Sparta: Many childrens, Many Blessings, Starting from the Gladiator Chapter 5 5

Knock knock.

"Co in."

The door opened. Lucretia slipped inside, carrying a steaming clay bowl.

"I heard you're fighting tomorrow."

She placed the bowl in front of Lynx. It contained stewed at — much better than the usual rations. "Eat sothing good and build up your strength."

Lynx didn't move. He just looked at her. "You're this concerned about , my lady?"

Lucretia sat down on the edge of the straw mat. Moonlight illuminated the side of her face, her expression complicated. "I just don't want Batiatus's 'investnt' to go to waste so soon."

"Is that so?"

Lynx picked up the wooden spoon, scooped a piece of at, and ate it. The taste was actually quite good. "Then I'll have to perform well. I can't disappoint you."

Lucretia stayed silent for a mont, then said, "Tomorrow's opponents are from the Nodis ludus. They're known for being vicious and using dirty tricks — especially attacking the eyes and groin."

Lynx paused mid-bite and looked up. "You're giving inside information?"

"I just don't want to watch a boring slaughter."

Lucretia turned her face away, but her ears turned slightly red. "If you die, Batiatus will be angry, and I'll lose so entertainnt."

Lynx smiled. He put down the spoon, reached out, and gently hooked Lucretia's chin, turning her face toward him.

Lucretia stiffened but didn't pull away.

"My lady," Lynx leaned closer, slling her perfu. "If I win tomorrow and co back alive… what's my reward?"

Lucretia's heart raced, but she replied, "Let's talk after you survive."

"Then it's a deal."

Lynx released her and picked up the spoon again. "If I win, you'll have to celebrate with personally."

Lucretia stood up, straightened her dress, and gave him a deep look. "Survive first."

She turned and left. Her footsteps faded down the corridor.

Lynx finished the stew, set the bowl aside, and lay down on the straw mat.

Moonlight poured through the wooden window, casting a square patch of light on the floor.

"Attacking the eyes and groin?" he murmured, the corner of his mouth curling into a cold smile. "Then let's see who's more ruthless."

He closed his eyes and began ntally simulating every possible scenario, combining the techniques from Basic Combat Mastery, running through them again and again.

It was deep into the night before he finally fell asleep.

The next morning, before dawn.

The training ground was already bustling.

Lynx and Crixus were taken to the bathing area. They scrubbed their bodies with pumice, then rubbed olive oil on their skin so their muscles would gleam under the sunlight.

They were then fitted with simple leather armor and helts. Lynx's helt was the most basic bronze type — it only protected the top and back of his head, leaving his face fully exposed.

"Rember," Batiatus gave final instructions. "This is a performance match, not a formal fight. The rules are loose. But make sure the audience enjoys it! Blood! Screams! And a clean, decisive finishing blow!"

Crixus growled excitedly.

Lynx checked the short sword and shield in his hands — both real weapons with sharpened edges.

The sword was old but still sharp.

The shield was a standard Roman rectangular one — a bit heavy.

"Move out!"

The two were loaded into a closed carriage, escorted by four mounted guards, heading toward Lord Varo's estate in the east of Capua.

The carriage jolted along.

Crixus stared at Lynx and said, "Kid, when the fight starts, stay out of my way. If you dare steal my spotlight…"

He didn't finish, but the threat was clear.

Lynx leaned against the carriage wall with his eyes closed, ignoring him completely.

Crixus ground his teeth in anger.

About half an hour later, the carriage stopped.

The curtain was pulled back. Bright sunlight poured in.

"Get out!"

Lynx jumped down and squinted to adjust to the light.

Before him stood a magnificent Roman villa with white marble columns gleaming in the sun.

A temporary arena had been set up on the open ground — a sand pit enclosed by wooden fences, surrounded by seats.

The seats were already filled with guests.

n in togas, won in colorful stolas holding fans, chatting excitedly.

The air slled of wine and spices, mixed with a sick kind of anticipation.

"Look! The gladiators have arrived!"

"That blond one must be Crixus. I heard he's very strong!"

"What about the other one? A rookie? He looks young…"

"Tsk, soft skin. Can he even take a hit?"

The murmurs reached Lynx's ears.

He remained expressionless and followed the guards to the waiting area beside the arena.

He could feel countless eyes on him — appraising, critical, and purely entertained.

In the waiting area, two opponents from the Nodis ludus were already waiting.

One was short and stocky like an iron block, wielding two axes.

The other was tall and thin, holding a spear and net — a classic retiarius (net fighter).

When they saw Crixus and Lynx, they grinned viciously.

"Crixus, you won't be going ho alive today."

The stocky one licked his axe blade.

Crixus sneered back. "With you two?"

