Chapter 114
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Chapter 114
It was almost hard to remember life before everything had become a total mess. Yet those precious memories from before were the things Devon clung to the most. Memories of comfort and community. There was little enough of each in his current life.
His accommodations were ever so slightly better than they had been in the Irvin arena. The bed was nearly tolerable, the floors were cleaned almost monthly, and the food was more abundant. The danger was more variable.
In the Irvin arena he had to fight for his life primarily against wild beasts. Sometimes they were starved, the effects of which varied by the animal. If they were too starved they were easier to fight, which suited Devon just fine. He didnt mind killing an easy opponent. He would even do his best to make it look somewhat difficult. He didnt care about the crowd but when his life was in control of someone else, he had to adapt. There had also been a few fights against humans there. Not all of them were to the death- slaves cost money after all.
After hed been casually given an admittedly poor cultivation technique, he quickly grew stronger. A cultivators body was much stronger than anyone else, and the versatility and power of energy couldnt be overcome by simply having a stronger build. He ended up against stronger opponents but he himself grew quickly enough to defend himself. Enough that the Irvin arena was running out of opponents for him- and the guards were barely higher cultivation than himself.
Then he had been bought by the Potenza family- or more specifically by a daughter of the family, Tonina. His grandfather Anton had found him and planned to purchase his freedom, but she arrived before the deal was finished and used her familys influence to coerce him into a duel- and when she lost that one, a second duel at a time most convenient to her advancing cultivation.
After that he had been thrown into an endless series of matches against other cultivators and magical beasts. He had to grow stronger to survive, and so he did. Somehow he came through it, and a few weeks later things calmed down. Hed thought he would be pushed until he died, but it seemed to not be the case. Perhaps they had plans for when he grew in cultivation.
Just because they were going to send him against greater opponents as he grew didnt mean he could stop. They would do it anyway- and Devon preferred to live. He had little in the way of discussions with others about cultivation since talking with rivals wasnt good for his own safety. He knew he had pushed himself from mid to late Body Tempering, but not to the peak according to the cultivation method he had available. He wasnt sure if it was a mismatch between himself and the technique or if something was simply wrong with it, but he couldnt manage any more advancement.
Even so, he survived. He was fortunate to find himself matched against beasts he could kill or kept out of death matches entirely. He thought perhaps he might survive until he could grow strong enough to escape, or until his grandfather returned.This chapter's initial release occurred on the n0vell--Bjjn site.
Those hopes had been shattered when his next match was announced. There was a giant man named Moreno, more than a head taller than any of the other men and coated in rippling muscle. His build was secondary to his cultivation at the peak of Body Tempering. More than that, even. The rumors werent entirely clear on whether he had a foot into Spirit Building or had fully stepped into it. Devons only time seeing the man he hadnt felt like hed completed a full level of whatever cultivation technique he used, but that could have changed in the last few weeks.
Regardless, it didnt matter. Moreno had more than just higher cultivation than Devon. Moreno wasnt a slave, or at least not fully treated like one. He was the man chosen to end most every arena combatants streaks- permanently. Devon didnt know what sort of bets were involved, but anyone involved would be foolish to bet against him. The matches werent fair. He was always equipped with better gear- high quality and enchanted. Even if his opponent was more skilled or nearly as strong, even a lucky hit by them wouldnt be enough to change the tide of battle.
I can go faster, Anton declared. Trusting that Elder Varelas advantage in cultivation would be sufficient for him to do the same, he rushed through the streets. His eyes picked out the way people were moving and where they would be when he arrived. He avoided their movements before they even knew he was there, and when someone noticed him and made uncoordinated movements that would have resulted in a collision he was prepared for that too. Was there a slight flow of energy along his path, guiding him, or was that his imagination? He couldnt be sure, and simply relied on his Insight to avoid people.
As they approached the arena, Anton was able to sense many sources of energy. Guards with cultivations around the peak of Body Tempering. Further in he sensed at least a handful of those in Spirit Building. Some might simply belong to those watching the match, but Anton sensed Tonina and the guardian shed previously had with her as well. If the information was correct, he was known as Masozi. Then Anton sensed Devon, combating someone unknown.
