“How did it go?” Steven asked as soon as he saw Nick sitting down next to him.

“Disgusting. Good that you didn’t come.” Nick said with contempt, “These people are sick in their heads and even the guy who lost to me tried to follow intending to kill after the match. Anyway, how are you doing? Any findings?”

“Actually, yes.” Steven smiled while still staring at the castle, “I think there is a periodical regular opening in the wall patrols. I’ll tell you tomorrow evening after I confirm it. Although it might be an intentional trap as well, who knows – we can’t take any chances.”

“You have finally calmed down, thank god!” Nick had a sigh of relief hearing his friend was capable of pragmatic analysis and patted him on the shoulder.

“As always you were right, I have to stay calm for us to succeed. Even with you being as good as you are, you are not omnipotent.” Steven nodded.

They chatted for a bit more and Nick went back to the inn to eat and rest. Although he didn’t exert himself physically at all, it was very taxing psychologically and since tomorrow he’ll have three fights, he had to be at full strength – not every opponent would be like the clown he had today.

His friends both came back long after dark, tired, but satisfied. Clayton managed to arrange twelve horses near the eastern exit from the city, but Steven with shining eyes claimed he had found a weakness in patrols on the castle walls. Every two hours there was a couple minute interval when it was possible to scale the wall with no one noticing. He had no idea if it was possible to proceed further through the castle grounds, but this discovery was worth a lot. Steven still had to make sure it worked the same way at night and on the furthest – the southern side of the castle, because even if Nick managed to get the girls out, they had to go downstream and it would be foolish to climb out on the northern side just to swim by the eyes of the guards, even if it was at night.

Since it looked like they had found a way and time to leave the castle, Nick needed to create more of his ‘stealth powder’. He will have to enter and leave at least three times and he intended to cover in a thick layer of powder himself and the respective girl he will escort out. Also, he needed a ton of clothes as well, to change into dry attire every time he entered the castle grounds since he’ll get wet on his way to the island.

Clayton decided to shoulder the responsibility and do the necessary purchases while Steven still had his spying mission to perform. Nick also suggested Steven could try to figure out how to give him some light signal during the nighttime so he could know when it was safe to enter or leave.

While the other two had a lot to think about, Nick forced himself to go to bed. It would be too foolish to loose his only life the next day just because he didn’t have enough sleep.

The next morning he woke up early, but the other two had already left.

‘They really see a hope in all of this!’ Nick smiled to himself. The three of them knew that the plan was completely insane and desperate, but despite not being fully formed on the situation within the castle, no one intended to give up.

After a light breakfast, Nick proceeded to the arena nearby only to find himself in the same bustling atmosphere like yesterday. The only difference was – this time he had to wait only an hour before it was his turn to have his first fight. Still, everything was the same – the crazed spectators, the blood on the ground and the bloodshot eyes of the participants.

Nick gave his token upon entering the fighting ring to find his opponent impatiently standing in front of him with a drawn sword. This person wasn't an arrogant clown like the one yesterday, but more like a battle maniac, who was ready to cut down anyone in his path.

This time Nick drew the dagger and squatted a little, ready to jump forward as soon as the battle started. His opponent actually did the same and since Nick didn’t have much real fighting experience, he got a bit lost on how to proceed next. ‘Normal’ scenario would be to win with his speed, but the youth in front of him seemed to use similar tactics.

After the signal they dashed at each other their weapons clashing with Nick parrying the incoming sword swing which was a tad faster than he could safely dodge. After his swing was parried, the opponent didn’t intend to slow down as he tried to stab Nick in the chest, but this time Nick managed to find his rhythm and while automatically performing his Wakizashi style and taking a half step forward, he slashed a shallow wound on the opponent’s waist and immediately after that punched his left knee causing the sword stab to miss. The opponent lost his balance dropping on the knee with sword up in the sky after the missed the stab and Nick simply cut under his outstretched arm two times and then retreated a couple of meters to have a safe distance.

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The half kneeling youth stared at Nick with angry eyes, but couldn’t get up. Nick’s punch was infused with Qi and he broke or fractured few bones in the opponents leg. Also, the youth couldn’t raise his right arm anymore and clumsily tried to hold the sword in the left hand.

When Nick saw that arena master didn’t intend to stop the fight, he asked, “Do I have to kick him out to win?”

Arena master, without any change in his expression, answered, “Your opponent hasn’t given up yet and is still in the ring.”

