125 Poisonous

"For our next round," Alexander pointed to the bracket. "Thomas Virility against Roth Guiler."

Thomas jumped from the bench to his feet: "Present!" The outburst earned laughs from the nobles and facepalms from Eugene and Jackal. Even his opponent, Roth, could not help but smirk as they both walked through the doorway. Thomas facepalmed and wished that he was back home, back in his comfortable bed. The crowd clapped and whistled for the two, oblivious to Thomas's embarrassing moment.

Thomas took a step back. 'I didn't realize it yesterday, but there are hundreds if not thousands of people up there. And they're all watching me.' He willed himself forward, yet his body only shook. Roth was already halfway to the stage.

"Thomas," someone called from the room, Jackal. Thomas whipped around to see both Eugene and Jackal within an arm's length away. "Go on, we'll be cheering you on." They both pushed him out. "And don't look back."