Leveling Up by Seducing Milfs-Chapter 50. The Seventh Sunset

"Does that count as cheating?" Rick asked in a weak voice.

"No. Your bonds are a part of you, just like my dragon nature is a part of me. It’s the same as me using my natural strength." She stopped. "But Rick, they can only do so much."

"Your spirit may be willing, but your body has limits. Be careful not to go too far, even magic can’t fix it."

...

Day Five was a turning point.

Vyra, Rick’s opponent, was a tactical fighter who was adept at figuring out what his opponents were weak at and using that knowledge to win. She would have beaten Rick in a matter of minutes under normal circumstances.

However, Rick had spent the last four days engaged in combat with some of the Dragon Kingdom’s top fighters. He had learned, even though his body couldn’t do everything that his mind now knew.

He didn’t try because he couldn’t match her strength. He couldn’t keep up with her, so he changed.

He didn’t fight her directly. Instead, he fought the arena itself. He used the space, the way things were set up, and the small changes in the stone floor that he had memorized over days of being tossed around.

It wasn’t a win, but he managed to stay alive, though with a little less damage. Vyra still won the fight, but Rick was able to avoid her killing blows most of the time. He even got a few hits, which wasn’t much but was enough to show he was getting better.

"You are adapting," Vyra said, sounding pleased. "Finally... I was starting to think you were just a stubborn idiot who didn’t know when to give up, but now you really think about what you do."

Rick was tired and hurt by sunset, but not as bad as he had been the last few days. Not a lot of progress, but still some.

...

Day Six was a different test for him.

His opponent was in a dual fighter situation, with two younger dragons working together perfectly. Rick was always surrounded and couldn’t focus on just one threat. Every time he tried to fight back, the other one hit him from behind.

But Rick had learned something in the last few days. He couldn’t fight like a dragon.

He gave up trying. He fought like himself, using unpredictability, desperation, and sheer stubbornness to make openings where there shouldn’t have been any.

He still lost badly, but the crowd’s reaction was different. There was less teasing and more real involvement now.

Some dragons were really looking at his moves and talking about his plans. He was no longer just a source of fun because he was turning into someone they could look up to.

That night, Sylvia’s healing session lasted longer than usual. Even with magic, Rick’s body was getting close to its absolute limits.

She said softly, "Tomorrow is the last day."

"Rick, you’ve made it through six days! That alone has wowed more dragons than you can imagine, but Day Seven will be the hardest."

"Tradition says that the last opponent should be a champion or the best of our warriors."

"Who?"

"Drakor, Korvan, and Theron will all fight you at the same time. All three of your previous opponents are new and working together as a team." Sylvia looked very serious. "I won’t lie to you."

"This is where most challengers die, even though the rule says they only have to live. Three skilled dragon warriors can break through almost any defense."

Rick looked up at the ceiling and thought about what he had just heard. The last test was to fight three of his old opponents at the same time after everything he had been through. It should have made him feel hopeless.

He felt strangely calm instead. He had made it this far and might as well finish it.

He just said, "Okay."

Sylvia looked at him for a long time. "You’ve changed since you got here..."

"You have steel inside you now that you didn’t have before. The pain and trouble have made you stronger."

"Or made me feel broken. Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference." Rick sighed.

"No, not broken, but tempered." She put her hand on his heart. "Rick Rolland, get some sleep. You will face your greatest challenge yet tomorrow."

"And of course... if you win, I’ll give you something worth it." Sylvia gives a quick peck on his forehead.

"Thanks, Sylvia..."

...

Rick felt the weight of Day Seven right away. The arena was full to the brim, with dragons sitting on every available surface. People all over the kingdom knew that the mortal who had somehow lived for six days was about to face his last test.

Rick stood in the middle of the arena, and even though his practice sword wasn’t excellent, it felt like an old friend. Across from him, Korvan, Drakor, and Theron took their places, making a triangle that made it hard for Rick to get away.

"Nothing personal, kid." Korvan said this again, echoing his words from Day One. "But we’re going to stop this now! You have been tougher than we thought, but this is where the fantasy ends..."

"Agreed," Drakor said, his red scales shining. "It’s time to show everyone that you’re still just a mortal playing dress-up."

Theron didn’t say anything, but his face, which was covered in scars, said a lot. This would be professional, quick, and harsh.

The voice of the announcer rang out. "Last day of the Strength Trial!" 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"The challenger has to fight three champions! The trial ends when the sun goes down or when the challenger can’t go on."

"Let the last day of the strength trial... BEGIN!"

Three predators moved as one to attack in perfect harmony. Rick barely had time to raise his sword before Drakor’s fist hit his guard.

He tried to get away, but Korvan was already there, hitting him with a knee in the side. Theron swept Rick’s legs when he staggered, and Rick hit the ground hard.

He rolled over and just missed a stomp that would have broken his back. Just in time, he got his feet under him to stop Drakor’s next attack, but blocking one left him open to the other two, and they took full advantage of it.

Rick was bleeding from a dozen wounds just minutes into the fight. His ribs were broken, his vision was blurry, and his sword arm felt heavy. The three dragons weren’t even breathing hard.

"Is this really the best you can do?" Drakor made fun of them. "This is not good enough for our queen!"

Rick’s mind broke. It was not his body or his will that broke, but rather the careful control he had maintained.

Carmilla’s warmth spread through the Spirit Bond, making him feel angry and protective. Natasha’s clarity made his mind sharper than a razor. And deep down, he could feel Liora’s divine presence, a soft voice saying,

"You are not alone."

Rick stopped trying to defend himself. He attacked right away.

It was dangerous and suicidal, but it surprised the three dragons. He suddenly struck Korvan in the face with his sword, which he had mostly used for defense. The dragon blocked easily, but Rick had already moved and used the momentum to jump at Drakor.

He couldn’t really hurt them, but you never knew what he would do. He could say no to fighting by their rules. He could show them that even when he was completely outmatched, he wouldn’t give up easily.

The crowd went crazy.