David stepped out of his room and onto the arena pit, his boots sinking slightly into the dusty ground. His eyes immediately locked onto Ashley as she emerged from the opposite side, her mage robes fluttering softly in the wind. This would be an interesting match. Since arriving in this world, David had yet to face a mage, and he wondered how Ashley's spells would fare against his own abilities.
The arena was buzzing with anticipation. Commoners filled the stands, their attention fixed on the pit below. Many had already decided the outcome, whispering amongst themselves that Ashley would win with ease. After all, David had a reputation—a stain on the De Gor family name, known as the "trash" of the bloodline. But there were a few skeptics in the crowd, their curiosity piqued. How had David, the so-called disgrace, made it this far into the trials? How had he survived, much less thrived, to be standing here today?
