Chapter 9: Chapter 9: The first battle approaches

The spear’s head collided with the side of the sword, forming sparks as a result of the clash. But, the strength of the one holding the spear proved superior and Elaso was sent a few steps back. Mares took hold of the opportunity and moved, his spear accompanying him as he trusted it forward, aiming at Elaso’s chest, that was being protected by a cheap chest plate of an unknown material to the silver eyed. There was one thing however, that Mares didn’t take into consideration, Elaso’s species.

Ignoring the attack coming for him Elaso pushed his sword forward, planning to extend injury for injury. Mares wasn’t fazed and also seemed to ignore the blade coming towards him as he kept his spear moving. The result was that the head of the spear hit Elaso’s chest plate and pushed it, like it had first hit a rock than cotton. And Elaso’s sword got close to Mares’ face, but before the older man could change his direction to not hurt the silver eyed, the spear user himself got the tip of the sword between his teeth.

Mares then let go of his spear and presented Elaso’s face with a strong punch. The punch was fast, but if one could see it, they would notice that Mares’ fist was covered by an energy which appearance vaguely resembled the bright of stars. Elaso’s face also got momentarily covered by that type of energy, though the color was different.

With the punching connecting Elaso felt as if a comet had hit him, sending him direct to the wall of the room. Even with his stretchy body the impact caused some cracks to appear on the wall. In reality, the whole room was in poor condition, thin cracks covering the walls, the floor and even the ceiling. It didn’t seem like it was about to go down, but also it didn’t give anyone a feeling of security. That’s why those from that floor usually avoid this training room, choosing to train anywhere else available to them. Mares and Elaso were the firsts to use it in months.

“You are a monster kid… did someone ever told you that?” Elaso said rubbing his cheek.

“Sometimes.” Mares answered with a nod.

Elaso looked at his expressionless face and laughed shocking his head.

“The manuals we bought months ago only had the basics of spear yielding and you already surpassed the introductory level using only that as a base. Your use of Astral Energy is probably better than anyone in the seven thousands, just… doesn’t matter…”

He was about to ask what was Mares, but changed his mind, and Mares himself didn’t seem to be curious about what he was going to say, so they finished the training and got out of the room, that now looked worst then when they first got in.

Three days passed since the incident in the weapon’s hall. The other rookies that arrived with Mares were introduced to the room and didn’t have as much luck as him, being beaten by the veterans.

Most of the time Mares spent was training, especially with the spear. Though he was far from being an expert, he was dozens of times better than he was three days ago. The speed in which he improved with the weapon was alarming and it had no signs of stopping. Elaso assumed it probably had something to do with his species, or he was just that talented.

“Elaso, Mares, our battle will be tomorrow!” As they made their way back to the room, Madera suddenly showed up on the hallway, seeming distressed.

Elaso didn’t seem to surprise though.

“Imagined so, they probably want to make a show about what the newcomers can do. Did they tell you about the details?”

She nodded and went on.

“We will be fighting five Void Beasts…”

“Five?” Elaso had a frown.

“I know it’s not the norm, but there is nothing we can do about it.” Madera said massaging the sides of her forehead. It had taken enough effort to not start a fight with the guard that had informed her. Not that there would result in much since she would be basically picking a fight with a robot.

“How strong will these Void Beasts be?” Mares asked curious. He seemed to be thinking of something else when he asked that.

“Three first grade, and two second grades. They mainly want us to put a show, not to slaughter us before we make them money.” Madera said sighing.

The long haired nodded.

“Sounds manageable, probably won’t be much of an issue.” He replied, didn’t looking as if he put much thought into it.

Now it was Elaso’s turn to sigh, making the silver eyed look at him curious, after all he was pretty sure the veteran could deal with first grade void beasts.

“You know, one thing you have to keep in mind, even to the day when you manage to get out of this hell hole, is that not everyone is as monstrous as you.” Having seen the look in Mares’ eyes, Elaso said, managing to get a slightest reaction of surprise from the younger one. “I suppose you already dealt with void beasts before. Did you forget that we are the last ranking gladiators here? A lot of them can’t even use astral energy.”

With that Mares finally slightly widened his eyes.

“Fighting a void beast without being able to use astral energy is…”

“Suicide. Plain and simple, especially against five of them.” Madera said not hiding any of her thoughts.

“They usually don’t even put most of our group to fight against others, we mostly open the day fighting one, rarely two void beasts, never more than that.” Elaso complemented.

“I see… That’s troublesome.” Mares understood, his face going back being less expressive.

“Pretty much kid.” Glarto had also come to join the conversation now that they were at the end of the hallway, before the entrance of the room. It wasn’t much of a place to handle plannings, but it was better than to have that conversation in the middle of everyone.

Elaso seemed to want to say something, but hesitated for some seconds. Noticing that Madera could imagine what he was thinking, so decided to ask herself.

