Chapter 107 -- The end of the fight

Boom!

A powerful right hook found it's way to Zane's chin, sending him stumbling backwards. Keith would have used this chance, however he was currently crouching over, seemingly having trouble breathing.

Zane dashed forward and pulled back his fist before throwing an uppercut, but Keith managed to raise his head and dodge. Zane followed up with another fist to his midsection.

The attack connected and Keith felt something breaking in his body, however he didn't let that distract him, quickly stepping back to avoid Zane's kick.

'He's getting tired, i can do this!' Zane thought as he dashed forward thinking that Keith would stay on the defensive.

However Keith also dashed towards Zane before throwing a left hook, which was successfully evaded by Zane. Unknown to Zane that left hook was a feint so he didn't have enough time to block the incoming knee, which planted itself in his gut.

Keith followed up by continuing his left hook slamming it into Zane's face. Zane was sent spiraling onto the ground, but he stood up a second later.

The nobles were greatly impressed by Zane's resilience, some of them doubted if even they would be able to stand after taking such damage.

Charles was especially impressed at Zane's prowess, a mortal healer this powerful was priceless. His strength would only multiply after breaking through.

A powerful Mage who can retreat and heal himself together with his team was an incredible asset. One that anyone would do anything to have.

The only problem was that Zane blatantly refused to join any one of the nobles, and they also understood his reason quite well.

The fight had been ongoing for more than thirty minutes and both fighters were clearly heavily injured and extremely tired, however they both refused to lose.

You might expect a fight which has dragged on for this long to become boring for the spectators, however, this one was different.

#Everyone could see that both Zane and Keith were giving it all they had, their fight was the most intense of the event, added with the fact that both fighters were roughly equal in skill and speed.

Zane was superior when it came to brute strength, but Keith made up for that with his superior experience. This made both fighters fight in a stalemate for half an hour.

However, after the thirty minute mark, things began to change.

Zane raised an arm and blocked a high kick from Keith before thrusting his own foot towards Keith's midsection.

Before Zane's kick could connect, Keith slapped it away and threw a double punch at Zane's chest, it connected and Zane fell backwards. Zane was exhausted and everyone could see it. His reaction time got longer and his strength decreased.

With Zane on the ground, Keith sat on his abdomen and began punching away at his face, however his punches didn't have any power at all, it was like Keith was patting Zane's face.

"You punch like a bitch" Zane mumbled. Keith seemed to run out of power at that point and he fell over, lying besides Zane.

"You're powerful" they both said at the same time before laughing simultaneously.

"Fuck i can't move" Zane said.

"Same here bro, my body's on fire and ice at the same time" Keith chuckled.

Keith and Zane continued chatting away on the floor, seemingly forgetting that they were still supposed to be fighting since the winner hadn't been decided.

"Hey!, are you forgetting something!?" Buck shouted.

"Ohh yeah i guess we better get back to it" Keith said as he struggled to stand. He wanted Zane to heal him up a little bit but knew it was not a good idea to do so in front of those nobles.

Zane himself also wanted to heal his own injuries but thought it would be very unfair to Keith if he does so. He also didn't want to depend on of the fact that he could heal.

"You know what, you win" Zane said as he stood, albeit with difficulty.

"Really?" Keith asked, unsure of Zane's words.

"You need this more than me, and you would have won anyway if your arms still worked" Zane chuckled.

Keith smiled "Fine let's go" he said.

The duo then slowly walked over to the edge of the platform before Zane jumped off, wimping in pain as he landed on a bad part of his foot.

"Are you okay?" Charlotte asked as she helped Zane walk to his seat. A small thud and a scream was heard behind them as Keith also jumped down the stage.

"Excuse me I'm also hurt here" Keith said, slightly jealous of the treatment Zane was getting from his own sister.

"Ohh shut up and grow a pair" Charlotte shouted, forcing Zane to suppress a laugh, and failing to do so.

With his head hung low Keith limped to his seat and also sat down. Zane took out two bottles of fake healing tonic and handed one to Keith. As he did, he healed all of Keith's internal injuries but left the others.

Zane was really shocked to find that Keith survived this long with a rib going through his lung. After healing Keith he also healed his own internal injuries.

"Wow folks what a finale, although it could have ended better it was a great fight congratulations both of you"

"However more congratulations to Keith for letting Zane let you win the fight" Buck chuckled. Obviously everyone could hear what the duo were talking about when they were lying on the ground.

"That marks the end of our tournament, ladies and gentlemen thank you for coming" he said before walking off stage. It didn't take long for everyone else to leave as well. Zane guessed that Keith's fight with John would happen the next day.

Zane and Keith were still exhausted so they decided to just sit in the empty arena with Charlotte and Ken. It didn't take long for the group to start discussing the fight.

A few minutes later, Old man entered the room. "Congratulations Keith" he said.

"Thank you teacher, it wasn't easy" Keith smiled.

"I know, Can the two of you please follow me. We have something to discuss" Old man said. The duo nodded and followed after Old man.

"What do you think this is about?" Zane asked Keith . The possible explanation was that the nobles wanted to recruit them, but Zane already turned them down so he doubted that was the reason.

"Maybe they will ask me to join one of them" Keith said. Zane nodded, but wondered why they also called for him if that was the reason.

"Hopefully the family i join will be able to help out my family and get Charlotte off the hook" Keith mumbled to himself.

Zane wasn't listening to Keith's mumbles but his ears perked up when he heard Charlotte's name.

"What was that?" he asked Keith .

Keith was surprised that Zane heard his almost silent thoughts "Ohh it's nothing i was just thinking about stuff" he waved it off.

Zane nodded and decided to let the matter go since it wasn't any of his business....

"What do you mean get Charlotte off the hook, is she in some kind of trouble?" he asked.

"What are you talking about Zane?, did i hit you too hard in the head?" Keith chuckled, doing his best to get Zane to forget about the matter.

"Is it the marriage?, i remember that she didn't seem too thrilled about it the last time i asked her about it" Zane rambled his hypotheses.

"No Zane it's not about the marriage. It's just that i know Charlotte is going to be sad if i get into a noble family and she doesn't" Keith explained with a sigh.

Zane narrowed his eyes, he felt that something was off but just couldn't put his finger on it. He had no choice but to take Keith's word for it.

A few minutes later and the trio entered the dining room of Old man's house, inside were a total of seven people dressed in very expensive clothing, obviously these were the nobles who summoned them.