Zeke found himself in front of a particularly large building. His eyes swept over the tallic letters atop the entrance, boldly proclaiming the na of this establishnt.
The Lions Den.
Finally, it was ti. The past week had gone by quickly. Zeke had been so preoccupied with gathering intel, watching fights in the arena, and tinkering with his spell, that he almost forgot about his promise. Luckily, he hadnt lost himself completely and still rembered his plan. Today, he was going to join Leo and start his new life as a Rana Samrat.
With determined steps, he opened the front gate and found himself in an elegant courtyard. However, the muffled sounds of screams, shouts, and the clashing of weapons from further inside the complex sowhat marred the otherwise peaceful atmosphere.
The mont Zeke entered, a young woman approached him. She was short, delicate, and most likely not much older than himself. However, her most striking features were the two cat-like ears on top of her head. She had to be a Hybridian as well, just like Rani. And of course, she was a slave. The heavy iron collar around her slender neck seed comically oversized for a girl of her stature, but Zeke guessed that this was already the smallest size there was.
Morosely, he wondered if they had different models for children. Maybe they would be less painful as well?
Welco to the Lions Den, sir. How can I help you today? the woman asked.
I ca to enroll, Zeke replied with a smile. Jai should have ntioned .
Jai the woman repeated quietly before her eyes opened wide. Are you talking about Jai Desai? The brother of the Master?
Yes, Zeke replied casually. He had finally learned the rchants full na. He did ntion that his brother was the owner of this place.
Very well, the woman said quickly. If you would please follow .
She turned and led the way into the building. Zeke followed her through the lobby and up the stairs. Compared to most places he had seen in the city, the interior was rather modest.
Zeke had, of course, tried to find out if this place really was as famous as Jai had claid. Luckily, the guests in his inn had been far more accommodating than the locals. From them, he learned that the Lions Den was indeed an institution of so renown. Many champions erged from its halls.
The woman stopped in front of a sturdy wooden door and knocked three tis. After a mont of silence, a voice could be heard from inside the room. Co in.
The woman opened the door and motioned for Zeke to enter, while she stayed outside. Zeke did as he was told and stepped into the room, curiously looking around. The first thing his eyes landed on was the enormous wooden desk that filled up most of the space. Behind it sat a man, engrossed in reading a letter. His feet were resting on top of his desk as he reclined in his chair.
Even without being introduced, Zeke knew who this man was. The resemblance to Jai was obvious. The man looked like a taller and rougher version of his brother, but their eyes were the sa.
At that mont, the man behind the desk glanced at Zeke and furrowed his brows. Who are you, boy?
Greetings, Mr. Desai. I ca to the city with your brother a few days ago. He convinced that it would be in my best interest to co to this place if I wanted to compete in the Rings of Samsara. My na is Pete.
There was a hint of recognition in the mans eyes. Ahh, so you are the other one. Yes, my brother ntioned you. Co, take a seat.
Thank you, Zeke said as he sat down on the opposite side of the desk.
So, you want to beco a Rana Samrat?
Zeke smiled bitterly. Im afraid there arent many other ways to gain fa and fortune in this city for soone like .
The man nodded. Indeed. There arent many paths open to outsiders. Unless you have the backing of a substantial power...
Zeke smiled inwardly. The man was clearly trying to probe him for his background. But how could he outsmart Zeke, who had spent his ti in Tradespire negotiating with rchant lords and politicians? He would not give anything away.
That's true, Zeke replied with a sigh. Unfortunately, I dont know anybody of importance in this city.
The mans brows furrowed slightly. That was good. He seed to have understood the aning behind Zekes words.
Just because I dont have any local support doesnt an that I am a nobody that can be pushed around.
The mans deanor changed slightly. I see. Well, lets not waste any more ti and get down to business. He stood up and retrieved a piece of parchnt from a nearby cabinet and handed it to Zeke. This is my standard contract. Take a look and tell if there is anything you dont agree with.
Zekes smile turned predatory as he received it. I am sure well be able to co to an arrangent.
***
Half an hour later, two n stepped out of the office. One was smiling energetically, the other scowling miserably.
