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***Zoren***

Seven years.

That’s how much time passed since I was sold to the gladiator’s school.

Caught for stealing from someone I shouldn’t have, I had been given two choices. My hands or the arena. It was an obvious choice in my opinion. What could I even do without my hands? Die of hunger?

So, here I was, living a life where I had no joy other than that of taking a shit. The rest of the time was spent on training, training, and then more training. It was torturous. I sometimes wonder if it wouldn’t have been easier to just die of hunger.

That’s certainly not a problem here, I thought as I swallowed down the disgusting thing they gave us to eat. Though maybe dying of hunger was better than this.

I could hear all my other ‘colleagues’ talk around me as they too downed the disgusting slop.

They told us our diet was to build up and reinforce our physique, but while it was probably also thanks to this that I survived until now, I certainly didn’t enjoy it.

I doubt anyone would.

Some of those that had actually starved at least once before told me this was much more preferable, though, so maybe I should feel happy that I could eat at least.

And of course, not every food was this disgusting.

But damn. Couldn’t they have made it just a little more appetizing?

I heard from another gladiator that there were also ground bones or ashes inside this thing. I didn’t want to believe it, but I couldn’t readily dismiss the possibility given how disgusting it tasted.

I didn’t ask which other repulsive ingredient they used.

Just chug it down. You don’t need to know what’s what. It’s good for you, Zoren.

Or at least, that was my mantra.

It somewhat helped.

Fortunately, I didn’t think it would take much more before I was free of this shitty life and its revolting food.

I was finally given permission to complete my quest, so I could finally rise above level forty.

All it took was signing another contract with a noble.

It could only take effect after I was freed from the slave contract, but I was sure it wouldn’t take much before they pulled me out of here.

After all, fights above level forty became a little too dangerous for the audience, so after I proceeded to the next Level, it wouldn’t be long before I was let out.

And then, I could finally have a good life. I’d have to work, sure, but it would be a thousand times better than now.

I couldn’t wait.

In the meantime, while I waited for the agreed time to complete my quest, I just had to follow the orders of Lord Velin and make his life easier here.

And it wasn’t even too much of a problem. It wasn't like there was anything to do aside from being menacing while he threatened people or the occasional ‘investigation’ he sent us to do.

It’s a bit of a hassle to go around asking questions, especially after a day of hard training, but I can bear with it.

I couldn'd refuse anyway.

So, that’s why I was eating alone near a group of gladiators in the middle of a discussion. I was waiting for a good time to interject before I could ask my questions.

This time, me and a few others were investigating a guy named Bart.

There wasn’t much info to dig out, actually. He was a war slave, he wasn’t too skilled, his level was thirty-four, he had been a slave for a few years, and no one important cared about him.

The noble was a careful guy, though, so he told us to check one last time.

When I finished talking to the guys I got nothing new, as expected, so I went to report back.

“Good, the others said about the same. I can have some fun then.” Said Lord Velin.

And by fun, he meant tormenting a kid a few years younger than him.

I wasn’t a fan of his preferred pastimes, but I also didn’t care enough to be bothered. It wasn’t like it would do me any harm, and if he was happy with my performance, then all the better.

It didn’t take much time for the noble to arrange his ‘fun time’. He probably just talked about it to some family member during one of the banquets before the fights.

“In a few weeks, I have prepared some fun time before we have our fight,” said Lord Velin one day.

“The few of you who’ll have fights that day, aside from Neil of course, will come with me in front of the gladiator’s gate. I already arranged everything, and the brat will be there too,” he said to us. “It will be a fun spectacle.”

I could see he was anticipating it.

Can’t see the fun, but if he’s happy, then all’s okay.

Indeed, the day of the games, we were brought in front of the gate. The kid was already there.

From here the spectators couldn’t see us, and we could only see a part of the arena floor, but Neil would make sure that the most ‘exciting’ part would come not too far from us.

The kid looked confused by the situation. Most likely, he was brought here by one of the guards without being told anything.

No guards or anyone else could be seen around us.

