Chapter 17

  { Sparks of Love }

  In front of a ten-story building.

  Gamma Arts Academy.

  There were many beautiful flags fluttering with the wind, representing all the countries of the modern world, in addition to a distinctive black flag bearing the academy’s emblem and the words Gamma Arts in large print.

  The building was adorned with a magnificent architectural design, and a huge number of modern cars were lined up outside, along with high-level security and many guards spread across every spot.

  Entering this place required a lot of paperwork and calls… but Ian was someone special, and so he entered easily.

  “Welcome, Mr. Ian… President Peter is waiting for you on the top floor with a special guest.”

  Said the security chief respectfully.

  “Alright.” Ian lowered the car window and closed his eyes again.

  The car reached its spot, and the driver stepped out to open the door for Ian.

  Inside the building.

  The floors were almost empty now…

  Not completely, but there were no training sessions taking place at this time.

  Training was held in the morning… along with some yoga classes in the evening and a bit of interaction and lectures, some of which were happening now…

  Everyone recognized Ian the moment he entered and came to greet him.

  Ian was a figure of global level… but not that famous — combat sports like boxing were nowhere near as popular as football, or Ian wouldn’t have been able to walk in the streets.

  On the top floor, which was a large private space:

  Elegant chairs.

  A swimming pool.

  A large bar.

  A neat servant and… Peter, who resembled a bear.

  A huge, bald, muscular man wearing a black T-shirt that made his muscles stand out even more…

  And beside him, the special guest — an elegant woman with black hair tied into a ponytail, sipping tea like a noblewoman from past centuries.

  “You finally came.” Peter laughed and hugged him.

  “Let me go, I’m dying.” Ian said with difficulty.

  “Idiot.” Peter smacked him on the head and gestured to the lady.

  This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

  “You know her.”

  “How could I not know the most popular singer in the country?” Ian smiled and shook her hand.

  The woman responded likewise. “It’s an honor to meet one of the top three boxers in the entire world.”

  “And my girlfriend,” Peter cut in quickly.

  Ian’s expression froze. He looked at Peter in a rush, then back at the beautiful woman who only smiled and didn’t reply.

  “You’re lucky,” Ian said, pulling his hand back quickly.

  "Sweetheart… what do you think?" Peter asked.

  The woman looked at Ian from top to bottom. "I doubt he’s capable this time… You already know… the rules will change. There will no longer be any concern for weight, height, size, age, or even the style. Everyone will fight in an open battle (Boxing, Kung Fu, Jujitsu, Karate…) and the winner is simply the strongest."

  She paused for a moment before continuing, "He got second place last year… but this year, reaching the fifties would already be impressive."

  "Miss Gina," Ian said, interrupting her, "it seems my friend forgot to mention something to you."

  "And what is that?" Gina asked.

  "Ian!" Peter frowned.

  Ian ignored him. "I don’t fight anymore."

  "Why? Are you scared because of what happened to you last year?" The woman smiled with a hint of mockery. "Injuries aren’t strange to fighters."

  "That’s my business," Ian shook his head indifferently. "Whether I’m scared or not is none of your concern."

  "Ian!" Peter shouted.

  "Your friend seems rude," Gina said calmly. "So why don’t we make a bet?"

  "On what?" Ian asked.

  "I have a fighter… last year’s Karate champion. Defeat him, and I’ll change my mind."

  "I should fight just to change your opinion?" Ian looked at her. "As if your opinion matters to me."

  "Ian, enough," Peter yelled.

  "My friend, you know me," Ian smiled. "When I don’t like someone, I say it directly. And I’ll crush anyone who touches what matters to me."

  "It seems you think too highly of yourself," Gina mocked.

  "And I don’t like loud voices," Ian said coldly.

  She was a singer—so it was an intentional jab.

  "At least my voice is loud, not my ego… while you’re lower than a worm."

  Ian smiled. "At least I’ll live… Save your energy for yourself, because you don’t even compare to that worm."

  "Really? Why don’t we try?" she replied coldly.

  "Good… you and me." Ian clenched his fist, and in that moment, the air changed.

  The sound was strong enough to startle the woman.

  She was a singer… she enjoyed lights and sounds, but for some reason, she suddenly felt as if the hand of death was gripping her throat… as if the person standing before her was the messenger of death who had come for her.

  Her heart trembled, and fear appeared on her face for a moment before she said coldly, "Save your energy… someone will come to break your teeth."

  "Not interested," Ian scoffed and stood up.

  "Ian," Peter called out.

  "I came for you, my friend. But… as I said and will keep saying… I don’t like this woman. Once you kick her out, come to my place so we can sit for a bit. I’m leaving."

  "Ian!" Peter shouted again.

  "Your friend is rude," Gina stood and prepared to leave.

  Peter stood between them, staring at this one and that one, not knowing what to do.

  …

  In the car.

  Ian was frowning…

  His face full of worry.

  Was what I saw real?

  Ian remembered the scene.

  The moment he touched Gina’s hand, a vision appeared in his mind.

  He saw Gina stabbing his friend’s heart with a black poison-coated dagger and killing him while Peter’s eyes held one simple question: Why…?

  His shock back then had nothing to do with the word “sweetheart” Peter used… he had simply been hiding the shock of what he saw.

  What did I see… and why did I see it… and is it real or not?

  That woman… every time I look at her, I feel unjustified anger and deep hatred… is it because of this vision?

  Damn it… why did I even see it?

  And why now… and why didn’t anything appear during the last two days in the game if it was because of it (the game)? And if it wasn’t, and was something spiritual instead, then why didn’t it show itself during the past 22 years?

  Why now?

  The questions struck Ian’s mind, and he stood there, frozen and silent.

  Until he reached home.

  As soon as he arrived, he entered the game, trying to forget the matter.

  *******

  On the other side.

  Gina raised her phone and said calmly,

  "Michael… one bullet, and I don’t want to hear anything else about this so-called Ian. But… remember, I have nothing to do with it so I don’t lose Peter, because I need him right now."

  "Alright," a cold, emotionless voice replied.

  Gina lowered her phone and said with icy calm, "You will learn in hell that there are certain people you should never offend."