Inside the python's constricting throat, Roran's breath faltered. Each breath felt like sucking in mud. Panic surged, but he forced himself to focus. His muscles, burning with new strange energy, flexed against the crushing walls of flesh. The python's insides squirmed, it's body reflexively resisting.
" Damn it, this is not how I imagined getting up close and personal with nature. " Roran muttered through clenched teeth. The absurdity of the thought almost made him laugh. Almost.
Gripping the combat knife inside his coat, he closed his eyes, memories of the three months of training flowing through his mind. Every grip, every stance and every strike he had repetitively practiced. The python's muscles spasmed, trying to drag him deeper into its belly, but Roran was ready.
He flipped the knife into a forward grip, angling the blade towards the beast's flesh.
Puchi!
His eyes snapped open, glowing with a fierce light. " Time for some snake sashimi!" He growled, thrusting the knife with all his might. The blade dug deep into the python's flesh, slicing through the thick muscle all the way to the hilt.
" ROOOOOAR!!!"
The python's roar shook the arena, its body writhing violently as pain coarse through it. The force nearly tore Roran apart, but before the agony could consume him, a strange itchy sensation spread through his body. His torn muscles and veins knitted back together, the pain receding as quickly as it had come.
" Whoa... that's handy," Roran breathed, momentarily stunned by his own rapid recovery. He shook of the dizziness and reversed his grip on the knife. With a grunt, he slashed through the beast's innards, guided by the sense of blood pulsing through its veins. It was as if he could see the python's circulatory system in his mind.
" This is for swallowing me, you overgrown garden hose!" Roran muttered, a grim smile tugging at his lips.
RIPPP!!!
The blade ripped upwards, shredding the python's throat muscles brutally. The creature convulsed, thrashing in the arena as it tried to get rid of its prey.
"ROOOOOAR!!!"
Another roar reverberated through the python's body, but this time Roran was prepared. As the blood spilled around him, he willed it to rupture the veins, causing even more internal bleeding. The python's movements slowed, its strength draining away as it bled internally.
With one final, determined effort, Roran braced himself and pushed against the python's torn flesh, forcing a wide gap enough for him to escape. He clawed his way out, gasping for air as he tumbled into the arena floor, drenched in blood and digestive fluids.
" Huff... Huff... Huff..." He panted heavily, every breath feeling like a victory in itself. The combat knife was still crenched in his hand, a lifeline that had pulled him back from the brink of death.
As he staggered to his feet, the arena fell deathly silent. Roran blinked, momentarily disoriented by the sudden stillness. He glanced around, finally noticing the wide-eyed stares of the spectating students.
" Uh... Hey, guys. Fun show, huh?" Roran quipped, though his voice was shaky.
The silence went on for a heartbeat longer before erupting into a cacophony of disbelief.
" How's this possible?!"
" He was literally snake food a second ago!"
" Has the world gone crazy?! Crazy! This is crazy!"
The students leaped from their seats, some cheering, others shouting in shock and anger. The noise was a wild, chaotic mix of emotions, all directed at the blood soaked figure standing in the center of the arena.
Up at the high table, the instructors watched in stunned silence, their faces a mix of awe and confusion. Instructors Dylan, the handsome young man sitting beside the demoness and known for his sharp insights, was the first to speak.
" Could the kid have used some sort of drug?" he mused, though even he didn't sound convinced.
" No, no student could get their hands on something that powerful, " another instructor argued, shaking his head.
" Maybe he tapped into some latent talent?" another instructor suggested, though his tone was laced with doubt.
Instructor Selina, her expression cold and unreadable, tapped her fingers rhythmically against the table. The other instructors turned to her as her fingers suddenly stopped. Without a word, she waved her hand over her wrist device.
"What are your commands, instructor Selina?" A robotic voice echoed from the wrist device.
" Release the second beast," she ordered, her voice icy.
" As you wish."
A low rumble shook the arena, the ground beneath Roran trembling ominously. He barely had time to catch his breath before he realized what was happening.
" Selina, are you mad?" Instructor Dylan tilted his head and asked in a meaningful smile. The other instructors turned towards her, their expressions darkening.
" That's a candidate with the potential to awaken a bloodline limit! Are you trying to get him killed?" one instructor snapped, glaring at her.
" Exelion, lock down the beast in arena ten and announce the kid as the winner! " Another instructor will glasses commanded.
" Apologies, authority 6 cannot be overridden by authority 4," the automaton replied, its voice unyielding.
" Selina, call it off before I report you to the Dean! " Another instructor threatened, his voice rising in anger.
Selina responded with a sneer, ignoring their protests as her focus returned to the arena below.
Seeing this, Instructor Dylan let out an amused chuckle, the remaining instructors shook with fury and anger, along with frustration!
Because her authority was the highest, they couldn't override her command.
At this time, the other matches had concluded and the results were actually good.
Three of the students taking the trial died while six came out alive. There was only Roran left on the stage, still taking his own trial.
"Don't tell me another beast is going to be released?"
"How's that possible? It would no longer be a test for recruits anymore! "
The rumbling intensified, and Roran looked up, his heart sinking as the walls of arena ten began to shake. The students in the stands finally noticed, their excitement finally turned into confusion as they realized what was going to happen.
" Another beast? Now? Seriously?! " Roran muttered under his breath, wiping blood from his eyes. He had just survived being eaten alive and now this?
As the walls began to part, revealing a massive shadow lurking behind them, Roran tightened his grip on the knife. His newfound power thrummed within him, but so did a gnawing sense of dread.
The ground quaked as the beast began to emerge, its eyes glowing with a malevolent hunger.
" Well, this day keeps getting better and better, " Roran sighed, bracing himself for the next round. Guess its time for round two. "
The beast's roar echoed through the arena, drowning out the terrified screams of the spectators. Roran's eyes narrowed as he prepared to face whatever monstrosity had been unleashed.
And then with a deafening crash the beast lunged.