Who knew you were such a fiend, Pete? the older man said listlessly.
Zeke couldnt hold back a grin. Using Akasha and the extensive knowledge of the laws and regulations he had studied over the past week, he had found several loopholes in the contract. Leveraging this knowledge, he had not only negotiated better terms for himself but also strongard the man into anding the terms of Leos contract.
Co now, Ravi, he teased. We both know how much you profited from this.
Zeke wasnt lying. By pointing out all the loopholes he found in the docunt, he had given the man invaluable advice. If sobody with malicious intentions had discovered them instead, it could have ended in a catastrophe for the Lions Den.
Ravi understood this as well, and that was also the reason Zeke was now on a first-na basis with him. Fighters were as common as sand, but people who could casually point out delicate nuances in the legal system were not. If it had only been a suspicion earlier, then the owner of the school was now certain that Zeke had to be backed by a foreign power.
Ravis mood lifted instantly as he thought of all the advice he had received to fix the flaws in his contract. Even though Zeke had taken advantage of him, he had not crossed any lines. Depending on Zekes performance, Ravi even stood to earn quite a bit of coin. The only clause Zeke had really wanted to change was the one that required him to stay for at least a year. In his new contract, he could leave whenever he wanted, without even giving notice.
That is true, Ravi grudgingly agreed, but rember to keep your mouth shut until Ive renegotiated my contracts.
Zeke nodded with a smile. It was not like he would gain anything by spreading the word about the loopholes anyway.
Satisfied with his response, Ravi turned to the petite slave girl who was still waiting in front of the door. Kaaria, bring Pete down to the training ground and introduce him to his instructor.
The girl imdiately bowed her head, Yes, Master. Who will it be?
Ravi thought for a mont before grinning slyly. Ishaan.
The girl trembled imperceptibly when she heard that na, but Zeke didnt miss it. Who was this Ishaan to evoke such a reaction? Was the man trying to screw him over?
This Ishaan better not be so deadbeat, Zeke warned. Rember, I can just leave
The grin on Ravis face only widened. What are you insinuating? Ishaan is the best I have.
Zeke eyed the man suspiciously but it didnt seem like he was lying. Thats good then. Anyway, when is my first fight?
Ravi smirked. Eager to get started, are we? The weekly tournant in the beginners circle starts in three days. Thats when youll make your debut.
Zeke nodded once, before motioning for the girl to lead the way. However, the mont they were out of earshot he stepped up next to her and gave her a aningful look. Your na is Kaaria, right?
Yes, young Master, Kaaria said. After seeing him banter with her Master earlier, she didnt dare to treat him casually anymore.
So, whats the deal with that Ishaan guy?
The girls furry ears twitched at his words, but she didnt speak. Instead, she only looked at him pleadingly.
Zeke caught her aning and smiled reassuringly. Dont worry, nobody will learn a word of what you say to .
She hesitated for a mont, turning to see if anybody else was nearby before speaking in a whisper. Ishaan does indeed produce so of the best fighters, but he is not a kind man. Also, he is a peculiar choice as an instructor for soone like you.
Zeke raised a single brow. Soone like ?
Kaaria nodded. A human, I an. Usually, he only trains Chiroi, and only slaves, as well.
Zeke fell silent, following the girl as he pondered her words. He didnt have a good feeling about this guy. He knew that the true Demi-humans, or Chiroi as they were called here, were a wild bunch. If the girls said he wasnt kind, that most likely ant he was incredibly cruel. Zeke hoped the man could at least reign in those tendencies when dealing with him.
Otherwise they would have a problem.
***
Zeke and Kaaria descended to the ground floor and approached a heavy tal door. Even from here, he heard the sound of fighting. But it wasnt the sound of steel hitting steel, or the sound of Magic casting. No, what Zeke heard was snarling and hissing, roaring and bellowing it sounded like wild animals fighting each other.
Kaaria once again opened the door for Zeke, but this ti followed him in. However, when she tried to enter, she bumped into sothing. She had walked into Zekes back, who stood frozen in place, staring at the ongoing fight.