Nick sighed at the cruelty and after taking two steps towards the kneeling opponent, parried the awkward incoming sword swing and simply knocked him out. Then took the new token from the arena master and left while falling deep in thoughts.

‘I have to learn to accept the cruelty of this place otherwise I’ll die! After those two cuts under his arm, I could’ve finished with a stab in the waist and then moved behind his back to stab or slit his throat. This person would’ve never let me off – I can’t be this soft!’ He was trying to learn from the recent experience.

Nick’s judgment was absolutely correct, except that his peace loving nature and the civilized upbringing screamed against everything he had to do here. Suddenly he had an enlightenment.

‘What if I finally don’t think about anything that happens here and only concentrate on the Qi flow? I’ll let my reflexes and techniques work on their own and without forceful interruptions from my own mind, I might even perform flawlessly!’

From his own experience he learned something that was told to the very beginners by their teachers. This was why madam Salma found him hilarious. He had a decent talent and was hardworking, but being self-taught normally didn’t work at all, especially in combat and weapon techniques.

There were two more rounds today and he had to calm down his feelings. Arena assistant showed him to a place where participants were gathered, waiting for the next round. When some of them saw Nick walking over, they laughed and told him that the exit is in the opposite direction and the ones who gave up on their fights are not welcomed. Nick obviously didn’t pay attention to those and sat down at the wall nearby and closed his eyes. Several other contestants were already doing the same and the ones who teased him before soon lost their interest when new people arrived – some tired, some smiling and some injured.

‘Madam Salma told me to practice Qi in everything I do. Why am I trying to be a busybody and think of humanitarian values here, in this ‘dog eats dog’ world? These people have come here to kill each other and that has nothing to do with me! I’ll just practice my Wakizashi style! And if someone dies because of it, so be it – they came on their own accord. Moreover, some day these guys potentially might be high ranked generals in the Nestri empire’s army. Maybe I have to think strategically as well for my home that is the Sun kingdom and the people who I love?’

It might be some self persuasion or finding the right reasons for fighting, but Nick finally didn’t feel any repulsive feelings against killing these people around him, at least consciously and at least for now. It might be the result of surrounding atmosphere as well, but it didn’t matter anymore. King Alexander Maxwell would be happy for him maturing while his teacher, master Marozzo, would’ve shaken his head and murmured ‘what a waste’ just like when he found out that Nick took a dagger as his weapon and not a sword.

Time flew by and in three and a half hours the round was over. It was exactly two times shorter than the first round and every next one was to be be cut in half as well.

Finally Nick could predict when it will be his turn to fight next since the people who finished first had their turn earlier. And half an hour later he was called in to fight as expected.

This time Nick didn’t bother thinking. He gave his token to the arena master, then quickly assessed the opponent and, after the signal, took two steps forward, evaded the opponent’s right handed slashing attack while ducking almost to the floor towards his left and the straightening up, at the same time slashing opponents knee, thigh, waist and the armpit in quick succession while holding his dagger in the reverse grip. With his opponent still dazed, Nick continued his movement upwards with a hit on the opponent’s chin with the right knee. After this he instantly retreated three steps behind the opponent only to see him lifelessly fall to the ground.

The whole action took a bit over a second, but Nick still wasn’t satisfied and analyzed, ‘The slash on the thigh was unnecessary, because his right leg was crippled after the strike on his knee. Alright, I’ll improve this combo if someone next time performs such slow slash from their right.’

While thinking, he automatically took the winner’s token and proceeded to the exit under the cheers of the audience. Even though the fight was quick, to those paying attention during that one moment, it was still beautiful and even bloody enough.

This time he was not brought outside, but in a long hall with a high ceiling, right under the arena spectator seats. There were few dozens of youths already waiting and resting, and, when few of them noticed the newcomer, they got surprised and excited at the same time. An inexperienced kid managed to pass the third round and it could be their turn to face him next! What luck!

The bustling activity woke Nick up from his thoughts and despite the confusion he instantly noticed that the opponent pairing was not as random as he thought earlier. A young participant in extravagant armor almost openly went up to the guarding arena master and gave him something while pointing at Nick. The arena master took the bribe and nodded, while the rich youth pretended to not have done anything and leisurely went back to his spot. Few others who had similar intention noticed they were late and turned their attention to the other newcomers to ‘snatch’ good opponents for the next round as well.

This whole incident aroused scorn from some other participants who were not as rich or had more self respect, but most didn’t care. Nick didn’t care either since the next opponent will be only the next practice target. And since he already knew who the opponent was, he could visualize and practice some tactics in his mind in advance.