Niran ran a hand over the back of his neck, the sweat still fresh from his clash with Thanom. The roar of the crowd faded as he left the ring, descending the stairs toward the exit of the underground arena.
But before he could leave, a calm yet firm voice stopped him:
"Follow me."
The elegant man who had bet on him was watching with a faint smile. There was something in his gaze that prevented Niran from refusing.
Without a word, Niran followed him through a side corridor, away from the noise of the crowd. They entered a room furnished with minimal taste: a dark wooden table, two leather chairs, and a small lamp casting soft shadows on the walls.
The man sat naturally, crossing his legs. With a gesture of his hand, he invited Niran to do the same.
"My name is Chai," he finally said. "I was a close friend of your master. That's why I'm here."
The words hit Niran like a punch to the stomach. He stared at him, his heart quickening.
"You... knew him?" he asked, keeping his voice as steady as possible.
"Very well. He and I shared a vision of combat: not just as a tool of victory, but as a discipline, as an art." Chai paused for a moment, studying Niran intently. "But Jirapat, on the other hand, chose another path. The path of power at any cost. By the time I discovered his betrayal, it was already too late."
Niran clenched his fists. The hatred for Jirapat still burned in his chest.
"And why did you bet on me?" he asked. "Don't tell me it was just for the money."
Chai smiled. "Of course not. I have connections with the Leeches. I used those connections to test you. I wanted to see if you were worthy of your master."
Niran stiffened. "And am I?"
Chai took a moment before answering. "Your style doesn't resemble his at all. Your master was methodical, structured. You, on the other hand, fight with instinct and adaptability. You're unpredictable."
Niran wasn't sure how to take those words. On one hand, being different from his master didn't mean being inferior. On the other, he wondered what the old man would think of him now.
Chai leaned slightly forward. "I want to offer you an alliance."
Niran raised an eyebrow. "An alliance?"
"We both want the same thing: to see Jirapat fall. I have the information and resources to help you. You have the potential to defeat him. If we combine forces, we can bring him down."
Niran remained silent for a moment. He had spent the last few weeks chasing Jirapat, dreaming of the day he would defeat him and avenge his master. Now, someone was offering him a concrete opportunity to do so.
"And what do you want in return?" he finally asked.
Chai smiled. "Only for you to win."
Niran stared at Chai, the weight of the decision on his shoulders, knowing that accepting this alliance would change his fate.