Welcome to the Arena!

The dorm restaurant bustles with students enjoying their meals and conversations.

Kyle is midway through a plate of grilled chicken with roasted vegetables, while Orion is enjoying a rich, creamy pasta dish. They both sit together enjoying Kyle's credits.

Orion leans forward, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose with a thoughtful expression. "So, this underground arena... it's real?" he asks with disbelief.

Kyle grins, nodding as he cuts into his chicken.

"Yeah, it's real. It's a place where students can go to test their skills against each other," he confirms, pausing to take a bite of his meal. He chews thoughtfully before continuing, "But it's more than just fighting. There's a whole atmosphere around it. Students bet on matches, enjoying the fights. It's like our own little world."

Orion's eyes widen. He swallows his mouthful of pasta, then leans in closer, lowering his voice. "Isn't it dangerous, though? I mean, what if someone gets hurt?" He picks up his glass of water, taking a sip as he listens intently.

Kyle shakes his head, a reassuring smile on his face. "There are rules in place to keep things safe. The weapons aren't sharp, and there's a strict 'no death' policy. It's more about skill and control than anything else," he explains, reaching for a roasted carrot and popping it into his mouth. He savors the earthy sweetness before adding,

"Plus, even if someone does get injured. They're medics around the arena on standby to sell their services."

Orion relaxes a bit, nodding as he digests the information. "That sounds... fascinating," he admits, his voice filled with jealousy.

"But, I don't think fighting is my kinda thing," he adds quickly, raising a hand as if to ward off the idea. "That doesn't mean I'm backing off," he quickly added after observing Kyle. "You said something earlier about gambling?"

*Cough, Cough*

Kyle couldn't control himself after he heard Orion, almost spilling the drink in his mouth.

"You wanna gamble?" Kyle asked. "On others?"

"Yup," Orion affirmed. "Any problem?"

"No, not at all," Kyle explained, getting back into his meal. "But, staking on others is very risky, you know?"

Orion used his finger to pick a meatball from the meal before throwing it into his mouth. "Well, I'm desperate. I'd rather gamble for now than stay idle," he adjusted his glasses before curving a proud smile. "I've always been good with numbers and probabilities. It could be interesting to see how my predictions match up with the outcomes."

Kyle laughed for a while at Orion's comment. "Sure, sure. We can even go tonight. You free?"

"Alright, I'm in." He finishes his pasta, wiping the creamy sauce from the corner of his mouth with a napkin.

Kyle nods. "Okay. We'll meet at the restaurant by nine." He leans in slightly, his voice lowering conspiratorially. "Just make sure to keep it low-key. Not everyone needs to know about the place."

Orion nods with a serious expression. "Of course. Discretion is key," he agrees, pushing his empty plate aside. He looks thoughtful for a moment, then adds, "This will be a good opportunity to understand more about the students here, too. The kind of environment that fosters this sort of underground activity... it's fascinating."

Kyle chuckles. "That's one way to look at it," he says, standing up and stretching.

They both returned to their houses. Kyle took his bath and performed his normal ritual on the egg before deciding on a nap, setting his alarm to be awakened by 8:45 PM.

~

"You're late." Orion who had been waiting for some minutes now said to the approaching Kyle.

Kyle ignored Orion's statement. "Follow my lead. The arena's under the ancient library."

At the bottom, Kyle guided them through a narrow hallway, barely lit by a single flickering bulb. They stopped in front of an unmarked door, slightly ajar. Kyle pushed it open, revealing a dusty storage room cluttered with old furniture and forgotten boxes.

Orion glanced around, his curiosity piqued. "This is where the entrance is?" he asked, keeping his voice barely above a whisper.

Kyle nodded, moving confidently toward the basement. "Yeah, it's hidden to keep things under wraps," he replied. With a grunt, he shifted the wardrobe aside, revealing a concealed doorway behind it. He turned to Orion, a hint of excitement in his voice. "This is it."

The narrow stairs beyond the door were cold and damp, the stone walls seeming to absorb any sound. They moved cautiously, the faint echoes of their footsteps the only noise. The tunnel twisted and turned, a labyrinth of forgotten architecture. Kyle led the way with practiced ease, while Orion followed closely, the thrill of the unknown growing with each step.

Finally, they reached a heavy curtain that blocked the stair's end. Kyle paused, turning to Orion with a serious expression. "On the other side is the arena," he whispered. "It's not just a place for fights; it's a gathering spot for those looking for something beyond the academy's rules. Remember, respect is key."

Orion nodded, his heart pounding in his chest. "Understood," he whispered back, adjusting his glasses. The gravity of the moment settled over him, joined with a thrill of excitement.

With a final nod, Kyle pushed aside the curtain, revealing the underground arena.

Kyle led Orion through the crowd, weaving past clusters of students who barely noticed them.

Orion looked around, taking in the scene with wide eyes. The setup was surprisingly organized, yet it had an undeniable edge of danger and unpredictability.

"This is... amazing," Orion said, his voice filled with awe. "I never imagined something like this could exist here."

Kyle grinned, clearly pleased with Orion's reaction. "Welcome to the Arena!" he said, his voice tinged with pride.

"It's a whole different side of the academy, a place where students can test their skills and push their limits."

Orion nodded, still absorbing the atmosphere. "And the betting... it's all part of it?" he asked, glancing toward the booth where a group of students was animatedly discussing odds.

"Yeah," Kyle confirmed, guiding them to a quieter spot where they could observe the action. "It's a big part of the scene. People bet on matches, trying to predict the outcomes."

As they settled in, a hush fell over the crowd, signaling the start of another match. The fighters stepped into the ring, greeted by a murmur of anticipation from the audience.

Kyle explained the two types of matches that took place in the pits.

Orion's eyes were very focused on the match. Though he has seen a fair share of magic from his father. He has never seen an elemental duel before.