Aka opened his eyes and saw that there was no one beside him except the Healer. Even though he knew he might get beaten for it, he asked whether he had passed or failed that exam. The Healer didn't hit him, simply said that he had passed, and then left.
Aka took advantage of the fact that his exhaustion had faded and immediately went to the training grounds. He trained for a long time, then returned to the arena and fought until he passed out. He had lost his sense of time, but even so, he guessed this went on for nearly two weeks. And at last, the big day arrived.
Aka had just won a fight and he wasn't very tired. Finally, the only person he truly valued in his life now — 29 — stood across from him. This time, Aka didn't lose his seriousness. He was going to give everything he had to restore his honor.
Aka made the first move and charged toward 29. When he got close enough, he ducked down, grabbed her by the waist, lifted her, and threw her to the ground. But 29 didn't stay passive while this happened. She kept stabbing the dagger into Aka's back over and over, yet Aka refused to give up.
As soon as 29 hit the ground, Aka climbed onto her and punched the hand holding the dagger, sending it flying away. By now he had experience, and he knew exactly what to do to avoid getting kicked in the balls. So he shifted forward a little more and began punching her.
However, 29 suddenly did something no one in the arena had ever seen before. She bent her legs to an extreme angle, slipped her feet under Aka's chin, and then snapped her legs back, throwing him off her.
After that move, the entire arena fell silent. Aka once again realized just how strong 29 really was, and he was more impressed by her than ever.
Right after, 29 quickly grabbed her dagger from the ground. She raised her guard and waited for Aka to come again. Even though she had taken a lot of damage, she was still in an advantageous position, so there was no need for her to advance.
Aka used every drop of creativity he had and planned a combo before moving toward 29 again. When he got close, he threw a punch and followed it with a kick. But 29 saw the attack. She dropped the dagger into her lower hand and stabbed Aka in the leg, but couldn't pull it back out, because Aka had grabbed the wrist of the hand holding the dagger. With her other hand, she was desperately trying to block his punches.
Then Aka suddenly threw himself forward, and both of them fell on top of each other. But since Aka was in front, he ended up on top. He pinned one of her arms under his legs, completely preventing her from using it. During this moment, 29 pulled the dagger from his leg and threw it far away.
Aka whispered something that only she could hear. "I'm sorry, and I hope you forgive me, my love," he said, and then punched 29 in the face with the soft side of his glove with all his strength. 29 didn't stay still. With her free hand, she kept throwing dirt into Aka's face and even tried to poke his eyes. But Aka dodged with ease without using his hands. She also couldn't repeat the elegant move she had done before, because Aka was positioned much further forward on her body this time.
Aka kept punching 29 until she passed out, and when he was finally sure she was unconscious, he got off her. He closed his eyes so he wouldn't have to see her beaten face and was just about to carry her out of the arena when 29 grabbed his head and slammed him to the ground. Then she climbed on top of him and whispered quietly, "I'm sorry. And I forgive you, my love." After that, she beat Aka until he passed out.
But 29 was smarter than Aka. She didn't take unnecessary risks. She made sure the fight was truly finished. Only then did she lift Aka bridal-style, carry him to the Healer in front of the community, leave him there, and calmly return to the arena. She picked up her dagger and waited for her next opponent.
If you've read or taken a look, thank you so much. If you have any thoughts — good or bad — please leave a comment. I'll probably see and reply right away. Thanks again, and I wish you a great day.