Adventurer students sparred against each other on the training field while Senni observed, arms folded, occasionally barking corrections.

Caution's shortsword spun several times in the air before sliding across the frozen grass. "Again," he said, picking up his weapon."

Lara shot a quizzical look. Her twin daggers gleamed slightly in the sunlight. "You're not striking with the gauntlets."

"I know."

Lara tilted her head to one side, seemingly questioning his sanity.

"Versatility," Caution said. "The sword can be deadly without the consumption of mana. It's an ideal secondary weapon."

Due to his knowledge of boxing and innate fighting sense, Caution was proficient with the sword defensively but offensively he was ass. Or at least against Lara. The gap in their skills was clear as day. She was skilled enough to disarm him without causing significant harm. She was beating him constantly, but Caution didn't see it that way. Facing strong opponents was a blessing. He learned something new every session and each repetition accumulated experience.

"Students!" Senni yelled. "Gather around! We have a very special announcement from Princess Coletta herself."

Princess? Caution sighed and reluctantly turned around.

He froze.

A red marker floated above the girl's brown hair as she waved a gloved hand. Caution glanced at Astel whose jaw dropped. He seemed mesmerised, eyes glued to the new contestant of the Half-Dead Game.

Boasting a height of 6 foot 3, Princess Coletta could probably slam dunk. She wore small hoop-shaped earrings and a sparkingly diamond necklace. Her pretty face, thin frame and flawless skin showed no signs of struggle or training. An old man wearing red robes stood with hunched shoulders behind her. His bright-green eyes squinted at the grass as if it had disrespected him.

She clapped once loudly. "Hellooooo, hellooooo. Sorry to interrupt your training future adventurers but I come with good news! An opportunity! I'm here to announce the first Adventurer Ball Tournament!"

A thin book materialised by the feet of every student.

"I can read your minds," Coletta squealed. "What is Adventurer Ball you ask? Well, it's an action-packed, exhilarating, spectacular game of wonder and glory and magic and tension created by yours truly! Oh my! Just thinking about it brings me such--"

The old man cleared his throat loudly. "Your Highness."

"Our beloved country, Asna, is blessed with peace," Coletta said, now speaking more sternly. "And we want to keep it that way. Adventurers are the backbone of this country, keeping those cheeky monsters out and providing extra support whenever need be. The Adventurer Ball tournament is a way for us to pick out the creme of the crop adventurers. The winning team will not only be awarded a very generous monetary prize but will also be allowed to be part of Asna's royal army."

Students gasped and exchanged looks of amazement.

"There are two students with great potential who have already caught our attention and we would love to invite them to the royal palace for lunch."

Before Caution and Astel could react, they both sunk into separate portals.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

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Caution slammed on the floor of a prison cell. Already, he was somehow handcuffed.

Ow.

Ten silent minutes passed. Then Coletta appeared, smiling sweetly in front of the prison bars. "Hello, Manny Okoro."

"This isn't lunch," Caution said, slowly getting to his feet.

Coletta laughed. "No. No, it isn't. Unfortunately, that will have to wait. I need to ask you some questions if that's okay with you. How's your life been so far?"

Caution forced a smile. "I've got no complaints."

"No complaints," Coletta repeated. "An exaggeration I assume?"

"Yes."

"How is your childhood going? Of course, we both reincarnated into this new world with vivid memories of our previous lives. Did you feel homesick during those long years?"

"I did." Caution said. "I spent days mourning the loss of my family. My wife, my kids, and my friends. At first, it was hard for me to adjust to the new world but now I honestly couldn't be happier."

"Really? That's hard to believe. We interviewed your parents and they seemed worried. You isolated yourself. Your father in particular was very worried. He said that you felt something was missing."

Caution's heart thumped. "That's true. Those times were a mourning phase for me. It's embarrassing to admit but..."

"But?"

"I was depressed." Caution faked a frown which required no effort. "It was hard for me to do anything until one day I found my purpose. It keeps me energised every day and has allowed me to move on."

"That sounds wonderful. What is it?"

To eliminate you and every other contestant.

"I want to support my best friend, Astel, and help realise his dream. He wants to make the world safer from the monsters that terrorise certain regions. I think it's a dream worth chasing and I want to help him achieve it no matter what. Speaking of the guy, where is he?"

Coletta moved forward slightly, holding eye contact. "Before you met Astel when you were depressed as you say, what were your intentions?"

"My intentions?" Caution asked, purposely playing dumb. "What do you mean?"

"You know exactly what I mean. Were you playing the game or considering participating in it?"

"No. Admittedly, I was lost before meeting Astel but not that lost. I'm not a psychopath. I simply want to be happy. Go ask Astel. He'll tell you the same."

"Would you consider yourself a violent individual?"

Caution smiled. This time it wasn't fake. "In general, no. In the boxing ring, yes."

"You were undefeated. I saw your final title fight. Ringside. My boyfriend was a fan. Seeing you fight in the boxing ring was fascinating. You were merciless. Villainous almost. It's hard to believe someone like that wouldn't think of committing murder."

"Boxing is my passion. I fought to entertain and provide for my family. Don't group me in with barbaric criminals."

"So you haven't thought about killing another contestant?"

"No, I have but, come on, it's hard not to... It's not like I ever planned it out."

"Tell me about your family. How was your relationship with them?"

"It's great. I love them a lot. Yolga and Lilly can be annoying but they're--"

"You're mistaken. I spoke in the past tense."

"Right..." Caution frowned briefly. He shrugged. "Good."

"Tell me more."

"It was good. There's nothing much to add. "

"You had a wife and kids, yes?"

Caution nodded curtly.

"Your wife. What was the last conversation you had with her? It wasn't an argument I hope."

Caution scoffed, shaking his head.

"My apologies. Does this make you uncomfortable?"

"Not at all," Caution lied. "I just don't see why that concerns you. We talked about the boxing match and the future. Boring stuff."

"Can you tell me a little bit about your children?" Coletta asked quickly.

"I had a 12-year-old son and an 8-year-old daughter."

"What did you last talk to them about?"

"Nothing much. I went to say good night to them and I... I um..." Caution's face was emotionless but a part of him wanted to flee the conversation or even dissolve into nothing. "I promised Abeo I would see his football game and... Phoboe wanted cotton candy for some reason. My memory is hazy."

Sorrow consumed him. His memory wasn't hazy at all.

He knew every detail. He knew every sentence. He knew every word.

"What did you love most about them?"

There was a brief silence. "Everything. I loved everything, including the imperfections."

Coletta chuckled. "I bet you spoiled them all the time."

"Not as much as I should have."

"How much do you miss them, Manny? Would you do anything to see them again?"

Caution straightened his posture. Hearing his other name snapped him out of the vulnerable state. "Look, I miss them. Of course, I miss them. But the code I live by doesn't include murdering people. If you're aware of my past life then you should know I'm not that kind of person. I'm not participating in the death game. I'm a fighter, not a killer."

Coletta's eyes narrowed, staring at him for a few seconds. Eventually, she smiled.

"Let's have lunch shall we?"