A resounding boom, unmistakably Lady Evadne's, jolted Zephyrion out of his thoughts, making him realize his name had been called to the arena.
Unlike the fanfare that had greeted Rylan and SteelSlicer when they were announced, this time, there was an eerie silence from the spectators.
The names 'Venomblade' and 'Hexspell' held no popularity in this colosseum, making the fighters in the lobby and spectator naturally assume that their battle would be nothing and boring as hell.
Zephyrion wasn't in a hurry. He bided his time, and cast his gaze around, curious to identify his opponent.
It wasn't long before he spotted a pretty lady walking toward the lobby door. Her expression was ice-cold and indifferent, as if she wasn't even bothered about her match.
She adorned a flowing, purple robe that clung to her slender form before flaring out in graceful layers at the bottom. Around her waist, a matching purple cord cinched the gown, defining her hourglass figure. Her brown hair was tied in a ponytail, flowing down to her waist.
"Hmm, my opponent is a mage, it seems? Well, this will be my first encounter with a magic user," Zephyrion mused, a faint smile playing at the corner of his lips as he assessed the pretty lady.
Without further ado, he also started walking towards the lobby door, his eyes flickering to the bustling betting area in search of Gavric. However, after a brief scan, his eyes returned empty.
Zephyrion didn't care much and walked past the large door. His opponent was nowhere to be seen and, it seemed, had probably walked far away to her destination spot.
Rylan had previously given directions to the arena battleground gates, so finding the southern gate was easy.
The spectators' voices grew louder and closer as Zephyrion neared the southern gate.
Right before making his final turn, he saw Rylan approaching him, wearing the same joyful look he had after winning his battle.
"Hey, hooded boy, up next? Who's your opponent?" Rylan inquired.
Zephyrion nodded. "Yeah, I know little about her, just that she's a mage."
"A lady? Well, good luck. Don't just get your ass beaten anyway," Rylan teases.
Zephyrion scoffed, "Do you think we are the same? Learn and watch as I dominate this match."
"Hmph, talking arrogant. We will see about that," Rylan smirked. He was about to continue his way toward the lobby when his eyes shifted downward and gazed at Zephyrion's hand, which was empty.
Rylan was speechless and in disbelief. "Do you want to die that badly, or are you confident that you will win this match without using a weapon?"
"Ahhh, shit!" Zephyrion stopped dead in his tracks, cold sweat instantly formed on his forehead. If not for Rylan's reminder, he would have completely forgotten about this.
Zephyrion couldn't imagine what would happen if he went into the arena battleground without a weapon. The consequences would be dire.
Spotting Zephyrion's reaction, Rylan sighed. "You are very lucky you ran into me man, otherwise, just say goodbye to your legs and limbs. How can you not remember something important as this? I will lend you my sword for now."
"Hmmm," Zephyrion nodded towards Rylan as he accepted the sword. Without another word, he turned on his heel and resumed his journey to the southern gate.
Rylan watched Zephyrion back until he was out of sight, grumbling under his breath. "Not even a simple thanks, how rude." Shaking his head, he pondered, "why would lady Evadne asked me to keep an eye on him, huh?"
By now, Zephyrion was already in front of an open narrow gate. The loud noise of the crowd was very close now, and he could tell that he was near the spectators, only the gate separate him from the battleground.
"Now, this is a fine blade, worthy of a weapon crafted from this world." Zephyrion muttered as he examined the sword in his hand.
The moment he collected the sword from Rylan, the system had provided the sword ststs to him. This was why he didn't said much to Rylan earlier.
Though a basic-tier weapon and has less stats than the war hammer in his possession, it was still much better than most weapon he had ever wielded on earth.
As he examine the sword texture, the voice of a woman he recognized as the announcer echoed in his ear.
"Ladies and gentlemen, warriors and mages, we present yet another battle featuring two contenders. Emerging from the northern gate, welcome the early attunement mage, Hexspell!"
"Ehh? The battle's starting already? So soon?"
Zephyrion was surprised, but now realising that his opponent had just been announced, he wouldn't help but be nervous inside. .
Ahh, it has to be known that all his assassin missions on earth was secretive, swift, and shrouded in darkness, far from public eye. Now, realising that an audience this vast would be watching him battle, Zephyrion suddenly felt strange.
"From the southern gate, behold the swordsman that just registered with us today. Give a warm welcome to the early outer stage's Venomblade!"
"Here goes nothing," Zephyrion muttered as he proceeded toward the gate. Passing through the narrow entrance, he was met with a shocking sight.
The arena was so massive, unlike what was showed in the lobby where the screen only focus on a certain person or spot, the battleground was indeed huge.
Zephyrion felt like an ant as he walked, the spectator seating areas were like layers upon layers stack upon each other, providing a immense height that cast a shadow over the entire battlefield.
Zephyrion look around, he noticed that there was not even a single cheer from the audience, heck, only few even had their gaze at the battleground at this moment.
Zephyrion paid little mind to it and approached the announcer and his opponent. Now gazing at the announcer up close, he realised she was also like lady Evadne, looking ordinary and no single aura would be sensed on her body.
"Nima, if all these powerful experts hide their true realm and look like ordinary people, how can one differentiate them? What if someone provokes them, thinking they are just ordinary? Isn't this looking for death?"
Zephyrion pondered, noting that all the experts he had met today choose to hide their realm, looking ordinary.
But how did Zephyrion know his theory was wrong, he was just too weak and can't sense the realm of anyone stronger than him.
Zephyrion stared at his opponent, their gazes locking. "Hmmm, she's quite attractive," he couldn't help but acknowledge, though her expression remained as icy and indifferent as ever.
Seeing the combatants ready, the announcer, without even a second glance, moved to her designated spot, displaying no enthusiasm for the forthcoming battle.
It would even be seen in her expression that she had no interest in this battle.
Repeating what she did in Rylan match earlier, without hesitation, she raised her hand and started the match.
"Bang"
With the match starting, Zephyrion immediately went on the defensive. He would not be careless. This was his first time fighting a mage, and he had yet to analyze their battle style.
Although he had read many novels on Earth about magic and mages, it's not bad to be on the safer side. Tightening his grip on his sword, Zephyrion readied himself to parry any attack that might come his way.
Zephyrion was surprised when he saw Hexspell running toward him with her hands together, like she was conjuring something. With what he understood about mages, they were long-range types, keeping their distance from opponents when fighting. But now, she was closing in rapidly.
Confusion mixed with caution, Zephyrion couldn't discern the mage's intentions. "Did she see me as some sort of weak opponent, underestimating my abilities, thinking she could engage in close combat?"
Before he could react, Hexspell unleashed her ice magic. A blizzard erupted around them, and ice formed in mid-air, aiming straight for Zephyrion.
Zephyrion was shocked. Rapidly, he twisted and turned, narrowly avoiding the icy projectiles, but not without a few grazing his body.
[-15 HP]
Before he could react to the system message, he saw an ice dagger forming in Hexspell's hand, and she hurled it toward him.
Zephyrion snorted with disdain. With a click, he rotated his sword, slashing at the incoming attack with precision.
Sword Qi formed, creating ripples that headed straight for the dagger.
A soft sizzling sound was the only noise as the ice dagger melted upon contact with the sword Qi, and both attacks dissipated into nothingness.
Zephyrion wasted no time darting forward, abandoning his defensive stance. "Since my opponent seemed to want a close combat battle, who am I to refuse a pretty lady's request?