I spent the following nine hours training nonstop and experimenting with spells. I made them more complex and powerful. Experiment with different cores and what they do with different spells. And I tried using multiple cores to cast a single spell. That was an interesting result. And I’m glad I left Yuki in the room while I experimented. Otherwise, the poor little thing would’ve gotten scared.

Anyways, I used a level-two spell with my Storm core and Healing core. The first circle had lightning, and the second had force and health. I used the spell on a training dummy that was protected with spells so it wouldn’t get damaged, and that would tell me what would happen if I used it on an average person or cultivator. After releasing the spell and lightning shot at the unknowing dummy, a spell circle appeared before me, and I read the results.

Results of attack

Opponent

HP: 100/100

Damage taken: 0

Pain level: 10

HP restored: 7,954

I closed the window and said, “Great, I created a torture spell. I don’t think I can use that.”

“It would be best not to,” Fengbao said in my head, “Causing undue pain in the tournaments is frowned upon. They won’t stop you, however.”

I huffed, “Well, I won’t use it anyways. Besides, I don’t even think using multiple cores for spells is allowed.”

“I don’t think there are any rules about it.”

“Well, it isn't for spells specifically, but for whole body enhancement, on the other hand,” I hedged.

“Hmm. True. Besides, we should stop for the day. You’re out of chakra in your cores, and I am also nearly depleted.”

“All right. I suppose I will get Yuki and then join Cami and Orrin.”

“Very well,” Fengbao agreed and went silent. I could feel him start to cycle the Storm chakra within me, and I sighed, stretching out my muscles. Learning spells would be much easier if I could find Olli. That damn bird. Where’d he fly off to? All well. He’ll turn up eventually.

I left the training building as I pondered the whereabouts of Olli. Going back to my empty room, I collected the excited Yuki after feeding her dinner. And placed her on my shoulder before leaving. She brushed herself against my short hair under my ponytail. I scratched behind her ear as I left the hotel again. The night air felt cool on my skin, and I looked up at the starry night sky.

This was a beautiful night. I almost don’t want to go anywhere and watch the stars. But I did feel curious about how strong Orrin was in a fight. Plus, I need to figure out my next core combo for the future. And Orrin did say he’d give some suggestions to me. I sighed, turned toward the massive Yggdrasil tree, and began to jog to the fights.

***

I made it to the colosseum after half an hour’s jog or so and immediately looked around the common area for Geoff. I couldn’t find him, but I did find a short, plump man with the same crown tattoo on his neck. I walked up to the food stall, which didn’t have a long line, and waited patiently. As I listened to everyone order, I noticed three of the patrons place bets while the rest just ordered normal food.

Soon it was my turn, and I said, “Can I see a secret menu?”

The short man looked over his stand at me and said, “Sure thing, li’le las.” And he handed me the menu. I looked behind me and saw nobody else in line, and I began scrolling through the singles tournament brackets.

Bracket fifteen, position two: Orrin, 7:1

Oh, seven-to-one odds against … nine-to-one!? Fairly even match, I take it. I looked at the man running the food stand and asked, “So, what’s your name?”

“I’m Jeph Shaeffer. Nice to meet ye li’le las. Did ye decide on what ye want?”

I blinked, “So, you’re Jeph Shaeffer. Brother of Geoff Schaefer and Jeff Shaefer.”

“Yeah, dat’s right.”

Pinching the bridge of my nose and looking to the floor for answers, I mumble, “Of course, you are their brother. Um, can I get a sandwich for Orrin?”

“Of course. How would ye like it?”

“With meat.”

Jeph sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, muttering, “Of course, you want it with meat.” He then got to work making me a small sub sandwich, and I placed a platinum coin on the countertop with five gold coins.

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

Jeph finished making the sandwich with lots of veggies and plenty of ham. I took the sandwich gratefully, and he took the coins. I licked my lips hungrily, I hadn’t eaten all day, and my stomach started sounding like Fengbao. Even Yuki sounded hungry after looking at the sandwich.

I took a big bite out of the sandwich and let Yuki take a little bite. As I chewed, enjoying the delicious ham and veggie combo, a familiar voice spoke from behind me, nearly making me choke, “Enjoying your sandwich?” Orrin asked.

I whirled around, looked up at his smiling face, and instinctively responded, “Isph mgouod.”

“I’m sorry, what was that? I couldn’t hear you.”

I raised a finger and swallowed, “It’s good. How did you know I was here? And please don’t scare me like that.”

Orrin wiggled his eyebrows mysteriously and said, “I have my ways and make no promises. Now come, let’s join your friend and watch a few fights before I fight.”

Leading me through the crowd of people going into the colosseum, getting food to watch the fights, or leaving to go home and sleep, Orrin brought me to a section with hidden doors. I ate my sandwich on the way to the doors and shared a little with Yuki. Orrin opened one of the doors for me, and I walked in with a slight bow and thanked him. The door opened to a spiral staircase, and I ascended it with Orrin trailing right behind.

