Chapter 71 -- Have fun

BANG!

A kick buried itself firmly into Zane's abdomen. However before he could fly out of the circle made by the other contestants, one of them caught him and pushed him back towards Kieth.

Zane was covered in blood from head to toe, his bruises had bruises and his face was so swollen he didn't look human anymore. Injuries covered more than 90% of his body. He had more bruises than he had skin!.

The funny part was that Kieth, his opponent was perfectly fine except for a small cut above his eye.

Kieth had completely dominated Zane throughout the fight. Zane was physically stronger than Kieth, but Kieth didn't give him a chance to use his strength.

Kieth somehow knew the perfect moves to counter every one of Zane's attacks. The cut on his eye was just because he got careless. However that small cut couldn't be compared to Zane's unrecognizable self.

Zane couldn't believe it. He was stronger than him, so why couldn't he win?. Forget win, why couldn't he touch him at all!?. Zane was more than helpless in front of Kieth.

Zane was a stubborn guy so the first 10 minutes of getting beaten, he thought Kieth was lucky. Next 10 minutes, he thought he was the one just making silly mistakes, last 10 minutes, he was just in denial.

The other contestants felt bad for Zane. Especially the 3 ladies, Zane's handsome face had been reduced to..... that!. 

Old man, on the other hand was smiling widely, he seemed to be enjoying Zane's suffering. Kane, on seeing Old man's smile, moved closer to him while still keeping an eye on the fight.

"I don't understand teacher, why are you not pulling on your beard in frustration like you always do?" Kane said, not taking his eyes away from the 'fight'.

"You can't notice it because your realm is to low, but he's improving" Old man said, motioning his head towards Zane, who had just landed on the ground after a punch from Kieth.

"Improving teacher?" Kane watched Zane as he stood up only to get pummeled again a second later.

"Yes, his reaction time has lowered by one hundredth of a second" Old man smiled. He was happy that he had been correct in thinking Zane was a fast learner.

"Ohh" Kane said, he couldn't really see what Old man was talking about, but he knew his teacher wouldn't lie. Even if he did, Kane would just blindly believe every word.

"Should i stop this?, it doesn't seem like Zane will pass out any time soon" Kane observed. All this time they had been waiting for Zane to pass out so that the sorry excuse for a fight would end.

However for some reason, Zane just wouldn't stay down!. Even Kieth, who was having a nice time beating up Zane, was getting bored. However those were the rules of Old man. A fight only ends when one of the fighters pass out. 

"No need to stop the fight, look" Old man said. Kane had stopped watching the fight to look at old man but he glanced at Zane once more, hoping that he finally passed out.

Unsurprisingly, Zane was still moving, or to be precise, crawling on all fours. Blood dripped from the tips of his now red hair and nose as he slowly crawled towards Kieth.

Zane got to Kieth and surprised the whole room by his next action. Instead of attacking, Zane bowed. With his forehead touching the floor he healed his jaw so he could speak.

"I'm sorry" Zane said. His voice was very low but no one had trouble hearing him. On account of how quiet the room was.

Kieth was about to reply when Zane continued "I was wrong, i thought my strength would be enough,...but i know now that strength isn't everything"

"I underestimated our teacher's teachings and also underestimated you. I now also understand why you and everyone said teacher is wasting his time with me, However...." Zane paused talking as he slowly stood up.

The eyes of everyone opened wide when they saw all of Zane's injuries disappear in front of their eyes. This speed of healing was unheard of for a mortal.

By the time Zane had fully stood up, every wound on his body was gone. With the way he stood up in slow motion while he healed, it would have looked cool if he wasn't still covered in blood.

That didn't stop one of the girls from having certain thoughts though.

"However, i am a fast learner and with your support and teachers guidance, I might just make the cut" Zane finished his sentence.

Kieth looked into Zane's white eyes and saw the same determination he also has when looking into the mirror. Zane's eye cover had long gone by then.

Kieth nodded once with a smile and brought out his hand. Zane shook Kieth's hand with a smile of his own he had a feeling they would get along.

"Kieth" Kieth said, reintroducing himself. The last time he introduced himself to a spoilt brat who thought the world of themselves.

This time he introduced himself to a man who was determined to become the best of the best.

"Zane" Zane' said, reintroducing himself. The last time he introduced himself to an arrogant fool who thought his master's teachings made him invincible.

This time, he introduced himself to a friend and an older brother who will guide and mentor him.

"But you know I won't be the one teaching you right" Kieth said as they finally cancelled the handshake.

Zane rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment "Ohh yeah I forgot about that" he chuckled.

Kieth was about to talk when Old man arrived "Okay you two you will talk later, Zane you still haven't started training and you know you are low on time" he said.

Zane nodded and waved to Kieth as he followed Old man to another part of the large room. This was were the Mages stood.

"Okay which one if you--"

"I'll take him" Old man was interupted by a lady who immediately lifted her hand. She seemed very eager to be the one to train Zane.

"Mmmm okay. Zane this is Bella, she will be personally training you" Old man said.

"It's nice to meet you", Zane nodded towards Bella. She was the first girl he met in this world who had short hair.

"Bella, Zane is on a time crunch so let's get the initialization out if the way then you can get to know each other or whatever" Old man led Bella and Zane to a small room at the end of the larger room.

Zane was almost exploding with questions, but was forced to swallow them for now. Entering the smaller room, Bella immediately closed the door.

That's when Zane realized that he couldn't hear the voices of the others outside anymore. 'I guess soundproof rooms have been invented already' he thought.

"Zane the first part of your training is called pain control, basically what i mean is that you will have to get used to feeling pain without so much as flinching." 

WHOOSH

Before Zane could complain, he felt his legs and arms binded to the floor and roof respectively.

"Hey what's---" 

"Have fun Bella" Old man waved as he left the room.

Zane focused on Bella's face and couldn't help but shiver. 'What the fuck did i get myself into!?' he internally cried.