บท 14: An Unexpected Discovery
Raeja pawed at the sheets covering Cas. "Five more minutes...." Rolling over, Cas attempted to fall back to sleep. Grumbling, Raeja bit the thin fabric, with a flick of his strong neck Raeja ripped it free. Cas sat up, sleep covering his eyes, "Ah man, come on, I never wake you up so rudely!" With great effort, Cas crawled from his bed. Today was the second round of the tournament. Having skipped yesterdays affairs to spend the evening with the Orc Royals, Cas had no clue who his opponent would be today. "Guess we better find Felix. You better not be hungry, after last night I'm not so sure I can eat again this week..." Raeja responded with an angry roar. Cas had known the lion was ready for another meal. The big cat could eat you out of house and home. "I'm kidding big fella, you might eat me if I don't keep you fed!" As they started for the exit, Cas noticed a silver chest tucked in the corner. Opening it revealed an assortment of valuables.
Equipment: Mithril Breastplate of Illusion ( Silver ) +40 defense -Usable skill- Deliverance, Creates a shield that repels all damage for 3 seconds (Cooldown 10 minutes)
Item: Technique Enhancement Scroll- Upgrade any common skill by one rank.
Pleased, Cas stored the breastplate and headed out the door.
It wasn't hard to find Felix. Cas' quarters inside the Ludus was next to the training yard, Felix was there, drilling the students.
"Sleeping beauty awakens! Boys, I want you all to take a good, hard look at our champion, the pride of Lararia, Casimiro! Train hard, and you may someday experience triumph on the sands. Continue your exercises, I'll return in an hour, absolutely no breaks!" With his commands laid out, Felix turned, motioning for Cas to follow. They headed upstairs to Eleutiro's quarters.
As they entered the brash Dominus rose, "Ah, I trust you are well rested for today. Your match will conclude combat for the day. After defeating the Orc with such ease, I expect similar results from todays bout. Your opponent is a Centaur, Zeratuis the Unslaved. A mighty warrior from the plains of Rivermora, his kind have been hunted for ages. Zeratuis has slain more would be captors than anyone cares to admit. Leading an army of his kind, the centaur managed to conquer a few minor cities, slaying all those inside. It's said that his band of centaurs number in the thousands. Expect a worthy fight. The monster is highly intelligent and well versed in combat. He wields a brilliant partisan embued with power from the wind. You're a five to one underdog, even after your flawless display, nonbelievers abound. We will surely pocket all their coin on this day! Let's make our way to the coliseum and watch the matches!"
Viewing the field from the stands, Cas could smell the crowds bloodlust. Many attendees wished him dead for sparing Xujarek. Typically, life and death were as much the crowds choice as the victor's, Cas had robbed them of their voice by sparing his life. Caught somewhere between awe and disgust, Cas settled into his seat. Raeja was below, being fed and groomed, Eleutiro had provided his retinue with a bevy of fine dishes. Cas peeled an orange as the announcers voice rang out.
"Greetings, ladies and gentlemen! The quarterfinal matches are about to begin! Prepare your senses to experience an overload of excitement. Blood will muddy the sand here today! In our first match, hailing from Sworbur Swamp, you know him well, the devious eleven rogue, Rellius The Relentless!!!"
Cheers sprang up among the crowd. It seemed this rogue had many fans amongst the stands. More than like many had wagered their coin on him.
"HIS OPPONENT! Representing Emperor Gardianus' First Legion, Vopicus Vergilous!!!"
Hatred flowed from the lips of the crowd. Eleutiro explained that many peasants dispised the current Emperor for all the unfair laws he enacted. Dissension brewed in most cities outside the capital. In the eyes of the crowd, this legionaire represented the thumb holding them down. Who would cheer for that!
As the battle began, Vopicus wasted no time rushing his opponent. The man weilded a greatsword half as big as he was. Silver shined in the harsh sunlight, suddenly a shadow flashed across the sands. Rellius seemingly disappeared in the sand, Cas leaned in, taking a closer look.
