MATTHEW
"Acacius, let's go."
"Alright!"
We were heading towards the central arena similar to the setup in Athens, but this time it's not a gift, but a test.
"Matt, it's almost your birthday isn't it?"
"Yeah, I'll be 6 in a few months."
"That's great! I'm already 6 though! So I'm older than you!"
"Mhm."
We continued to walk down the filled stalls, and fragrant scent of the street, until we reached our objective.
Then I felt something plunge into the side of my ribs, I looked down, to see...Aindrea?!
"Ugh!"
"Huh? O-oh, sorry Matt I really tried to limit the strength."
I was still on the ground rolling around until the pain went away.
"Great to see you too Aindrea!"
"Yeah, it's great to see you Acacius."
I stared at them.
"Fuck'n help me..."
I was carried to the arena by Aindrea, so it was really embarrassing, I cried inside.
"I could've used some food while I'm waiting, I didn't eat all morning!"
"Ains, you should've eaten then."
"Ainz?"
"Oh, it's just a name I heard a long time ago, your name had Ain in it so I just thought, you know..."
"It's fine, it sounds nice, just like I call you 'Matt'!"
"Yeah!"
We went towards the barracks for the arena and looked out towards the other side, past the gate, to see another.
A man walked out to the center of the stage and the crowd went silent. It was Leonidas, king of Sparta.
"You have all come here today to see what the future of Sparta holds! I tell you today, that the future is bright! The children are strong and committed! This day they shall fight to earn the title of [Champion!]"
The crowd roared in excitement, "Round 1! Aindrea, versus, Adrian!"
"Welp, looks like it's my turn to get on stage!"
"Good luck."
"Yeah."
Ainz walked into the arena where Adrian, his opponent awaited him.
AINDREA
My opponent is before me, all of Sparta is watching, I can't fail to defeat him.
Adrian stepped towards me, and thrusted his spear, which I parried and threw his spear to the side shattering the shaft of the weapon, being careful not to break my own in the process. Adrian looked at his weapon, to which he simply said.
"I surrender."
I heard the crowd chanting my name, and I felt alive in the midst of this, as a champion.
ACACIUS
"Wow! Aindrea is really strong, right Matt?"
"Yeah...that was really quick."
"Contestant Acacius?"
We turned around to see a Spartan soldier ask.
"Yeah, that's me."
"You're match is coming up next."
"Got it."
Acacius turned back to look at me.
"It's my turn now, wish me luck!"
"Yeah, good luck."
Acacius picked up his spear and walked out of the gates towards the arena.
"Second Match! Acacius, versus, Nicolas!"
Acacius readied his spear, and Nicolas prepared his stave, their gazes locking, then in matter of seconds disintegrated, they strode forward, and delivered the first blow of the match, the sound resounded throughout the arena.
Nicolas thrust his stave, only to have it parried by Acacius, who then swung his spear at a diagonal swipe, to which Nicolas responded by dodging to his rear, and knocking Acacius off his feet.
"Ugh!"
Nicolas went in for the last blow, but Acacius blocked his attack, rolled, then jumped to the side.
The pace of the fight was amazing, far more exiting than watching a football game, now I know why the people of Greece loved this so much.
Then Nicolas broke Acacius's spear, then Nicolas's spear broke afterwards.
They were taking in the air, exhausted.
Then Acacius's mouth opened to speak.
ACACIUS
{tier 2: icicle lance} I casted the magic I had tried so hard to learn, it reduced my mana to near nothing.
My opponent's face swelled with surprise, but nonetheless picked up the top half of his spear to continue fighting.
"Those are great qualities you have." My final compliment to him.
{tier 4: ice} using my lance as a catalyst I threw my spear towards him, he dodged slightly to the right, and then the spear exploded, filling the arena with ice.
My nana count is definitely in the negatives now, using the spear as a catalyst reduced the cost significantly, but I... think I need... some sleep?
MATTHEW
"Acacius!"
I scrambled out to help him, but a Spartan guard held me back.
"Stop! Are you out of your mind?! I get you're worried for friend but follow the rules! It probably just mana exhaustion. But boy, what was that?"
The soldier stared out onto the arena, then turned back to look at me.
"We'll have to clean up the ice, before the next match starts, give us a second and don't go anywhere."
The soldier kept out onto the arena with many others. {tier 2: body strengthening} they all used that spell to enhance themselves, then thrust their spears and shattered the ice, saving Nicolas and preparing the next match.
The soldiers carried Acacius to a bench where they began to feed him a liquidity substance. Th color on Acacius's face returned to normal once more.
I sighed, relieved. Sitting at the gate until finally, I heard my name.
"seventh match! Matthew, versus, Zeuxis!"