Lukas cheered alongside the rest of the crowd as Reza emerged from the arena with his opponent in tow. The first bout had been exhilarating, leaving Lukas wondering if any other fights could match its intensity.

  “Absolutely amazing! If all the fights are as thrilling as that one, we’re in for a fantastic day of entertainment,” Lord Rewan roared over the cheers for Reza. “I wish I had known Marius was going to perform so exceptionally well. I should have bet on him. Why Baldric thought concealing behind his sand was such a brilliant strategy, I can’t comprehend. I lost some good money on that one.”

  Lukas glanced over at Lord Rewan. Despite the loss, the man didn’t appear or sound upset. He took another cup of red wine from a servant and savored it deeply, a smile playing on his lips throughout. The other members of the main box, including Lukas, had been taken aback by Reza’s victory. While Lukas knew he should have anticipated such a remarkable performance, he couldn’t deny the excitement and awe he felt.

  He shivered, the memories of the soldiers outside the walls resurfacing. He pushed them aside, searching the box for a distraction. Most of the group consisted of the unnaturally black-robed priests of Sorana, who had invited them to the contest as their guests. However, there were others like Lord Rewan, who were guests of the church. Lukas had faintly heard Rewan talking to a cousin or brother earlier, but he couldn’t be certain as he hadn’t been paying close attention. Lord Rewan was accompanied by his wife and a few servants who had provided them with an abundance of wine and delectable food.

  Lord Rewan leaned over to Lukas. “What were your thoughts on Reza, my boy? My daughter is close friends with him. I regret not heeding her advice.”

  Lukas shrugged. “I had no idea that people were betting on the outcome. Nevertheless, I would have had to choose him. He was the one who saved my life outside the walls.”

  “Of course, of course, I didn’t make the connection. Sulli, did you bet on the boy?” He raised his voice so that Lord Sulli could hear him.

  Lord Sulli glanced over at Rewan. “I refrain from gambling when I’m uncertain about the outcome. A hundred fighters is an overwhelming number for mere skill to prevail, a certain measure of luck is involved also. Perhaps during the duels, I’ll consider placing a bet.”

  He spoke with a composed demeanor and maintained his gaze on the arena, particularly the vanishing Reza and his adversary, Desmond.

  Rewan chuckled. “My esteemed friend, what’s the appeal in that? I’ll wager on my children for the next two fights, but there’s no entertainment or enjoyment without a touch of financial stakes involved.”

  He clapped Lukas on the back. “I’m certain the boy might relish the prospect of winning a bit of coin.”

  Lord Sulli turned to Lukas, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.

  What should I do? Lukas looked back at his uncle, but he couldn’t discern any clues about the potential consequences of attempting to gamble. He had some coins that his uncle had provided him with, and it would be enjoyable to place a small bet, perhaps ten ghouls or something, to have something to root for during the rest of the fights. Notably, no members of the Sulli family were participating in the contest, and Reza was likely the only person he had possibly encountered. While he knew the name Baldric due to his reputation among the noble families, he preferred to play it safe, as his uncle seemed to be doing.

  “No, thank you. I agree with my uncle. I’m not familiar with any of the fighters except for your children, as you mentioned, and I lack the necessary knowledge to make a well-informed decision about placing money on the line. I concur with my uncle; knowledge is essential before making any decisions.” Lukas took another sip from his wine glass, which helped alleviate the rising heat of the day.

  “The Sulli family is not being any fun today,” Lord Rewan chuckled and raised his hand to the bookmaker who had recently entered the main box.

  “Yes, my lord. What will be the stakes for the next bout?” The man bowed and presented a small tablet with names and numbers scribbled across it.

  “The same, ten thousand ghouls on Sabine Rewan,” Lord Rewan replied. He then pulled a square of wood and handed it to the bookkeeper. The man, maintaining a neutral expression, accepted the piece and discreetly tucked it beneath his robes.

  The bookkeeper swiftly made some calculations on his tablet and bowed once more. “Very well, sir. I will return after the bout if you have any winnings or would like to place another bet.”

  With a graceful glide, the bookkeeper departed from the box.

  Ten thousand ghouls on a single fighter? Such a substantial sum of gold had never crossed his mind. His modest bet had seemed like mere pocket money compared to this enormous amount. It was an absurdly high stake for such a fight, considering that mere numbers could potentially eliminate the best fighter. He glanced over at Lord Sulli to gauge his reaction, but he couldn’t catch his eye, who was engaged in hushed conversation with a priest of Sorana.

  He surveyed the other individuals in the box. It didn’t appear that the amount of money shocked anyone present. As he looked around, not a single person seemed to react at all to the substantial sum. Even a priest offered him a knowing smile, but Lukas quickly averted his gaze. He settled back into his seat.

