NOVEL NEXT Chapter 36: 'Awkward' Fight (2)
Though Ryker caught her multiple times, Selene managed to escape each time.
It kept happening again and again, to the point she began to suspect Ryker was doing this on purpose—just to get a better 'feel' of her body.
She now knew how Nysera must have felt...
Selene was extremely annoyed.
But the feeling of being at her enemy's mercy annoyed her more.
If only she knew Ryker's difficulties. Ryker was in a completely awkward position right now—he wasn't doing that on purpose.
She was really managing to escape him, but as it kept repeating over and over, many judging gazes from his classmates began to shift to him…
They kept their conversation low, whispering among themselves:
"He's at it again..."
"Nysera wasn't enough? Now he's going for the real deal—Selene Evernight."
"I should have expected this all along. Sigh, he's biting more than he can chew."
"Does this guy not fear death?"
Meanwhile, in the crowd, Vaelion Crest—with his smooth white hair fluttering in the breeze—watched with a calm expression, but his mouth twitched multiple times every time Ryker's hands landed in 'inappropriate' places.
He clenched his fist. 'Ryker, you bastard…!'
The truth was, he had always had a crush on Selene Evernight. But she was always with Ethan, so he could do nothing about it. He didn't want to anger the young master of the Drakethorne family.
Still, he couldn't stand Ryker—a guy he harbored a great amount of displeasure for after losing to him—touching his crush like that.
It was taking a great amount of self-control to continue watching the match. This was torture. But he didn't want to look away.
He hoped the match would end the next second, but also hoped for Selene to win—even if the chances were slim.
When he fought against Ryker, he'd underestimated him.
'How can Ryker's skills match mine, when I've trained under the guidance of the Crest family?'
Ryker was frustrated, He almost won, he was so close he could see the win, but that was all there was to it. Ryker was able to turn the situation around and snatch victory.
Not only Vaelion, but other males who had crushes on Selene felt the same way. They wanted Selene to win.
As for Ethan, he felt nothing. He just thought the whole thing was rather funny. 'It's awkward for Ryker to grapple Selene like this, but if it were a fellow male, it'd be no big deal.'
Back on Earth, gender might matter—but in this world, where females and males can grow equally strong, it shouldn't matter much.
But it did.
Back on the arena floor, Ryker cursed under his breath. 'Again? Damn it, why does it always end like this? I need to set my grip straight!'
Selene launched herself again, slashes dancing around his head. Each move came closer to drawing blood—but Ryker was relentless.
He dodged, sidestepped, and used his gauntlet to deflect her blades. Her agility was unmatched—but his grip technique allowed him to control the rhythm.
Once more, he managed to catch her.
She tried to wriggle free, but in the struggle, her chest pressed against his arm, her thigh brushing against his groin.
Her face flushed. Her lips trembled slightly—not in fear, but in overwhelming embarrassment.
The crowd's reaction was even worse this time.
Some were stunned. Others chuckled awkwardly.
Selene and Ryker's awkward match continued for two more minutes...
She tried not to get caught, but he kept catching her again and again.
It couldn't be helped. She wielded daggers, which were meant for close combat. If she wielded a spear or lance meant for mid-range, with enough skill, she might be able to shake him off—or even win.
But Ryker dominated close combat with his gauntlets and grappling skills. She stood no chance.
Selene tried her best to stay composed. She was from the Evernight family, damn it! This wasn't just a fight anymore—this was personal humiliation.
'Is he doing this on purpose?!' she thought, eyes wide, panting slightly. 'There's no way this is a coincidence anymore... is there?'
Her frustration peaked.
The fight continued. Each exchange got messier.
Every time Ryker managed to catch her—whether by wrist, waist, or thigh—he was met with another blush, another round of judging stares.
Ryker himself was in agony.
'Why again? Why me?!'
He was so focused on trying to subdue her cleanly that he didn't notice how the fight was playing out to others. Even the instructor watching was shifting uncomfortably.
Suddenly, Ryker got the chance he had been waiting for—the perfect hold. One she couldn't escape from. Or rather, one that would be hard for her to escape from...
Selene lunged in. Ryker ducked low, dodging cleanly, and twisted behind her—arms looping under hers, grabbing both her wrists from behind.
As she struggled to break free, his hands brushed the side of her breast... and her curves...
Suddenly, Selene's expression changed.
And then—she felt it.
That firm, unmistakable hardness.
Something big and hard, like a rod, was pressing hard against her butt...
He was actually aroused to this extent while fighting her.
Selene, too disgusted to continue, growled through gritted teeth...
"I yield!"
The instructor, stunned, blinked before finally speaking: "M-Match over! Victory: Ryker!"
She could hear Ryker sigh in relief behind her as he quickly released her. The two quickly separated from their uncomfortable position...
Ryker immediately let go, stepping back like he'd just touched fire. "S-Sorry," he mumbled, flustered.
She stole a glance at Ryker's face. He was actually so focused on winning the match that he didn't even realize how hard he was.
She didn't care anyways—Ryker disgusted her beyond words...
She had a strange expression on her face as she walked stiffly off the arena—but her steps were quick, her fists clenched.
The instructor acting as referee had a strange expression on his face…
Ryker, oblivious to their thoughts, sighed inwardly. He had gotten what he wanted.
After winning this match, his position as second place was solid—if he lost to Ethan.
But still, he aspired for the first position. That position was, after all, the best.
His fame after winning it would be unmatched, with numerous indirect benefits. The prize for first was just icing on the cake.
As for third place—Selene would fight it out with the loser of the third match.
But for some reason, Ryker was sure Ethan would win.