Chapter 5 - The Colosseum

Ignoring the upcoming class, Leyhna dragged Fina towards a large building in the distance. It was built like a large circle with pillars upon pillars holding it up. Colored entirely by a light yellow, I could tell it was made by some kind of stone.

("Is that limestone? ") [Solace]

We entered a long line extending far from the front of the building. It seemed that each person came equipped with some kind of weapon.

("A sword, a bow- brass knuckles?! They have that here?!" [Solace]

"Brass knuckles. A weapon that became popular between humans and beastmen for 30 years during the Winter Solstice." [Spirit Guide]

("Uh… thanks for the explanation.") [Solace]

I had thoughts whether or not I was still in my original world, but seeing all these people waltzing around with weapons changed my mindset.

("Yep, I'm in another world.") [Solace]

I sat there pondering life, but it was interrupted when Fina and Leyhna had already moved to the front of the line.

"Two tickets please." [Leyhna]

"Will that be audience or participant tickets?" [???]

There sat a person at the entrance. An old man who seemed like he could barely stand without a walking stick manned the kiosk.

"Audience please." [Leyhna]

"That will be ten mel." [Old Man]

"M'kay." [Leyhna]

She reached into a pocket within her skirt and took out a pink pouch.

"L-Leyhna, I'll pay for myself." [Fina]

"Just pay me back later." [Leyhna]

Though Fina didn't seem fine with it, Leyhna handed the old man ten copper coins.

"Hm. Thank you for purchasing." [Old Man]

He reached underneath his chair and gave the girls two tickets. It left me wondering where it came from.

"Let's head in. We don't want it to start without us." [Leyhna]

Without even looking behind her, she somehow managed to take Fina's hand.

"Y-you don't have to hold my hand!" [Fina]

"It's so we don't get separated. Don't mind it." [Leyhna]

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

We waded through crowds of people. It was stunning to see an area packed with people like in one of those football stadiums.

("Why are we so high up?") [Solace]

The middle of the building was sunken down low. Seeing as how all the seats were facing it, I assumed it was a stage for entertainment.

"Where should we sit?" [Fina]

"How about here? The duel is about to start." [Leyhna]

As they took a seat amongst the crowd, a loud horn was blown. Immediately, three people entered the sunken middle area.

"Welcome! How have you all been today!" [???]

One of the people in the middle spoke aloud. He wore striped clothing and an oversized feathered hat. Strangely enough, his voice resonated throughout the building.

"I, Payne, shall be your announcer! Are you all ready for today's match?!" [Payne]

The crowd roared with excitement. It was like they had been waiting for this moment their entire lives.

"On my right, we have our brave challenger, Halvda Boren!" [Payne]

One of the men raised their arms, waving at the crowd with a smile on his face. He wore armor that seemed to be made of some kind of leather, and had two swords at his side.

"On my left, we have our great champion, Ortho Cheldea!" [Payne]

Extending a hand to his left, he introduced a man built like an ox. He wore the same armor as Halvda, but his choice of weapon was a large double sided axe holstered to his back.

"Whoo!! Yeah!!" [Leyhna]

Leyhna surprised me with her cheering. She cupped her mouth with her hands while screaming her head off.

("Leyhna was going to skip class with or without us wasn't she…") [Solace]

The man named Ortho raised a fist in the air, and the crowd went wild. The screaming from before was nothing compared to how the fans were now.

"Would you two like to exchange words before you exchange blows?" [Payne]

The man named Halvda stepped up first. Crossing his arms with a look of confidence, he sneered at Ortho.

"The title of champion. I'll be the one taking it." [Halvda]

His voice rang throughout the colosseum. It was something that I found puzzling since I didn't see a microphone anywhere.

("How is he doing that?") [Solace]

"The activation of |Sound Amplification| has been detected." [Spirit Guide]

("...Cool.") [Solace]

After Halvda spoke, Ortho returned the gesture. Crossing his arms just like his opponent, he scoffed at Halvda.

"Not the first time I've heard that." [Ortho]

"Hmph." [Halvda]

The excitement of the audience was about to burst through the roof. It was surprising that the participant's voices didn't get drowned out by the noise.

"Enough action with words! It's time for the showdown!!!" [Payne]

The two in the middle immediately took a stance, taking hold of their chosen weapons.

"Begin!" [Payne]

As soon as the match began, Payne vanished into thin air.

("Huh?! Where did he go?!") [Solace]

"The activation of |Cloak| has been detected." [Spirit Guide]

With the disappearance of Payne, the two fighters let out a battle cry.

"|Twin Dragon Strike|!" [Halvda]

Screaming out a name I found strange, he lunged forwards with a blade in each hand.

"Something like that won't hurt me!" [Ortho]

Waiting until the last moment, Ortho stepped out of Halvda's reach.

"Tsk! Come back here!" [Halvda]

He chased after Ortho, but he was somehow always barely out of reach.

"What's wrong? Can't you do better than this?" [Ortho]

"Grrr! |Physical Boost|!" [Halvda]

"|Fleeting steps|." [Ortho]

The two began to move faster, pacing back and forth through the arena.