  Lukas, having been away from the city with his family on the estates, had underestimated the immense wealth and power possessed by nobles like Lord Sulli and Lord Rewan. The man’s recent actions, such as throwing a substantial sum on multiple fights, revealed the extent of Rewan’s wealth and his enjoyment of it. This revelation added to Lukas’s growing list of knowledge gaps, as he realized he needed to learn more about the world beyond his family’s estate to compete effectively with his peers.

  Amidst the boisterous crowd, Lukas remained quiet, focused on his thoughts. However, a hand on his shoulder brought him back to reality. Turning to face Lord Sulli, he leaned in closer to hear what his uncle had to say amidst the noise.

  “I was thoroughly impressed with both fighters at the end,” Lord Sulli declared. “Reza demonstrated his mastery of the wraith with remarkable skill. I believe both of them are excellent candidates to teach you. I may even approach both fighters to offer them the position of your teachers, unless someone else catches my attention.”

  Lukas sat back, astounded. He hadn’t considered Reza as a potential teacher. His graceful movements and respectful demeanor reminded him of the sole rule he had learned from Marcellus. After witnessing the epic duel between the two monsters, Desmond was undoubtedly a formidable opponent. His fighting prowess surpassed anything Lukas had ever witnessed; each swing and block of the sword seemed to flow effortlessly from Desmond’s arm. If he could absorb even a fraction of Desmond’s skills, Lukas would undoubtedly become one of the city’s finest swordsmen. Both fighters displayed an extraordinary level of skill, and Lukas recognized the potential for immense learning from each.

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  “Of course, I believe both are excellent choices. Reza was the one who suggested I visit the library.” Lukas felt a surge of excitement at the prospect of embarking on training with his wraith. They had been connected for weeks without fully comprehending the power he possessed. If they agreed, the two might hold the key to unlocking its secrets. Lukas eagerly anticipated the commencement of their training, eager to delve into it without any further delays.

  “When will you approach them?”

  “I intend to send Baru to Desmond tonight. Our families are close, and I believe I can persuade him to form an agreement. We are scheduled to attend the play tomorrow with the Rezas. I can discuss the matter with him then. However, I doubt there will be any obstacles; Reza would be foolish to refuse.”

  “Why would that be?” Lukas inquired, though he swiftly comprehended the reason before his uncle could respond. “Never mind, any chance to connect with the Sulli Family would be an opportunity not to squander. He will likely appreciate the opportunity like the party I attended and use it to enhance his family’s reputation and influence.”

  Lukas explained, attempting to ensure his uncle understood that he was well-versed in how the city worked.

  “Very good, Lukas,” Lord Sullli complimented Lukas before his attention shifted to the arena.

  The crowd had erupted in excited murmurs, and Lukas promptly realized that the next bout would commence shortly. The gate had reopened, and more combatants began to emerge.

  “Do we know anyone participating in this bout?” Lukas inquired, addressing no one in particular as he scanned the fighters’ names displayed on the program handed out to the box. He immediately recognized Sabine Rewan, and a few others had last names that were familiar to him but none of whom he knew personally.

  “My daughter is competing in this bout, while my son will fight in the one after that,” Lord Rewan replied.

  Lord Sulli scrutinized the group of soldiers with keen eyes for a few moments before responding. “Derek Simmi or Petri Healia will pose the greatest challenge; they are both highly esteemed in the legions.”

  Lord Sulli scanned the list once more. “These initial bouts lack the impressive names of the others. I fail to comprehend the organizers’ decision to include some of the finest fighters in the rest of the matches.”

  More than one of the priests glanced over at Lord Sulli, displaying a range of reactions, from guarded anger to outright shock. He disregarded them, focusing solely on the fighters below.

  Lukas was perplexed by his uncle’s comment. He couldn’t determine whether his uncle was arrogant and indifferent to who heard his words or if it had been a deliberate act aimed at the priests his son had recently led. Regardless, they had all heard him. “What are you thinking, Uncle?” he thought.

  It felt like a grave mistake; the church held immense power, and it was never advisable to displease influential individuals.

  Lukas was abruptly pulled from his thoughts as the priest Victor rose from his seat and commenced speaking, his voice amplified by his wraith, making it audible to everyone present.

  “Ladies and Gentlemen, following such an awe-inspiring first fight, we are now on the verge of commencing the second round.”

  Lukas settled back, eagerly awaiting the resumption of the fight, tuning out Victor’s voice. The man didn’t waste much time, but Lukas’s sole interest lay in observing the fighters below and witnessing how they harnessed their Wraiths. Reza had offered a few suggestions, and Lukas intended to seize this opportunity to relish himself and gain insights into the dynamics of individuals and their Wraiths. Reza and Elana formed a formidable partnership, with Reza placing unwavering trust in his wraith to position itself optimally for the execution of his powers. In contrast, Lukas had observed several fighters in the initial bout employing their Wraiths more akin to tools, lacking the cohesion exhibited by Reza. Desmond, on the other hand, remained somewhat enigmatic, as Lukas had never noticed his wraith during the entire fight. Despite knowing that every contestant was obligated to possess a Wraith, Lukas had failed to spot Desmond’s wraith throughout the match.

