After the prince was escorted out on a stretcher Daniel walked down from the stage, where he sat among the chairs set for the Neophyte Sentinels. Many of the Neophytes gave him a nod, conveying their respect and admiration for the fight.
Though some of the Neophytes were Nobles and even fewer of them Royals, most were commoners. Enfred and his father sought to nurture the talents that would have been buried by time and a lack of support, their numbers reflected that.
"Second and forty-ninth Neophytes, please step forward onto the stage for battle!" Enfred spoke loudly.
After the two Neophytes got up on stage, they both took their battle stances.
"Begin!"
As the Neophytes fought, the crowds would cheer and encourage their favorite fighter. Blood, sweat, and tears would mix as the fighters fought with everything on the line.
As the battles continued, Daniel closed his eyes and meditated. The mental scars that were left from the massacre at the village were deeper than he had understood.
"Breath.. Just Breath." Daniel whispered to himself. Amidst the cheering, war drums, and fighting, he fought the rageful urges that threatened to consume his mind.
He quickly thought back to the many times he had gone into rageful fits and realized their patterns.
'Every other day this shit happens. Afterward, I feel relieved, but... It all slowly comes back. How am I supposed to function with this shit?"
Daniel opened his eyes once more as he looked at the stage. The people, and even his teachers.
*Boom *Boom *Clack!
"The Victorian of the 24th battle goes to Adora! With that amazing axe kick I'd like to call, Splitting Sky!" Adora raised his fists into the air as he looked towards Daniel, who for a moment didn't feel the impending rage and stood up to clap for his friend.
"With the conclusion of the 1st round of Battles, the Neophyte Sentinels will be given an hour to rest, eat and prepare for the second round. Congratulations to the Victors who have moved on to the second round!"
The announcer stepped off the stage as the Neophytes were escorted back into the waiting lounge.
As Daniel remained at the back of the line, Adora walked briskly towards him.
"Hey Daniel, you're fight was awesome! I'm so jealous of your ingenious ways of moving your body, how did you learn that? And the trash-talking? Amazing!" Adora spoke with a bright smile.
Daniel chuckled, "I don't know how to explain it. I don't usually think about the way I'm going to move or attack, I mostly go by my instinct and what feels right in that moment."
Adora wore a thoughtful expression. "Hmm, that's really interesting. I'm usually always thinking of exactly what I'm going to do in order to win."
Daniel turned to look at Adora as they both sat down, many waiters placing plates at the many round tables as everyone began to indulge in the bountiful food placed in front of them.
"I lived a life where fights weren't commonplace, I mean, you could enter into a sport like boxing or mixed martial arts, but not to the degree where everyone has fought for their life before." Daniel grabbed the spoon that was to his left as he drank some soup.
Adora only continued to silently listen as it was the only time Daniel had opened up willingly.
"That's why.. I don't think about where I'm going to punch or kick.' Daniel paused as a pensive expression draped his face.
Adora picked up on it as he also grabbed a spoon to eat some of the soup in front of him. "What's wrong? Looks like you want to say something but are hesitant to."
Daniel shook his head as a helpless smile bloomed softly. "Seeing that village be razed to the ground, beneath fire and smoke, beneath the claws of beasts and monsters, scarred my mind. It was the first sight I had of other humans in this world."
Adora spits the soup he had in his mouth as an incredulous look appeared on his face.
Daniel closed his eyes as for the first time since he's had a rageful fit outside of the day the massacre happened, he felt the unrelenting sorrow hidden beneath it. Daniel was too deep inside his head to feel the ruckus Adora had caused.
Adora gazed at Daniel with soft eyes after recovering from his outburst. 'I know this feeling all too well.. brother. The way it threatens to consume you eats at you..'
"I tried to save them, without even thinking about it I had dove straight into them, cutting, stabbing, and slashing at anything that wasn't human, but... It wasn't enough." Daniel looked up at Adora.
Adora's eyes opened wide for a second as he felt the absolute rage spilling from the eyes of his friend, who was brokenhearted after he took on the responsibility of trying to save their lives.
"I need my teacher." Daniel abruptly stood up and walked towards one of the guards placed around the entrances to the room.
After speaking with the guard, Daniel was led to a different section of the coliseum. After a few minutes of walking, the guard stepped to the side as they came upon a set of golden doors.
"Please step inside, the two heads of the academy are inside."