"Number One! You should realize by now that the situation has changed. I originally intended to train you into my finest creation. But now you have a new destination, and I will start teaching you so special techniques. I hope you manage to survive a bit longer."
Henwell's heart skips a beat. He never considered Scarface Archie to be a good person. This sudden change of heart isn't out of kindness or pity.
From the look in Scarface Archie's eyes, Henwell can tell that this man has always viewed him in a twisted way.
To him, Henwell isn't a human being but a piece of pri material, a project worth investing effort into. Like a sculptor who has found the perfect stone, Scarface Archie wants to create his masterpiece from Henwell.
His current expression of regret and reluctance is rely a lant over the lost opportunity to create a legendary work.
Henwell remains silent as Scarface Archie, just as Henwell expected, begins to rant about his grievances.
From Scarface Archie's words, Henwell realizes he was mistaken.
This place, known as Forge Furnace, isn't just an assassin's base. The organization is vast, not only producing assassins but also training warriors to be sold as shadow guards or death soldiers for important figures. And now, Henwell discovers they have another line of business—sending gladiators to the arena.
Scarface Archie has made it clear: in a few months, Henwell and the other youths will be sent to the arena to beco gladiators. They will fight daily, battling to entertain the spectators.
This news really gets Henwell worked up!
If he are trained as an assassin, he can find the right opportunity to fake his death and escape the organization's control.
But being sent to the arena as a gladiator? That's a whole different level of trouble. His chances of escaping are slim, and the danger skyrockets.
He never imagined that his tenth birthday would bring such terrible news.
Upon learning this, Henwell imdiately adds escape plans to his agenda.
For the next six months, he stops solely training under Scarface Archie and instead joins the other youths in receiving instruction from a new coach.
Scarface Archie continues to oversee their general training, but in the afternoons, they learn various arena techniques from the new coach. Solo combat, group battles, bare-handed fights, fully ard clashes, fighting humans, and battling beasts—every aspect of combat is taught to the youths.
Every month, they face two real battles, either against captured prisoners or wild beasts.
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Initially, Henwell's group of youths numbers 73, but during a year of training with Scarface Archie, 7 youths die. In just the first month of specialized training, 5 more perish. Henwell clearly senses that they have shifted from being re products to expendable resources.
However, there are so benefits. The food improves, they get new housing with windows, and most importantly, they receive potions from the organization. These are knight body-strengthening potions, as there's no ti to teach the youths the knight body-strengthening techniques here.
The goal is to simply enhance their physiques for better performance in the arena. Henwell is quite fond of these freebies, although the quantity is limited; one potion lasts him only a week. Naturally, other youths take at least three months to fully absorb it.
Three months later, Henwell receives his second body-strengthening potion, which ans he has only three months left. The new coach is a champion gladiator who spent over a decade in the arena and now finally doesn't have to fight anymore. His experience is invaluable, helping the youths earn the most cheers with the least risk.
When ti feels urgent, it seems to speed up, rushing forward relentlessly. Soon, the sixth month arrives, and Henwell still hasn't found an opportunity to escape. The organization begins customizing various items for the youths, including weapons, armor, clothes, and shoes. Clearly, their departure is imminent.
One day, Scarface Archie approaches Henwell.
"Sigh... Kid, I hope you survive. If you make it through a year without dying, I'll find a way to bring you back. Your mind, your strength, shouldn't be wasted on gladiator shows. You're ant to kill! You were born for it!"
You were born to kill! Your whole family was born to kill!
Scarface Archie, oblivious to Henwell's internal retort, continues, "You have a long road ahead and deserve better opportunities! What you think is powerful is a joke! You think your father was strong? He couldn't last ten moves against ."
"The so-called knight is just the entry level for professionals, rely a stepping stone to the extraordinary. Beyond that, the world is far more exciting than you imagine. Above knights are Grand Knights, Iron Knights who comprehend the heart of a knight, and Glory Knights who fuse the knight's will into their soul. "
" I'm not a knight; my path is that of the berserker. But I can't teach you. You lack the qualifications, and more importantly, my power cos from my bloodline. Among the professions—knights, berserkers, rangers, shadows, warlocks, spellcasters—each has its bloodline elite. They are the pinnacle of their professions, heights unattainable by non-bloodline individuals."
"They are the favored of the gods, and so am I!"
As Scarface Archie finishes speaking, a faint blood-red mist emanates from his body as he reaches for a nearby shield. Like a hot iron branding ice, his fingers effortlessly pierce through the steel shield, leaving a large hole. Retracting his energy, Scarface Archie looks at Henwell's stunned face and grins with satisfaction.
"Kid! Stay alive! If you survive a year, I'll show you a much broader world!"
After Scarface Archie leaves, Henwell inspects the shield himself to ensure there was no trickery involved.
Damn! Is this guy even human? His body is stronger than steel?
Henwell feels a chill run down his spine, recalling how he once considered escaping. Luckily, he hadn't attempted it; otherwise, he'd already be pushing up daisies.
This world is truly amazing! So there really is extraordinary power, and a knight's Fighting Spirit is just the simplest form of it?! Henwell finds himself deeply intrigued by these so-called professionals.
However, after a couple of days, Henwell realizes sothing. The power Scarface Archie displayed is indeed formidable, but it surely isn't easy to master, and it likely cos with a significant burden.
Henwell noticed that after Scarface Archie retracted his ability, his aura diminished considerably. If caught off guard, Henwell still believes he could stab him in the neck with a sword.
That's good! As long as it's not impenetrable, there's always a way.
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