“Mares, you can take one down by yourself, right?”

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She asked seriously looking at him. The boss of the group couldn’t help but sigh, after all they were asking someone that was decades younger than them, someone that as far as they were concerned should by no means be there, to deal by himself with something that could wipe out probably more than half of the other gladiators of their floor.

And they were expecting even more from him, after all, if he could take one down by himself, if they manage to make a good plan, they might be able to use their general strength to have Mares be take down more than one. He wouldn’t be on his own if they can think of said plan, but the group of veterans didn’t feel too well with themselves in making a kid fight on the front line.

“It won’t be a problem.” But Mares himself didn’t even blink with the question.

That made even Madera frown. The trio once more wondered about where this boy came from. It seemed unnatural to have someone of that age acting so calm with the perspective of a battle to the death while he was accompanied by a bunch much weaker than him.

“Let’s plan this with the others, we need to decide exactly how everyone is gonna fight and some type of formation. Is the best way to avoid… lots of deaths…” Glarto said, the anxiety for the upcoming battle undeniably affecting him.

“Don’t worry, I am sure it will be alright, is just some normal first and second grade void beasts.” Mares on the other hand didn’t share their nervousness. Later on, however, he would be harshly reminded of the words he told Esen. That they have no luck.

[…]

Not so far from the planet Mares currently was in, a space ship of the size of two big asteroids put together, was moving in the direction of that very planet. The space ship was painted in gray and blue details, its technology was outstanding and it was clear that it was a ship transporting those with some status.

On both sides of the ship there was a symbol in of a star with a crown over it. Any other space ship that passed near looked at that symbol and put more distance between them and that ship, not wanting to accidentally cause some trouble.

Contrary to what one might think after seeing the people avoiding it, the insides of the ship weren’t full with warriors that could fight to the death, but with teenagers on what could only be described as school uniforms, and adults that were their teachers, most of which didn’t seem to be some type of fighter. There was only a minor group, some also using the vestment of the teachers while others didn’t, that had real aura, and Mares would recognize all of them as formidable experts.

At this moment, while the members of the 7600 room were making their plans for tomorrow’s fight, a girl walked down one of the countless corridors of the space ship, lost in thought.

Her height wasn’t particularly outstanding, she would only reach Mares’ chest. She had silver blue hair that went until her waist, with a ponytail on the side, and a face that could only be described as beautiful. On the right side of her forehead a horn of at least five centimeters stuck out, it was of the same coloration as her hair but of a darker ton. She was also using what would be recognized on Earth as a school uniform, with a skirt that went until her knees.

She had her arms crossed below her breasts, her eyes facing the floor with a frown between her eyebrows.

“What is my dearest thinking?”

A sweet voice reached the girl’s ears, making her raise her head, with her expression improved by a lot and a small smile in her face.

“Teacher!”

Lhian increased her pacing, getting right in front of her teacher. She was one head taller than Lhian, had long wavy orange hair, a tanned skin, and what seemed like a small pair of wings on the sides of her forehead.

“Are you still unwillingly to go to the Crixus Coliseum?”

Lhian’s frown came back with the mention of the coliseum.

“I don’t get it… why we need to go there? There are all types of rumors about the owner, they say he forsaked his own daughter! And even if is just rumors, he enslaves people to make them fight to death! Why are we wasting money on someone like him?!”

She said kicking the floor with her right foot and grinding her teeth.

The teacher looked like she was already expecting this and sighed.

“Is not that I don’t share your thoughts, but it’s necessary. Our academy may focus on lots of subjects, but never forget we should mainly focus on war and battles. These are times of peace, but our focus must not change, even if some say the opposite.”

She assumed a serious tone, but instead of a teacher she looked more like a big sister lecturing her younger sister.

“But…” The blue silver haired girl had a conflicted expression. Her teacher looked at her with pity, before continuing her lecture.

“We are living in too peaceful times. There are zones of conflict of course, though…” She seemed to think of something that wasn’t convenient to tell Lhian, interrupting her line of thought. “Either way, with the limitations we were imposed, the coliseum is the best place for the students to have their share of witnessing bloodshed, and the hunting that you will all do later as well… I am sorry, but you have to bear it.” She sounded rather apologetically to Lhian, once again resembling much more a big sister.

Lhian gave her a weak smile. She knew if she continued to insist in this matter, it would be putting her cherished teacher in a hard position so she dropped. Her problem wasn’t even the idea of experiencing battle or seeing blood, she just didn’t like the person they were financing with their activities.

“You don’t need to look so down. Who knows? You are in a campus trip to a planet far from your home and the academy, you might just find your fated partner.” The teacher said giggling.

Hearing those words, the dispirited expression on Lhian’s face was gone, substituted by a childish annoyance and embarrassment. Unknow to the pair of teacher and student, at that moment a boy with unusual, even in the whole universe, shining silver eyes sneezed.