Anton unfurled a document as he stopped in front of two guards who had spears drawn to block the entrance. You are illegally holding a man and will release him at once.
Bring that up with the Potenzas, said one of the guards.
I know Tonina is inside, bring me to her now.
Cant. Match is happening.
The guard seemed awfully confident Anton wouldnt do anything to him, despite him being weaker. Even as his eyes drilled into the man, he stood firm. That match involves a man illegally taken as a slave. Take me to him. The men continued to block the entrance. Do you intend to ignore the rule of law?
Like I said, the guard stood firm. Take it up with the Potenzas.
Anton turned to Elder Varela. There was just a simple nod response. Then there was a blur of motion. On the left, the shocked head of a man landed sideways on the ground, shortly followed by his body. On the right there was a snap as the mans neck was twisted completely around by Elder Varelas seemingly innocuous long hair and beard- unthreatening before they latched onto him like giant hands.
With a powerful flick of his handaxe Anton cleaned the blood off, before returning it to hang at his side and drawing his bow. Should we announce ourselves more clearly? Anton asked.
Theyll be able to put up an organized defense. Dangerous. But it will help justify our actions and might help your grandson. Elder Varelas hair and beard wriggled around in the air in front of him and to the sides. Ill support whatever choice you make.
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Chapter 114
It was almost hard to remember life before everything had become a total mess. Yet those precious memories from before were the things Devon clung to the most. Memories of comfort and community. There was little enough of each in his current life.
His accommodations were ever so slightly better than they had been in the Irvin arena. The bed was nearly tolerable, the floors were cleaned almost monthly, and the food was more abundant. The danger was more variable.
In the Irvin arena he had to fight for his life primarily against wild beasts. Sometimes they were starved, the effects of which varied by the animal. If they were too starved they were easier to fight, which suited Devon just fine. He didnt mind killing an easy opponent. He would even do his best to make it look somewhat difficult. He didnt care about the crowd but when his life was in control of someone else, he had to adapt. There had also been a few fights against humans there. Not all of them were to the death- slaves cost money after all.
After hed been casually given an admittedly poor cultivation technique, he quickly grew stronger. A cultivators body was much stronger than anyone else, and the versatility and power of energy couldnt be overcome by simply having a stronger build. He ended up against stronger opponents but he himself grew quickly enough to defend himself. Enough that the Irvin arena was running out of opponents for him- and the guards were barely higher cultivation than himself.
Then he had been bought by the Potenza family- or more specifically by a daughter of the family, Tonina. His grandfather Anton had found him and planned to purchase his freedom, but she arrived before the deal was finished and used her familys influence to coerce him into a duel- and when she lost that one, a second duel at a time most convenient to her advancing cultivation.
After that he had been thrown into an endless series of matches against other cultivators and magical beasts. He had to grow stronger to survive, and so he did. Somehow he came through it, and a few weeks later things calmed down. Hed thought he would be pushed until he died, but it seemed to not be the case. Perhaps they had plans for when he grew in cultivation.
Just because they were going to send him against greater opponents as he grew didnt mean he could stop. They would do it anyway- and Devon preferred to live. He had little in the way of discussions with others about cultivation since talking with rivals wasnt good for his own safety. He knew he had pushed himself from mid to late Body Tempering, but not to the peak according to the cultivation method he had available. He wasnt sure if it was a mismatch between himself and the technique or if something was simply wrong with it, but he couldnt manage any more advancement.
Even so, he survived. He was fortunate to find himself matched against beasts he could kill or kept out of death matches entirely. He thought perhaps he might survive until he could grow strong enough to escape, or until his grandfather returned.This chapter's initial release occurred on the n0vell--Bjjn site.
Those hopes had been shattered when his next match was announced. There was a giant man named Moreno, more than a head taller than any of the other men and coated in rippling muscle. His build was secondary to his cultivation at the peak of Body Tempering. More than that, even. The rumors werent entirely clear on whether he had a foot into Spirit Building or had fully stepped into it. Devons only time seeing the man he hadnt felt like hed completed a full level of whatever cultivation technique he used, but that could have changed in the last few weeks.
Regardless, it didnt matter. Moreno had more than just higher cultivation than Devon. Moreno wasnt a slave, or at least not fully treated like one. He was the man chosen to end most every arena combatants streaks- permanently. Devon didnt know what sort of bets were involved, but anyone involved would be foolish to bet against him. The matches werent fair. He was always equipped with better gear- high quality and enchanted. Even if his opponent was more skilled or nearly as strong, even a lucky hit by them wouldnt be enough to change the tide of battle.
I can go faster, Anton declared. Trusting that Elder Varelas advantage in cultivation would be sufficient for him to do the same, he rushed through the streets. His eyes picked out the way people were moving and where they would be when he arrived. He avoided their movements before they even knew he was there, and when someone noticed him and made uncoordinated movements that would have resulted in a collision he was prepared for that too. Was there a slight flow of energy along his path, guiding him, or was that his imagination? He couldnt be sure, and simply relied on his Insight to avoid people.
As they approached the arena, Anton was able to sense many sources of energy. Guards with cultivations around the peak of Body Tempering. Further in he sensed at least a handful of those in Spirit Building. Some might simply belong to those watching the match, but Anton sensed Tonina and the guardian shed previously had with her as well. If the information was correct, he was known as Masozi. Then Anton sensed Devon, combating someone unknown.
Anton unfurled a document as he stopped in front of two guards who had spears drawn to block the entrance. You are illegally holding a man and will release him at once.
Bring that up with the Potenzas, said one of the guards.
I know Tonina is inside, bring me to her now.
Cant. Match is happening.
The guard seemed awfully confident Anton wouldnt do anything to him, despite him being weaker. Even as his eyes drilled into the man, he stood firm. That match involves a man illegally taken as a slave. Take me to him. The men continued to block the entrance. Do you intend to ignore the rule of law?
Like I said, the guard stood firm. Take it up with the Potenzas.
Anton turned to Elder Varela. There was just a simple nod response. Then there was a blur of motion. On the left, the shocked head of a man landed sideways on the ground, shortly followed by his body. On the right there was a snap as the mans neck was twisted completely around by Elder Varelas seemingly innocuous long hair and beard- unthreatening before they latched onto him like giant hands.
With a powerful flick of his handaxe Anton cleaned the blood off, before returning it to hang at his side and drawing his bow. Should we announce ourselves more clearly? Anton asked.
Theyll be able to put up an organized defense. Dangerous. But it will help justify our actions and might help your grandson. Elder Varelas hair and beard wriggled around in the air in front of him and to the sides. Ill support whatever choice you make.
Chapter 114It was almost hard to remember life before everything had become a total mess. Yet those precious memories from before were the things Devon clung to the most. Memories of comfort and community. There was little enough of each in his current life.His accommodations were ever so slightly better than they had been in the Irvin arena. The bed was nearly tolerable, the floors were cleaned almost monthly, and the food was more abundant. The danger was more variable.In the Irvin arena he had to fight for his life primarily against wild beasts. Sometimes they were starved, the effects of which varied by the animal. If they were too starved they were easier to fight, which suited Devon just fine. He didnt mind killing an easy opponent. He would even do his best to make it look somewhat difficult. He didnt care about the crowd but when his life was in control of someone else, he had to adapt. There had also been a few fights against humans there. Not all of them were to the death- slaves cost money after all. After hed been casually given an admittedly poor cultivation technique, he quickly grew stronger. A cultivators body was much stronger than anyone else, and the versatility and power of energy couldnt be overcome by simply having a stronger build. He ended up against stronger opponents but he himself grew quickly enough to defend himself. Enough that the Irvin arena was running out of opponents for him- and the guards were barely higher cultivation than himself.Then he had been bought by the Potenza family- or more specifically by a daughter of the family, Tonina. His grandfather Anton had found him and planned to purchase his freedom, but she arrived before the deal was finished and used her familys influence to coerce him into a duel- and when she lost that one, a second duel at a time most convenient to her advancing cultivation. After that he had been thrown into an endless series of matches against other cultivators and magical beasts. He had to grow stronger to survive, and so he did. Somehow he came through it, and a few weeks later things calmed down. Hed thought he would be pushed until he died, but it seemed to not be the case. Perhaps they had plans for when he grew in cultivation.Just because they were going to send him against greater opponents as he grew didnt mean he could stop. They would do it anyway- and Devon preferred to live. He had little in the way of discussions with others about cultivation since talking with rivals wasnt good for his own safety. He knew he had pushed himself from mid to late Body Tempering, but not to the peak according to the cultivation method he had available. He wasnt sure if it was a mismatch between himself and the technique or if something was simply wrong with it, but he couldnt manage any more advancement.Even so, he survived. He was fortunate to find himself matched against beasts he could kill or kept out of death matches entirely. He thought perhaps he might survive until he could grow strong enough to escape, or until his grandfather returned.This chapter's initial release occurred on the n0vell--Bjjn site.Those hopes had been shattered when his next match was announced. There was a giant man named Moreno, more than a head taller than any of the other men and coated in rippling muscle. His build was secondary to his cultivation at the peak of Body Tempering. More than that, even. The rumors werent entirely clear on whether he had a foot into Spirit Building or had fully stepped into it. Devons only time seeing the man he hadnt felt like hed completed a full level of whatever cultivation technique he used, but that could have changed in the last few weeks.Regardless, it didnt matter. Moreno had more than just higher cultivation than Devon. Moreno wasnt a slave, or at least not fully treated like one. He was the man chosen to end most every arena combatants streaks- permanently. Devon didnt know what sort of bets were involved, but anyone involved would be foolish to bet against him. The matches werent fair. He was always equipped with better gear- high quality and enchanted. Even if his opponent was more skilled or nearly as strong, even a lucky hit by them wouldnt be enough to change the tide of battle. I can go faster, Anton declared. Trusting that Elder Varelas advantage in cultivation would be sufficient for him to do the same, he rushed through the streets. His eyes picked out the way people were moving and where they would be when he arrived. He avoided their movements before they even knew he was there, and when someone noticed him and made uncoordinated movements that would have resulted in a collision he was prepared for that too. Was there a slight flow of energy along his path, guiding him, or was that his imagination? He couldnt be sure, and simply relied on his Insight to avoid people.As they approached the arena, Anton was able to sense many sources of energy. Guards with cultivations around the peak of Body Tempering. Further in he sensed at least a handful of those in Spirit Building. Some might simply belong to those watching the match, but Anton sensed Tonina and the guardian shed previously had with her as well. If the information was correct, he was known as Masozi. Then Anton sensed Devon, combating someone unknown.Anton unfurled a document as he stopped in front of two guards who had spears drawn to block the entrance. You are illegally holding a man and will release him at once.Bring that up with the Potenzas, said one of the guards.I know Tonina is inside, bring me to her now.Cant. Match is happening.The guard seemed awfully confident Anton wouldnt do anything to him, despite him being weaker. Even as his eyes drilled into the man, he stood firm. That match involves a man illegally taken as a slave. Take me to him. The men continued to block the entrance. Do you intend to ignore the rule of law?Like I said, the guard stood firm. Take it up with the Potenzas.Anton turned to Elder Varela. There was just a simple nod response. Then there was a blur of motion. On the left, the shocked head of a man landed sideways on the ground, shortly followed by his body. On the right there was a snap as the mans neck was twisted completely around by Elder Varelas seemingly innocuous long hair and beard- unthreatening before they latched onto him like giant hands.With a powerful flick of his handaxe Anton cleaned the blood off, before returning it to hang at his side and drawing his bow. Should we announce ourselves more clearly? Anton asked.Theyll be able to put up an organized defense. Dangerous. But it will help justify our actions and might help your grandson. Elder Varelas hair and beard wriggled around in the air in front of him and to the sides. Ill support whatever choice you make.
