The old man saw Michael leap down from the spectator stands — come by a surge of rage. Zigrane had just started brutally kicking his opponent, Spinner, who was already too weak to stand. Michael was falling fast, aiming to hit first.
Just as Zigrane raised his leg again to stomp on Spinner, so blinded by fury he didn't notice Michael falling toward him — ready to land a full-force kick.
At the very last millisecond, Zigrane caught a glimpse of Michael in the corner of his eye—and then the kick landed, smashing into Zigrane's cheek.
To avoid crashing down on top of Spinner, Michael pushed off Zigrane's face with his other foot, propelling himself away and softening his landing. Zigrane was knocked off balance and hit the ground hard.
"How low can you go?! It's disgusting even to think someone like you could become a champion!" Michael shouted, fury burning in his voice.
"I didn't think he'd jump in!" thought Ralph, surprised. "I was about to step in myself. Well then… let's see where this goes."
"Huh? What the hell was that!?" Zigrane barked, pushing himself up.
Michael stepped forward and stood protectively in front of Spinner.
"What are you doing here? It isn't your fight," Spinner said to Michael, grimacing.
"Not my fight, huh?" Michael shot back. "If I'd just stood by and let him keep kicking you like that, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself."
"He's still strong, and now he will be even angrier! Get out of here while you can! I mocked you, called you weak — you've got no reason to protect me!" Spinner said, still trying to catch his breath.
"I don't care what you called me," Michael answered. "I'm just doing what feels right. And besides… I doubt he's gonna let me walk away after that."
"That kick hurt, Michael," Zigrane said with a twisted grin, though his eyes were burning with rage. "And for that… I'll enjoy snapping a few of your bones."
"Then get ready for a couple more just like it," Michael said, smirking despite his anger.
"Oh yeah? You think you can even hit me another one?" Zigrane snarled, his grin turning vicious.
Michael dashed forward — pulling Zigrane's attention away from Spinner and forcing the fight away from him. He took a few hits on purpose to ensure Zigrane's focus stayed on him alone.
"What's wrong, Michael!? Can't keep up with my strikes?" Zigrane mocked, laughing while relentlessly attacking.
"I was just testing how you fight when you're angry," Michael said. "Pretty much what I expected — nothing but brute force."
"What did you say?! Say that again!" Zigrane shouted, enraged.
Michael didn't respond. He dodged, and Zigrane's strikes — wild with fury — became more and more predictable. Exhaustion began to set in, slowing him enough for Michael to dodge cleanly and land occasional hits in return.
As Zigrane's frustration grew, his punches got sloppier, and his movements became easier to predict. Michael dodged around him — focused, alert, in control.
Realizing the problem, Zigrane suddenly stopped and breathed, "Hah… I calmed down a little. Now I get it. That's what was messing me up," he said, his tone steadier now. "I'll be less predictable now… even if I'm still slower than before."
He came at Michael again. The blows were harder to predict this time, and though Michael still dodged many, it was clear Zigrane had regained some of his edge.
Then — out of nowhere — a sword made of solid, magically forged earth flew toward them at high speed.
Michael felt it in the air. Zigrane, still locked on Michael, only noticed it at the last moment.
Michael spun and snatched the sword by its handle mid-air — and in a single fluid motion, he swung it toward Zigrane.
Zigrane barely dodged in time, eyes wide.
"Who else jumped in!?" Zigrane snarled, glancing around.
He spotted someone nearby and hissed, "So it's you, huh!?"