Preliminary Contender

Rising from the bed, Adam put his armor on, as sunlight from the window spread inside.

Preparing for the fights that were ahead, he organized his belongings.

Before heading out, Adam, Micheis and Yerlarain enjoyed a large breakfast.

Thereafter, he headed out, by way of carriage, alongside Micheis and Yerlarain, who would remain spectators.

If there were any battles like yesterday's, worrying would be needless.

That said, it was good to demonstrate caution, when things remained uncertain.

Reaching the arena, Adam went inside, and signed up for a match.

The manager, Berlam, seemed to have relaxed from the continuous matches, Adam had been seeking.

This time, he made sure that he was hydrated.

Not much later, Adam who got called by the manager to enter, strolled through the hall, which led into the fighting pit.

His pace gradual, Adam eyed the first combatant that he would be fighting.

In his line of sight, was a woman with hazel eyes and black hair. Who brandished a pair of spiked iron gauntlets, wearing a set of leather armor.

His eyes slightly narrowing, appearing within a second, was a blue box that propped into Adam's vision.

[Jane Leonyus: Level 20 Human Fighter, a crowd favorite of the arena.]

Adam approached, with Jane striding forward in turn.

As they stood a few feet apart, the announcer exclaimed: "Adam is back, and his opponent is none other than Jane Leonyus!"

Booming from the audience seats, a cacophony of cheers echoed.

Surging through the pit-shaking voices of the audience, was the announcer's declaration: "May the bout commence!"

Adam's halberd smashed out meeting Jane's right hook.

A sharp screech volleyed through the arena, as Adam's skill took effect.

Jane's head which was thrown back slightly, almost fell to her back as her footing was weakened.

Her eyes widened in surprise quickly narrowed as her right hand's gauntlet had a crack ripping through it.

Jane's arm shaking, she snapped: "Ouch!"

On the verge on the gauntlet breaking, Jane switched her position, bringing up her clenched left fist.

His grip on the haft tighter, Adam slammed down the halberd.

She lifted both arms, but when her gauntlets met the blade of the halberd, her back hunched, as she strained to resist it.

Turning around, lifting back the halberd, Adam thrust his shoulder out, slamming against Jane's face.

Blood spewed down from her nose, slightly bending it.

Her teeth clenched, she jabbed out.

Having just resisted the halberd, and one of her gauntlets in horrible condition, Adam swung his greaved leg up

Gasping, rushing to form a guard, she used her now barely protected fist to guard her face.

Her hand twisted back unnaturally back as his foot belted her. Her fractured gauntlet split and fell to the ground.

Averting his gaze from her hand, wincing, Adam put his leg back down, and swung up the haft of the halberd, striking her chin.

Flying back, she fell head first into the sand, a few teeth cratering beside her.

Her gaze hazy, her body sprawled in the sand, Adam walked forward.

Hovering over her, he slammed his halberd into the ground.

"Do you submit?" Adam questioned.

Hesitant, her drenched brow lowered, she whispered: "I surrender."

A passing silence transformed into a barrage of voices as the announcer loudly declared: "Adam wins, his streak continuing to his forth match!"

Nodding towards Jane, Adam exited the fighting pit.

Resting for half an hour, Adam stood up and walked over to the manager to sign up for the next match.

The manager's voice chipper, he remarked: "If you keep winning, you may become a contender for champion."

Adam replied, smirking: "My sights aren't so low as to only compete for champion."

Scratching his cheek, the manager responded: "Ah, yeah..., so are you signing up for another match today?"

His frown dialing down his lips, Adam replied: "Yeah, I am."

Now signed up for the second match of the day, Adam waited another half an hour before he was called to enter the fighting pit.

His greaves pattered against the sand, as he passed through the hallway to the fighting pit.

'Victory or nothing.' Adam declared mentally

The sand carried by a mild breeze, stroke Adam's helm.

Pulling his halberd up, Adam glared at his opponent.

Bulkier than the last competitor, the tall woman before him was heavily muscled, wearing fur over their shoulder, her hands were wrapped, and wielded a gigantic axe.

Adam became slightly more tense, with the appearance of the blue screen detailing her information.

[Jinna Farjard: Level 22 Human Berserker, Preliminary contender for arena champion.]

His opponents were closing in on his levels.

Regardless, he didn't have the luxury to be worried.

If he won, her being a preliminary contender would serve to boost his confidence.

Grasping his halberd tightly, he walked up to her, his neck craning up, as she towered over him by a good foot and a half.

Jinna mused: "So small, but its your spirit that will be measured today."

Sighing, Adam's gaze unceasing, he replied: "Lets make this battle a great one."

"Not cowering, good. Then lets do just that." Jinna responded.

Grasping her long-handled axe, the air seemed to chill, as the announcer eventually called out: "Adam versus Jinna! Start!"

The moment the announcer's breath faded, Adam dashed forward, Jinna's arm extended, she rushed at him with her axe.

Her longer arms gave her greater reach.

Jinna thrusted down her axe, before Adam could retaliate.

The impact of the axe against his armor threw him back.

But, with his new Achilles point skill, the damage from the impact did not cause him to bleed.

A smirk rising on his lips, Adam jumped to his feet, as Jinna cut the air towards Adam.

Adam was able to guard against Jinna's axe, with the haft of the halberd this time.

However, Adam was again knocked back.

His feet leaving a trail in the sand, taking a heavy step forward, the humid air embracing him, Adam dashed forward.

Jinna gleamed a wide smile as Adam lunged low with his halberd.

The blade swinging out, left light cuts on Jinna's legs.

His eyes glancing at the weak cuts, Adam barked: "Not enough strength..."

Within reach of Jinna, she thrusted the axe into Adam's side, spiraling through the air, Adam coughed up blood as he crashed into the sand.

Doubt knocked into his thoughts, but with a deep breath, he pushed to his feet.

Adam's eyes narrowed, his halberd that was beside him pulled back into his grasp.

His lips sunken down, spattered head to toe in sand, he stomped forward.