Champion and Challenger

Arnold didn't leave the training ring until his arms and legs were beginning to become heavy. With Mark and Lila done and exhausted, they had been watching and waiting at the corner, seeing him practice without resting for an eternity.

*Gasps*

When Arnold finally felt like ending the training, he fell on his knees and gasped roughly for a while, both hands on his thighs.

"That's enough, Max. I think you are stressing out too much," Lila said.

"You are only doing this because the first-year stars aren't entitled to a personal fitness coach yet. Soon, your endless training would be minimized," Mark frowned slightly.

Arnold stared at them and stood up.

"That wouldn't even be necessary... I won't be needing a fitness coach."

He stepped out of the ring, grabbed the white towel on one corner, and wiped off the sweat on his face.

"That's not possible. Everyone needs a fitness coach to make good improvements as a high-level Grindhouse wrestler," Mark cast a cold gaze.

"Well, I don't think I would be needing one. I have my ways of improving my fitness."

Arnold smiled.

"Tsk. You should be ready to receive ten defeats in a row then," Lila teased. Somehow, Arnold already told them about the story of his exam matches at Rising Impact University, so she suddenly used it to snort.

"Nah, never again would I lose that miserably," Arnold took a seat close to them.

Lila and Mark only exchanged gazes bad didn't say anything else. After all, he was already acting like a strange guy who had something assisting him in the shadows.

When he said he would not be needing a fitness coach, they didn't doubt too much. Truth be told, with the way he trained and practiced like a machine, he was already looking like a coach of himself.

After resting for a while, they decided to go back to their rooms. Mark and Lila were to have a special training meeting with their fitness coach in the evening so they had to rest after the training ring practices with Arnold.

Mark and Lila made sure they escorted Arnold to his room to prevent him from getting attacked from behind again. Although Arnold asked not to worry, they just didn't want him to get hurt again.

While they made their way through the alleyway, a young man having dark skin and a fierce bodybuild approached them from nowhere. He got his hair shaved off, leaving a shiny yet skinny head.

On his waist was a championship title with a white and gold hue, written on it was "Grindhouse Omega Championship". And under those bold texts, two words "Jerry Blaze" could be seen.

Arnold already recognized him at first glance. Spotting the white and gold title, one wouldn't have to be told that it was Jerry Blaze. After all, he was the current champion.

Jerry Blaze approached Arnold with a smile on his face, walking majestically to boast of his championship glory.

"Who do we have here? Max Fury," he opened his arms and laughed slightly.

However, Arnold and his friends only maintained a frown.

"Hello... Max Fury..."

With an annoying tone filled with slyness and a casual approach, Jerry asked.

"Very well, thank you," Arnold replied quickly with a face showing less concern about whatever the champion wanted to say.

Well, Jerry was still relentless to speak more, anyway.

"You know, I do have this feeling that you turn out to be some cheeky weak challenger. Well, I guess I'm never wrong."

Jerry teased. "Tell me, Fury. Why do you have so much smell of frailty around you? And it stinks so badly," he chuckled.

For Arnold, it wasn't getting any funny.

"Really? Does he really smell frail? Then what smell do you give off now huh? Stupidity?" Lila was someone who got angry easily. While Arnold only frowned in silence, she decided to attack back.

"Excuse me, young Lila. I was only talking to my challenger," Jerry scowled at Lila.

When Lila was about to spark back, Arnold suddenly raised his right hand, making her stop.

"Honestly, Mr Champion. I really don't have time to exchange words. As we all know, all things are settled and determined in the ring. If I really smell frail to you, then you can prove it by beating me at Seige," Arnold said.

"Of course, I will defeat you. It's just a waste of time to fight someone like you though," he caressed the title.

"Truly, it would be a waste of time to get that thing you are holding right there through you," Arnold said and walked away.

Mark and Lila followed behind quickly.

"If you really think you would be getting your hands on this title, then you should be dreaming, Fury. I'll remain the champion as long as I want. No one can defeat Jerry Blaze!"

The champion shouted from behind as he watched them walk away from him. His eyes were dark and cold, showing a slight picture of anger.

He never expected Arnold to be so cool and yet bold. Although he never smelled frailty, he only wanted to inflict fear into the youngster's mind.

However, he never knew he was approaching a fearless young man. Arnold's voice was loud and bold, revealing the incredible rate of his courageousness.

Jerry felt a hot aura around him, noticing his strong will.

He might be young and small, but he is who they say he is. He had a clear picture of a wonder fighter. A smart-looking competitor.

Jerry Blaze made his way to his room with his head enveloped with different thoughts. He had fought countless stars and had come out victorious without so much stress.

There was a certain aura they gave off, which made him able to inspect the mind of that individual.

However, to be frank, Arnold seemed to be giving off a new, strange aura.

Jerry only saw a wide pool of relentlessness in Max Fury's eyes, the way he acted and responded entirely differently from others.

If he was to judge by his guesses, truly, he wasn't going to be facing just an ordinary opponent.

He wouldn't just be taking on the NEWBIE.

Right in his eyes, he was seeing a hidden monster!

******

[A/N: Get ready! The championship match is here!!! Vote more Power Stones for mass release!]