In the morning, I woke up full of confidence and anxiety. I don't really know how I have both, but I'm not going to question it now. I'm just going to focus on doing my best.
As I arrive at the arena, I notice how big of an event this is. There is without a doubt more than twice the population of this city inside this arena. It's gigantic so it would be capable of such a large amount of people. Oh and this is more of a coliseum than an arena, but it's called "Demon arena" so I can't really question it. In appearance, the arena is made of large stone blocks making sculptured pillars, sculptured walls... Basically, everything is just like a great sculpture right? Oh, that is except the zone where people fight in which is plain right?
Well, I'm going to pick a sword now! One like the one I used to use! Hmmm... THERE'S NONE LIKE THE ONE I USED to use! Oh, nevermind. I found one just like the one I used to use.
«Buddy calm the heck down! I do not even see your face, and I can tell how freaking nervous you are!»(?)
A slim yet muscular, short silver-haired wolf guy called out to me. Am I really showing it that much? God damn you, Jim! Get a hold of yourself!
«Thanks... I hadn't really noticed myself.»(Me)
«You welcome man. It would be a pity if you lost to some weakling because you were too nervous! It would be like super horrible!»(?)
«Why do you say that?»(Me)
«Because I am the one that will defeat you! hahaha!»(?)
It looks like I got myself a rival and I don't really know how. Well, It's fine to have some setbacks every once in a while right?
The tournament is going to be one of these pyramidal tournaments. 2 fight, one goes up and the other drops out, the one that goes up finds the next that went up and so on until there is only one left.
My first match is going to be the 3rd of the day... meaning that there are only two other combats before mine right?
«Buddy you are getting nervous again. Well, I'm off then! Good luck buddy!»(?)
I give him a wry smile and wish him luck with my hand. So his combat was the first one.
«AAAAAAAAAND NOW LET'S BEGIN THE TOURNAMENT!»(Really damn loud voice)
Everyone is making noise in their way, some through screams others through roars and other through multiple hitting of objects.
«ON THE FIRST MATCH WE HAVE A VERY PROUD BEAST! A LONE HUNTER THAT YOU SHOULD NOT UNDERESTIMATE! HE WHO FIGHTS WITH HIS BODY AS A WEAPON! HE IS DIOND!»(Really damn loud voice)
The wolf guy jumps to the middle of the arena with one single jump and throws his fists into the air. He is in a victorious pose.
«ON THE OTHER SIDE WE HAVE A SKY RULLER! SHE IS A HARPY AMAZONESS THAT FIGHTS IN THE AIR WITH EXTREME AGILITY! SHE IS VANDA!»(Really damn loud voice)
A harpy descends from the sky and lands on the arena and then points the tip of her spear to the sky. Are victory poses and dramatic entrances really needed?
«PREPARE YOURSELVES BECAUSE THIS BATTLE IS ABOUT TO START! 3! 2! 1! FIGHT!»(Really damn loud voice)
While the combat started, they both bowed their heads and got into a battle pose. At the sign, it was simply a battle of speed, but Diond was faster. He got down on all fours and ran at incredible speeds in the direction of Vanda who was about to start flying but didn't do it in time. Diond arrived next to her before she could even get her feet of the ground and punched her in her chest and sent her flying against the wall many meters behind. It was an instant knockout.
«WHAT INCREDIBLE POWER! THE BATTLE IS ALREADY OVER!»(Really damn loud voice)
Diond made the same pose from the start and headed to the door meant for the victors while Vanda is being carried through the door for the losers.
And right after, another match starts between two beast-men. The tiger won. By the way, he had a really unique way of showing respect for the opponent, instead of simply bowing he also got on his knee.
After both of them are out of the arena... It's my turn.
«AND FOR THE NEXT BATTLE WE HAVE A MYSTERIOUS SWORDSMAN! HE WEARS A MASK, SO NO ONE ACTUALLY KNOWS HIS FACE AND EVEN THOUGH HE IS A CLOSE QUARTER COMBATANT HE SHOWS GREAT TALENT IN MAGIC! HE IS JIM!»(Really damn loud voice)
I walk into the arena, and once I'm in place, I put my right fist into the air. Not like a punch, slower and with a look of being uninterested.
«ON THE OTHER SIDE WE HAVE AN ELVEN BEAUTY! BUT DON'T THINK OF LETTING YOUR GUARD DOWN OTHERWISE YOU MIGHT JUST GET AN ARROW THROUGH YOUR NECK! SHE IS TIFFANY!»(Really damn loud voice)
It seems like the humans also branded demi-humans as demons.
She walks into the arena, put an arrow in her mouth and poses. She also winks at me. Thankfully I have the mask and good pants...
«AND NOW GET READY!»(Really damn loud voice)
At this moment I bow like a human noble would in the presence of the king. One foot behind the other, leaning forward with the arm under my chest while lowering my head. She does a simple bow.
«3! 2! 1! FIGHT!»(Really damn loud voice)
As the sign is given I start running in her direction at full speed.
«Are you really going to fight me, an elf, like that? How naive!»(Tiffany)
She starts shooting multiple arrows in my direction, but I keep running.
«What an easy battle! haha!»(Tiffany)
While she was celebrating her victory, all the arrows miss me, who was running in a straight line.
