I sat inside the waiting room of the Colosseum, looking around at all the other Level 3's preparing for the upcoming contests.
Some looked young, recently elevated. Their nervous movements and glances were funny when compared to the relative calm that the veterans exuded.
Sighing, I stood up with a stretch, slinging the wooden spear onto my back before making my way towards the stands, wanting to watch the matches happening between the Level 1's and Level 2's.
The Ganesha Familia was running almost a dozen matches, since the duels between lower level adventurers were quick and sloppy, with only a few of the talented members showing flashes of brilliance.
Sadly, those were few and far in between, and the current matches were only an appetizer to satiate the crowd.
Leaning against the railing, I looked over the large sandy field, chuckling as I watched a Cow Woman swing the large club above her head, slamming it towards the small Pallum who was scurrying from the monstrous strength of his opponent.
The Cow Woman's club threw up a large cloud of sand, allowing the Pallum to roll out of her view before pouncing forwards, his short sword stabbing towards her side.
I chuckled as the Cow Woman grinned, her giant club deflecting his blow.
The Pallum's arm shivered, his grip loosening slightly as the blow sent a jolt up his arm.
Letting out a laugh, the Cow Woman slammed her head forwards, head butting the Pallum and knocking him out.
Raising her club, she let out a shout, parading her victory over the Pallum as the crowd roared in approval.
I turned my gaze towards the Level 2's fighting, my lips curling in disgust as they circled one another, refusing to make the first move.
They did that for a few minutes, before the Elf Girl dashed forwards, her staff sailing towards the Chienthropes chest.
Using her large shield, the Chienthrope blocked the blow, pushing the staff out of the way before hacking her axe down towards the Elves shoulder.
Her wooden axehead slammed hard into the Elves shoulder, the girl staggering backwards with a grunt.
Following up with another swing towards the Elves midriff, the Chienthrope sunk the axe deep into the Elves stomach, making her double over in pain before slumping to the ground.
Hearing someone approach me, I turned to see a girl with long blonde hair leaning on the railing, her face expressionless as she looked over the current matches.
"Anakitty said you weren't bad..."
Her voice was low, and I chuckled as I looked down at her, saying "Well, people just don't seem to like me for some reason~"
She turned her golden eyes towards me, narrowing them slightly before looking back over the field.
"Anakitty also said you were strong..."
I chuckled, saying "Well, thank her for me, will you?"
Nodding, the young girl grew silent, before muttering "A pity..."
Raising a brow, I asked "What's a pity?"
Her golden eyes flared as she looked at me, and she said "It's a pity that you aren't a Level 4. I wish to fight you."
Laughing, I shrugged before getting up from the railing, saying "You want to fight the Ker, but I don't want to fight the Sword Princess, Ais Wallenstein."
Making my way back into the waiting area, I plopped down on the seat and closed my eyes, deciding to rest before my eventual match.
~~~
Feeling someone shaking my shoulder, I awoke quickly, looking up at the Ganesha Familia member who stood above me.
"Miss Bia, your match is about to begin. If you would please follow me..."
Nodding, I got up with a stretch, loosening my muscles before following behind the tall man in front of me.
All around were various adventurers, most getting used to the feeling of the wooden weapons the Ganesha Familia wanted us to use.
It took only a few minutes for us to reach one of the tunnels leading into the Colosseum.
Stopping, the man looked at me and said "Remember, no lethal blows, and if your opponent surrenders, you stop. We will have no deaths in this stadium."
I just nodded, stretching out my arms and legs, before taking my spear and giving it a few twirls, nodding at the decent weight and balance.
Sighing, the man stepped to the side, gesturing for me to enter the stadium.
Striding in, I listened to the roar of the crowd, hearing some boos and insults hurled my way, while the others cheered for my opponent, a beautiful Amazonian woman.
Dressed in loose, flowing cloth, she twirled her two blades in her hands, sending me a coy smile.
Reaching the designated area, we stood across from one another, waiting for the signal to start.
"For our final fight of the first round, we have the Ker, Nikoletta Bia of the Bia Familia!"
I chuckled as the crowd jeered at me, before looking at the announcer, 'Fire Inferno Flame' Ibri Achaa, standing beside a large, muscular man wearing an elephant mask.
"Her opponent is the beautiful Dancing Moon Maiden, Jeoace Illya of the Ishtar Familia! This will be a good one folks! Lord Ganesha, anything to add?"
Turning towards his god, Ibri smiled as he watched Ganesha flex, before shouting "I AM GANESHA!"
"Indeed, indeed! So, without further adieu, let the fight..."
Readying my spear, I watched as the curvy Jeoace kissed her blades, smiling at me.
"BEGIN!"
Without waiting, I dashed forwards, my spear sweeping towards the bare legs of woman.
Jumping back, Jeoace smirked at me before running forwards, swinging both blades down towards my skull.
Swaying to the side, I sent the butt of my spear towards her side, only to feel the clang of our weapons clash together.
Sweeping my foot towards hers, I watched as Jeoace stumbled back, her lips pulled into a sneer as her eyes narrowed.
Chuckling, I readied my spear again before lancing it towards her, only to have her use one blade to redirect my spear to the side, her other slashing towards my midriff.
Flicking the shaft of my spear up, her sword clanged against the shaft, before grunting when I sent a kick towards her calf.
Snarling at me, she backed up, lowering her stance as she watched me wearily.
Standing in the center of the designated area, I held my spear in one hand as I beckoned for her to attack.
Jeoace launched herself at me with a growl, her blades flickering as she sent slashes and stabs towards me.
Blocking each one, I defended myself as I waited and watched, observing the Amazonian Woman as she started panting, sweat building on her skin.
As she wore herself down, I launched my own attacks, jabbing and slashing with the spearhead, while also using the shaft to push her away from me, freeing space to allow me to utilize my range advantage.
With labored breaths Jeoace desperately blocked my blows, before...
I grinned, my spear slamming into her side.
Hard.
Grunting, Jeoace collapsed, holding her side as she coughed.
Placing the spearhead on her throat, I looked down at her, shivering slightly as she glared up at me.
Leaning down, I whispered "Good effort, good effort. You're pretty good with your blades... you good with your hands in general, or..?"
Snarling, Jeoace looked away from me, before getting up after I removed my spear.
"Nikoletta Bia wins! As such she shall advance to the next round!"
I could hear some cheers, but most of the crowd was still jeering, not that it mattered to me.
Making my way back to the tunnel, I swept past the man, going back towards the waiting room.
I should keep my energy up for the next round.