Sparta: Many childrens, Many Blessings, Starting from the Gladiator Chapter 8 8

Lynx had just returned to his cell.

A slave's voice ca from outside the door:

"Lynx, Master wants you to go to the study."

Not even ti to rest after "communicating" with Lucretia, and that old thing already called for him?

"Coming."

He didn't have ti to think much, answered, and pushed the door open to go out.

The study was on the second floor of the main building. It wasn't big, but filled with scrolls and account books.

Batiatus was sitting behind an oak table, flipping through sothing.

Seeing Lynx co in, he raised his head and showed a smile.

"Sit."

Lynx sat down opposite him.

"I am very satisfied with today's performance."

Batiatus got straight to the point. "Lord Varo specially sent soone to praise you, saying your fighting style… um, is very 'novel'."

"Thank you for the praise, Master."

"No need to thank , you earned it yourself."

Batiatus leaned forward slightly, hands crossed on the table. "Lynx, I can see that you are different from other gladiators. You have brains, ambition, and… good luck."

Lynx didn't speak, waiting for the rest.

"Next month, there will be a large performance at the Capua arena."

Batiatus continued, "I will send you and Crixus as a team to fight four gladiators from the Nodis training camp. Two against four. Is there pressure?"

"Pressure brings motivation."

Lynx answered directly.

His surface showed no change.

But in his heart he was already cursing.

Fucking bastard, really treating as a money-making tool?

He just received Lucretia's reminder in the bathhouse, and now this ca right after.

Batiatus smiled: "Very good! I like this attitude of yours! If you win this match, you will beco the new star of Capua! By then, money, won, fa — whatever you want, you will have!"

He paused, lowered his voice: "However, regarding Crixus… you may need to pay attention. He has a bad temper and doesn't like others stealing his spotlight."

"I understand."

Lynx nodded. "I will handle it well."

"That's good."

Batiatus leaned back in his chair and waved his hand. "Go prepare. Starting tomorrow, training will be doubled. I need you to give a surprise in the performance match."

Lynx stood up, gave a salute, and exited the study.

The corridor was empty.

He walked to the window, looked at the gladiators sweating down below in the training ground, then looked up toward the direction of the Capua arena in the distance.

Two against four?

Crixus might trip him up?

Plus those unscrupulous opponents from the Nodis training camp…

"Interesting."

Lynx muttered to himself, the corner of his mouth curling into a cold smile.

"Then let them all co."

"Let's see in the end, who gives who a surprise."

After returning to his cell, Lynx directly opened the system shop.

Looking at the dazzling array of system items, he quickly browsed what he could currently afford and use.

Since there was going to be a fight, he needed to make sufficient preparations.

[Mild Aphrodisiac Perfu]: 50 points

[Basic Attribute Point (Random)]: 500 points

[Weapon Mastery (Short Sword)]: 300 points

[Danger Perception (Beginner)]: 800 points

[...]

"System, exchange for Weapon Mastery (Short Sword)."

After looking around, Lynx felt that this weapon mastery was the most practical one he could use right now.

[Exchange successful! 300 points consud]

[Current points: 500] (Note: User said not to change points, so kept as is)

[Obtained: Short Sword Mastery (Entry Level)]

A heat flow rushed into Lynx's right arm and palm, as if muscle mory was being reshaped.

Countless techniques about short sword grip, power generation, angles, and blocking flooded into his mind, more specialized and in-depth than the previous "Basic Combat Mastery".

He subconsciously made a thrusting motion — fast, accurate, steady, with perfect coordination between arm and wrist.

"Good stuff…"

Lynx's eyes lit up instantly. "These 300 points were well spent!"

"But System, how do I still have 500 points? I rember I only had 300 left. I was thinking of going all in and earning it back later."

[This is the reward issued for completing the first pregnancy achievent.]

The system replied coldly.

Could it be that he was too excited at the ti and missed it?

Lynx suddenly thought.

If that's the case, then it feels really good.

Ti quickly ca to the next day.

The atmosphere in the training ground also changed with Lynx's arrival.

Previously, when those gladiators looked at Lynx, most were curious, jealous, or purely indifferent.

But now, there was sothing else in their eyes — awe, and a trace of schadenfreude.

"Have you heard? Next month's arena performance match, he has to team up with Crixus, two against four!"

"The Nodis side is famous for being ruthless…"

"Two against four? Isn't the newbie going to die?"

"Who knows? Look at how he dealt with the 'Net Man' yesterday, those moves were as fast as a ghost."

"What's the use of being fast? Those are four veterans! With Crixus's temper, it would be good if he doesn't pit him…"

The discussion was kept very low, but Lynx's ears were sharp and he heard it clearly.

He ignored it and continued practicing short sword in a corner of the training ground by himself.

The newly acquired "Short Sword Mastery" brought a qualitative change to his movents.

Before, he was swinging the sword based on feeling and Basic Combat Mastery.

Now every thrust, block, and horizontal cut carried an extrely precise smoothness.

The sword seed to beco an extension of his arm. With a thought, the blade was already in the right position.

"Hey, Lynx!"

A rough voice suddenly sounded beside him.

Lynx stopped his movents and turned to look.

It was Gisco, the Gaul gladiator, blond with blue eyes, tall and strong, always with a hearty smile on his face — at least on the surface.

He was accompanied by a younger gladiator who looked a bit unfamiliar.

"Sothing wrong?"

Lynx stopped the movent in his hand.

Gisco walked over and patted his shoulder: "Heard you're teaming up with that idiot Crixus next month? Be careful, that guy has been in a bad mood lately. He injured three sparring partners during training."

"Thanks for the reminder."

Lynx nodded.

"No need to thank , we're all mixing for a living in this hellhole."

Gisco lowered his voice: "But seriously, if you want to walk out of the arena alive, it's best to find a chance these two days to 'have a chat' with Crixus."

"Chat?"

He raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, chat."

Gisco grinned, showing white teeth. "Let him know you're not a soft persimmon. Although that guy is stupid, he bullies the weak and fears the strong. If you show weakness, he can pit you to death in the performance match. If you show so backbone, he will think twice."

Lynx understood.

This was telling him to take the initiative to provoke.

However, this was exactly what he wanted.

"I understand."

"But… under what na to 'chat'? I can't just walk over and say 'let's fight' right?"

Before Gisco could speak, the young gladiator beside him suddenly opened his mouth, his voice a bit timid: "That… Crixus just said in the ss hall that your victory yesterday was luck. If it was him, he could have finished the 'Net Man' in three moves."

Lynx looked at him.

The young gladiator's face reddened and he lowered his head: "My na is Amir, from Syria… I'm not trying to provoke on purpose, I just…"

"It's fine."

Lynx patted his shoulder. "Thanks for the information."

Gisco laughed: "See, the reason is here now?"

Lynx also smiled.

He inserted the short sword back at his waist and walked toward the center of the training ground.

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