him.
Damian barely had time to react as Travis closed the gap in a blink. There was no sound, no warning, just the brutal force of Travis’s punch slamming into Damian’s face. The strike hit with the power of a freight train, the air vibrating with the sheer force of the impact.
Damian’s body was thrown back, moving so fast that it was as if he had been blown through the arena. He crashed into the wall with a devastating BOOM, not just hitting it—but passing through it, his body leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
BOOM!
The crowd was still processing what had happened when the dust from the explosion started to settle. The air hung thick with the aftermath of the collision, and for a brief moment, they saw Travis standing amidst the chaos. His body was slumped, every part of him aching as if it had been torn apart. The pain was overwhelming, sharp like a thousand needles cutting through his flesh.
Travis dropped to the ground, his vision blurring as his aura flickered around him, desperately trying to hold him together. But despite everything, a smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.
" I won. ''
He closed his eyes for a moment, savoring the victory, knowing that for now—he had done what he came here to do.
....
Travis sat alone in his room, taking a moment to let the events of the fight sink in. His body was sore, but a strange sense of satisfaction settled in his chest. He had won, faster than anyone could have imagined. He smiled to himself, feeling the exhaustion hit him like a wave. His body ached, his mind was heavy, but he couldn''t fight the pull of sleep. As soon as his head hit the pillow, he passed out instantly, sinking into a deep, untroubled slumber.
Meanwhile, Damian was being taken to the infirmary, his body battered and broken from Travis''s brutal strike. He lay on the bed, staring up at the sterile ceiling, his mind replaying the events of the fight. For all his experience, for all his power, he had been outmatched. Beaten before he even had a chance to react. And yet, despite the pain, a smile tugged at his lips.
That kid really is something...
He couldn’t deny it. Travis had proven himself in a way that Damian hadn’t expected, pushing past his limits and then some. Damian''s smile widened as he closed his eyes, already thinking about their next encounter. He would be ready.
Hours later, the knock at Travis''s door stirred him from his sleep. He groggily opened his eyes, rubbed his face, and reluctantly dragged himself out of bed. With a yawn, he made his way to the door, opening it to see Svelte standing in the doorway, holding a tray of food.
"Here. You deserve it," Svelte said, a rare smile on his face as he handed over the tray.
Travis took the food and drink, setting it down on the desk without saying much. He eyed Svelte curiously as the man casually walked into the room, sitting down on the bed as if it were his own.
"What do you want?" Travis asked, his voice flat, barely hiding his irritation.
Svelte smirked and shrugged. "Well, I''m here to tell you about tomorrow. You’ll be fighting a mage for your final battle. And guess what? Magic is now allowed."
Travis raised an eyebrow, looking at Svelte as if he had just pulled some kind of joke.
"I noticed. You didn’t even bother telling me. That was nice of you."
Svelte’s grin widened. "Yeah, I am pretty nice, aren''t I? Anyway, be prepared, champ. See you tomorrow."
Without another word, Svelte got up, leaving the room and closing the door behind him. Travis stood there for a moment, staring at the closed door, his expression darkening.
'' Fuck, I hate it here. I can’t wait to leave this fucking place.'' He thought.
Sighing, Travis sat down at the desk, ignoring the ache in his body as he began eating the food. The taste was nothing special, but it didn''t matter. His mind was already racing, thinking about the battle ahead. Magic? He wasn’t sure what to expect, but one thing was certain—he’d have to give everything he had in the final fight.
Tomorrow was going to be a whole new level.
TO BE CONTINUED