The next day, around ten in the morning, the Colosseum of the Kingdom of Altes was alive with the roar of a gathered crowd.
In the front row of the audience sat Cu Chulainn, lounging with his usual air of confidence. His sharp blue eyes scanned the field below, but he was distracted by familiar figures approaching.
"Hmm?" Cu Chulainn turned his head and grinned. "Ah, you're all here—King Conchieber, Connor, and Grandfather Kesba!"
Connor, the old warrior who had trained both Kevin and Cu Chulainn for three years, laughed heartily as he walked over and clapped Cu Chulainn on the back. "You sly dog, Cu Chulainn! You didn't even tell us that Kevin had come back!"
The still-handsome King Conchieber, despite his age, waved off the guards and the owner of the Colosseum to sit near Cu Chulainn with the druid Kesba in tow. "You're keeping secrets now, Cu Chulainn?" Conchieber said with a smile.
"Wait, wait! It's not like that!" Cu Chulainn protested, raising his hands defensively. "He only came back yesterday evening, right before sunset! He just showed up out of nowhere!"
"And you didn't think to tell us immediately?" Kesba asked, stroking his long white beard, his expression somewhere between amusement and reproach.
"Well," Cu Chulainn began, clearly trying to salvage his pride, "after he showed up, he dragged me into cleaning the house. And by the time we were done, we were both so exhausted we slept straight through until morning."
Connor leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms as he gave Cu Chulainn a knowing look. "Ah, is that so? Or were you two too busy eating and drinking to think about the rest of us?"
Cu Chulainn coughed into his fist, shifting awkwardly. "Ahem... Anyway, look down there. He's coming out now."
All three turned their attention to the arena.
Stepping out into the dusty Colosseum floor, Kevin emerged to a wave of cheers from the audience. Dressed in simple yet well-fitted attire, his long black ponytail swayed slightly as he walked with a measured and confident stride.
"He's grown," Kesba said quietly, breaking the silence that had momentarily fallen over the group.
"Yes," Connor agreed, a faint smile on his face. "And strong too, I'd wager."
"Strong enough to keep up with Cu Chulainn?" King Conchieber asked, his gaze fixed on Kevin.
Cu Chulainn leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with anticipation as he licked his lips. "Stronger than you might think," he said.
Kevin paused in the center of the Colosseum, his sharp black eyes scanning the rows of spectators. For a moment, his gaze lingered on Cu Chulainn and the others in the front row. Seeing them deep in conversation, he furrowed his brows slightly and muttered, "What are they talking about? Why do I have goosebumps?"
The loud creak of a wooden fence being raised drew his attention back to the arena. From the shadows emerged a massive beast, towering several meters tall. It had bloodshot eyes, sharp fangs, and a body rippling with muscle. The crowd roared with excitement as the beast let out an ear-splitting roar, its breath hot and heavy.
Kevin yawned.
In the stands, Conchieber glanced at Cu Chulainn. "How do you think he'll handle it?"
Cu Chulainn grinned. "He'll finish it fast. He's not one to drag things out unless he has to."
Connor nodded in agreement. "Knowing Kevin, he'll avoid making a mess too. He hates the smell of blood."
Down in the Colosseum, Kevin moved the moment the beast charged. It lunged at him, its jaws wide open, but Kevin darted forward with incredible speed.
As he neared the beast, he leapt into the air. For a brief moment, the sun caught the polished blade of his greatsword, making it glint brilliantly.
With precision and force, Kevin threw the sword. It pierced through the beast's open mouth and exited through the back of its skull.
The monster collapsed with a loud thud.
Kevin landed gracefully behind it, walking toward the exit without sparing the fallen beast a second glance.
In the stands, silence fell over the audience.
"Well," King Conchieber said after a moment, "that was fast."
"And clean," Connor added with a chuckle.
"This boy hasn't changed a bit," Kesba remarked, stroking his beard.
Before anyone else could speak, Cu Chulainn leapt from his seat, landing in the arena with a flourish.
"Kevin!" Cu Chulainn's voice rang out, stopping Kevin in his tracks. The younger warrior turned, eyebrows raised in mild annoyance as Cu Chulainn approached him, grinning from ear to ear.
"Fight me!" Cu Chulainn declared, his voice filled with excitement.
Kevin sighed, folding his arms across his chest. "Why should I?"
"Why?" Cu Chulainn repeated incredulously. "You've grown stronger, haven't you? Let's test your strength against mine, just like old times!"
Kevin frowned. "Old times? You mean the times when you'd beat me into the ground without breaking a sweat?"
"That was then," Cu Chulainn said, his grin widening. "You've changed. I can feel it. You're stronger now—I want to see how much!"
Kevin stared at him for a long moment, his face unreadable. Then he raised one eyebrow, his expression shifting to one of mock understanding. "Ah, I see what's going on. You're just a battle-crazed maniac who can't control himself."
Cu Chulainn laughed. "You're not wrong! Now stop stalling and fight me!"
Kevin smirked, then shrugged. "But I refuse."
The Colosseum went silent again.
"You... refuse?" Cu Chulainn asked, blinking in surprise.
Kevin nodded. "That's right. I just killed a beast the size of a house. I'm sweaty, I'm hungry, and I'd rather not embarrass you in front of all these people."
"Embarrass me?" Cu Chulainn repeated, his voice rising.
"Yep," Kevin said, turning away. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to find something to eat."
"Kevin!" Cu Chulainn shouted, stomping his foot like an indignant child. "This isn't over!"
Kevin waved lazily over his shoulder as he left the arena. "Sure, sure. Whatever you say."
In the stands, King Conchieber, Connor, and Kesba burst into laughter.
"He hasn't changed at all," Connor said, wiping a tear from his eye.
"No," Kesba agreed, a wide smile on his face. "But he's certainly grown."
Conchieber leaned back in his seat, watching Kevin disappear into the Colosseum's exit. "He's going to make things very interesting around here."
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