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

“Little slave,” said Lord Velin as we neared him, “A wonderful day to spectate a fight, don’t you think.”

He looked at us guarded.

“Is this because of you?” he asked. “What the hell are you doing?”

I could see Lord Velin smiling.

“Manners little slave,” he said, “You lack manners. You should address me with respect. I believe I already told you this multiple times.”

And unfortunately, the kid didn’t take it to heart. Not that it mattered, anyway. Lord Velin just needed someone to torment, and the kid was the perfect target.

“But to answer you: yes, it was my doing. I wanted us to enjoy the next fight,” concluded the noble.

Neil and Bart were already on the arena grounds, saluting the First Oligarch.

I wonder what the First Oligarch is thinking, I thought, as I observed the salute.

Lord Velin’s father was an Oligarch, but I wasn’t sure of how close he was with the First Oligarch. Maybe he just told him one day, ‘Hey, my kid got some beef with that guy, can I arrange his death in the arena?’.

I wouldn’t be surprised.

Mm, I don’t think all the Oligarchs stay in the capital though, so maybe a letter?

I had no idea how nobles did these things. Maybe they were just doing this behind him.

Anyway, the kid didn’t respond and the fight started.

It went about as well as it could have. Neil was just trashing the old man.

And how could it be otherwise when Neil already passed Level 40?

The lucky guy had been given the go-ahead just for this.

Lord Velin didn’t like leaving things to chance, and he wanted the fight to be one-sided. There was no way the public would ask to spare him after such a pitiful performance. Some would recognize that Neil had passed the level forty quest, but most wouldn’t notice… or wouldn’t care.

“What the hell? Why is that guy so strong?” Asked nervously, the little guy.

He still hadn’t realized the situation. Neil’s face was covered by the helmet, but it didn’t take a genius to guess what was happening by now.

“That’s Neil. You should have seen him a few times when we greeted each other,” said Lord Velin. “He just passed Level 40 a few weeks ago.”

“What the fuck?! Why is he fighting against the old man!?” he shouted, turning towards us.

“You know when I told you about manners? Maybe it’s time for you to learn how to speak,” said the young noble with a smirk.

The kid stayed silent for a few seconds.

“Did you do this just because I didn’t lick your ass when you talked to me? What the fuck is wrong with you?!”

Lord Velin shook his head.

“You really can’t learn, but that’s exactly why I’m doing this, and I’m a magnanimous man, so I’ll kindly explain,” he said. “It’s quite simple, actually.

“I just found this guy quite daring to come and berate me just because I spoke a few words with you, and so I thought: Why not use him to teach the kid what ‘different social position’ means?” He was smiling as he said this.

“After all, he is an old man at the end of his life while you’re a kid full of potential, so it will be an efficient use of resources using him to teach you your place,” he continued. “Don’t you think so?”

The angry kid was about to say something when a sudden shout echoed in the corridor.

“Argh!”

It seems that the mage responsible for the sound was recruited too. He was carrying the old man’s voice all the way over here.

The kid turned around anxiously to watch the fight.

Bart had been tossed around all the time while we were speaking.

Neil was controlling his strength and speed to make it seem an almost even fight while still trashing the old man. He had to make him seem incompetent after all, so even in case of surrender no one would take his side.

I could hear the roar of the people. They were cheering for Neil.

It seems that the old man had been injured in the shoulder. The farce should be about to end.

Suddenly, Neil jumped forward. The old man tried to hold him off with the Burning Sword skill, but it was useless.

Neil just severed his hand at the wrist and kicked him in this direction. He didn’t land too far.

“Urgh.” We could hear him groan.

“Damnit, make him stop!” Shouted the kid.

“Hahaha, no way,” laughed Lord Velin, “It’s a lesson little slave, and lessons need to be done until the end to be effective.”

I could see Bart trying to stand up, but he must have broken something from the kick, since he wasn’t able to. The amputated hand didn’t help the cause either.

Neil was drawing closer.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck… I’m sorry, ok, what do I have to do? Just tell me, please. Just make him stop!” He said while holding the bars of the gate.

I could see the kid was starting to panic. He was still immature, it seems.

