TBATE: The Beginning of My Redemption

Chapter 7 : The Lightning and Fire Clash

(i am back healthy haha this chapter is for the the days i was sick)

I watched from the sidelines as Arthur and Father faced off. "Be careful, Art! You might be at the light red stage, but your old man is still ahead of you!" Father warned, his fists clenched with a confident smirk.

Arthur glanced at Vince, who was still shaking his head in disbelief. "Come on!" Father taunted, assuming an offensive stance.

Arthur, his body strengthened through assimilation, reacted to mana more acutely than before. Before Father could fully prepare, Arthur's fist was already in range. Even his hearing was sharper now; he could faintly catch Vincent's mutter, "What in the..." and hear gasps from the others.

Feigning a punch, Arthur twisted and aimed a high kick, but Father blocked it with his left arm. The force of the kick pushed Father back, momentarily opening his guard. Before Arthur could exploit the opening, Father used the momentum to chop his right hand at Arthur. Despite the disadvantage, Arthur used his combat experience to counter.

He took the chop with his left forearm and right palm, softening the blow and creating space. With Father momentarily off-balance, Arthur grabbed his right arm and kicked the back of his knee. Father stumbled forward, but Arthur couldn't capitalize before Father regained his footing and forced him to retreat.

"Well, I have to admit, you're better than all the mages I've trained! But now, your old man's getting serious. Be ready!" Father's face grew serious, and it was clear both had been holding back.

Father's fists ignited, enveloping them in scarlet flames. His control over fire was still rough, as steam and crackling sounds filled the air, showing excess mana. Meanwhile, Arthur was surrounded by yellow lightning, preparing to strike.

"What the..." Father's shock nearly halted his attack. Before he could recover, Arthur dashed forward, leaving a scorched trail. He blinked behind Father, his lightning-charged fist poised for a hook. The collision with Father's blocked hand caused a thunderous explosion, sending him crashing into a nearby tree.

Father quickly got up, his arm still glowing with fire. They locked eyes, silently communicating their intent. As Father lunged with fearsome speed, Arthur braced himself. Father unleashed a flurry of precise jabs. Arthur, with his assimilated body and heightened reflexes from the lightning, dodged each attack with minimal movement. The intertwining of lightning and fire made the fight intense.

Father maintained an optimal distance, exploiting Arthur's height and reach disadvantage. As Arthur parried each jab, he fired small bursts of lightning, gradually dulling Father's strikes. Father's attacks became sluggish and inaccurate. Arthur took advantage, ducking under a swing and preparing for an uppercut. However, Father's knee was already positioned below Arthur's jaw, resulting in a stalemate.

The tension dissipated as Father clasped Arthur's shoulders. "Ow!" Father exclaimed in surprise, jolted by the lingering electric currents. Arthur smiled as he dispelled his mana, allowing Father to lift him up.

Despite the mana expenditure, the fight was impressive. Arthur's training in the Elf Kingdom and his prodigious talent were evident. I approached them, placing a hand on Arthur's shoulder.

"That was fantastic," I said. Then, turning to Father, I added, "Looks like there won't be a paycheck for you this month after that display." Watching his realization was always amusing.

I turned to see Uncle Vincent on the ground, unconscious and drooling. "Not this again," I muttered. He had also fainted when I defeated Father with three moves. I knew he'd wake up, get drunk, and suggest Arthur attend Xyrus Academy. He had made the same suggestion for me, but Mother had declined, saying we were too young and the Helstea family had done enough for us.