Chapter 5: Harsh World

"Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls feast your eyes on the last few moments of this fierce battle between man and beast!"

As everyone was engrossed in the starting show that was taking place before the actual contest, the ringside entertainer pumped up the crowd with his fanfare.

Everyone listened to his words as he commentated on the vicious battle taking place, this amused Trint for it reminded him of sports back on Earth.

"Remember everyone that from these slaves only one can be victorious, whichever one slays the beast or is left standing will be freed and returned. Of course, there is always the chance none will come out as a victor!" Laughing the entertainer made light of this battle and jested at these poor fools who fought for their lives.

Hearing the announcer and seeing the explicit carnage caused Trint, Rodric and the two Grey children to cringe while Melody let out a scream and ran to her father. Who hugged her and chuckled, while this somewhat was out of Trint's expectations upon arriving it was, however, a normal situation.

This world was not Earth and for Trint or anyone from Earth seeing people being torn apart by a beast for sport was definitely cringe-worthy. And though Trint felt nauseous he forced himself to calm his nerves. 'Glad I did not see this when I first came to this world, I think I would have died from freight.' Thinking this Trint felt glad that his father's training and teaching about the uncaring aspect of the harsh world over the years had helped to mentally prep for this.

This kind of viewing would hardly be acceptable on Earth but in this world, it was part of life and those who could not cope with death would probably die young.

Luckily or possibly unluckily Trint's father had shown them killing up close when they started training. Usually by killing a small beast in front of them.

Though this was nowhere near as close to being as gruesome as someone being torn apart, it did give them some help and thickening their skins.

After he calmed down a thought had dawned on Trint other than the gruesome sight.

"Father?"

"Yes, what is it Trint?"

Gathering his thoughts Trint looked once more at the slaves before replying.

"I thought that the Kingdom of Epla was against slavery. So why is it that we have slaves being forced to fight to the death?"

Brom chuckled at his cute son before replying, "Those are battle slaves Trint and they chose to be."

While Trint listened he learned that these people were either bandits or pirates that were captured. When criminals are captured there are two fates they can choose from other than death which is given to those who do not deserve redemption.

The first choice is prison, those who chose this choice are sentenced to life in prison for varying lengths of time. They are also put to work with hard labor until their release, though this does not sound like a horrible outcome.

The truth of the matter is those who are sentenced to prison end up staying in it for many turns and possibly for life.

"Listen, boy, if you ever face this decision, though hopefully, you won't. Make sure you choose to be a battle slave!" Chimed in Zorin as he listened to Brom's explanation.

Hearing this shocked Trint as he gazed at the slaves dying left and right, why would he choose this over imprisonment. Curious Trint could not help but ask, "Uncle Zorin why do you say that? From what I can see here to choose that route would be to just dig my own grave."

"Ha" with a short laugh Zorin replied, "For those who chose the prison sentence after their time is up they will gain their freedom again, yet for many of the prisoners' freedom will never come."

"Prison my boy is truly a death sentence, sure as a battle slave you will have to fight and you may surely die but at least there is hope. Though normally if you are sentenced to prison for any major crime you will nine times out of ten never leave until you are dead.

"So these people choose to fight for their freedom even if it is slim?

"That's right Trint." Chimed in Mary, "In with it comes a better life for them even if they never gain freedom."

Hearing his uncle and mother Trint was shocked though he chose to believe them, "Hopefully I never have to make this choice." Mumbled Trint before continuing to listen to his parents and uncle speak about battle slaves perks.

From his mother, he then learned that even though it was not guaranteed when you could gain freedom or if you would live to see the great sunrise the next day. There were perks such as more freedom during sentence due to magic branding that kept the battle slaves in check while letting them roam the city.

The seals acted as a leash that keeps them from escaping or causing harm to others. With these seals, the slaves did not have to worry about constantly being chained up or stuck in cells.

So for the criminals of the city, both choices are chosen with care for neither is guaranteed to give you freedom.

Learning new knowledge from his parents he felt excited for he no longer had any guilt at enjoying the show since it was their choice and their crimes that lead them to this fate.

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Today the battle slaves were given the chance to earn their freedom by killing the beast or remain alive when all others died.

At this moment during the gruesome battle, only five slaves remained out of thirty. However, the beast was no better off than the slaves while it was much stronger than them it had still acquired countless wounds while killing.

"I wonder what kind of beast is that they are fighting." Trint was in awe of the mighty beast and could no longer hold in his curiosity as he watched the behemoth fight.

Never in his life had he seen such a creature, on Earth no creature like it existed and since being too young now he never had the chance to see one before.

The beast was about 5 meters tall and just as long, it was covered in dark shiny scales that shown with a strength that could compete with the toughest of metals. Littered across its back was countless spikes that were stained with blood from past victims.

