The Arena Awaits

About 3-4 hours passed. Everyone rested in their rooms, or at least tried to rest, and in the blink of an eye, evening had already arrived.

Hiroshi sat on a chair next to the window overlooking the stunning landscape that lay beyond that piece of glass, when at a certain point he heard knocking at his door.

"Come in, the door is open."

It was the waiter. "Sir, it's time for dinner. Please come downstairs to dine."

"Good, have the others already gone?"

"I told them too. You're the last one since your door is at the end of the corridor."

"Alright, I'm coming."

Hiroshi got up from the chair, left the room, and closed it. "Now we can go."

"Follow me, sir."

The two began to descend. They went down the stairs, walked along the corridor full of frescoes and lights, and then arrived at the dining hall.

As soon as they entered, they saw there were quite a few people inside, all dressed in luxury, eating in a very stylish manner. Right in the hall there was a band of musicians playing classical music with beautiful instruments. The aroma of food spread everywhere.

Hiroshi quickly spotted the table where Rania and the others were seated, so he joined them as well.

Everyone, including Rania, wore decent and beautiful clothes. Hiroshi was the only one who had arrived in his classic outfit from when he was isekaied. He sat next to Hukuro, who had the free seat, and in front of him was Duraan. The arrangement wasn't the best, but it was fine since Rania was aware of everything.

"Have you already ordered?" asked Hiroshi.

"Not yet, the waiter has to arrive," said Hukuro.

"Good."

Even in that hall full of music, the silence at Hiroshi's table was strongly felt.

"AHHHH, I couldn't understand why you did all this," said Bitar, Duraan's friend. He had long hair down to his shoulders that also covered his eyes, pale skin, and dressed in black. You could call him an emo type, and he was also a semi-wolf humanoid.

"What had to happen happened. We can't do anything now," said Hukuro lowering his head in a sign of surrender.

"So what do we do from now on?" asked one of the leopard twin girls.

"I don't know, but I hope nothing serious happens," replied Hukuro.

Meanwhile the waiter also arrived and asked: "So gentlemen, what would you like to order?"

Duraan was the first to speak. "So, do you have beef?"

"Yes sir, tell me which part you want us to bring you right away."

"EVERYTHING!"

"Uh, I didn't understand well, sir," said the confused waiter.

"I want it all. Bring me all the beef, well roasted and greased in sauces. The sauces must be sweet and sour, neither too spicy nor too sweet. And then do you have beer?"

"Yes sir, we have it, but we also have very precious wines, such as Gremuia wine, very famous for—"

"I don't care about wines. Just bring me 5 liters of ice-cold beer."

"Hahaha, alright sir. And you, sir, what do you want?"

It was Hukuro's turn. "So I'll take a steak with grilled vegetables and a red grape wine."

"Very well, sir."

Rania's turn arrived. "I want to stay light, so minestrone and a soup."

"What a nice choice," said Hiroshi.

"Shut up and order yours," replied Rania irritated.

"So I want a seafood platter, accompanied with fresh lemon and lime cut alongside. Next, bring me a plate of creamy kernels with sea aromas - they must be cold. For the first course I want a fish steak, it shouldn't be too hot or too cold, a middle ground. Together with a cut of delicate meat - preferably I want the neck part of beef - with crunchy vegetables and roasted bitter roots as a side to break up the taste a bit. For dessert I want this thing called sweet snow. And then to drink only ice-cold water, a 2-liter bottle. Thank you."

The waiter seemed satisfied with the order, since he had seen a professional who knew what to order in suitable places, while the others looked at him with wide eyes.

"What is all this?" asked Rania.

"You're in such a high-quality restaurant and you're not taking advantage."

"Oh yes, as if you've always eaten here," said Rania staring at him irritated by his response.

The waiter continued with the orders. The emo boy took something crunchy and the others tried to do something similar to Hiroshi with their own tastes.

After a while the food arrived and everyone started eating. The food was quality and very good - you could see that everyone's faces were full of joy.

But only Hiroshi ate not for joy, but because the food was quality and it showed. There were no emotions, only cold professionalism.

After that, everyone returned to their rooms to sleep.

The next day it was 5:00 in the morning.

There was a knock at the door. Hiroshi got up and went to see what it was about.

As soon as he opened the door he saw a soldier in full armor who said: "Sir, get ready! It's time to go to the field!"

Hiroshi didn't ask questions since he understood what it was about, so he prepared and started walking behind the soldier toward the hotel exit.

Once outside, all the others were already present and General Wilhelm was there too. There were also carriages ready to go.

"So guys, from today begins your real reason for arriving here. Now we sit in these carriages and go toward the arena. You'll be thinking what the arena is - well, the arena is where mythical and legendary battles are fought, but rest assured that we'll go there only to test your talents. So slowly get on the carriages, we're leaving right away."

So everyone gradually started to climb up. There was only one carriage, but a nice big one, pulled by 3 animals. Everyone got inside and sat in their seats, while the general and some soldiers were on their animals leading.

The atmosphere inside the carriage wasn't one of the good ones: tremendous anxiety and depression at its peak. Hukuro was convinced he would die in the blink of an eye.

The only calm ones were Hiroshi, Duraan, and the emo boy.

* * *

The carriage began to move. Hiroshi looked out the window at the landscape of the most majestic city on this planet. As soon as they left the hotel garden, a new world opened up.

The streets were full of luxurious carriages moving around. The people on the sidewalk were few, but they too were immersed in gold from head to toe. Luxury could be seen by itself, there was no need to express it.

The weather was fascinating: golden sun rising in this golden city.

After about half an hour of travel they arrived at the arena, a majestic structure made of pure rock. Giant pillars that held it high, the surrounding shape like the Colosseum found in Italy - a true work of art.

The carriages stopped right inside the arena. As soon as everyone got off, they were stunned. In that early morning, the arena was already full of different people training in different disciplines: some in cavalry, others in archery, some in defense with shields in hand, others charging with axes in hand like Vikings, and others in different types of magic.

General Wilhelm got down from his animal and said: "So guys, this is the place where you'll train and where your exams will be conducted. Now I introduce you to the people who will take care of you, namely your masters."

"But won't you be looking after us?" asked Duraan.

"Yes, I'm here too, but my vote alone will be little, so I'll be assisted by Mr. Gudakas and Mr. Tyli."

Gudakas wasn't a simple man: age perhaps around 60, over 2 meters tall, massive and muscular more than Duraan, sculpted muscles. He had a giant axe in hand, menacing eyes, scars on his skin everywhere. His heavy breathing could be heard from a distance.

On the other side was Tyli: a thin, slender old man with average stature, who could barely straighten his back so he kept one hand on it. But his tiny eyes told much more.

"So guys, the tall man you see is Mr. Gudakas. He is a very strong barbarian feared from all parts. You can't see it, but he's over 60 years old. In his youth he destroyed many of his opponents and has a very honored and respected role here and throughout the world. And the one you see is Mr. Tyli - he's over 100 YEARS OLD!!! But don't judge by their appearance: he can destroy you all together without effort. He has mastered every type of martial art. Now prepare yourselves because we'll call you one by one to show us what talent you have, okay?"

"Alright, sir," said almost everyone in chorus, excited. However, some people weren't excited: Hiroshi, Rania, and Hukuro.

Then the general called Hukuro to speak.