Read Between the Lines

Lily and I continued to eat our meal in silence. Lily was eating her meal considerably slower than before, so I spoke up.

"Don't let what those idiots said ruin your appetite. If you're hungry, then eat," I looked up at her.

She was still playing with her food when she spoke.

"Oh, it's not that… I was wondering, what do you think of my parents?" She looked up at me.

"They are good people. They are also extremely gifted at their trade," I spoke plainly.

Lily pouted and crossed her arms. She turned her head as her cheeks flushed.

"Not that! I meant about their relationship!" She stuck her tongue out at me.

Ah, I saw what she was getting at. I was willing to bet that her character log had something similar listed in it. I sighed.

"I think their relationship is… unique and interesting to say the least," I crossed my arms.

Lily was shocked about my statement, even a little disappointed. She looked down.

"Oh…"

"However, I believe that their relationship shows that there is hope for people. If we look past something as simple as our backgrounds and cultures. A future where everyone can achieve true peace…" I smiled.

"Really?!" She looked up, smiling.

"After all, since I planned on rebuilding my clan, why would I limit myself? I'll need as many people from as many places in order to truly become the strongest!" I laughed.

"Oh," She said with a hint of disappointment.

"Today was an exciting day, right folks!" We heard the announcer say.

The crowd roared with excitement.

"After a short break, we will soon finish up the tournament for the day!"

I looked back at Lily.

"We should hurry up. I'm sure the others are waiting for us, and I have to get ready to fight again soon," I told her.

"Okay!" Lily picked up her fork and quickly began to wolf down her food.

It seemed like she had her appetite back, and I was glad. I made a mental note of those three students' faces just in case I ran into them later. We finished eating and bought some snacks before heading back. We met everyone outside of the coliseum. 

"Hey sis, there they are!" Myra pointed us out.

Lily ran up to her and gave her some snacks. The two were already in their own world as they began talking and giggling. I walked up to the rest of the group.

"Why is Bodil here?" I asked everyone.

"You should say 'hello' first," Donkor sighed.

"What's up with you, shorty?" Bodil scoffed at me. "I just wanted to see if you lost yet," She laughed.

"Big Sis, that's not nice," Irene scolded her.

"Thank you for the snacks, Lord Smarus," Aurora was already eating sweets.

"See! You guys should be more like Aurora. Nice and gentle, and NOT praying for my downfall," I glared at Bodil.

"Wanna fight?" She challenged me.

"I would, but I doubt you would even beat Donkor in tomorrow's tournament," I shrugged as I chuckled.

"Smarus, don't bring me into this," He stared at me.

"You're on! I'll beat Donkor, and then you in the semifinals!" She pumped her fist.

"That's if Smarus wins this next match," Luna chimed in.

I looked in her direction. I forgot that she was here.

"Who's the big-boobed princess?" Bodil asked.

"My ex-fiance," I answered.

"I thought you were a hopeless romantic," She was surprised.

"Takes one to know one," I smirked.

"You son of a…"

"Ahem!" Luna interrupted. She crossed her arms, clearly annoyed at our banter. "As I was saying, This guy you're up against is a monk from Granadore. He practically lives and breathes war. He doesn't even have a name! People just call him Omega," She warned me.

"That's just lazy," I commented. "If I have to fight someone named Alpha…"

"Get serious Smarus. Do you think you can win?" She was genuinely worried.

I scratched the back of my head as I thought of a decent response. Everyone was now looking at me. I sighed.

"I haven't lost yet, and I don't plan on losing now. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the show," I smiled.

"You are way in over your head," Luna shook her head "Fine, I'll let you be. Just don't lose."

"Smarus won't lose! Hesp he strohest huy I mow!" Lily said with a mouth full of snacks.

"Lady Lily, please don't talk with your mouth full," Aurora sighed.

"Contestants, please return to your stations! It's time to duaaalll!" The announcer called everyone.

"That's my cue. See y'all on the flip side," I waved as I walked away.

Based on their expressions, they didn't fully understand what I said, but they got the gist. Some of them waved back before returning to the stands. I, on the other hand, walked back into the coliseum, since my battle was up next. This was a good time to check Lily's info real quick.

