Chapter 222: Cheat to win

As Zafron leaned against the wall, catching his breath, he couldn't help but admire Sakura's strength and agility. 'She's strong and tough as a nail. Also very flexible. I wonder... Just how well will she do against my touch... my calming touch?' A sly idea began to form in his mind.Sakura tossed her water bottle aside, her pink braid swinging with the motion. "Break's over, pretty boy. Ready for round two?"

Zafron pushed himself off the wall, rolling his shoulders. "As I'll ever be." seaʀᴄh thё Novёlƒire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

They circled each other, Sakura's movements fluid and precise, while Zafron's were more cautious, calculated. She struck first, her fist whistling past his ear as he ducked. He countered with a low kick, which she easily avoided by jumping back.

"Come on," Sakura taunted, dancing just out of reach. "Is that all you've got?"

Zafron gritted his teeth, lunging forward with a series of punches. Sakura weaved through them effortlessly, her pink braid trailing behind her like a mocking banner. She slipped inside his guard, her elbow connecting with his ribs.

"Too slow," she chided, following up with a swift kick to his thigh.

Zafron stumbled, barely managing to block her next strike. He tried to create some distance, but Sakura pressed her advantage, raining blows on his defenses.

"You know," she said conversationally, as if they were discussing the weather rather than exchanging punches, "I'm starting to wonder if you're cut out for this."

Her foot hooked behind his ankle, sending him sprawling. Zafron hit the ground with a grunt, frustration bubbling in his chest.

Sakura stood over him, hands on her hips. "I might need to have a chat with Shadow. Tonight, it won't be love taps like I'm doing now. Our opponents, whoever they are, will be out to kill us. We need to be on our game."

[My lord, perhaps it's time to consider a career change? I hear the Undercity has a thriving interpretive dance scene,] Calista chimed in, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

'Shut it, or I'll bring Aurelia online instead,' Zafron thought back, pushing himself to his feet.

He looked at Sakura, a smirk playing on his lips. "One more chance. I think I've got my rhythm now."

Sakura raised an eyebrow, skepticism clear on her face. "Alright, pretty boy. Show me what you've got."

They squared off again, tension crackling between them. This time, Zafron waited, letting Sakura make the first move. As she darted in, fist cocked back for a strike, he prepared himself.

'Time to level the playing field,' he thought, activating his calming touch ability.

Sakura's fist shot forward, aiming for his jaw. Instead of dodging, Zafron raised his arm to block, making sure his hand connected with her forearm. The moment they touched, a flicker of confusion passed over Sakura's face.

She pulled back, shaking her arm as if to ward off an odd sensation. "What the-"

Zafron didn't give her time to finish, pressing forward with a series of quick jabs. Sakura blocked them, but her movements were slower, less coordinated.

"Something wrong, princess?" Zafron asked innocently, landing a light tap on her shoulder.

Sakura's eyes narrowed, a mix of confusion and frustration on her face. She lashed out with a kick, but Zafron sidestepped it easily, his hand brushing against her leg as he moved.

"You're slowing down," he taunted, mimicking her earlier tone. "Undercity getting to you?"

[Oh my, how the tables have turned,] Calista remarked. [Though I must say, my lord, resorting to your special ability? Tsk, tsk.]

'Hey, all's fair in love and war,' Zafron thought back, ducking under Sakura's wild swing.

Sakura growled in frustration, her movements becoming more erratic. "What did you do?" she demanded, launching into a flurry of punches.

Zafron weaved through them, making sure to brush against her arms with each block. "Me? I'm just finding my rhythm, like I said."

He could see the confusion in her eyes, the way she kept shaking her head as if to clear it. Pride warred with bewilderment on her face as she refused to admit something was wrong.

"Come on, Sakura," Zafron goaded, dancing out of her reach. "I thought you were supposed to be some kind of prodigy. Is this really all you've got?"

Anger flashed in her pink eyes, and she charged forward. Zafron waited until the last second before sidestepping, his hand trailing along her back as she passed. The touch sent a visible shudder through her body.

"What's wrong?" he asked, feigning concern. "You look a little... relaxed."

Sakura spun to face him, her chest heaving. "You... you're doing something," she accused, her words slightly slurred.

Zafron raised his hands innocently. "Me? I'm just adapting, like you said I should."

[My lord, your acting skills are truly award-worthy. Perhaps we should consider a career in theater instead? Maybe when we get out of here first. Lumina would be a great place to start] Calista quipped.

'One more word, and I'm switching you off for Thera,' Zafron threatened silently.

He refocused on Sakura, who was struggling to maintain her fighting stance. Her eyelids looked heavy, her movements sluggish.

"Ready to continue?" he asked, unable to keep the smugness out of his voice.

Sakura nodded, determination etched on her face despite her obvious discomfort. She advanced slowly, her guard up. Zafron let her come, waiting for his moment.

As she threw a punch, he ducked under it, his hand skimming along her arm. The touch sent another visible shudder through her body, and her next strike went wide.

"You know," Zafron said conversationally, mimicking her earlier tone, "you've got some impressive raw skill. If you could just stay awake, you could be a real monster."

Sakura growled, frustration clear on her face. She launched into a series of kicks, but each one was slower than the last. Zafron dodged them easily, making sure to brush against her legs with each evasion.

"Rule six," he said, echoing her earlier lessons, "never let your opponent get in your head."

He could see the struggle in her eyes, the way she fought against the encroaching calm. It was almost admirable, really.

[I must say, my lord, this is quite the entertaining spectacle. Though I do wonder what our pink-haired friend would say if she knew about your little trick,] Calista mused.

'Probably nothing good,' Zafron thought back, sidestepping another of Sakura's increasingly uncoordinated attacks.

As the fight continued, Zafron found himself actually enjoying the role reversal. He danced around Sakura's sluggish movements, peppering her with light taps and brushes, each one amplifying the effect of his calming touch.

"Come on, buttercup," he taunted, using her own nickname against her. "Is this really all you've got? I thought you were supposed to keep me alive in the pit."

Sakura's face was a mask of confusion and frustration. She stumbled forward, her guard dropping for just a moment. Zafron saw his opportunity and took it.

He stepped in close, one hand grabbing her wrist while the other pressed against her shoulder. The direct contact sent a visible wave of relaxation through Sakura's body. Her eyes widened in shock, then began to droop.

"Rule seven," Zafron whispered, echoing her teaching style, "always be prepared for the unexpected."

With a final push, he swept Sakura's legs out from under her. She hit the ground with a soft thud, blinking up at him in bewilderment.

Zafron stood over her, a mirror of her earlier position. "Looks like I won't be your bitch after all, princess."

[Bravo, my lord. A truly stellar performance. Though I do believe using your special ability might be considered cheating in some circles,] Calista remarked dryly.

'Hey, she said no powers. She never said anything about special skills,' Zafron thought back, a grin spreading across his face.

He offered Sakura a hand, which she looked at for moments with hesitation.