Finn made his way to the coliseum stands, his roommates dispersing to find their sparring partners. Zorak, with a saber at his side, Lithan wielding a spear, and Mountain Ridge hefting dual hammers, each prepared for their own battles. Finn, however, had no such plans and didn't particularly care. His gauntlets, ever-present, remained in their solid state. They didn't hinder his dexterity too much, and for some reason, they just felt right. The feeling of the solid metal around his hands gave him a sense of security and readiness, as if he could face anything that came his way.
Lythana appeared beside him, matching his stride with ease. Finn could feel the eyes on them, particularly from the male humans and dark elves. She was stunning, her beauty undeniable, and that kind of attention was exactly what Finn wanted to avoid. He was here to get stronger, not to be distracted by the gazes of those around him. Yet, as he glanced at Lythana, he couldn't help but respect her dedication. She was here for the same reason he was: to grow stronger, to push her limits.
"Fuck it," he thought. As long as she stayed focused, he had no reason to hold it against her, it wasn't in her control. The world around them seemed to fade as they walked in silence, an unspoken understanding passing between them.
They walked in silence and took their seats, each lost in their own thoughts. Around them, Finn's roommates settled in with their partners. Mountain Ridge paired with a Vorath, Zorak with an Ursox, and Lyrian with a striking human female. She was very good-looking, but despite her appearance, she was still overshadowed by Lythana—not that Finn cared about such things. His focus was on the task ahead.
A system prompt interrupted the settling crowd:
Life and death duel will commence in 10 minutes. Please remain seated until you are prompted to your spot; you have 2 minutes to accept or your life is forfeit. Once you select "accept," you will be instantly transported to your duel. Good luck.
The coliseum was enormous, with 25,000 individual battle spots filled around the arena. The sheer number of students, close to 10 million, was staggering, though Finn was oblivious to the exact figure. The scale of the event was almost incomprehensible, a testament to the gravity of the duels that were about to take place.
The countdown began, and when the timer ended battles erupted all around. The noise of clashing weapons and shouts of combatants filled the air, a chaotic symphony that underscored the deadly nature of the coliseum.
Finn's attention was drawn to a nearby match. A human girl, her face pale with fear, was crying. Across from her, a goblin materialized, its gaunt form revealing every rib. Starvation had sharpened its ferocity, making it a dangerous opponent despite its small size.
The goblin lunged at the girl. She held a sword, but her inexperience was evident. She flailed rather than fought, and Finn guessed she had spent her time in the infirmary, untrained and unprepared for the harsh reality of the duel.
The goblin easily disarmed her and slashed her abdomen. She collapsed, screams piercing the air. The goblin, ignoring the cries, began to devour her alive. The scene was nightmarish. Blood pooled and guts spilled as the creature tore into her flesh with savage glee. Her screams grew weaker, but the masters remained impassive, making no move to intervene.
Finn felt his stomach churn, but he forced himself to watch. His path would be drenched in blood, and he was determined not to turn away. The brutality of the scene was a stark reminder of the reality they all faced, a reality that Finn was determined to conquer.