Lynx stayed silent and simply observed his opponents.

The net fighter kept glancing at his lower body and eyes — Lucretia's information was correct.

"Honored guests!"

The announcer stepped into the center of the arena, voice booming. "Today, to celebrate young Master Varo's coming of age, we have prepared the most thrilling entertainnt! From Batiatus' ludus — the warrior Crixus! And the newcor, Marcus!"

Sparse applause.

"Their opponents from the Nodis ludus — the 'Bone Crusher' Brutus! And the 'Net Man' Sextus!"

The cheers grew louder.

"The rules are simple!" the announcer shouted. "Fight until one side is completely dead or surrenders — though I don't recomnd surrendering, because that only makes death slower and more painful!"

The audience laughed.

"Then… begin!"

The gong sounded!

Crixus roared and charged first, straight at the 'Bone Crusher'.

Lynx didn't move imdiately.

He stood in place, shield raised, short sword lowered, eyes locked on the 'Net Man' Sextus.

Sextus stared back, slowly spinning his net, smiling like a cat playing with a mouse.

"Newbie, don't be nervous," Sextus said hoarsely. "I'll make your death quick."

Lynx didn't reply.

He was waiting for the opponent to move first.

Sure enough, Sextus couldn't hold back — newbies usually panicked and showed openings.

Whoosh!

The net flew toward his head!

Lynx didn't dodge.

He stepped forward instead, raising his shield to et the net perfectly!

Thud!

The net wrapped around the shield, ropes tightening instantly.

Sextus was stunned — this rookie reacted so fast?

In that split second, Lynx moved.

He yanked the shield hard, using the net's pull to charge forward!

At the sa ti, his right-hand short sword shot out like a venomous snake toward Sextus's lower abdon!

Sextus hurriedly retreated while trying to pull the net back.

But Lynx spun his shield, tangling the net tighter, and closed the distance again!

The sword thrust out once more — this ti aiming for the eyes!

Sextus panicked and twisted his head desperately. The sword tip grazed his eye corner, drawing a line of blood!

"Ah!"

He scread and released the net, stumbling backward.

Lynx discarded the shield entangled with the net, gripped the sword with both hands, and pressed the attack!

No fancy moves — just simple, fast thrusts, slashes, and upward cuts!

But every strike was vicious and aid at vital points!

Sextus blocked frantically, but Lynx's swordplay was too tricky. Several tis it nearly pierced his neck or heart.

"Fuck!"

Sextus panicked. He drew a dagger from his waist and tried to close in for a lee.

This was exactly what Lynx was waiting for.

He deliberately created an opening, exposing his left rib.

Sextus took the bait and stabbed viciously with the dagger!

Lynx twisted his body slightly. The dagger scraped across his leather armor.

At the sa ti, his left hand flashed out, grabbed Sextus's wrist, and twisted hard!

Crack!

The wrist bone snapped!

The dagger fell.

Before Sextus could scream, Lynx's right knee slamd brutally into his groin!

"Ugh—!"

The scream cut off, turning into a wheezing hiss.

Sextus's eyes bulged. He curled up and collapsed, twitching on the ground.

Lynx didn't stop. He stepped on the man's neck and raised his short sword high—

"Kill him! Kill him!"

The stands erupted in frenzied cheers.

Lynx glanced at the twisted, excited faces in the audience.

Then he brought the sword down without hesitation.

Schlick.

Blood splattered across the sand.

The cheers were deafening.

On the other side, Crixus had also just snapped the 'Bone Crusher's' neck with raw strength. He lifted the corpse and roared in victory.

Lynx shook the blood off his sword, picked up his shield, and removed the tangled net.

At that mont, the system notification sounded:

Ding!

[First arena victory achieved!] [Reward: System Points 200] [Detected that the Host "conquered" part of the audience (especially female spectators). Bonus Points 50] [Current Points: 250]

[First Show of Strength Task Updated: 4/4 (Task Complete. Rewards Issued)] [Congratulations on completing the task: First Show of Strength] [Rewards: System Points 100, Random Attribute Point x1] [Attribute Point randomly assigned to "Agility"] [Current Points: 350]

A warm current flowed through his body. Lynx felt lighter and slightly faster.

"250 points already?" he thought. "And an attribute point… Nice!"

He looked up toward the main stand.

Batiatus was smiling and toasting with Lord Varo, clearly satisfied.

And Lucretia… she sat beside Batiatus, wine cup in hand, but her gaze pierced through the crowd and landed on Lynx.

Their eyes t.

Lucretia raised her cup slightly toward him with a aningful smile.

Lynx smiled back and waved his blood-stained hand at her.

The performance was over.

But the real ga had only just begun.

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