"Is this how you became a champion?! By running?!" [Halvda]

"Hah! It wouldn't be a problem if you used a ranged skill right? Or is it that you don't have any!" [Ortho]

Halvda became frustrated. His face grew red as he swung his blades wildly, but Ortho kept his cool. Weaving back and forth, he threw taunts at Halvda like no other.

"That is IT! Come, Yurandal!" [Halvda]

Pausing his charge, Halvda raised his swords into the air.

"There it is! Halvda is finally summoning his spirit!" [Payne]

Flames engulfed Halvda, but he somehow remained unscathed.

"Hm~ Hmm~" [???]

("Humming?") [Solace]

I heard a sweet voice humming a mellow tune. Unlike the effects of |Sound Amplification|, the voice resonated within my head.

("Where is it coming from?") [Solace]

In the midst of my confusion, Halvda's flame began to take shape. It took the form of a child, hovering near Halvda's back.

("That's… a spirit?! Why don't I look like a human if I'm a spirit too?!!") [Solace]

"Spirit |Solace| has not attained the required |Experience| to evolve." [Spirit Guide]

("...I can evolve?") [Solace]

The spirit burned bright red, smiling creepily at Halvda's side. It was then that I realized it was the source of the humming.

"Bringing out your |Spirit Mantle| already?" [Ortho]

"Why don't you take yours out? Don't worry, I'll wait." [Halvda]

"No need. It's more fair if I don't use it." [Ortho]

("Wow… The trash talk is more vicious than the fight.") [Solace]

Halvda didn't seem very impressed. Nodding to the flaming child behind him, flaming tongues encircled his blades.

"Playing tough guy huh? Your funeral." [Halvda]

"A funeral that I won't be attending." [Ortho]

He spoke casually, but I could somehow tell Ortho was nervous. His eyes that were constantly locked onto the blades were now switching back and forth to Halvda's spirit and his weapon.

"|Twin Dragon Strike|!" [Halvda]

Pulling the same move again, he lunged forward with his blades at the ready.

"Haven't you learned yet? That skill won't work here." [Ortho]

As a repeat of the previous exchange, Ortho dodged Halvda's blazing slash at the last moment.

"Heh." [Halvda]

Though his skill missed, Halvda smiled.

"What are you… Hm?!" [Ortho]

Feeling a sharp pain near his abdomen, Ortho fell to a single knee.

"What?! Ortho! Get up!" [Leyhna]

Ortho had a gash on his stomach. The wound had been cauterized, as if it was cut then closed immediately.

"How do you like the taste of my Yurandal's |Burning Hook|?" [Halvda]

"...I see. The flames surrounding your bladess extend further than it looks." [Ortho]

"Feel like admitting defeat?" [Halvda]

"Admit defeat?" [Ortho]

Ignoring the searing pain below, he stood up.

"That's what I should be saying. Stand beside me, Tribula!" [Ortho]

Pillars of water burst out of the ground, revealing a male humanlike figure behind it.

"Here it comes! Ortho's |Spirit Mantle|! As seen from previous fights, it's a force to be reckoned with!" [Payne]

"Finally! You're done Halvda!" [Leyhna]

The audience practically erupted. It might have been the main attraction of the show.

"Tribula, mind using assisting me?" [Ortho]

The spirit replied to Ortho with a nod.

"I shall do my utmost." [???]

Once again, I heard another voice in my head.

("This voice is a bit more masculine… So it's the water spirit?") [Solace]

Ortho readied his axe, preparing his next move.

"Oh? You're going first this time?" [Halvda]

"I can't have you boring the audience with your tasteless skills." [Ortho]

"You…!" [Halvda]

Angered by Ortho's taunts, Halvda charged blindly.

"I'll kill you!" [Halvda]

Halvda kicked off the ground. Using just the spring of his step, Halvda spun through the air with his blades at the ready.

"Let's go Tribula!" [Ortho]

Assisted by the spirit of water, Ortho swung his axe upwards.

"|Raging Tide|!" [Ortho]

"|Dragon's Talon|!" [Halvda]

Flames and water intermingled between the clash of their blades. The view from above was blocked off by immense amounts of steam, but the sound of metal being struck continued.

"Steam has covered the field! But the battle continues! Who will come out on top?!" [Payne]

"Come on Ortho!" [Leyhna]

The names of the two fighters were cried out, but were silenced after the sounds of battle had come to a stop.

("Is it over?") [Solace]

A few seconds passed, and there was no sign of movement. Just as the steam dissipated, one of the fighters emerged.

"We have a victor!" [Payne]

There stood the man built like an ox. Ortho had come out victorious. He may be covered in scratches, and slight burns, but he was most definitely standing.

"Thank you! Thank you all! It was because of your support that I won!" [Ortho]

Roses were thrown into the field. Among them, was a bouquet that Leyhna threw in from who knows where.

"Phew~ That was a good match." [Leyhna]

She sat back down, seemingly satisfied with the results of the duel.

"...Can we go back to class now?" [Fina]

"Class? Oh yeah, let's go back now." [Leyhna]

She moved slowly, purposefully trying to waste time.

"Leyhna! We're already late for class!" [Fina]

"Yeah, yeah. It doesn't even matter if we move any faster right? We're already late anyways." [Leyhna]

"Leyhna!!" [Fina]