Challenge

In one of the houses allocated to the most prominent members of the rebel camp, a young girl with lustrous blonde tresses and an almost flawless visage lay serenely, a serene smile gracing her lips.

Suddenly, jarring noises pierced her slumber, and she furrowed her brows in discomfort, stirring from her peaceful repose.

As she roused from her slumber, she let out an adorable yawn and peered outside, squinting her half-opened eyes, only to witness a commotion of people sprinting towards a particular direction.

"Hey, hurry up! That new recruit, Alex, has challenged our leader."

Lexi: "Hmm What? Another one dared to take on the leader? W-wait, Alex?!"

"Oh Fuck!!!"

Lexi quickly got up from the bed and looked outside with wide eyes.

Everyone was running towards the battle ring where the duels were held.

Lexi's heart pounded like a drumbeat as she heard the news of Alex challenging the leader.

The mere thought of Alex meeting his end at the hands of the leader filled her heart with deep pain.

Ever since joining the rebels, Lexi had been a lone warrior, concentrating solely on training and performing the tasks issued by the rebels. She had lost her family and had no friends, always feeling lonely. All her attention was focused on getting vengeance for her parents' death.

However, when Alex came into her life, he changed everything. For the first time, she felt a strange warmth in her heart as she taught him. She enjoyed his presence and unknowingly started falling in love with him.

Though she understood the feeling that was blossoming in her heart was love, she didn't want to admit it as she had set her goal to take revenge against the slave king.

She tried to suppress her feelings, but her heart remained open. The mere thought of losing Alex made her heart ache, and tears fell from her eyes as she ran towards the battle ring.

Lexi's heart pounded like a wild stallion as she heard the news of Alex challenging the leader. The sudden surge of adrenaline was like a storm brewing inside her.

The mere thought of Alex meeting his end at the hands of the ruthless leader filled her heart with a deep, gnawing pain. It was like a sharp blade had pierced her chest, twisting and turning in agony.

Ever since joining the rebels, Lexi had been a lone warrior, dedicating herself solely to training and performing the tasks issued by the rebels. She had lost her family and had no friends, always feeling like a lone wolf howling at the moon.

But when Alex came into her life, everything changed. For the first time, she felt a strange warmth in her heart as she taught him the ways of the rebels. His presence was like a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day, illuminating everything around her.

Unknowingly, Lexi started falling in love with him. She enjoyed his company and looked forward to their training sessions. But she refused to admit it, even to herself. Her sole mission was to take revenge against the slave king, and nothing would come in her way.

She tried to suppress her feelings, bury them deep inside, but her heart remained open, like a flower blooming in the spring. The mere thought of losing Alex, of never seeing him again, made her heart ache. Tears fell from her eyes as she ran towards the battle ring, with her heart in her throat.

***

Alex stood in the center of the ring holding a common spear in his hand, facing the leader who was clad in a sturdy suit of armor, much like the one he had worn the previous day.

The leader held a spear and shield with a firm grip, his eyes scanning Alex from head to toe.

"I've heard of you, Alex, the handsome new prodigy who is taught magic by Lexi herself," the leader said, his tone laced with arrogance. "But if you think that you can win this battle with just magic, then you are both arrogant and an idiot to challenge me."

Alex simply replied, "Let's start the fight. I don't have time to waste on dead bodies."

The leader's face twisted into a scowl at Alex's words, and with a snarl, he charged forward, aiming his spear at Alex's chest. But before the leader could use his null spell [Anti magic Domain].

Alex muttered the word [Slip] causing the leader to lose his footing and stumble.

Seizing the opportunity, Alex lunged forward with his spear, aiming to pierce the leader's head. However, the leader, who had plenty of experience, was able to raise his shield just in time to defend himself.

The spear pierced through the shield but got stuck in it, leaving Alex unarmed.

Without hesitation, the leader broke the spear and threw away his shield, getting up from the ground and charging at Alex.

Alex evaded the attack with ease, spinning around and landing a powerful kick to the leader's face, sending him flying backward.

The leader crashed to the ground with a loud thud, his jaw dislocated and his teeth broken.

Alex then chanted the wind spell and sent an arrow made of wind hurtling towards the leader's head.

"Come forth, o Wind! Swirling Duet, [Wind Arrow]!" he cried.

The arrow pierced through the leader's head, killing him instantly.