"Being the offspring of an interracial marriage had its challenges. There were very few people that were willing to speak to me, and the few that did weren't very nice. I had seen my dad get fired for having an elf wife. And my mom's family refused to support her marriage. That was what led them to open their own shop…"

The voice of the announcer interrupted my reading.

"The man who took challenge after challenge and overcame them all! He's back ladies and gentlemen! Give it up for Smarus Dragonborne!" 

The crowd cheered as I stepped on stage. Too bad my attention was on the tab in front of me, but that was invisible to everyone else.

"Since I met you, things seemed to change. You were a jerk, but you never once mentioned anything bad about my mom being an elf or me a half-elf. You even brought me to the academy and defended me! I'm still not sure what being a member of the Dragonborne entails… but I know I wouldn't mind if it's with you

Warning: Lily is choosing a path"

Choosing a path? What did that mean? I sighed. It seemed like I bit off more than I could chew. Regardless of what she chooses, I have already decided that I would protect her, so she can do whatever she wants. I looked up from my tab and saw my opponent staring at me.

"So you finally look up!" Omega was angry. "The fight started, yet you have not even paid attention to me!"

Omega assumed a martial arts stance and stared at me. I looked at his stats.

Name: Omega

Age: 16

Strength: 4.5

Intelligence: 4.5

Agility: 4.5

Charisma: 4.5

Magic: 4.5

Class: Monk

Ki: 15/15

Right, he was a monk. A standard one at that. If I had to guess, he took their philosophy of balance too literally, and he only played by the books. That must have been why he waited until I made eye contact before he readied for battle. What a loser! A real man takes advantage of every chance that he can get!

"Tsk! You are still ignoring me!? You are a disgrace to your family!" He spat at me.

"Shut it, baldy. I was thinking about how I wanted to defeat you," I sighed as I grabbed my sword. 

"Smarus finally gets ready for battle! What does he have planned this time?" The announcer sounded excited.

I could feel the wave of anticipation rising in the stadium. Everyone was on the edge of their seats, and I couldn't help but enjoy the spotlight! I decided to entertain the crowd. I put my sword in my right hand and put my left hand in my pocket. I smiled at the monk.

"I'm feeling generous, baldy. I'll give you a handicap! If you can beat me, I will hand over all of my fortune to you!" I pointed my sword at him. "We have a deal?"

"Are you underestimating me? You will regret that, Smarus Dragonborne! I, Omega from the Kingdom of War, Granadore, shall personally put an end to your selfish ambitions. You need to be humbled," Omega gave a speech.

"Bravo, bravo," I mocked him. "Can you back it up though?"

"You…" Omega gritted his teeth.

He began to gather his ki and focused it all on his palm. I began to walk towards him.

"Iron fist! Palm strike!" He lunged at me.

I tried to deflect his attack with my sword in vain. His attack left my guard wide open, and he prepared for his next attack. His other hand was following up for a strike, but I only smiled in response. I took my hand out of my pocket and threw a knife at his stomach. His reaction speed was remarkable, but it still left a pretty deep cut on his side. I clicked my teeth.

"I thought you said you'd give me a handicap!" He was more shocked than anything.

"I am. I'm not using magic," I smiled at him. "You should have asked what handicap I was giving!"

"You trickster!"

He began to charge at me only to feel a knife stabbing him in the back. I lifted my hand to show him that I tied the knife to a string.

"I hate uptight, goody-two-shoes like you. You act like life is fair…"

I walked up to him and looked down at him as he fell to his knees.

"Well, it's not," I frowned.

As he fell, I caught him. I took the knife out of his back and cast Lesser Heal. I didn't want him to die… Well, the main reason was so that I could steal his monk skills. I was left with 1 mana after I took some monk-exclusive skills. I stole his skills at the same time I healed him to mask it up. I laid him down on the ground and checked his pulse. I stood up and looked at the crowd.

"He's okay!" I informed them.

Everyone sighed in relief as the news hit them. Every one of my battles had been short, but they were the most exciting for them. I rubebd my neck as I walked off stage. A bunch of what I assumed were paramedics rushed to the stage to get Omega.

"A-and that's it! Smarus wins again!" Even the announcer was shocked. "That was the quickest match of the day!"

I walked back to my room while they prepared for the next match. Whoever would win this match would be my opponent for the final match of the day. It was all a pain. After today, three more tournaments and then a day for the semifinals and finals would happen. I just wanted to get a good night's rest.