" Man, you should have seen how they were fighting. The first man was bragging about winning a fight and then another one came and pulled out his arms. It was so fun. "
Eliot was recounting the events of the previous night while Jacob sat on his bed with an amused look on his face wishing he was there to see the fight too.
The three of them were in Levi's room. Jacob had just come in and Eliot hadn't been able to resist telling him what he had seen at the underground fighting arena.
"Wow. You guys have to take me next time. "
He and Levi had grown somewhat close. They were civil with one another and at times friendly. Maybe it was because it was necessary because they were roommates.
"You're never here. Where are we going to find you? '' Levi asked. He didn't care what Jacob did or where he went but he was curious.
Jacob rarely ever came to class and the professors didn't seem to notice. Did he even have a magic ability?
He realized then that he knew close to nothing about Jacob. He was Levi's roommate but he only knew his name and nothing else.
He didn't have any personal items, just his uniform and he spent his nights and weekends away. Levi was curious enough to think of following Jacob just to see where he went.
"I can make time next weekend. "
Things were not going as planned. If he kept going back to the underground fighting arena to watch with Eliot and Jacob, he was never going to be able to fight. He was just going to figure out a way to go alone and make sure Eliot and Jacob didn't go.
He felt like he couldn't wait one week to fight. Time was He had decided to check out the area in the absence of Eliot. He was going to lie and then go alone.
The three guys chatted for a while before Jacob excused himself saying there was somewhere he needed to be. As soon as he left, Eliot turned to Levi.
"What do you think he does with his time? I would really like to know where he goes. "
Levi nodded his head agreeing with that statement. He also wanted to know because Jacob didn't act like a student.
"I have never seen him in class once. "
"He should tell me his secret. Maybe I can do what he does and avoid being kicked out. Because it seems like I will be exiled from this school anytime soon. "
Levi had thought a lot about what would happen if he got kicked out. If the next week came to an end without a solution, he was going to go to the city and during the weekend and not come back to the school.
He had money and he was going to make more by fighting. That would be enough to keep him going for a few days before he figured out the way forward.
For now, he had to be practical and realistic. The truth of the matter was that he was never going to perform magic and he would be kicked out. The faster he made peace with that, the faster he could find a permanent solution.
"If you just take the pill…"
Levi didn't comment. Unless he told Eliot the truth, there were not going to have a meaningful argument. Eliot thought he was refusing to take the pill and Levi couldn't tell him he had a system that was rejecting it.
The day went by quickly after that. Levi spent the day in his room with his door locked as he practiced using the sword. It kept falling and he kept losing his balance.
The sword was heavy and dangerous and he still hadn't figured out how to use it three hours later. He felt angry and frustrated.
How was he going to fight if hre couldn't even use his best weapon? He was still determined to fight and win. As soon as it started getting dark outside, he left his dorm and went into the city.
The first stop was the clothing store. He wanted a mask that would shield his identity and piece of clothing that had no badge.
The mask he chose was one that matched the very thing he was going to become. The mask was black, shiny and it had horns and covered his whole face.
The coat he chose as a coverup was leather, black, and it had a hoodie. From the front, it reached his waist and from the back it reached his ankles.
The extension of the coat from his waist to his ankle was split into two. He looked good in it and it added to the mystery like he wanted it to. He paid for his items and went downtown.
When he got to the abandoned building, he wore his costume and headed inside. The flyer had instructed all those who wanted to participate to go earlier than the time the official fights started.
He entered the empty arena and spotted five other people there. They were nothing like him. They were all huge and they showcased their magical abilities freely as if trying to intimidate one another.
He thought the place looked weird without the audience.
"You here to fight? " The instructor asked.
Levi nodded his head and assessed all the other guys in there. They were all staring at him with curiosity.
"Why don't you take off your mask? It will be inconvenient to fight with it. " He added. He was one who had been tasked with picking the next member now that Shadowbone was dead.
[Don't listen to him. He just wants to see who you are]
"I'm good. "
"Okay, have it your way. All of you here will compete with each other and only one of you will be chosen to join the underground fighting club. You will be required to fight every weekend. "
The man said and then looked at Levi.
"The stakes are high. If you have been here before you know what happens to fighters. Make sure this is really what you want to do."
When Levi didn't turn around and leave, he called one of the guys to the ring.
"You will be fighting for the spot and you are the lucky starter. Pick your opponent. "
The guy who had been picked wanted a battle he could easily win so it came as no surprise when he pointed at Levi. He was the smallest and hence, looked the easiest to defeat.
Levi looked behind him to make sure it was him who was being pointed at before getting on the stage to fight.
[This man is bigger than you and probably stronger. Use your brain and you won't die]