14 [14] Monster Arena, Part 1
Much like the day the first volume of my life closed, when I saw Zero's slash, my heart bet in the wild heat of wanting.
From that moment forward, there was a might I chased. A power I sought as the epitome of swordsmanship and mana.
—Fram Posid
1 (Alice)
The capital city of Albion was a sight I was only now discovering.
The buildings stood in neat rows lining the street, creating an image of low one-floored houses, two-floor inns, and things that I imagined as restaurants reaching as high as three floors tall. They were constructed from wood and bricks, but most things held the color scheme of an olive like brown and pale white texture. Under the light of the sun, the city came to life as people and carriages walked the clean cobblestone streets.
If I had to rate it, it was certainly one of the better looking cities of the worlds I have resided in so far.
We exited the Academy, passing by guards at the gate and beginning our journey with Fram at the helm—who seemed overly energetic to breathe the air of the "outside world."
"You two haven't picked any electives yet?" I asked as we walked amidst the midst of a crowded sidewalk.
People shot us quite interesting gazes based on the uniform on our body. Those eyes were slightly respectful, but a bit more fearful. After all, Albion's Knight Academy was directly under the kingdom and could function as a military power in emergencies. Basically, our status was slightly more important than commoners.
Fram glances back with all the care in the world lost on his face, "What's an elective?"
". . ." I was speechless.
Jack sighed at my side.
"The auxiliary classes," He said, his tone as flat as ever and mixed with a slight hint of exasperation, "The ones we may decide to take or not."
"Oh why didn't you just say so?" Fram laughed and continued to walk, his head in his hands as he glanced at the sky, "I'm waiting a bit before I choose one or two. I want to get used to the academy more and also. . .huh. . .decide which teachers won't kick me every time I open my lips."
The boy's reasoning seemed silly, but I supposed it wasn't bad. I was much similar as well, after all. Though mine came more so from wondering which teacher even had any knowledge to teach me, a person that had fought through 5 worlds. At the current moment, I was simply going through the motions of the academy in order to be there for Shana. . .who oddly did not show up after the first 2 sections of school.
Hmm.
We walked while chatting and soon reached a circular building. It seemed the only thing in the city that wasn't a bright color with its black exterior. Its design of an open roof was also peculiar. Of course, I could tell what it was right away. . .
". . .is that a coliseum?" I asked.
"What else could it be?" Jack glanced my way as if I were possibly stupid, to which I rolled my eyes to.
"Yup yup!" Fram, on the other hand, stood before the thing with fists to his hips and chest puffed out.
He grinned to the high heavens, "I am gonna make so much fucking money!"
"Hey get out of my way."
"S-sorry."
A random pedestrian put his smugness to and end right away.
". . ."
". . ."
Myself and Jack merely shook our heads and followed the boy into the building.
2
We walked through the long corridor of the building, Fram leading us as we passed by fragmented crowds of people. It would seem, currently, this place was quite quiet.
In time, we reached a door with the words 'Registration' etched atop it and Fram knocked.
"Come in," Came a voice and we did as we were told.
Behind a desk, adjusting his glasses, was a rather scrawny man. He had a brunette head of hair kept finely trimmed, but long nonetheless and wore a suit of brown and white.
When we came in, he instantly recognized the uniform upon our bodies.
"Oh students of tha academy, what brings you here?"
"We'd like to make money."
". . ."
Jack coughed and stepped in for his friend, "What my friend meant to say, was, that we would like to enter and participate in a 'Group Rotation Strike' event."
It was my first time hearing about what we were participating in, I had only thought it would be a fight. Though, it needn't matter, whatever fight, I just had to do well in.
"Oh, thank goodness, you three will do for today," The man said.
"Hmm? What do you mean?" I asked at that point.
"A person decided to enter the event as well but did not bring a group of their own. With you three added, we have a functioning team of 2 versus 2."
It turned out, the 'Rotation Strike' consisted of a two men team competing against another, defeating monsters until one of them lost or gave up.
It sounded interesting, and I was sold.
". . .who is the other person. . .?"
3
". . ."
". . ."
The other person was Shana.
We both stared at each other, holding our respective iron swords the place had loaned us.
"Umm. . ."She averted her eyes from my intense stare, "Mr. Mass wanted me to get practical training and pulled me away, Okay? P-please don't look at me like that-"
It had been a week since school started, so I supposed it made sense. Still, I couldn't help but purse my lips.
"Glad to see you here then, either way. You're fighting, right? He's. . .not joining as well, is he?"
"M-mhmm, and of course! I'll try my best, because. . .Mr. Mass will only be watching from the seats."
"I'll be watching too."
"Oi! D-don't say that. My nerves will be too much-"
I laughed as she blushed. On our side, the two boys were busy talking about nothing important.
"See? Wasn't my idea genius? Even an actual knight stole it."
"I don't think anyone stole anything. . ."
"Aren't you supposed to have my back? What are friends for, man?"
A clap grabbed our attention and all four of us turned to stare at the man, who we had now learned was named Loren Febo.
The man smiled, "I'm surprised to see you all know each other, but please decide on the division of the teams. After all, a competition is only so if there are multiple sides."
The 'Rotation Strike' event was one where a duo competed with another duo, advancing through rounds and defeating increasing numbers of goblins until one gave up or could no longer fight.
It seemed interesting enough to me, so I had no qualms with the way we would fight. Though, we had yet to split up into two.
I looked through the faces. Shana seemed unwilling to just outright choose someone, though her eyes kept jumping my way. Fram was already smiling, hoping that I myself would choose to go with him, though probably preparing to offer himself up in a moment. Then there was Jack, who stood there listlessly.
I thought about it for a moment and decided it best I go with either Jack or Fram, to theoretically 'balance' the teams out. It wouldn't be all that interesting if I and Shana fought as one, she was a hero and I was an ex-hero.
"I'll go with Jack," I pointed.
"Huh? Why?" Both Fram and Shana blinked their eyes.
"Why not?" I shrugged, a thin smile on my lips, "Isn't it more fun if you boys compete against one another and us girls do the same~? At the very least, the team would be balanced."
"Balanced? You're a Zero, no? That's not balanced at all," Fram shook his head.
"It'll be fine," Jack sliced in and waved his hands, "She'll be fine."
And so, we all separated.
