(Kaiser’s POV)
"KAISER WON—!!! IT’S HIS THIRD MATCH, AND HE SURVIVED ONCE AGAIN!!!"
The announcer declared after seeing Degula’s head rolling on the floor.
"WHOOOAAAAHH!!!"
"I REMEMBER NOW—IT’S THE KID THAT KILLED UMAR AND BARNUS!!!"
"YEAH, HE WAS OUT FOR A MONTH THAT I FORGOT!!!"
The crowd screamed in excitement.
"Fuuuuu..."
I just let out a deep sigh as I stabilize my breathing. My right forearm hurts, it’s broken.
My jaw is aching a bit too.
But other than that, I’m good.
I didn’t sustain any serious damage, I probably wouldn’t even need to go to the healing center.
And realizing this—
"I’ve really gotten stronger, huh..."
A small smile rested on my face. I’ve only fought Viktor for the past month and it’s all a spar, so I wasn’t able to see my full strength.
But after now... I’ve roughly gauged my combat level. And seeing that I did get better at fighting—a weird sense of accomplishment and excitement washed over me.
The noise around me was loud, but I ignored all of them. My head is clear and I’m thinking straight.
And at the moment—
’I want to get stronger and fight some more...’
That’s what’s running in my head.
*****
I came back to the waiting room after my fight, my heart was still pounding from the thrill of my win.
And when I stepped inside the room—
Tap-
"...?"
I noticed Brock, Khan, and Jin just staring at me.
"What?"
I asked them, frowning for a bit.
And opening his mouth—
"Your skill... It’s leaking."
Brock said that while pointing at me.
"Huh?"
I was confused. But after focusing for a bit...
"..."
I became silent. I could feel murderous intent oozing out of my body, it’s not strong, but it’s chilling.
"Why did it activate...?"
I mumbled while touching my face with my left hand. Though honestly, I already had a small idea why it did.
"Looks like you’ve really awakened this time."
It was then that Jin spoke.
"Hm?"
I looked at him in curiosity. It’s the second time he mentioned that to me now.
And seeing me looking at him all confused, Jin spoke again before I could even ask what he meant.
"Basically, you realized that you like fighting. You started getting excited at the thought of getting strong and fighting opponents... Kid, right now—your thirst for power has awakened."
"You’ve became a real gladiator."
He declared with a shrug and a smile on his face, looking at me.
"Mhm... Not only that, your mentality changed into a fighter’s too, so your skill got stronger—you need to get used to it again."
Brock followed with a nod of his head.
And after those two—
"I’m excited to see what kind of a fighter you’ll become, kid."
Khan went and declared that.
I remember silent for a while.
"I’ve become a fighter... Huh..."
Then I whispered to myself. I thought to myself for some quiet time.
And just seconds after—
"I guess it’s not that bad."
I added that.
I’ve decided to get stronger and fight as long as I’m alive. In this unwanted second life of mine... I might as well have a little bit of fun.
’Yeah, let’s see how far I can reach in this life.’
Anyway...
After that, I went and joined Brock, Khan, and Jin on the benches.
And with the four of us all together again, we watched the last match together. I mean, we really just talked to each other throughout the fight and barely watched the last duel.
We’re not really that interested in it now.
So instead, the three started talking about my fight.
They praised my fighting style and my last deflection. Even the last slash that I did that decapitated Degula.
"That was a clean cut, not bad, considering your weapon."
Jin commented.
I’m smiling ear to ear with all the good things being told to me, I’m trying to hide it though.
I felt a bit proud and happy.
And while we’re just like that—the last fight ended, and so did the event.
Meaning...
"It’s time to go back in the copper place."
I said as I stood up from the bench.
*****
Not long after the event ended and the announcer closed it... A guard entered the waiting room that we’re in.
He accompanied the four of us back to the copper place.
The three talked casually on our way, but me... I didn’t speak a word.
I don’t know if they don’t care or they just understand my situation, but the three just ignored me.
Which is good for me because I have time to think to myself.
...
And as soon as we got back to the copper place—
"I’ll be going first."
I said that and stepped in the cell.
And without waiting for the three’s responses... I ran to my room and entered inside.
I just heard them shout good luck at me.
Then, when I got to my room—
"I need to train."
I immediately started doing light exercises. I even did some weightlifting with my javelin and the bags of sand in my room.
"Huff... huff.. haaaa..."
I don’t care if sweat started dropping on my face. I didn’t care about my grumbling stomach, my shaking body, my dry lips.
I continued training.
That’s because after my fight with Degula—
’I’ve been relentless, I want to move, I want to train. I want to get stronger... I want to fight more.’
And after a small pause and opening my mouth—
"I want to win again."
I mumbled that as I was sweating like crazy, a smile on my face.
Then, I continued training after that.
...
...
...
Dinner arrived later and I went out of my room to eat and replenish my stamina. Rai arrived not long after too.
I took my daily chicken breasts and went back inside my room.
And after eating them—
I continued with my training... I did that until I couldn’t move anymore. That’s just when I laid on my bed and fell asleep.
I rested well that night.
...
...
...
The next day, after having breakfast—
"Brock, Khan, Jin... And Kaiser."
"It’s time to collect your prizes."
A guard appeared in front of the metal-bar gate and called for us four.
And with a smile on my face—
Tap-
I stepped forward and followed after him.
Brock, Khan, and Jin did so too—the four of us were excited to get our rewards.