BXBX NOVEL Chapter 157: Sparring with Roxana
Zeus narrowed his eyes, his initial confusion turning into suspicion. "What the...?" he muttered, glancing around. "This isn't what I expected."
Roxana spun on her heel to face him, her lips curling into a mischievous smirk. "Looks like I took the wrong road," she said, her voice playful but with an unmistakable edge of challenge in it.
Her eyes gleamed, practically daring him to question her. "But since we're already here, why don't you show me what you can really do?"
Zeus blinked, realization dawning on him. She hadn't brought him here by mistake. Not at all. She wanted to fight. "Damn it," he cursed under his breath, his suspicions confirmed. "She brought me here on purpose."
[Hah! You're only just figuring that out, genius?] the system chimed in, its tone dripping with mockery. [She's got you cornered, and you're standing there like a clueless idiot.]
Zeus clenched his jaw, trying his best to tune out the system's constant mocking. Roxana stood across from him, her arms crossed over her chest, wearing that smug, almost predatory grin.
She hadn't moved an inch, just watching him like a cat toying with its prey. Her eyes practically dared him to resist.
"Of course she wants a fight," Zeus thought, frustrated.
With a long, deliberate sigh, Zeus straightened up, meeting her gaze. "But I already used my power during the test," he said, trying to sound reasonable, even though he knew it was pointless. He was trying to deflect, and Roxana could see right through it.
Roxana's smirk didn't fade. If anything, it grew wider, more amused. Her fiery eyes narrowed slightly, filled with an intensity that could burn through him.
"Don't give me that bullshit," she snapped, her voice carrying a sharp edge that echoed through the arena. "You think I can't tell? I saw that display earlier, and you definitely weren't using your full power. So stop pretending."
Zeus opened his mouth to protest, but before he could speak, Roxana's aura flared to life. The air around them became stifling, thick with the raw, overwhelming heat of her volcanic power.
It felt like standing next to a volcano ready to erupt. The pressure was almost unbearable, even though he could tell she was holding back.
"Damn, she's not joking around," Zeus thought, feeling the heat prick at his skin.
[Oh, look at that! She's not playing nice!] the system chimed in, its voice thick with mocking amusement. [You thought you could weasel your way out of this, huh? Nice try, but she's got you by the throat now. Might as well give up. She's not taking 'no' for an answer.]
Zeus groaned internally. "I don't need your commentary right now."
[Come on, just go with the flow. Get pummeled a little, it'll be good for you. Builds character.] The system's tone was dripping with smugness, enjoying his predicament far too much.
Zeus let out another sigh, feeling resigned to his fate. He knew he couldn't get out of this, and the sooner he played along, the better. "Sure, if that's what Master wants," he said, his voice calm but laced with reluctant acceptance.
But as soon as Zeus stepped into the arena, he barely had time to process what was happening before Roxana launched herself at him. She didn't hesitate, didn't offer a warning. Her fist, blazing with volcanic energy, shot toward him at a terrifying speed.
Zeus's eyes widened. She's not even holding back! With a swift twist of his body, he managed to dodge by the thinnest margin. He felt the force of her blow rush past him, a hot wind whipping against his face as he narrowly avoided being flattened.
He quickly spun to position himself behind her, still catching his breath. "Damn it, Master, how can you be so petty?" he cursed, disbelief evident in his voice.
Roxana burst out laughing, the sound echoing off the arena walls. It wasn't a soft chuckle, but a deep, hearty laugh full of amusement.
"Petty? In battle, there's no room for pettiness—only winning and losing!" Her eyes gleamed with fierce joy. "Besides, I've suppressed my power to five-star just to make it more... interesting."
Zeus groaned, his frustration clear. "Master, I'm only at four-star!"
Roxana's smirk returned, sharper than ever. Her gaze locked onto him, her eyes almost daring him to complain further. "If you want to grow stronger, you need pressure, Zeus. Nothing pushes you to your limits like a real fight. You won't grow if you're comfortable with your power now."
Zeus could feel the weight of her words, but it didn't make the situation any less infuriating. He could only mutter under his breath, "Damn it, to think that you really this petty."
[Oh, poor baby,] the system chimed in, its voice dripping with sarcasm. [Master's being 'petty,' and you're only at four-star. Boo hoo. Maybe you should've trained harder, hmm?]
"Shut up," Zeus thought angrily, trying to refocus on the battle at hand.
[Don't worry,] the system continued, completely ignoring his annoyance. [She's doing you a favor. Think of it as a chance to 'grow' under extreme conditions! Isn't that what all the heroes do? Face near-death situations and magically get stronger?]
Zeus rolled his eyes, but deep down, he knew the system had a point. Roxana wasn't going to go easy on him, and the only way out of this was to fight back.
"Fine," he thought, preparing himself for the next attack. "Let's see how far I can push myself."