"You must have a death wish, old man!" Rodney sneered, watching Gordon stretch nonchalantly.

Gordon glanced up at him with a twisted grin. "Young man, trying to provoke me before the fight even starts? Clever move, but it won't change the outcome—you'll still die."

Rodney's face tensed, but he smirked coldly. "You want my life? We'll see if you have what it takes."

With a low growl, Rodney charged forward, closing the distance in two powerful strides. He executed a low sweeping kick aimed at Gordon's legs, trying to break his balance.

Andrew stood between Lauren and Francesca, shaking his head slightly. "Rodney sure lives up to his reputation as the heir of Madblade Martial Academy. His strategy is leagues better than what guys like Harvey would come up with. However, against absolute strength, strategy won't matter."

Gordon's hunched figure, with a large lump on his back, made him seem slow and physically limited. Rodney's choice to target his legs first seemed smart—if he c