577. Final Phase III

577. Final Phase III

Nobby’s eyes scanned the inner octagon, which was much larger than it appeared form the outside. The walls were also as thick as he, the floor was made of equally stable stone. Though the walls were thick, they were enchanted so one could look out of them towards the arena, but not through the walls which typically held some of the warriors during the arena fights.

He found Adam and the others relaxing at a table, which was positioned in a way they could look out at every side as the different tables were set staggered so they could all in every direction.

A half floor split the section so the nobility and merchants could stay technically above the bottom floor, which split apart the greatest of the common folk from their betters.

Adam waved a hand. “Nobby, my boy! Good fight!”

“Yes,” Nobby said, while Bavin followed after him, bandaged around his arms and chest.

“Are you alright, Bavin?” Adam asked, pushing out a chair for each of them.

“Yes.”

Adam held out a hand, placing it against Bavin’s shoulder. “Well done.”

“Thank you,” Bavin replied, feeling a gentle warmth fill him.

Lay on Hands: 20 -> 10

Adam winked. Faool sat beside Laygak, who understood what it felt like to face against someone like Naqokan. She had the ability of the Kan family, which allowed her to strike with divine might during her Rage Dance.

“So it’s Nobby against Naqokan,” Adam said. “We’ll see who is the best N here.”

“Nobby is stronger than I,” Naqokan said, without any hint of self deprecation. “It is a great glory for the Rot family to train him.”

Nirot nodded her head slowly, throwing a look to Adam for a moment, before looking to Nobby. ‘This generation is for our Rot family.’

“Isn’t it a greater glory that one of theirs will be Elder Peace?”

“Turot may not-,” Nirot began to say, before seeing the way Adam tensed up. He was smiling, but she could see the pulsing in his neck and forehead, that of annoyance. “Yes.”

“Turot’s going to be Elder Peace, but what about the others?” Adam asked. “Katool wants to be like Kitool, and...” Adam thought about little Katool, with her tiny little bob cut. “No. She’s not allowed be that scary. My adorable Katool has to remain small and cute.”

“Stop being so queer,” Jaygak replied, physically cringing. “If Katool wants to grow up as skilled as Kitool, it is a great glory for their family.”

“Kitool, you need to work hard so Katool doesn’t have to, okay?” Adam glanced towards the side, only to realise the Iyrman wasn’t there. ‘Oh, right.’

Kitool stepped out into the arena to the sounds of a crowd full of blood lust. They cheered for the young Kitool, with a banner of blue and red, the colours of her family, and two words.

EXECUTIVE KITOOL

Kitool bowed in front of them before accepting the banner, before wrapping it around her staff. She walked the crowd’s edge, waving the banner this way and that, to more applause and shouts.

“Executive Kitool!”

“Sir Gordan!”

The pair finally prepared themselves. Kitool glanced to the young warrior, who was no doubt one of the greatest warriors she had personally faced. He was adorned in full plate, which was no doubt magical. She hadn’t expected the blade he was wielding, however.

Sir Gordan unsheathed the blade within his hands, feeling the great tingling of the magic within it. The blade was long and silver, made from an Ancient Silver Dragon. It was nearly freezing to the touch, which constantly reminded the young warrior that the blade did not belong to him. ‘I can feel why it’s considered one of the greatest weapons in the order.’

Grand Master James Greatwood stood at the edge of the octagon, looking out to his personal apprentice, and the Iyrman who had dared to refuse his offer. Even the nobles on the top floor dared not to-

“Move out of the way,” Kira called out towards the Grand Master, annoyed that he would dare to block even a fraction of her view.

“You shouldn’t feel too bad, since Jurot used Phantom,” Adam said, trying to make Amokan feel better.

“Phantom is great, but isn’t it unmatched by your Wraith?” Amokan asked. “Even Jurot could not drop me with a single blow using Phantom.”

“He could have,” Adam stated. “He just didn’t feel like it, or maybe, he wasn’t lucky. Why didn’t you use Mighty Roar’s thunder?”

“I did not wish to end the fight quickly,” Jurot said, before catching Kitool’s eyes. “I will not use it against you.”

Kitool bowed her head in return. Mighty Roar was quite the shield, not just giving him a bonus to his Defence, but also holding a thunderous might which could rock whoever struck the Iyrman. Jurot rarely used it, however.

“So tomorrow, what are the fights looking like?” Adam asked.

“Tomorrow, you will face Sir Karra.”

“How do you know?”

“The winners of the fights will face the other losers of the day tomorrow,” Jurot explained.

“What a weird system.”

“It ensures the best fights are for the finals.”

“Oh,” Adam said. “Also the worst fights?”

“Yes.”

“Fair enough. So you’re fighting Gordan, and Kitool’s fighting Amokan?”

“Yes.”

“Nice. You know, I’m getting a little sick of fighting so much, but...”

“But?”

Adam’s eyes moved slightly, as though he were looking at something unseen.

XP: 13 500

‘Oh, when did I get more XP?’

[You technically defeated Sir Roseia.]

‘Oh, right.’

An intermission was called, allowing some warriors to face one another, while other groups put on a show for the arena.

Adam glanced to the side, noting the guards nearby. He had been invited into the octagon on behalf of the Duchess, but she had yet to meet with him. No other noble had come to speak with him either. Adam looked up, wondering if those above could see him. ‘Probably, the pervs.’

A server approached the group, placing down platters of foods which were cut up to snack size, and also refilled the cups of wine. However, they said no more, leaving as suddenly as they appeared.

“The invitation was so you could watch all the fights,” Jurot said. “They will want to meet with you on another day.”

“Oh,” Adam said, before relaxing and enjoying the rest of the day. ‘Nobles, man. They’re so weird.’

Oh. Somehow Adam didn't get into trouble.