2.Fight in the arena

Inside the Faye manor, there are two people talking.

"Who do you think is going win this year?" 

"It's too early to tell, but I think this time the favorite to win the whole thing is someone from Verit."

"Your son should be one of the favorites to win this tournament Teylus."

Teylus Faye is a noble from Verit and belongs to the Sun-Moon Clan.

"He hasn't even qualified yet, don't say such nonsense, Cain."

Cain Vernir is a teacher of the Holy knight school. He belongs to the Aegis clan.

There are eight major clans in Verit: Sun-Moon, Aegis, Lapzulli,Vim,Red Emperor,Terra,Manus.

Of course there are smaller clans too but most of the territory in Verit is in the hands of the eight major clans.

Oh? You are such a strict father.

"Nonsense? I am his teacher and this kid is a genius. He is the best prospect I have ever seen in my twenty-five years of teaching. None of the other Paladins in our school can compare to him.

And how old is this year? Seventeen...Eighteen?

"Eighteen."

"That's right eighteen years old Teylus. You are still a lowly squire when your are eighteen."

"Don't talk about. Of course, Vince is strong but there many participants in this tournament.

"Don't underestimate them. Have you ever heard a saying "A dumb one looks smart with a bunch of retards?"

Nice insult there to my disciples and your son.

A young man with blond hair is walking inside the room. It's Vince.

"Ah, teacher and father and he greeted them."

"The dumb one is here," said Cain while laughing

"What?"

"Nothing." said Teylus

"You finished your training today?"

"Yes father, I am little nervous about tomorrow."

"Don't worry Vince, you already reached the fifth level of your gem armor skill. You already got the best defense in the whole country."

"I actually reached the sixth level today teacher."

"Really? Great! Hey Teylus what did I told you? This boy is really a genius."

"We should see how he does against other opponents." 

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"That's ten silver for one week including breakfast," said the innkeeper

The black haired boy pulled a golden coin out of his purse and hand it over to the innkeeper.

"Here is the key. You room is the third floor it's number 305."

"This is the room. The walls looks really fragile I could probably destroy it with one punch."

He throws his bag on the ground next to his bed. He opens the windows and looks outside and the moonlight is shining inside his room. He is thinking what happened two hours ago.

"Go away!"  What have I done in my previous life to deserve this?

The girl keeps following him and then she starting to cry.

"Sniff......Sniff....Waaah!"  It's in the middle of a busy street and some people are looking at them now. 

"Stop crying for gods sake!" But she cries even harder even attracting more attention.

"I promise to help you if you stop crying."

"Really?" 

"Yes" While answering he use  two fingers to remove his chi from her right arm.

"My arm can move again. Why didn't you immobilize my legs so I can't follow you?"

"Don't ask question if you want me to help you. Also, wipe out your tears, please. He handed her a handkerchief."

"Thank you."

"How much money do you need for your brother?"

"Ehh, hundred twenty gold."

Not enough money, I only got fifty.

He takes a coin from his purse handed over to the girl. "Buy me a mask and black clothes."

The girl understood his intention and walks away to buy it. "Wait!"

"Yes? You want anything else?"

"Your name.."

"My name? I'm Lucia what is yours?

"Cael."

"What are you staring me for? Go now before the night arrive. Wait for me at the billboard nearby the arena."

Cael is sitting on his bed crosslegged and is meditating. He opens his eyes again and thinks 

Why am I going so much trouble for this girl? If I get caught I can say goodbye to this tournament. 

But she resembles so much of her. Could she be? Nah just my imagination.

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Time to go!

He leaves the inn and goes to the arena. He sees Lucia waiting there impatiently. 

"You got the clothes?"

"Yeah and here is the map of the arena."

He pulls the black clothes over his normal clothes and put the mask on.

"Wait here for me." 

"But how do you get inside then?" 

"You can lockpick the gate?"

"I am a thief after all," said Lucia while smiling

Great, I don't have to destroy it myself.

"There are no guards here. That's strange," said Lucia while lockpicking the gate.

Crick, Crack... After ten minutes of lockpicking the gate is open. 

"Close the gate again, wait here if you spot someone just distract them."

"Be careful!"

Cael walks inside the arena and look at the map. 

The basement is left from me. Suddenly he heard footsteps.

A guard here? I knock him out then.

He leaps towards the guard wants to knock him out. But his attack gets blocked by the guard.

He blocked my attack? He looks closely and see a young man with blond hair. 

He is Vince, the son of Teylus Faye. "Who are you?" said Vince

He is concentrating his chi on the left hand and launch a palm attack to Vince.

Vince leaped backward to avoid the attack but the force is too strong and he is pushed twenty meters back by the force alone. 

What is this strange attack? I wish I got my weapon here.

He has no time to think and the opponent already launched several more palm attacks. 

"White barrier!" A white barrier is surrounding Vince and neutralize the palm attacks.

Why is he only using his left hand?

"Barrier breaker" Cael use his right hand infusing with his chi and break the white barrier.

My barrier is broken?

"Dragon stomp!" Cael jumps in the air launch a kick attack towards Vince.

"Gem armor" 

Vince just stood there and let Cael kick him in his chest. BANG! The surroundings stone walls are destroyed behind Vince. The seats on the first floor are destroyed too. 

Vince is hurt from this attack and his chest hurts. Luckily I got use my gem armor skill in time otherwise I will be dead. Who is this man, he is strong.

He is able to withstand my attack? Should I add more power to my kick? It seems it doesn't hurt him.

"Lighting spear." A golden spear appeared in Vince hand. He throw the spear toward Cael. It's his strongest attack. 

Fast! Not enough time to dodge it.

Cael now applying his chi on both hands and grabs the spears but he is thrown back by the force of the attack. His back crashed on the other side of the wall. He successfully catch the spear but he let the spear fall on the ground because his arms are paralyzed.

"What is going on?"  Lucia rushed in when he heard loud noises inside the arena.

"Cael!" She rushed towards him. 

"Not good! My arms are paralyzed."

Suddenly the stone door opens on the left side of arena. Several footsteps rushed inside the arena.

It's the slaves! 

"Ves!" shouted Lucia

"You brother?" said Cael    

 Lucia nodded and rush towards her brother. "Lucia!" The two are reunited again.

He is doing the same thing as me. Actually, he is doing more. My plan was only to save her brother.

 He walks towards Vince and asks, "Why are you freeing the slaves. Aren't you a noble? while looking at his clothes"

"Because they are treated worse than beasts here. I can't stand this sight."

"So what is your plan once you freed them? You know this amount of slaves will attract attention?

"Don't worry I already bought a mansion nearby the arena. They can settle there. If they want to leave this place. I give their money, food, and clothes."

"Go now the gate is open."

"U let us through?"

"I came with the same purpose as you."

Cael joins Lucia and his brother and leaves the arena.

Well, they can't hold preliminary here anymore. Half of arena is damaged.