Colosseum

'Ughh...'

I groaned, tasting metal on my tongue. My hand flew to my mouth, and when I pulled it back, I saw blood staining the nail I'd been gnawing on.

Currently, I was in the academy's coliseum, a large, circular structure built of sturdy stone and open to the sky.

Rows of tiered benches rose around the central arena, and students were trickling in, filling the seats with excited chatter. The colosseum was used for various events, from practical combat training to magical demonstrations.

But the news I'd just overheard wasn't about some routine training session.

My stomach lurched.

Eldric was fighting. A duel.

Panic clawed at my throat. This wasn't supposed to happen. In the novel, Orion tormented Eldric through his lackeys, not a direct challenge.

Desperate to distract myself, I snatched a giant bite of my sandwich, chewing aggressively.

The taste of bread and cheese filled my mouth, temporarily pushing away the metallic tang of blood. Maybe if I focused on the blandness of the food, I wouldn't chew on my nails until they bled again.

Glancing at the time on my watch, I realized that I still had a few minutes before the duel was scheduled to begin.

From the corner of my eye, I could see Lily, Adela, Arthur and Luna arriving at the benches, their faces a mix of concern and anticipation.

'Everyone is here...'

I thought while finishing my sandwich and crossing my arms.

If I had to be honest with myself, I was terrified.

What if Orion 'accidentally' killed Eldric in the duel?

Of course, teachers would try to prevent it but there was always a chance for things to go wrong.

I couldn't even fathom the thought of losing one of the protagonists of the story.

'No, he won't die...'

I clenched my fists, trying to steady my nerves.

I don't think that Orion would have the upper hand against Eldric.

Although he is a second year student, Orion is only a minor realm above Eldric's rank.

There's even a small chance that Eldric might win.

Not because he is stronger than Orion but because of his quick thinking and strategic abilities.

In other words, he has plot armor on his side.

"Don't you dare die..."

I muttered underneath my breath.

I was already having a headache trying to deal with all the stuff that the world was throwing at me and I didn't need one of the protagonists dying.

Hell no!

***

Adela's voice cut through the tense silence, barely audible over the growing murmur of the crowd.

"It's starting..."

She whispered, her eyes glued to the arena below.

A knot formed in Luna's stomach and her face hardened. Her usual stoicism faltered for a fleeting moment, a flicker of worry crossing her icy blue eyes.

She glanced at Arthur, who attempted to lighten the mood with a forced chuckle.

"Don't worry, Eldric will be fine. He's stronger than that arrogant peacock."

But the humor fell flat, his voice laced with a thinly veiled anxiety.

Luna met his gaze for a moment, a sigh escaping her lips. Her silence spoke volumes, a stark contrast to the growing din of the crowd below.

Suddenly, the excited chatter transformed into a cacophony of cheers and jeers as two figures emerged from opposite ends of the arena.

The first was Eldric, his raven-black hair framing his bruning green eyes. He held his head high, projecting an aura of unwavering confidence. His sharp jawline and toned physique spoke of countless hours spent honing his skills in the training fields.

His opponent, Orion, sauntered onto the arena with a self-assured swagger, his yellow eyes gleaming with an arrogant smirk.

"Ready for a beating, Eldric?"

"Ready to be crippled, Orion?"

They exchanged taunting words, each brimming with confidence.

As the cacophony of cheers and jeers reached its peak, a stern-faced middle-aged man in a teacher's uniform stepped into the arena, raising his hand for silence. The crowd gradually quieted, anticipation hanging thick in the air.

"Welcome students, faculty, and esteemed guests."

The referee boomed, his voice echoing through the coliseum.

"Today, we witness a formal duel between Eldric Whitethorn and Orion Vance."

A ripple of excitement ran through the crowd as whispers of "Whitethorn" and "Vance" swirled around.

"Both participants have agreed to the following rules: first, no lethal attacks are permitted. Any attempt to inflict life-threatening harm will result in immediate disqualification and disciplinary action. Second, the duel will continue until one participant concedes defeat, faints, or is deemed unable to continue by the referee. Are you both ready to abide by these rules?"

Eldric, his gaze fixed on Orion, nodded curtly. Orion, smirking, mimicked the gesture.

"Then, let the duel begin!"

The referee stepped back, leaving the two adversaries facing each other in the center of the arena. The crowd erupted in cheers, the sound echoing like thunder. 

The fight was starting.