Loser

One... Two... Three...

Ding. Ding. Ding.

"Here is your winner, Dark Dew!!!"

The entire Rising Impact University's wrestling arena was soaked in cheers, almost causing the building to erupt. Two young men could be seen in a wrestling ring that is being surrounded by blue-coated barricades, followed by a considerable number of people, almost all shouting at the top of their lungs enthusiastically.

"Fury the loser!"

"Ninth defeat in a row, what a shame!"

"He gave his very best. Let's just say he is pretty unlucky."

"No way! That guy has lost countless times and still wouldn't give up. Why is he so desperate?"

"If I were Fury, this would be the last time I step my foot in a wrestling ring!"

Two men and a woman could be seen standing somewhere around the barricade area as they watched. They were putting on simple gym attires and had a black badge on their shirts written "Rising Impact University Staff".

It wasn't looking as if this was sort of a big wrestling match. It was just a Rising Impact University's final year examination being carried out. All the final-year students of Rising Impact University had gathered at the Test Arena to watch today's match, which had been undoubtedly exciting.

Out of all, Arnold's match seemed to be the most interesting.

Arnold Gallagher clutched his chest and gritted his teeth in pain, finding it hard to stand up. His unhealthily pale skin had been fiercely bruised after his fight with the low-level professional wrestler from Grindhouse Wrestling, a direct destination wrestling show for every student who graduated from Rising Impact University.

His jet-black hair had become a mess, scattering roughly as if like that of a madman. However, despite his physical state, Arnold still lay hopelessly on the thick mat, tears suddenly gushing down his eyes.

The referee in the ring, a young woman who looked like someone who had been deprived of the grace of womanhood due to her blank shape grabbed Dark Dew's right arm and raised it, practically announcing his victory to the viewers.

One of the staff downstage took a pen from his pocket and wrote something on a short, blue book. Arnold knew he was recording his score. Dark Dew was just a figure planted to fight the students, he wasn't part of the exam. The University's management decided not to urge students to fight against themselves since it could affect their score rate, so bringing wrestlers from Grindhouse show was the best option. At least, it wouldn't be just too difficult for them.

Although it wasn't just for the scores, it was to determine how good they can be when facing tougher opponents. If one didn't prepare really much, they might fail the exam and have no choice but to leave the University.

There are no second chances.

"Not again. I had the best opportunity, but I foolishly screwed it up." Arnold had a grim look on his face, clenching his fist on the wrestling ring mat.

He had a good score in the written exams and was praised for his intelligence. But now, he was mocked by all due to his inadequate physical fitness and wrestling skills.

"Tell me huh? How can one continue clotheslining his opponent all through the match? Doesn't he have a different vital move? Screw you, Fury!"

"And it always feels as if he was the victim of his own attack. That guy is frail!"

"Wasting four good years in Rising Impact University is quite despairing. I can feel his pain right now."

Side conversations caused flows of murmuring all over, the arena was already becoming uncomfortable for Arnold. Although he was extremely exhausted and felt so much pain in every part of his body after receiving Dark Dew's DDT finisher, he still forced his limbs to help him walk out of the shame he left in the ring.

"Don't come back, Fury. You don't deserve the spotlight!"

"Just beg a trunk-kun to run you over and get this over with, okay?!"

Arnold heard more mocking statements from all angles but decided not to pay them any attention. He was experiencing the worst moment in his life right now and could go crazy if he dared to react.

Max Fury is his ring name. Arnold aimed to use it as his signature name when he finally becomes a professional wrestler.

Walking through the alleyway and stepping out of the arena, Arnold heaved a rough sigh and said.

"Enough with the shame. I give up!"

Another tear gushed down his eyes and trickled down his temple, a burning sensation lingering in his heart.

Arnold was born to a family of six who could barely make ends meet. After the death of his father, things got bad, and his mother carried an overwhelming load of responsibilities. His senior brother, the eldest child of the family grew up to become a pathetic drunkard, leaving every responsibility that he had to take care of.

Things got worse.

His two sisters couldn't go to school due to financial lack and had helped their mom in her small restaurant on a street on the outskirts of San Diego, California.

Since his young age, he had had the dream to become a professional wrestler and become a universal champion. Arnold worked extremely hard and earned from selling disposed metals to a recycling company to raise five thousand dollars to enroll himself in Rising Impact University.

Now, this dream seemed to be coming to an end, unfortunately.

"Arnold!"

While walking miserably to his dormitory, a feminine voice called from behind, taking Arnold aback.

'Mrs May! It's Mrs May! I guess I'll be expelled right away,' Arnold thought.

His heart was beating uncontrollably in his chest as he quickly turned in the direction of the caller.

"Vice chancellor, I'm sorry I have been a disgrace to this University. I'm sincerely sorry," Arnold said while he slightly bowed, ignoring the pain and grief to give the vice chancellor of Rising Impact University a befitting honor.

"You shouldn't be hard on yourself, Max Fury. Anyone can lose as much as anyone can also win. You aren't just lucky in this path," Mrs May said with a smile.

"I... I..."

Arnold stammered repeatedly before being interrupted by Mrs May.

"I know what is in your mind right now. But I'll tell you this. Becoming a professional wrestler isn't a cup of tea, you have to be born to it, made with it, and be blessed with it."

"If I were you, I should have planned my next step of action by now. You aren't destined to be a professional wrestler. Just quit and move on," Mrs May advised.

"I'll quit, but after my last match. I still have one last examination match left," Arnold noticed.

"Forget about it, you and I know that you've failed the examination already. Why stress yourself even more?"

"I just want to. I believe I could win it," Arnold helplessly said. Those words were shrouded in a canopy of doubt.

"I have sincerely given some advice, boy. If you lose again, you will definitely be driven out of the university premises. You have my word on that."

Mrs May said and walked away. Her charming curve wiggled around her white coat skirt and her red shoes echoed softly, its sound disappearing every passing second.

"Damn it!"

Arnold angrily turned and entered the male dormitory building, his cheeks almost freezing. The arena wasn't too far from the male dormitory so it didn't take much time for him to reach there. Arnold thanked his stars having not to walk too far because of his slight injuries.

A staircase was planted for access to the top building of the dormitory which was where Arnold's dorm room was located. The staircase was tight and narrow, and if one isn't careful they could stumble after a missed step.

Arnold who was totally absent-minded about this staggeringly climbed the stairs with his right hand on the barriers. At this moment, he was begging for a quick source of death to befall him.

After all the hard work.

The effort.

The pains.

The sacrifices.

The money...

'Is it really going to end just like this?'

Step. Step. Step.

Swish!

Arnold's eyes glinted.

Roll. Roll. Roll.

*Bang!*

"Arghh!!!"

Arnold's leg suddenly slipped off a staircase as he fell helplessly, followed by a non-stop rolling from the top of the stairs wall to the bottom, and then hit his head on a very hard surface.

He didn't get to see what it was after his exclamation... And then...

He blacked out.

[You have...]