Rize was shocked by how slow the punches were. In his eyes, they almost appeared as if they were moving in slow motion, and he was able to see them and react in time without even trying. He didn't realize that after an entire year of fighting Geralt every single day and sparring with him, punches from normal humans would become laughable in his eyes.
'That old man's punches were lightning quick. Deflecting or dodging them was a damn nightmare.' He thought to himself as he leaned to the side, letting Arthur's punch pass as he watched it with wide eyes. Then, the boy sent another punch aimed toward Rize's solar plexus. It was clear that Arthur was properly trained to a certain level.
However, he was not even close to Rize's level. During those few seconds, Rize was able to analyze the situation with ease…
'I could've dealt a hit to his jaw, one to his chest, two to his stomach… He kept his posture too open and didn't put enough momentum in his punch. His aim is not good, and he lacks fighting awareness… It would take me a second to completely knock him unconscious.' Rize's eyes turned sharp for a second, as his desire to execute the images in his mind reached a new level.
'Huh?!'
As Arthur threw another punch, for some reason, he suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. Then, for a moment, he could swear he saw a punch flying toward his face at lightning speed. It was an image that disappeared as quickly as it appeared, but it instantly made him freeze and almost lose his balance. His punch continued in its trajectory.
But, at the very last second, he jumped back, dodging the last hit. Exhaling, he calmed himself down as he controlled his intentions.
Arthur stared with wide eyes at Rize. 'What… was that…?' He asked in his head. 'Did he try to punch me, or was I hallucinating?'
"This is really not nice," Rize said as he sighed. "I don't want any fights. I have enough on my plate."
"..."
"..."
The trio stared at him as if he was some kind of alien.
'What the hell just happened?'
'How did he dodge Arthur's punches so easily?!'
'He didn't even look like he was trying!'
Their thoughts were mixed between shock, fear, and awe. They had never seen someone their age move like that before.
"You…" Arthur clenched his fists as he recovered from his shock and finally glared at Rize. "You two, pin him down… I won't be satisfied until I beat his irritating face."
"Wha-"
"Move!" Arthur yelled.
With their leader being completely outraged, the two immediately scurried forward as they attacked Rize. A part of them was hesitant. After all, what the hell did they just witness?!
Still, logically, two people are a lot harder to deal with than just one person. They shook their heads and attacked from two different angles at the same time, trying to corner Rize.
'Haha! What are you gonna do about this?!'
'You won't escape!'
They thought they caught him in a trap, but the moment they were inches away from grabbing him… Rize did something that completely blew their minds.
Using the back of his hands, he swiftly pushed Ethan's hands away. His movements were so gentle and yet so effective that by the time Ethan realized it, he was already going headfirst into his friend.
*BANG*
The two slammed into each other violently as they fell to the ground, holding their faces.
"Ugh! My nose!"
"What the hell, Ethan?!! My face!"
The two cried in pain as they rolled around on the ground. Rize looked at them silently for a second with a cold stare before he shook his head. "See what you made me do? I didn't want this to happen."
Arthur looked in pure shock. He didn't even understand what Rize had just done. He moved so quickly, and before he knew it, his friends were slamming into one another.
'Did he just change the direction of his movement with the back of his hands? How the hell did he do that? Who…'
"Who… the hell are you?" Arthur asked in disbelief. "What's your full name? S-State your full name immediately!"
"..." Rize stared at him silently before he started walking toward him. The boy instantly took a step back in fear. His intent to fight was gone. He didn't want to get hurt at all.
However, as he stepped back, Rize kept approaching him until the boy slammed against a wall and had nowhere to escape. He stared around in panic.
"D-Don't touch me! I swear if you do… I will make you regret it greatly! My father will hunt you down and make your life hell! You will never have a moment of peace ever again!" He yelled at the top of his lungs, his body shaking visibly.
Rize closed the distance between them and stared at him with an arrogant look on his face.
"..."
"I told you. I have no name. I'm nobody, sir." Rize said as he crouched down to Arthur's level. "You threatening me with your family's influence doesn't work. I'm nothing… Just another fleeting moment in your long and successful life. Let's not make that moment define who you are, ok? I don't want you regretting one second that could change everything for you." Rize smiled warmly as he tapped Arthur's face a few times while the boy broke sweat in fear.
That warm smile just didn't give warmth whatsoever. It made him even more terrified. He felt it in his bones… That boy would seriously hurt him beyond repair.
His heart raced as he gulped a mouthful of saliva. But before he could say anything, Rize stood up, dusted his clothes, and adjusted his suit before he started walking to the door. "Now, if you will excuse me, gentlemen. Enjoy your night."
As Rize opened the door and walked out, he finally exhaled a sigh of relief. 'Holy shit, that was so close. I almost beat the living hell out of these idiots. I'm so smart for making them hit each other rather than doing the offense myself. The camera in the room must've captured everything. It would appear as if the boy slipped and slammed into his own friend.'
"Sigh… I'm so tired of this."
"Those idiots definitely deserved a good beating. Maybe you should've done that."
"Ehhh, I don't want to get-" Rize froze as he replied to the sudden voice that spoke to him. His eyes shifted to the side, only to be met with fiery red hair and two sharp, strong eyes. "In trouble… Ummm…"
'What the hell is she doing here?! Did she listen to what happened?!' He yelled in his head.
It was none other than Rose Witherfield. The daughter of the Witherfield family and the second Heroine in the story. Yet, that Heroine was staring at him at that moment… Something that should not have happened.
"Hm, is that so?" She asked as she looked over her shoulder at the door. "I haven't seen your face around here before. Who are you?"
"..." Rize pursed his lips before he smiled wryly. "Just a nobody, really."