(1 week later)
_________________
[Battle God interface]
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Name: Felix Anderson
Species: Human
Age: 21
Sex: Male
Designation: Disciple
Title: Gladiator (Unequipped)
Abilities: None
Skills: Unique Skill [Analyst], Unique Skill [Weapons Vault], Swordsman skills [Vertical slash, Horizontal slash]
Resistance: Fear inducement, Pain Resistance
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Felix stared at the system interface before him as he sat on a bench with his thoughts all jumbled up.
Dyara had made good on her words.
It was safe to say that what she said, she did.
Felix found himself back in the arena that nearly took his life, once again up against the same bastard that nearly killed him.
He didn't feel good though, in truth, ever since the incident with the slaves, he hadn't been able to completely get it off his mind.
It plagued him every night.
The scenes of those poor innocents sprawled on the ground, their blood dyeing the wooden floorboards red.
[Notice. Apart from host's physical condition, a peak mental state is advised to perform effectively during battle]
Felix sighed as he closed the system interface. "I know."
Glancing to the side, he picked up a bareback book with a simple title, "Basic sword movements."
Nathan gave it to him the day before but he hadn't taken the time to read it yet.
Over the past week, Nathan had tried to form a relationship with Felix, but unfortunately, the latter couldn't overcome his reservations.
At the end of the day, what was the point since he knew Nathan would always be held back?
It was his cross to carry alone, so Felix always brushed off Nathan.
Unfortunately, the latter wasn't letting up yet.
It was becoming quite a headache.
[Notice. It's almost time]
Felix nodded as he leafed through the combat manual that seemed to be personally drafted by Nathan.
[Notice. Basic sword movements have been copied and drafted into Swordsman skills.]
"I don't need to practice?" Felix asked for confirmation.
[Affirmative. The training over the past week has conditioned your body for the assimilation of the combat manual]
Felix nodded. The system was indeed convenient in many ways.
If only the price wasn't there, he would have already attempted a rampage.
Of course, the chances of him coming out alive in his current state were zero.
Aya had confirmed it after rigorous calculations… (it barely took a minute)
Just then, there was a buzzer sound followed by the announcement.
{The 3679th Absolution match will now take place. Welcome our fighters!}
Felix sighed. "It's time."
He tossed the Basic sword movement manual into the Weapons Vault before rising to his feet.
With a steady gait, he made his way to the entrance.
***
Absolution was a tradition created by the Demirs to handle unwilling slaves in the worlds they conquered.
It was their way of giving false hope to slaves by making them believe that with sufficient strength, they could carve their path.
Involving a series of three matches where a slave proved their combat prowess, there were only two outcomes.
If they managed to win, then freedom was theirs.
If not, death wouldn't be far away.
Felix was one of the rare cases that survived an Absolution match despite losing.
He was also one of the special ones that managed to get another chance at Absolution after failing the first time.
Most times, the fighters that would face the slaves were relatives of the Awakened.
Children taken at birth and made to undergo genetic restructuring, would become killing machines that ensured that slaves that dared to have dreams of freedom would quickly let go of such fantasies in a bid to survive.
Of course, they were also used for entertainment, participating in gladiatorial fights which were a staple form of enjoyment for the Demirs.
Unlike the Awakened though, they wouldn't have superpowers, but their physical abilities would be on par with a Null.
The arena manager would normally be in charge of such beings, picking out the best fit for a slave seeking Absolution.
Today was different though as Dyara was the one to make the choice.
Her presence served as a deterrent to any form of nonsense as most in attendance today were sober and didn't dare to cheer too loudly for fear of dying an unfortunate death.
As Felix stepped into the silent arena, it was somewhat of a relief.
He was unsure if he'd be able to stop himself from cursing out these bastards that had long since abandoned their pride to become dogs of the Demirs.
It was disgusting how they abandoned what made them unique, destroying the potential of humanity.
Unfortunately, he couldn't reach them since the spectator stands were protected by a glass dome.
All he could do was glare hatefully before retracting his gaze to look at his opponent.
The same muscular figure with a mace and a condescending look on his face.
Immediately, the memories of that day replayed in his mind.
"I can't believe you came back." The muscular man said with a slight hint of disbelief on his face.
He was sure he killed this bastard but here he was, hale and hearty.
More than that, he seemed… confident?
Where did this confidence come from?
The muscular man turned wary.
Felix took a deep breath as he glanced at Dyara in the VIP area.
Nathan stood beside her with his hands behind his back.
Their eyes met and the former nodded in acknowledgment.
Felix didn't respond in kind though as he withdrew his gaze and reached out his hand to summon his blade.
Unlike its previous plain appearance, it had an inscription on it due to the effects of Ego weapon creation.
The muscular man went wide-eyed as he instinctively took a step back. "He awakened?"
Dyara silently watched the tension build in the arena for a few seconds before giving the signal to the arena manager to commence the match.
The latter didn't hesitate as he sort to gain brownie points with the beautiful and awe-inspiring Demir. "Let the Absolution begin!"