  Lukas was thrust back into the fray as Victor’s hand dropped once more. The fight resumed with renewed ferocity and awe-inspiring skill. Unlike the first encounter, this bout lacked flashiness. Desmond and Reza swiftly navigated through the crowd, culminating in a spectacular duel that resembled an intense brawl at the end of a contest, heralding the start of many rounds. Regardless, this round concluded with another captivating individual duel that captivated the audience.

  Sabine positioned herself near the wall, utilizing her volley of arrows to disarm anyone approaching her. As Lukas swiftly learned during the fight, Petri was an imposing figure who necessitated the collective efforts of several fighters in the early stages of the battle. Petri proved to be a formidable opponent, inflicting casualties and refusing to surrender easily. Before emitting a soft yellow glow, Petri eliminated approximately ten competitors before being overwhelmed by the sheer number of fighters.

  “It’s unfortunate; I was eager to witness more of his prowess.” One of the spectators behind Lukas lamented. Lukas concurred; the man had exuded an extraordinary aura of fear and might have emerged victorious had not the other fighters intervened. Regrettably, Petri was a well-known city powerhouse, akin to Mycelia in the previous match, and had been the primary target. As Petri began to radiate a soft yellow glow, the fighters dispersed from his vicinity. His frustrated roars instilled terror in anyone in his path. Surprisingly, the rampaging individual refrained from attacking anyone and even set aside the man he had seized by the shoulder, allowing the warrior to retreat before being overwhelmed. Lukas was astounded by the man’s remarkable self-control amidst the chaos of the fight.

  With Petri eliminated, the fight raged on until Sabine and Derek emerged as the last fighters standing. Everyone else had been eliminated from the battle.

  Lord Rewan’s voice roared through the private box, and even his usually composed wife couldn’t help but watch the intense fight with rapt attention. She winced several times as Derek’s sword drew near to Sabine on multiple occasions.

  As the fight progressed, Lukas noticed that Sabine’s arrows were dwindling, while dozens of arrows littered the ground, strewn from the battles of other combatants. Her archery skills were remarkable; each arrow found its mark with precision. Derek, meanwhile, maintained his conjured shield, protecting his body as he advanced forward, his wraith trailing behind. Despite the relentless barrage of arrows, Derek skillfully reinforced and repaired the shield’s damage as quickly as Sabine could reload.

  Multiple arrows bounced off Derek’s guard as Sabine feinted away, maintaining a safe distance. However, her arrows soon ran out, and she swiftly drew out several daggers, closing in on Derek to engage him.

  Sabine swiftly took a slice across her leg before darting past Derek and slashing twice across his back. She retreated, grabbed a few arrows, and continued her retreat, effortlessly shooting them behind her with ease. Each arrow bounced off Derek’s shield, and the cracks were swiftly repaired in seconds. The fight continued in this pattern, with shots and daggers flying, and Derek attempting to move into range while Sabine kept him at bay.

  The fight finally came to an end when Derek attempted to catch Sabine off guard. He rushed her, lowering his shield just enough for an arrow to strike him in the collarbone. A soft glow emanated from the wound, and Lord Rewan and his wife erupted in joyous cheers.

  My beautiful daughter just won me a fortune! Oh, what a wonderful surprise! Lord Rewan was overjoyed. He hollered and laughed like a madman, pointing down at his daughter who embraced Derek before raising her hands.

  However, the moment took a slight turn when Lukas noticed the slight change in Lady Rewan’s composure. “Husband, be happy for your daughter and not just the money,” she scolded him.

  Lukas tried to maintain a composed demeanor, but Lady Rewan caught on.

  Lord Rewan instantly calmed down, looking guilty at his wife. “I’m sorry, dear; I’m very proud, and maybe even doubly proud if Lucius can do it,” he said, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

  I’m almost certain he’s already thinking about his next bet. His face betrayed his thoughts: he would be betting on his son’s win and hoping for another payment.

  And Lukas had been right. Lord Rewan doubled his bet on his son and once again made a very healthy win. Lucius emerged victorious in spectacular fashion, using his sword with such brutal ferocity that his wraith moved with elegant grace around it, almost as if dancing. Each fight was an entertaining spectacle as the hours passed, and the sun began to set in the west when the final bout concluded with a man named Durris emerging as the victor.

  Lukas, captivated by the contests and the lively entertainment in the arena, absorbed valuable knowledge while observing the wraiths and their pact wielders engaged in a fierce battle before the crowd. The extraordinary powers and the wraiths themselves left him both exhilarated and apprehensive about embarking on his training. A shiver ran down his spine as the cold seeped in, marking the onset of the night’s reign over the city. The crowd was dispersing, and the city around the arena had come alive with newfound energy. The lingering fear of the past few days had become a distant memory to the city.