Chapter 43: Rules of engagement
"Welcome back to the Arena, kiddos." Chief of security Ty grinned as he looked over the assembled trainees. "It's time you officially started your real training here. Well, at least my favourite part." He added. "So, ready to kill some monsters?"
Arbus glanced into the Arena that he'd been anticipating heading into for the last few weeks. It was no longer as empty as before. Several weapons now hung along the dark walls in display. He realised a few of them fit the specialities of some trainees he'd seen fight, then came to the conclusion that the weapons were picked specifically for each of them.
Several of the trainees looked hesitant, while others looked eager to test the results of their training.
"First things first. Rules. One, no shouting or cheering coming from those outside the ring." Ty said seriously. "It might seem like a small detail, but trust me, it's important. The amount of people who've lost their lives due to a moment's distraction is more staggering than you would believe."
He raised two fingers. "Second, first come first serve. You're only allowed to use this facility twice a day. And the early bird gets the grub rules apply."
Rin raised her hand. "Why just twice a day?"
"Because that's all the time I can afford to spend making sure you don't get yourselves killed instead of watching the perimeter for creatures far worse than the ones you'll be facing," he said, pausing before adding with a grin, "Either that or getting drunk."
He ignored the wave of annoyed grunts before continuing. "Third... surrender if you can't win."
He made a more serious face than any of them had ever seen him make before. "This one is the most important rule of them all. You're all strong, adaptable, and smart." He said with a glance at the group. "But puppies are powerful, adaptable, and quite smart, too. You've all trained for something like this over the last month or so, running mental scenarios where you're forced to face dangerous situations and enemies"
"That was probably scary for you the first time, but then I'm sure you all got used to that fast after remembering nothing in there was actually real, and that your lives weren't actually in danger."
"Well, this is different!" He shouted, startling a few in the group. "If you overestimate yourself, you'll die. If you underestimate your enemy, you'll die. If you hesitate at any moment, or freeze up in fear, then you'll die."
"You're here for training, but your enemy is fighting to kill you and live another day. Always keep that in mind."
Ty watched their expressions with an analytical gaze before finally signalling to the staff on the other side to get ready.
"Oh, and one last thing." He said, turning back to the trainees. "Only go down there if you're sure you're ready. Because once you surrender and I'm forced to save you… you'll never be allowed into the Arena again."
Several eyes widened as Ty snorted. "Did you think you could rely on a safety net and try again later? That's not how life works. You get one chance, and one chance only. I suggest you use it wisely."
Ty was right in his assumption that most of the trainees were relying on the safety net option, just in case. But now that it was gone, the bravado in the air seemed to dwindle as the number of people rearing to enter the ring first rapidly shrunk.
"Now then, who's going first?"
"I am." Jet said at the same moment Ty asked, prompting the entire class to glance at him in surprise.
Arbus frowned with his hand raised, realising speaking up might have been a better idea.
"Oh, two takers already? How interesting." Ty said in amusement as Jet and Arbus strode to the front, shooting glances at each other.
"Three," Rin said as she stepped forward, making her intention to participate known.
Ty nodded once before glancing towards Alexander who was still at the back, wondering if this would become another battle between the top four students.
Alexander noticed his gaze and the glances of the others before shaking his head immediately. "I'm good."
Ty laughed. "Very well then, a three way battle it is." Then he turned to Arbus with an apologetic look. "Sorry kiddo, the Prince and princess here arrived first. That means they get to go today."
Arbus's brows pulled together in a frown as he remembered the first come first serve rule before holding back the urge to palm himself in the face. He silently blamed Alexander for insisting they grab breakfast on the way here.
"I understand, security chief." Arbus grumbled as he made his way back into the crowd, glaring at the saboteur in question who was currently avoiding his gaze.
Ty turned to Rin. "Prince Jet was here first, so you'll have to wait until he's done."
Rin's eyes tightened by a fraction as she glanced at Jet, who simply smiled back at her. She said nothing as she stepped back to stand beside an excited Nota.
If Jet felt anything like annoyance, then he didn't let it show. His relationship with the only other high-status white Mornan here had been strained since day one. No matter how friendly he tried to be, Rin gave him nothing but a cold shoulder.
Ty faced Jet again. "Head down and pick a weapon when you're ready. They'll release the puppy when you give the signal."
"I understand, Security Chief," Jet said, moving toward the railing overlooking the Arena.
The invisible barrier hummed, becoming visible for a moment before dissolving to form an opening.
The invisible barrier hummed, becoming visible for a moment before dissolving to form an opening in front of Jet. Stairs jutted out of the wall one by one as the railing shifted, making way for him to pass.
Jet let out a bemused smile as he strode forward and into the Arena. He studied the walls for a few moments before walking over to the weapons placed against it and pulling a set of swords designed for him.
The same ones he'd been using in his battles against the bots in the simulation room.
"I'm ready," Jet said with a hardened gaze.
Moments later, the center of the Arena opened. A platform rose up slowly, carrying a monster on top of it like last time.
This time though, the puppy had chains binding its front and back legs to each other. It was another safety precaution to give trainees an advantage. Although, it didn't seem like they would last much longer with how much the beast knawed at them
The four-legged beast's large eye darted around the arena in anger and rage before it finally spotted Jet. When it did, its ferocity seemed to double, as if seeing food for the first time in months. And technically, it was.
Ty crossed his arms, his smile fading as he got ready to jump in at any moment. "Here we go."
Screech!!
The puppy finally cried out as it charged towards Jet with all its might, its powerful legs lunging with surprising speed despite the chains limiting its mobility. Jet held back a frown as he raised his swords in front of him and waited for its arrival.