The scene he was t with was too chaotic. It seed like a riot had broken out, with no semblance of order. There didnt seem to be any rules, as the fighters indiscriminately attacked each other in a massive free-for-all.
In the middle of this brutal stage stood a single man, the only human in sight. He laughed uproariously in one mont and cursed furiously in the next. Whenever a fighter collapsed, the man would lash at them with his whip, urging them to get back into the fight. Through this mixture of verbal and physical vitriol, the fighters were driven into a mad frenzy.
This man had to be the infamous Ishaan.
Several fighters were already lying on the ground, unable to get up. On their backs, Zeke saw countless lacerations. Ishaan must have continued to whip them until he was convinced they really couldnt fight anymore.
A deep frown ford on Zekes face.
He had gotten used to getting beaten up frequently during his early days in the Elentium, but the torturous sight in front of him was on another level. It made his own experience look like so friendly love taps.
He took a closer look at the fighters. So, those were the notorious Chiroi. They were indeed far less human than the cute and docile Hybridians he had interacted with so far. Most of them were humanoid in shape, but they vastly differed from each other. So had claws, and so had fangs, scales, horns, furs, or hides. So had none of those and so had a combination of all of them.
Zeke was intrigued. He watched a man with bluish, scaly skin and curved horns lunge at a giant whose body seed to be made from rocks. The blue man bit the giants neck, revealing his snake-like fangs. However, he had miscalculated. His fangs werent able to penetrate the giants skin at all. As a result, the blue man took a brutal fist to the face that left him reeling.
Similar scenes could be seen everywhere.
These battles were much more vicious and brutal than the sparring Zeke was used to. It beca imdiately clear that the Chiroi were born killers, their feral instincts on full display. For a beast, every loss could an death.
***
The fighting had co to an end, with bodies strewn all over the ground. Even the victors were so injured they collapsed from pain and blood loss. The sounds of pained whimpers were all that could be heard now. Aside from the heavy breathing from the man standing in the middle of it all.
Ishaan was out of breath as well. He had gone all out with his whip just now. Indiscriminately swinging it at everything and everyone. Zeke wondered what even the point was in fighting so hard if they ended up just the sa in the end
It was then that Ishaan finally noticed them standing at the door. He motioned for them to approach and Kaaria imdiately obeyed. Ishaans eyes were glued to her, there was an eerie light in his eyes as he looked the girl up and down. anwhile, he completely ignored Zekes existence.
Kaaria, my pretty, what brings you here on this fine day?
Kaaria shivered under the mans gaze but still responded dutifully. The Master has sent a new recruit.
For the first ti, Ishaan glanced at Zeke but frowned imdiately. Where is his collar?
Zeke was bristling at this point. He could tolerate a bit of disrespect, but this was going too far. Despite being introduced as a recruit, Ishaans question had still been addressed to Kaaria, as if Zeke wasnt even here.
Before Kaaria could speak, Zeke took the initiative to answer. I am no slave. My na is
Zeke couldnt even finish his sentence before his words were cut off by a sharp pain that stretched from his hip to his shoulder. An involuntary hiss escaped his lips at the sharp sting. Zeke looked down and found that his robes were torn open. A single, angry red line stretched across his entire front.
Then it slowly dawned on him. He had just been whipped.
Kaarias eyes were open wide as she watched the scene. Even she hadnt expected Ishaan to act so cruelly. After all, Zeke was no slave and even seed to be on good terms with the Master. She just hoped that the situation could be resolved peacefully.
anwhile, Zekes eyes landed on the whip. Blood was dripping from the countless black thorns that were embedded along its length his blood.
His heart was beating furiously, it felt like it might explode at any mont. How long had it been since he last experienced this feeling?
Slowly, ever so slowly, Zeke raised his head, looking straight at Ishaan. The mont their eyes t, his pupils elongated, turning into slits.
There was absolute silence in the room. Even Ishaan didnt dare to act hasty anymore. Cold sweat ran down his back. Those golden orbs were the eyes of an apex predator, and he was nothing but prey.
After a mont of silence, Zekes voice could be heard once more. However, it was lacking any of its usual warmth. You like to play with whips? What a coincidence. I am sowhat of an expert on the subject myself
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