In Akutara, wrestling is more than just a fight, it's a deeply rooted tradition, a test of both physical strength and mental fortitude. From the time we are children, we are trained in the art of wrestling.
It's taught as a way of life, not just a sport. The basics are simple: use your body, your mind, and the environment to outmaneuver your opponent.
But the deeper you go, the more complex it becomes.
Our wrestling is different from the flashy moves you might see in other parts of the world. There are no ropes, no distractions—just you and your opponent in a wide, open space.
The arena is a cleared circular patch of ground, often surrounded by the people of the village, who gather to watch. It's a part of the social fabric, people come not only to witness strength but to see how a person carries themselves under pressure.
The fight itself starts with a stance, where each wrestler assumes a low, wide position. This stance is crucial. From here, they can move quickly in any direction.
The first move is often testing the other's balance; small pushes or shifts to see how steady they are. But once contact is made, the fight moves fast.
There's a lot of gripping and grabbing. Grabbing the arms, legs, or shoulders, trying to throw the opponent off balance or twist them into a vulnerable position.
The goal is to unbalance them enough to force them to the ground or pin them in a way that they can't move.
It's not just about strength; it's about knowing when to apply force and when to use technique. We are taught to read the body of the opponent, to notice even the slightest shift in their weight or movements.
A wrestler might look slow, but if they know how to use their body and timing, they can take down someone much stronger. This is where the art of wrestling becomes like a chess match.
It's all about strategy, patience, and waiting for the right moment to act.
One of the most important techniques is called iji. It's a move where a wrestler uses their opponent's momentum against them, grabbing an arm or leg and quickly turning it into a toss or throw.
It's a delicate balance of control. If you don't time it right, you could end up the one on the ground.
Another key aspect is endurance.
The fight can last anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes, and the longer it drags on, the more important stamina becomes.
A wrestler who tires out early risks losing their balance and focus, leaving them open to a decisive strike or throw.
The mental aspect of the fight is just as important. A wrestler has to have control over their own emotions; fear, anger, or even excitement can throw off their judgment.
In Akutara, we value calmness and clear thinking during a fight. A true wrestler is someone who can remain focused even when the pressure is on.
This is why we practice the mental side of the sport just as much as the physical. We're taught how to remain calm, how to read an opponent's next move, and how to stay one step ahead in the fight.
When a match is over, it's not just about who won, it's about how you fought.
Did you display skill? Did you show resilience? Did you make the crowd respect you?
That's what truly matters in Akutara wrestling. And for us, the fight never ends. Whether you win or lose, you always learn and grow from each encounter.
There were no taunts or backbiting after a match as both sides had shown an admirable match.
As I watched the crowd's energy pulse in the air, the atmosphere thick with anticipation, I called out to the system in my mind. "Status."
The familiar interface flickered into view as its translucent window hovered before me.
The details of my status appeared quickly:
[STATUS]
Name: Obinna
Strength: 12
Stamina: 12
Agility: 14
Intelligence: 16
Wisdom: 18
Endurance: 12
Charisma: 15
Spirit: 20
I ran my eyes over the stats, mentally processing each one. Strength was important, but endurance, agility, and stamina were crucial for the style of wrestling we practiced in Akutara.
While I may not be the strongest, my stats were higher than the average adult, which gave me a slight edge over some of those around me.
But then, a thought hit me. This was just mine after I got the system, what about Ikenna's? Or Okoro's?
Damn.
Now looking at the crowd who all had their eyes trained on me, I couldn't help but wonder. They had seen me wrestle before, but this was different.
This was a test, not just of physical power, but of my growth. The system had given me advantages, yes, but how far would it take me? I wasn't sure.
And to make matters worse, Okoro isn't even the village strongest. If I wanted to complete the Side Quests: Test of Strength, I have to challenge someone at Nze Amaechi's level.
I blinked away the interface and stepped forward. I could feel the eyes of the villagers on me, all waiting to see what I would do next.
Okoro gave me a nod, a silent acknowledgment of the stakes we both now faced.
He didn't look rattled, not one bit. If anything, he seemed eager, as though he had been waiting for a reason to truly test me.
The air was thick with tension as my feet felt rooted to the ground as I sized him up, matching his stance. He was bigger than me, more muscle packed onto his frame, his arms like tree trunks.
But I wasn't intimidated. If I was going to win, I needed to focus on the techniques I had seen, the ones that would exploit his weaknesses, not just rely on raw strength.
"Let's do this," I muttered, more to myself than anyone else.
Okoro took a step forward. His arms raised slightly, his posture lowering into the fighting stance that was universal in Akutara. His eyes met mine, and I saw the challenge there.
He wasn't playing around. I could feel the weight of the moment.
The crowd's murmurs faded as the two of us locked eyes. For a brief moment, there was only the sound of our breathing, steady and synchronized.
Then, without warning, Okoro lunged forward.
I quickly shifted to the side, just barely avoiding his grasp. He was fast, but I could tell that he wasn't yet fully committed. This wasn't a wild charge; it was a measured approach.
He was testing my reactions. I stepped back, finding my footing as he circled me.
Fast, but not enough, I thought to myself, and as if the system had read my mind, a prompt popped up:
[DING]
[Eyes of Insight activated]
[Skill: Iji Unlocked]
A wrestling move designed to use the opponent's momentum against them appeared in my head as though I'd been using it all my life.
Which I had but not perfect. Now, I felt I could do it with little to no effort.
With that in mind, I didn't hesitate as my mind quickly calculated Okoro's next move and, just as he lunged again, I gripped his wrist, using his force to twist and leverage my body weight against him.
I dropped low, pulling him toward me, and in a fluid motion, I shifted my weight and sent him stumbling backward.
The crowd gasped in surprise. Okoro was caught off guard, but he quickly regained his balance, his eyes flashing with respect, and maybe a hint of annoyance.
It had been a smooth move, one that felt almost too easy. But I wasn't finished. I knew this was just the beginning. I needed to press forward while I had the advantage.
So I launched forward, circling around him. Okoro's large frame made him easy to predict, but it also made him formidable. He didn't move as fluidly as I did, which meant that I could tire him out if I kept up the pressure.
He'd underestimated me, and I couldn't let him adjust too quickly.
Another strike came, but this time, I anticipated it. I ducked under his extended arm and wrapped my legs around his, pulling him off balance.
My grip tightened around his torso, and with a twist of my body, I threw him to the ground.
The crowd went wild, the roars echoing through the village square. It wasn't a clean win yet, but the momentum had shifted.
Okoro was now on his back, his breathing heavier as he struggled to get up. I stood above him, breathing steadily, my muscles aching.
"Impressive, Obinna," Okoro muttered, a mix of admiration and grudging respect in his voice.
I smiled, but there was no time for celebration yet. The match wasn't over, and I wasn't foolish enough to think I had already won.
Okoro was strong, stronger than most, and he would come back with everything he had.
This was my chance to prove something not just to him, but to myself. In this life, strength was necessary if I am to bring my people to greater heights.
So I intend to keep winning