At the top of the staircase was another door that Orrin opened for me, revealing a beautifully decorated room. The room had a full buffet along the back wall with all sorts of finger foods, and paintings adorned the walls with golden frames. The chairs and couches were white, facing a massive window that watched the arena fights far below. In one of these couches sat a very messy Cami. She held a horn with some liquid within it, and she had bruises all over her body.

I rushed to her side and exclaimed, “What did you do to her!?”

“We didn’t do anything, I swear it,” Orrin said defensively, “She had too much to drink, and she started picking fights and competitions with us. First was arm wrestling, then was a drinking contest which I refused, then the most recent was a slapping competition. She lost that one, by the way.”

“She had it coming,” said a woman who sat in the chair behind me, far from Cami. I began channeling my Healing chakra into a healing spell and cast it on Cami before turning to look at the woman I failed to notice in the room. She was short, about the same height as Cami, and her flaxen hair was smooth and long, and she wore a white and gold dress with matching golden earrings.

“And who are you?” I asked.

The woman took a sip from a horn in her left hand and said, “I’m Yuna, betrothed to this handsome man here. Isn’t that right, my darling?”

“Of course, darling. I am always handsome, but we are not betrothed if you recall,” Orrin said as he sat beside her.

“We could be,” Yuna said, cuddling up to Orrin.

“But we aren’t. How’s Cami doing?” Orrin said, changing the subject.

Cami groaned and rubbed her head, mistakenly using her hand holding the horn, and dumped her drink on herself. She groaned again and said, “I don’t feel so good. And I dropped my mead.”

Orrin pointed to a corner of the room with a door and said, “Through that door, you’ll find a bathroom. You can wash up there.” Cami nodded, shakily got to her feet, and hobbled over to the door clutching her head.

I turned to Orrin and said, “How much did you let her drink?!”

Orrin sighed and messaged his forehead, “Too much. She insisted she could handle it, but two horns of mead in, and she was stumbling like a newborn babe.”

“Yes, darling?”

“Not you. Anyway, what would you like to discuss, Zeana?”

I thought for a moment and decided on something simple. “How long will the tournaments go on?” I asked.

“Around a year. Maybe longer. Didn’t your master explain this?”

“No, in fact, she made us arrive early for some reason.”

“Ah, yes, I remember now.”

“Why will the tournament take so long?”

“Ah, now that’s a good question,” Orrin said, waving his cane to the window, “Look at the fight below, and what do you see?”

I looked and saw two guys fighting ferociously with many explosions of ice and fire. “A fight,” I answered plainly.

Orrin nodded, “True, they are fighting. But what else?” I shrugged, giving up on trying to answer. “It is a demonstration of skills,” Orrin said, answering his question.

I paused and looked at the fight again, still not seeing what he’s clearly seeing, “Okay, how does that help?”

“When you came into this fine city, you saw all the ships docked there. They come from all over the world, and the world is full of dangers. People need help protecting themselves sometimes. And they can hire empire cultivators for missions, which provides income for the cultivation schools and the empires. That then allows us to teach new cultivators and so on. Do you understand now?”

I nodded, “Oh, that makes a lot more sense, so if you win, you’re more likely to get hired?”

“Not necessarily. Say you’re good at fighting but can’t heal anybody with spells or chakra. Someone might need a cultivator who can heal over fight and visa-versa.”

“Oh, okay, okay!” I exclaimed, understanding dawning on me.

“Exactly. The tournament also brings notoriety to the empires and brings in more potential cultivators. And the tournament is held once every few years,” Orrin stopped, turned to the bathroom door, and yelled, “IN THE CABINET TO YOUR RIGHT!!” he then turned his attention back to me and asked, “Any other questions you might have?”

“When are you going to fuck me?” Yuna whispered in Orrin’s ear quietly enough that she probably thought I couldn’t hear her, but I could.

I ignored her inappropriate question and asked, “What are some good cores to have?”

Orrin thought for a moment before asking, “You have only chakra combinations, correct?” I nodded, and he continued, “Then might I suggest a core with only one chakra? Having two chakras is powerful, but if you have one, you will have far more control over your attacks. More precision. And so on. It’s better for striking weak points. Take the opponent you faced in the team battles, Drakara. She had such precise control over blood and illusions. You might benefit from something like that.”

Thinking about what he said, I pulled Yuki into my lap and thought for a moment. What would be a good match for me? Something fast? Something defensible? Something … something that speaks to me. I would have to think about it for a while. “That does sound like a promising idea. I’ll consider it,” I admitted.

“Good. Now if you’ll excuse me, I must prepare for my fight,” he then stood and gave a graceful bow to Yuna and I, “I bid you ado.” He then left the room, leaving a very upset Yuna behind with me.

The moment the door closed, Yuna whirled on me and said, “Stay away from him. He’s mine!”

I raised my hands in surrender, and Yuki growled at her, “Hey, I have no interest in him. He’s all yours.”

Before Yuna could say anything else, the announcer said, “And in this corner, we have the twentieth prince of the Wong empire! Orrin Orre Wong Shi Tong!”

The crowd cheered, and Yuna turned her attention to the fight below. Cami also came out of the bathroom with fresh clothes. I quickly and quietly got up, grabbed Cami by the arm, and got out of the room, leaving Yuna alone.

***