Two horns protruded from its forehead with a sharpness that could best a sword, while etched into its face were two sanguine eye's that caused fear to bloom in one's heart.

This was beast right out of horror movie, even though it had to weigh over a ton its speed was nothing to scoff at and had the agility of a small animal. While with each attack it caused explosions in the air, if not for the magic barrier that surrounded the arena many people would have been injured.

"It's a Thorny Behemoth at Earth King Realm it has no special ability other than powerful attacks due to its strength while it also has an almost impenetrable defense!" Answered Rodrick as he too stared in awe at the beast.

Off to the side sat Trint's mother who beamed with pride at her eldest son's knowledge.

"Very good Rodrick it seems your studies have not been neglected. Make sure to continue for the Warrior school will not support your training if you cannot pass their class."

"Look do you see the two horns on its head that is how you can tell that he is at the Earth King realm as a beast. Make sure if you ever face one to target its underside for it scales at the bottom are weakest."

These were a common beast within the kingdom of Epela and in Brom's mind, both his sons would one day venture out into the wild to grow stronger and so needed to have knowledge on all the beasts.

Listening to the description Trint nodded his head in understanding as he was filled with awe for the beast before him.

While Trint had been learning about the beast the battle drew closer to its end, for now, there were only two slaves left alive.

One was a young man in his early twenties with a tattoo of a serpent on his neck, he had black hair which showed he was classified as a shadow mage or otherwise called a dark mage.

These mages were notorious for assassination or other sneaky endeavors though not all of them used their powers for evil. This was something he remembered his mother teaching him during one of his mom's study sessions.

He used two short blades that were crafted from some black metal that gave off a sinister feeling when observed.

Opposite of the young man was an older looking fellow who stood at least 3 meters in height there were no distinguishing features about the man. Yet his eyes held a coldness to them that made one feel as if to him all life was nothing. Trint felt a chill run up his spine when he viewed the man's eyes.

For some reason, Trint had a bad feeling about this man though he could not guess why.

Other than his height or his eyes there was nothing else strange about him, his hair was a dull brown that showed he was not a mage, yet his body was quite thin for his height almost to the point that it felt like he would die quicker to malnutrition than to the beast. Yet, he was one of the two to survive up till now which meant he was at least somewhat of capable fighter.

"That old man is a pretty skilled warrior, look at his stance with the lance. Though I cannot sense much battle qi from him." Muttered Brom as he glanced at the arena.

As the battle drew to this point the crowd grew restless to see the outcome, many people began cheering for the beast to kill the two. However, at the moment that the two disengaged from the beast, the young man swiftly disappeared before reappearing behind the skeleton of a man.

Without a moment's notice and to the astonishment of the crowd the young man rammed his blade through the other's heart. The crowd grew silent as he removed the blade from his victim's heart.

"Ha… It seems we have a daring slave. Though my dear audience do not fret he may be the last one standing but since he used an underhanded way he must still kill the Thorny Behemoth."

With that, the audience cheered louder for the beast to destroy the last slave.

"Rip him to pieces." yelled one man in the audience.

The beast seemed momentarily confused at the change of events but since no one came to stop, it readied itself for another rush towards the last of the annoying gnats that had caused it pain.

"Bloody hell with friggin dead rats to boot!" Cursed the young man as he readied himself for the beast.

Though with almost the same move the bold man with jet black hair appeared beneath the beast where like Trint's father said was the weaker scales. With a quick jab of his dagger and some type of shadow magic that Trint could not recognize he stabbed the core of the beast.

Before reappearing away as if nothing happened while the behemoth took one more step and fell down dead.

The crowd was even more stunned this time then even when he killed the other slave. For the fight had been going on for some time and only now did this man dare to show his actual power.

"It would seem that he is no ordinary criminal like most the rest where. From the two spells, he just demonstrated he is most likely a High Mage." Gasped Trint's mother as she frowned at this slave who just won his freedom.

"Not only that, but he is also at the True Warrior level in the warrior ranks." Added Zorin while he stroked his chin in thought.

Hearing the breakdown on his skill Trint grew intrigued at how such a powerful criminal was caught in the first place.

While Trint's party seemed to break down the slaves' abilities a loud laugh began to erupt from the stage while everyone in the audience was still awestruck.

"Ha…Haa I have finally won bastards! Freeedommm!!" With the crazy yelling of the battle slave, everyone seemed to snap out of their shock.

With the announcement of a victor, the crowd came back from their stupor and some cheered while others booed, yet with the victor of the slave battle concluded it was now time for the true tournament to begin.

The staff began preparations for the main event which meant getting rid of all the dead bodies, when they moved the old man's body Trint felt some hidden danger in his heart yet he could not figure out why he felt this way.