Well, he’ll learn eventually.

Lord Velin was just laughing.

“Stop laughing!” the kid turned around. He walked toward the noble, but I stepped in and held him off with an arm.

“I beg you, please, stop this, I’ll do whatever you want! Please!” He shouted when he saw that he couldn’t shake me off.

“No, just stay there and enjoy the scene. I told you that there are consequences for your actions. You better remember that after today.” Said the Lord, giving me a signal to throw him back.

I pushed the kid back with a grunt, making him fall near the gate.

“Do you know why you are in this situation?” I heard Neil say as he stopped in front of the old man.

I could see Bart looking up.

“It’s because of that kid, Silvester,” he said. “If you had some sense in you, you wouldn’t have angered Lord Velin for him. Do you have anything else to say?”

I could hear the public shouting, “Kill! Kill! Kill!”

Bart spat at his feet as an answer. We could hear his rasping breath.

Truly idiotic to the end. I thought as I held down the kid with another of my colleagues.

I grabbed his head to make him look at the arena. The kid was now just shouting incoherently and begging.

Man, it’s not like we’re killing your father. Calm down, I thought, exasperated. He’s just known the old man for a few months, was there a need for such drama?

At least Lord Velin is having fun. Maybe he’ll even let me out sooner, who knows?

Neil shook his head at Bart’s response.

“Are you sure? The kid is listening now, right behind you. Maybe you should give him your last words?” he said, pointing towards us.

This wasn’t planned, but I guess it would make more of an impact. Lord Velin seems pleased too… Damn, Neil’s smart, I thought, a bit upset. He’s already a step ahead of me, and he’s still currying favor.

I saw Bart looking this way and seeing us. We weren’t that far after all.

He looked stunned for a moment and then laughed.

Of all the things he could have done, that was the last I expected.

“Bwahaha, cough, what’s with the face kid?” he said then took a few breaths. “I told you right? Life’s not worth living if you’re always grumpy. Just laugh it away! Things will get better one day!”

“Well, old man,” said Neil, “Time to finish this. The public is getting impatient.”

The old man just laughed while using his remaining hand to give him a “Fuck you!”

Neil’s sword fell, and the laugh became a gurgle until he became still.

Crazy old man, I thought as I looked at his still-laughing face.

The kid now stopped struggling. He was just crying while looking at the corpse.

The public was cheering.

Lord Velin made a sign and I let him go, distancing myself.

He walked closer to the kid who was still crying on the ground.

“Have you learned something now?” He said smiling. “That is the end for those that don’t know their place.”

The kid didn’t look at him.

“This is just the natural order of things. This is the order made by the gods,” he continued without caring. “They choose us to lead the people, while they made you a slave — a tool to be used by us. This will never change; not now, and neither when you’ll get a Class… especially when you’ll get a Class. Because a slave will never be able to oppose us.”

Neil was walking towards the gate of triumph while people were cheering for him.

I could hear the kid’s breathing becoming rougher and rougher as Lord Velin spoke.

“Do you understand, little slave? No matter what people say, no matter how talented you are, that is your destiny. And if you don’t wake up, you won’t even reach half of the age of that old man. Got that? Hahaha!”

“AAAAARGHHH!” Shouted the kid, shooting up, and jumping toward Lord Velin. “I’LL KILL YOU!!! YOU FUCKING BASTARD!!!”

Wrong move. Had he just stayed down, we couldn’t have done anything because of the Contract.

He unsheathed his sword, but it was useless.

I just hit his sword away with mine before he could reach the noble. Then we held him down as Lord Velin had fun beating him until he broke his bones.

He was having fun.

So long as we didn’t kill him, everything was fine. There were already a few healers on standby.

It doesn’t seem like a healthy hobby to have, but what do I care? As he said, he’s a noble while we’re just slaves. The kid just has to accept the truth.

After he finished, the Lord stood up, satisfied, and we walked away.

Behind me, I could hear the gurgling sounds of the kid. He couldn’t speak or move anymore.

He’s alive, I thought, shrugging it off as I followed the noble.

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