NOVEL NEXT Chapter 189: Challenge
After feeling this strong again, Van wanted to test his strength…
As he stepped out, he soon realized that plenty of time had passed.
As a matter of fact, Julia had already returned from her class and was sleeping.
It was quite cold right now, but he wasn't bothered by it.
Then, Xiel and Sarah noticed that Van had finally stepped out and nodded at him. They were already aware that Van received a special reward and used it to advance his strength…
After some hesitation, Van decided to visit the Servants' Arena… It was a huge hall on the first floor of the Rukh Tower complex.
Unlike the grand training halls of the Apprentice Mages, this place was crude, practical, and surrounded by high iron fences.
It was where slaves and the servant Aura Users sparred, both for sport and for coin. It was also their form of entertainment whenever they had nothing better to do, and of course, to make themselves stronger for their masters.
Van's boots stepped softly against the stone floor as he approached.
As he got closer, he soon started hearing the cheering voices and clashing metal. The noise grew louder with each step.
Soon, he passed through a side gate guarded by two older servants, both armed but indifferent. They barely glanced at Van before nodding him through.
"It's not a good time to fight right now…" One of them muttered, catching a faint glimmer in Van's eyes. He could tell that Van came here to get into a fight.
It was common for Aura Users to have the urge for a battle after all. However, Van's timing was simply bad.
"I'll decide on that…" Van said quietly and walked on. With his Ocularis Lens, he could tell why the guard commented that.
Apparently, the Servants' Arena was packed tonight.
Despite being meant for "lesser" folk, the viewing balconies were crowded.
Aside from the other Aura Users, there were a few apprentice mages who wanted to be entertained, handmaids, cooks, and stable hands all gathered to watch.
They all leaned over wooden railings to get a better view.
At the center of the arena, an oval pit surrounded by wooden barricades and enchanted stone, was a man who seemed to be bear.
Broad-shouldered and tall, he stood shirtless with bulk muscles on his arms and chest.
There were also scars traced down his back like whip marks.
At this time, he was filled with Aura…
"Wow… Second Level Aura…" Van muttered. He was seeing a Gray Aura…
It was a small amount. However, his fists were wrapped in worn leather strips that had a faint gray Aura protecting them.
This person may have just advanced and hadn't fully converted all his Aura to Gray Level but still, this person was indeed incredibly strong.
It was no wonder the guard said that. Most of the Aura Users here weren't even at the First Level.
Dealing with a Second Level Aura was simply too much for them.
Perhaps, this bear-like man had made a mistake in coming here.
Still, Van soon realized why the man was allowed to fight lower-level Aura Users.
Apparently, this man didn't mind fighting 3 versus 1 or even 5 versus 1!
He was incredibly strong, and Van had no doubt about it.
'What an intense Aura...' He mused.
At this time, the man towered over the fallen body. The five Aura Slaves lay unconscious near the edge of the pit, and they all had blood trickling from their bodies.
This person doesn't have any weapons with him, but the defeated Aura Slaves were holding swords, daggers, and even spears. Still, they actually lost to the man.
'Yeah... There's no way to win against a Second Level Aura User, even if he just advanced. Maybe five First-Level Aura Users must work together.' Van thought.
"HAH! Is this all the Aura Slaves of Rukh Tower have?" The man roared while stepping toward the center and raising his fists to the crowd. "Four wins and not even a decent scratch!"
After saying this, Van used his Ocularis Lens to absorb all the information, and soon, he realized what was going on.
Apparently, this man was from a different Tower!
The Rukh Tower had some visitors a few days ago, and the Servants of those Mages had visited this Arena to have some fun.
"So it was like that… No wonder I didn't notice him before." Van mused.
Of course, he also knew that their Mages had many Aura Slaves that were stronger than this person. It wouldn't be surprising to find even Third or Fourth-Level Aura Users at all.
However, they were probably not thinking too much of a new advanced Second-Level Aura User. For their eyes, this man was simply trying to enjoy his new powers.
"COME ON! WHO ELSE? BRING ME SOMEONE WHO CAN BLEED ME!"
Hearing this, the crowd jeered and laughed.
Some tossed coins into the betting bins, shouting names or holding slips.
Van stood silently near the edge as he observed the surroundings.
He wanted to see what would happen.
For now, he just listened to the conversation of the other servants.
"That's Rogar, the Gray Beast."
"I heard he used to be a soldier of Zendikar… Got caught stealing a noble's loot, ended up here."
"No one's beaten him after three days…"
"Well, he broke every guy's rib last night. It's amazing someone still wanted to challenge him."
"He's a monster… I lost all my money. I thought those five working together could do something. Tsk…"
Van wryly smiled as he heard their conversation.
He thought for a moment as he continued to observe everyone. Apparently, no one wanted to stand up and join Rogar in the arena.
They were either too weak or too strong… It was a pity that no one in the Arena had reached the Second-Level of Aura Mastery to contend against Rogar.
'Hmm… I guess this is perfect. He's exactly the kind of opponent I need to test my progress…'
Seeing that no one else wanted to go, he stepped forward, climbing over the barricade and dropping into the pit calmly…
Just like that, the murmurs stopped for a moment.
Some people recognized him.
"Hey, isn't that guy's the Farrell's servant?"
"Farrell? Then, he's the one who defeated Korv?"
"Right… I heard he won a few hundred gold coins. This is going to be fun."
"He's… just a kid, though. His opponent isn't like Korv… He'd be flattened."
"Hey… Shouldn't we find a few more to help him?"
"That's true, someone should join him. Another five versus one!"
"Go! Find someone brave enough!"
The others just wanted to earn money, so they were urging someone else to join Van in his defeat.
Still, Van didn't bring that much money with him, so he decided not to bet for himself. Once he escaped from this Tower and freed himself, he knew that he'd easily earn it if he wanted to
Van then looked at the crowd and spoke.
"I'll be fighting alone this time…" He said confidently.
Just like that, the tension in the Hall changed. While there were others who sneered at Van's claim, there were also quite a lot of people who started looking at Van strangely.
After all, Van should be aware of Rogar's capabilities right now.
However, despite knowing that, he was still filled with confidence, announcing that to everyone.
"Hahaha! What a brave soul! Good! I'll play with you for a bit."
Rogar said while grinning.
Just now, Van slightly showed his strength as a First-Level Aura User.
The young man in front of him might be a genius who was on the verge of breaking through to the second level, Rogar was confident about winning. After all, he wasn't fully relying on his Aura.
His physique alone could probably end this match.
'I've been experimented on by the best Mages of the Atraxa Tower, there's no way for me to lose this…' Rogar thought as he waited for Van to get closer to the center of the arena.
"You?" he laughed. "Boy, you barely look like your balls dropped. Run along before I turn your bones to chalk."
He taunted even though he knew that his opponent wouldn't run. Rogar just wanted to break his spirit.
However, Van said nothing.
Instead, he slipped off his cloak and tossed it outside the ring. Underneath, his shirt clung tightly to his lean frame… Despite being in his teens, he had muscles in the right areas.
Soon, he released his aura…
It was an invisible aura but it covered his body and even his shirt and pants.
The crowd gasped.
"Did you see that?"
"That's not just First-Level Aura…"
"He's close to Gray!"
"But he's only fifteen!"
"He's so young!"
Van no longer needed to hide his First-Level Aura… If he were known as a genius, he'd probably get more access to better resources!
Rogar still grinned as he liked crushing geniuses…
He then stepped forward, cracking his neck and shoulders.
"Alright then, boy. Let's see what you've got."
Just like that, a bell rang above them—an old signal from the ref hidden behind the arena wall.
The match began.