29 Chapter 29 (2/2)

”Correct, if you pass the first two phases of the tournament you will receive compensation for your effort. For a small fee you can enter the dormitory, food will be available in the cafeteria but this you will have to pay for. The rare few who are sponsored by the Colosseum itself will be granted several benefits and will be exempt from such payments, anything else?”

”Nope, just point us in the right direction!”

The receptionist nodded politely and pointed them to a door to the far left, Strem looked over to where she pointed, to see another entrance into a deeper part of the Colosseum. The hall itself really was humongous, it was a few minutes walk just to get there, the towering ceiling of dark stone arching far above their heads. They said their goodbyes to the receptionist and headed over, a stern well muscled looking individual was standing next to the entrance. They nodded to the man.

”First time?”

”First time.”

”Head through the door, if you need weapons you can choose one in the first room to your left, if you need armor first door on the right. After you have outfitted yourself head to the waiting room at the end of the hall. You will be called upon when you are needed, the man at the end of the hall will give you your numbers.”

Strem nodded in thanks. ”Much obliged!”

Strem entered the weapons room staring wide eyed at the rows upon rows of weapons, neatly in stands. He saw swords of every shape and size, including but not limited to, broadswords, shortswords, greatswords, scimitars,a yalisian weapon called a katana. He saw maces, hammers halberds, even a simple stick. Not a staff, quite literally a stick. He shook his head and perused the wares, he eventually found what he was looking for, a needle thin rapier. He smiled and gently picked the weapon up. He took a stance, lunge, parry, riposte, followed by a few beats, he flowed into a remise, then finished with a smooth passato sotto. He smiled as he ran his finger over the weapon, he had missed having a sword of his own. He would be sure to buy one the first chance he got.

Yinta tapped him on the shoulder. ”You seem experienced with that weapon.”

”And indeed I am,” He stroked the blade, ”My father spent many hours teaching me how to use it, before… well you know.”

”I do know yes and I understand.” She said putting a hand on his.

He gave her a smile, ”How about you, not going to pick a weapon.”

”No, I would be better off without one.”

He shrugged and they left the room, neither of them entered the armory, both preferring their mobility and flexibility over the heavy protection armor provided.

They entered the waiting room, the man had given them the numbers 427 and 428. They looked around the room seeing mostly younger people like themselves, they spotted a free bench against one of the walls and took their seats. Strem took a look at the competition, seeing both boys he was pretty sure were fresh of the farm, and some who he was sure had been training their entire lives. He spotted what he thought was a half-giant sitting across the room, the young boy stood at least seven meters tall. Strem found himself wondering if his rapier could pierce the giants thick skin.

He spotted some stranger races as well, he spotted an orc and even a goblin or two. Both had a somewhat civilized society of their own but their kind were rarely found outside their own realms. A decent number of the competitors where red sand giants. He grinned, he had been pretty sure he had a decent chance at winning before he took a look at the competition. He would be hard pressed to win here, his skills might help him, but he knew that his mastery over his weapon was rusty at best.

Anxiouly he waited for his name to be called, a man stepped into the waiting room from another entrance. A sudden hush fell over the room, ”If you hear your number, follow me!” The man started calling out numbers in a seemingly random order. ”427!”

Strem grinned as he stood up, he winked at Yinta. ”See you after, if we drop out meet at the entrance.”

Yinta nodded.

Strem followed the stream of people into the next room, the man called about a hundred numbers. He walked out among them into the arena to a roar of sound and thus Strem Xilivor made his first appearance in the Colosseum.