Adam eyed the dark blue notifications before him.
Unable to contain his delight, a subtle smirk broke out as the glow of the screen reflected in his eyes..
[Ding! For defeating someone with a third-grade class, without possessing a class, you have earned: x1 Qualification Upgrade Ticket.]
[Ding! For overcoming a dire situation, while in extremely poor physical condition, you have earned the skill: [Enhanced Stamina Recovery.] ]
[Ding! For fighting through the urge to surrender, when in a fatal situation, you have earned the skill: [Defiance] ]
[Ding! For stealing a living enemy's belonging, after defeating them, you have earned: x1 Item Duplication Ticket. ]
[Ding! For maintaining a streak in the arena, despite facing a dire enemy, you have earned the skill: [Steady] ]
[Ding! You have demonstrated notable mastery and experience with the halberd, you have earned the skill: [Halberd Mastery (Basic) ] ]
Adam could not help but blink as he read through the seeming blur of notifications, before him.
His gaze paused on the Qualification Upgrade Ticket.
He knew what the cheat selector ticket did, and how the skill usurper ticket worked, for the most part.
But, qualifications?
His immediate thought was that it would evolve him so to speak.
But, Adam was almost certain, that rather than an evolution, it may be closer to a extensive improvement but not so exhaustive.
His gaze lowering, his sight landed upon the Item Duplication Ticket.
Two new types of tickets, the qualification upgrade ticket and now this.
Thankfully, this ticket made far more sense.
His attention back to the skills, he felt grateful but slightly anxious.
He would not act brazenly, and try to fight out of his range, like many cultivation protagonists could do.
Adam mused. 'Realm leaping?'
Being outmatched in the arena by Jinna actually humbled him a bit.
He may be a hero, with a system but, he was still a fledgling.
Adam still had to work hard, and put the effort in to grow and challenge himself.
Otherwise, if he merely relied on his passive experience skill, he would not go anywhere, anytime soon.
Living passively, was not Adam's idea of an enjoyable life.
Adam having perused the list of notifications, he was about to view their descriptions, as he saw Yerlarain and Micheis appear.
He was swiftly dragged to the healer.
His wounds were so severe, that even after going, he would still need to recover back at the inn for a bit.
Now back there, after repeatedly telling them he would be okay, he looked at the descriptions for the items and skills.
[Qualification Upgrade Ticket: Through it's use, you can choose one skill, title or class to upgrade.]
[Enhanced Stamina Recovery: You are able to recover stamina slightly faster.]
[Defiance: You are able to strongly resist at the threat of losing your life, and what matters to you.]
[Item Duplication Ticket: Using it allows you to make a copy of an item you possess.]
[Steady: Your footing is more stable, allowing you to exert more force through the ground.]
[Halberd Mastery (Basic): You are slightly proficient in using a halberd, you can exert slightly more control and force when wielding a halberd.]
With the two tickets and four new skills, his growing anxiety nearly faded.
The qualification ticket was actually great.
However, a remnant of worry remained, because being overconfident could leave a blind spot one did not or could not see.
That, and he had little to be confident about, it is not like he had an overwhelming victory.
He won with an upset, as he put his remaining stat points into strength.
He was lucky, that's all.
Adam sighed, as he laid atop the bed.
His legs outstretched, and arms sprawled out, against the cold albeit comforting blanket.
Two weeks passed before Adam fully recovered from the battle against Jinna.
Adam in the mean time was brought food, to the exasperation of Micheis, by Yerlarain.
He examined Yerlarain's blushing face, who sat near him with a tray of food on her lap.
Adam had to shut that down soon.
Seeing her pure gaze, Adam exhaled.
He thought: 'Soon I will...'
His thoughts drifted to the arena, and fulfilling his promise.
"I should get back to the arena." He muttered.
Yerlarain's eyes narrowed slightly.
'She felt guilt, perhaps,' Adam analyzed, seeing a frown plastered on her face.
"I am fine, really." He affirmed.
"You nearly died, and you are so eager to do so again." Yerlarain replied.
Adam stated: "I am only eager to keep good on my word."
Sighing, she remarked: "Its not worth it for you."
Adam responded: "I know the value of the promise."
Her cheeks red, Yerlarain shrugging, said: "Fine. But if you need help, please, just ask."
Nodding, his eyes locked with her's, he smirked: "Sure."
Not much later, they arrived at the arena.
Adam gave a sheepish smile, as he arrived before the manager.
"I thought you would have lost, it was a close one, that's for sure." The manager mused, as he looked at Adam.
"I agree, but as I am still here, it could have been closer." Adam joked.
Scoffing, the manager said: "Another match, thrill seeker?"
"You bet." Adam replied.
It took an hour, but a match was set up for him.
Equipping his helm, his gauntlets scraping against his chestplate, he transitioned into a fighting stance.
His hand on his halberd's haft, his feet struck the sand, leaving footprints as he walked.
Passing through the hallway, the cheers of the audience chanted his name: "Adam! Adam! Adam!"
Breathing in, he walked to the center of the fighting pit.
His sight catching onto the figure that was his new opponent.
A tall man, their hair greying, wrapped up in a fur cloak, armor much like Jinna stood before him.
Unlike how Jinna wielded an axe, they wielded a tower shield in one hand, and a spear in the other.
Adam read the blue screen that detailed their information.
A sinking feeling in his fluttering in his gut, as he read the screen.
[Umbrul Farjard: Level 23, Human Shieldman, husband to Jinna Farjard, Arena Champion Runner Up.]
A storm right out of his recovery, huh?
His eyes narrowing, Umbrul approached him.
"Hey." The man remarked, lumbering over Adam, half a foot taller than Jinna.
Pausing, he said, "So you are the one who hurt my Jinna."
Resisting the urge to gulp, Adam replied: "Yeah, I defeated her."
Umbrul smiled wide, as he chuckled.
"I'm lucky, to face you, aren't I?" His lips turning downward, into a snarl.
"Adam, I shall break you." Umbrul declared.
Clenching his teeth, Adam barked: "Do your best to."
A surge of adrenaline ran through Adam's nerves.
He would not go down here.