Vopicus startled by the sudden lack of opponent spun, checking his blindside for the rogue. Cas could clearly see a shadow circling the legionaire. It was some trick of the eye. How did Vopicus not
see the shadow as well? Without warning, the sound of steel biting into steel rang out. Rellius had struck, appearing from thin air to drive a blade into the lower back of Vopicus. The huge legionaire roared, swinging his greatsword with lightning speed. Rellius dodged effortlessly. Vopicus gave chase, sending well-timed slashes at the elf, who was backpedaling almost causally. A thin trail of blood chased Vopicus, who was expending energy at an exhorbant rate. When Rellius reached the wall, he bumped it with his back. There was nowhere left to go. Vopicus raised his greatsword, murder filling his eyes. Faster than light, Rellius leapt, springing off the wall to land behind his opponent. Vopicus sword struck the stone wall as Rellius buried his blades in his back. A scream momentarily filled the air, activating some technique, Rellius' blades became a tornado of steel, shredding the legionaire into a spray of blood and flesh.
The crowd roared in approval, chanting Rellius! Rellius! Rellius!
"YOUR WINNER, RELLIUS THE RELENTLESS!"
Eleutiro looked grim, "Cas, I'd rather you not face that one in the next round..."
Saying nothing, Cas pondered what he had witnessed. The next match was much closer. A reptilian managed to defeat an archer after being struck with dozens of arrows.
"Entering the arena, self-proclaimed prince of bandits, Donilus Danzer!"
Amongst a corner of the coliseum, a vivacious contingent rang out. Cas thought that these must be the bandits he was the so-called prince of.
"HIS OPPONENT, Legatus Speratus has commanded his captive to fight for his freedom! Captured whilst sneaking into our mighty land, hailing from the Krosian Empire, The Wolf of Waverly, Alric Cloudthorn!
Cas' eyes nearly popped free from their sockets. He sprung to his feet, amazement overcame him, it was unbelievable... Above Alric's head was an indicator, a player indicator... How could this be, Cas had assumed he was all alone, yet before his very eyes stood another player. He had to reach him, to talk, what was this man's story? A thousand questions raced through Cas' mind.
Below, the howl of a wolf filled the arena. A great black beast dashed across the sands, barreling towards the self-proclaimed prince of bandits. He's a beast master too... Alric drew a magnificent longsword from its scabbard, silvery light reflected off the blade. Donilus fought bravely, yet the battle lasted less than two minutes. It was like looking into a mirror. Their styles were eerily similar. Should they meet the sands would burn with blood.
"Best you head below." Felix's hand squeezed Cas' shoulder.
Eleutiro walked over, " Win this one quickly, just as that Alric did. We can't let Speratus outshine us."
"I'll do my best." Cas wasn't sure he could defeat the centaur at all, let alone in two minutes.."
Descending into the hypogeum Cas searched for signs of Alric, all fighters prepared below, hidden away in some room, was another human... Time to focus, checking his Mind Menu, Cas realized he still had the allocable points from his last match. He rose Raeja's level to 9, with 35 points, he added 10 to intelligence, twenty to dexterity. and five to strength. Cas added the remaining 2600 experience to his own bar. Reaching level 8 he received 23 points, 15 to defense and the remaining 8 to intelligence. While in the menu, Cas checked his skills, deciding to upgrade wallop with the scroll. The technique became Slash.
Ability: Slash "A precision attack, using diagonal swings of the sword to inflict maximum damage, Damage is equal to Strength multiplied by 2.5. May inflict bleed damage, 20 damage per second for 10 seconds.
"Ladies and Gentleman, the final match of the evening pits the rising star of Adanano, Ludus Lararia's own, CASIMIRO! Raeja pranced, seemingly enjoying the adoration of the crowd. Cas checked his equipment, the ebony bullant whip was attached to his hip. Drawing Severance, Cas causally took center stage. Raising his sword to the sky, the crowd erupted.
"His opponent, The pride of his species, a danger to any man or beast who dares cross his path, a slave only to his own desires, Zeratuis the Unslaved! As the gate opened, the centaur galloped out, his partisan held high above his head, the beast circled the arena, drawing a chorus of boos. "I'll be sure to earn your jeers when I spill this boy's life blood upon the sand." Zeratuis took his place opposite Cas. Staring into each others eyes. Disdain radiated off the centaur, he would find no mercy in this one. The crowd shook the coliseum with their collective voice, drowning all of Cas' thoughts out. Through the uproar, there was one sound above all, a lions roar!
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