Chapter 15: [15] Monster Arena, Part 2
1 (Alice)
We stood within our "arena-room" with our loaned iron swords in hand. It was a small space that led into the rest room and back out into the building at its behind, but at our front, there was a gate of iron to which both I and Jack looked out to gleam the arena.
The place, circular and raised high, was sparked with audiences at their seating. Within the walls, the pit was bare and brown, the ground nothing more than rock. There were stains of dried blood here and there, which the anticipating viewers didn't seem to care much for, and holes upon the floor matched with scratches upon long dirtied white walls.
"Today's match consists of the Hero, Shana Fraught, level 18 teamed up with the level 13 student, Fram Posid, against a level 11 student, Jack Jack, teamed with the level 0, ALice Strong."
What a mouthful. . .
A wave of shock spread over the faces of the sparse audience. I could hear murmurings about my level, and I could see glances shuffling my way. Previously, we had given our levels, and Loren had been shocked at mine, advising I quit. . .but, of course, I said no. We were only going to be fighting increasing numbers of goblins, no? As a person who had defeated Demon Lords, Titans, Divine Beasts, and World Enders. . .the very idea of giving up before even fighting mere goblins was beyond me.
Furthurmore, it wasn't as if I were actually weak.
I wondered how perplexed Shana must be at this time, having her name and status annouced so easily. Spying Albein in the seats, our eyes crossed and he narrowed his.
"First round of set 1, Jack Jack and Alice Strong versus a lone goblin!"
Our gate shot upwards, opening into the air of the arena. A square hole appeared in the center of the circular space before the ground rose back in place to reveal a goblin with a dagger.
So this floor isn't fully solid, interesting.
The creature was as you would expect of a goblin. Short, bony, and with badly shapped limbs. It was as if evolution had delt it a blow. Still, it wielded its blade readily as we stepped out.
"Alright," I looked to my right and spoke, "We trip it, and we stab it. Sounds good? I'll focus its attention on me, blocking its dagger, and you use that chance to pierce through its skull, got it?"
I was a person who had fought wars and led armies. Tactics and strategy were part of my skillset. I could simply slice the beast with a single stroke of my blade, but there was little fun there, plus I really wanted to rub Albein's face in only later down the line when he continued to think me weak. And Merlin's too. That would be satisfying. Don't call me weird.
"Got it," Jack readily accepted my proposal.
I wondered if he had ever entered a real battle before, and I wondered how Shana would fare having been forcefully dragged here. It was no mystery that Albein wanted her to get used to blood after the last incident.
"It's coming!"
Not even half way towards the goblin and it leaped to action, growling as it ran our way with dagger piercing forward. It was slow, slower than even a non-mana wielding Fram. That was just the nature of the beast.
I brought my blade up, swung, and parried it, sending the creature stumbling back. Before it had time to steady itself, my leg lashed out and I crushed the knee of its right leg under my foot, hearing its beautiful crack, the creature fell on its head and a sword stabbed through its skull in that moment.
Its eyes convulsed to stared at a head of reddish-brown hair over it.
Blood spurted as Jack removed his weapon with listlessness upon his face. The opponent was easy but he seemed all too relaxed. As he swung his blade, letting red stain the floor even more, my eyes narrowed onto his movements.
[Jack Jack - Level 10]
Interesting. . .this was a person who was used to blood.
"First round completed! Moving on to round two of set one!"
Well, that was easy, I thought. Only to see a slightly sweating Jack glancing my way.
"You beater."
"??"
. . .the two boys really were strange. In their own, unique, odd way.
2 (Shana)
"Wow those two were so cool . . ."
I couldn't help but be amazed at the sight of Alice and. . .huh, eh. . .I couldn't help but be amazed at the sight of Alice handling the beast with that boy! They both looked like they didn't even try!
"Never knew Jack could be so smooth."
The boy at my side, Fram, muttered as he stroked his beard-less chin.
I readily nodded, "Mhmm mhmm, right? But Alice is better after all."
". . .well, she is surprising for a Zero."
"Zero this, zero that, Alice is Alice first. She's never weak."
"You've got some faith there. . .is she your church?"
I tilted my head, "???"
"Never mind."
What was he about? I grumbled and gripped my sword tighter.
"Second round of set 1, Shana Fraught and Fram Posid versus a lone goblin!"
As the iron bars rose, I took a breath of the dusty air.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone