After ascending, Jazmel found himself in a part of the arena which was plush and filled for comfort. Contenders were lounging around, when Jazmel appeared. He was besot by his friends, but he wasn’t shy. They had been impressed, but he wasn’t surprised. They had all seen him fight before, but maybe something felt different when he was inside the arena.

  “Hey!” he heard and looking around, he saw the dragon knight rushing over to him. but Bannerman blocked his path, and he looked like he was ready to draw his sword. But an aide appeared with a white sprite hovering over her shoulder.

  “No fighting outside of the arena, you will be barred and or permanently removed from the colosseum.” She said as she landed gingerly amongst all the contenders. She eyed Jazmel and the others, but after her words had settled everyone. She disappeared again.

  “Coward.” The man said and Jazmel stood stock still, stricken by his challenge.

  “What?” he asked, and the man sneered.

  “You ran from me; you didn’t meet me in battle. You are a coward.” He said, the common room suddenly silent.

  “I didn’t fight you because I didn’t need to. The rule was to make it into the last ten. I saw that you would be in the last ten, so I made sure I would be too. But if in the next rounds you want to test my mettle, I will be sure to show you. Jazmel of the black wing faction will meet you anywhere.” Jazmel said, his voice firm and a stray hand on his belt. Close to his swords, the guy stormed off and Jazmel watched him for a moment.

  “Well said.” Tera Nema said and patted Jazmel on the shoulder.

  “Hey, you, how did you manage to stop the hell fire.” Another voice said and Jazmel turned to see the face of the woman with the wide brimmed black hat.

  “I have seen something like that before.” He said and she simply accepted his words.

  “Your eyes are interesting.” She said and flashed him a curious smile.

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  “Your hat is interesting too.” He said, surprise flashed across her face, but she was simply saying hello. She left after that.

  “I want to speak to you.” The girl said and Jazmel noticed the girl with a ridiculous amount of Mana was talking to him. She looked unhappy but she was keeping her calm.

  “What’s the matter?” he asked, concerned but cautious.

  “You are strong, you have substantial Mana.” she said, and he thanked her.

  “So do you, more than I have seen in anyone.” He said and she shyly looked away.

  “I have more Mana than most because of my trait. My class amplifies that but it’s not all that, I need to evolve my skills to have a better shot at the finals.” She confessed, and to be honest, Jazmel was thinking the same thing. especially himself, his skills were so focused on his swords. He was not prepared for if he would ever lose them. Or if all of them should ever break, he would need to look for skills and evolve tokens once they are left here.

  “I agree with you, we should probably try to evolve our skills as often as possible. But not just evolve them, most of my stronger skills. Have come from me merging them, sundering a skill, and merging them.” He pointed out and she listened to him.

  “Anyway, I came over here to let you know, you probably will make the final. You have the most balanced stats except for Eleanor. Her hat doubling as a second core gives her a lot of Mana. Aside from me and the girl with the tails. Not many can match her.” She was offering him free advice, but to be honest. He had assumed that Sadé was the best person for the task.

  “I’m Rana, I am training to be a herald. This is one of my duty trials once I am done. I will be a full-fledged herald.” She offered and they shook hands.

  “Jazmel, of the black wing faction.” He introduced himself.

  “Who runs it?” she asked, looking between him and his friends.

  “It’s all of our faction.” He answered but Katie jumped in.

  “He’s too shy to admit that he is the faction leader. But the black wing faction is his.” She said as she leant round Jazmel to speak to Rana.

  “You are so young…” she started and Jazmel and his friends studied her, but she shook her head and smiled.

  “But very capable, as competitive as the labyrinth is. It’s good to have friends.” She offered her hand and Jazmel accepted it again.

  DING!

  RANKER TIER I RANA HAS SENT YOU A FRIEND REQUEST!

  WILL YOU ACCEPT?

  Y/N?

  …

  He accepted and she then introduced herself to the other members of his party. She was enthusiastic and friendly; a herald was a good friend to make. After all, Jazmel had remembered the very first herald he had met; who was a dear friend to Baek.

  After a few moments of idle conversation, she left. Bidding them all goodbyes.