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«WHAT?!!? IMPOSSIBLE! HOW DID I MISS?!»(Tiffany)
Well, that was to be expected, after all, I'm using wind magic to change the trajectory of the arrows.
«WHAT THE FUCK?! HOW ARE THEY NOT HITTING!?»(Tiffany)
While she was saying all that I get close and hit her stomach with the hilt of the sword.
I catch Tiffany, who had fainted from the intense pain, while she was falling and then handed her to the healing team who came running.
«WHAT KIND OF MAGIC WAS THAT?! NO ARROW SHALL HIT THIS MYSTERIOUS SWORDSMAN!»(Really damn loud voice)
With that, I exit through the victors' door with my fist in the air.
«What a show buddy! Now I'm certain that you deserve being defeated by me!»(Diond)
He starts laughing, and the only thing that I can do is smile back even though he is unable to actually see it...
«But really, what was that? That was AWESOME!»(Diond)
«You mean the arrows not hitting?»(Me)
«Yeah, yeah that! How the heck did you do that?»(Diond)
«Wind magic. Just a slight hint of wind on the arrow will change its course and miss.»(Me)
«I don't get it, but that's awesome anyways!»(Diond)
I don't understand the logic behind this guy's thinking either so it's fair...
The tournament went on, Diond won two more matches, one right before lunch against an ogre and one some hours after lunch, against a succubus. I won one against a cat beast-man right after lunch. He just went head on so it was easy to parry his attack and counter. Galgo and Mirim are also doing good... Probably. They won one match each but I haven't seen them since...
I'm about to go into the arena again, but this time I might just lose in seconds. That is not something to be surprised after all I'm against that extremely strong guy that I saw during the physical exam. But of course, it wouldn't be a problem if he only had a great physique. He is also a master swordsman. He is without a doubt someone who in a few decades will become one of the strongest in the world. Above all that, he knows no mercy. He almost killed one of his opponents wouldn't the referees have intervened. I'm against that kind of guy. Right now I'm trembling like I never did. I'm going to fight that guy, and I might get killed, so it's normal to feel fear right?
I start walking into the arena. All the loud noise can't reach my ears anymore. Something inside of me is screaming danger and telling me to retreat, but I'm still going. Would I retreat and I would be no different from those disgusting humans. We are both looking at each other waiting for the match to start. I don't know when I was supposed to do a victory pose, but this time I don't even care about it, I won't do it. I have no confidence in winning. He is smiling. He is smiling at me with a smile befitting of a psychopath. He might not be seeing my face, but he knows how much fear I'm feeling going through my body right now.
The counting starts, and the moment the word "go" comes out of the loud guy's mouth, the guy disappeared. Where did he go? But just a moment after, everything became clear. He didn't disappear; he is just moving very quickly. For some reason, his movements slowed down after a second but it doesn't matter anymore, I can't dodge this. He is already swinging his sword at me.
«TAKE A STEP BACK! QUICK!»(?)
Such words screamed inside my head, said with my own voice.
I take a step back. I was much faster than I should have been and managed to dodge the attack. Since when am I this fast? Like this, I can win! But... what is this burning feeling in my right arm? Did he use magic on his sword so burn me?
When I look at my right arm, I enter a panic state. It was missing from under my elbow onwards. I then realized the mistake I made. I impulsively put my arm to protect my body and didn't even realize.
I am completely paralyzed. The mix of surprise, stinging pain, and fear made it impossible to move. But he won't stop. He is already swinging his sword again. But this time he is pulled back by one of the referees, making his sword barely miss my face. My mask received a clean, diagonal cut from near my right ear to the left side of my jaw. Half of my face can now be seen.
«The match is already over. You won.»(Referee)
At this moment I dropped to the floor to the sight of that guy going to the victor's door.
«Now... Let's treat that bleeding.»(Healer)
The referee called the healing team, and they led me to a room with a series of beds and life magic tools piled on a bunch of shelves and healed my arm. But of course, it didn't grow back.
Here it is. This voice again. This voice is almost the same as mine, just a bit... gloomier? Who are you? And what do you mean by "for now"?
Of course, I remember. But how can you talk into my head?
How could I regenerate it? Unless I learn some kind of magic that regenerates body parts, I won't be able to regenerate it as I'm just a human!
NO!
Then how am I supposed to regenerate my arm oh Mr. other me?
Does it let me regenerate body parts?
What kind of power is that?
That makes no sense! How can that make it impossible to deny being human?
But... does that mean that I will eventually become like those lowly humans?
Being human does not mean being like them... then... doesn't that mean that I can use that power for good?
Then... tell me about it.
Yes... Kinda...
Disgusting. This power is absolutely disgusting. Isn't that the power of a monster?!
(...)
I remain silent in my head while thinking about this power until I remembered something that the school principal said while appraising me. What is the "devouring monster".
(devouring monster)
Not that much but then... why didn't the principal see the "god eater" skill?
Then you are my power?
No... I can't deny. I never could right?
I laugh wryly and get up. More time passed than it looks and the day is already ending. I will go and see if the kids are still around.
I walk to where I had seen them earlier, but they weren't there anymore. I'll just look for them tomorrow.
I walk to my room, fall on the bed and pretty much instantly fall asleep.