3 Chapter 3: Rise of a Champion
Chapter 3: Rise of a Champion
Being escorted to the medical wing, Aurum had expected another shoddy treatment by the underground colosseum's resident quack, a half-blind, ancient-looking fellow known simply as Doctor Bob.
To his utter surprise and delight, he was instead greeted by a mature beauty in her thirties. The well-endowed, auburn-haired, lady had all eyes drawn to her, yet none of the current hospitalized residents made a move.
Noticing the dual revolvers, and large scalpels most likely being used for more than simple medical purposes, Aurum realized this was no delicate flower to be messed with.
"Well, aren't you a sight for sore eyes? Tell me, how does a fine woman like yourself find her way to a place like this?" Aurum said, putting on a charming smile, summoning as much light-skinned rizz as possible.
She simply cocked an eyebrow, "Maybe clean up a little, oh, and grow a few feet taller before trying to be such a flirt."
Aurum simply shrugged before hopping up on the exam table. Sure he was scrawny, standing only five and a half feet tall but he was still confidant in the natural charm that all members of his Golden Tribe held.
"Well, then, patch me up if you'd be so kind, Doc. Name's Aurum by the way."
"Leona." she deadpanned, before tending to his wounds.
He smirked, thinking he'd be enjoying his time here knowing that there was this mature beauty to get to know.
After being sent back to his cell, the guard being in a good mood, not chaining him to the wall this time, he was given a new plate of what goes for food down here.
He noticed this time, a few pieces of mystery meat that he avoided thinking about their origin.
Determined to put the benefits of being a winner to good use, Aurum continued his routine of nurturing his growth with higher-quality rations and honing his observation haki by constantly scanning the environment.
Months passed, with Aurum at first fighting what seemed like beggars they'd found on the streets. Not being able to learn anything from these wastes, Aurum simply sent them on their way in various entertaining and gruesome fashions.
With his continual visits to the infirmary, his relationship with the lovely Doc Leona progressed beyond witty banter into a deeper connection. They'd found comfort in each other's presence as the only non-degenerate beings down in this shit hole.
Leona turned out to be in a similar situation as Aurum. An orphan with a dream of being the best doctor the world would ever know, she'd needed to take a sketchy loan to afford medical school. After graduating, the Sylvanus family made sure she couldn't find an honest job, forcing her to work as one of their underground doctors. Still, she held on to her dream, not for any altruistic motivations, but instead out of spite towards the family that held her chains.
…
After months of fixing his physique with Life Return, Aurum now stood a respectable six foot, three inches, filled out with powerful lean muscles.
Today was the day he'd be fighting an experienced gladiator for the first time. He had no doubts about the outcome, the only question was, how much experience could he absorb?
His observation haki had advanced to the point he could have the entire underground compound within his range. It had also evolved to be able to pick up any strong emotions a person within his range was experiencing.
While not specifically training for it, with his experience using observation and conqueror's haki, Aurum could easily form a layer of armament haki at will.
Strangely, his armament didn't take its usual inky black form, instead matching his metallic gold hair and eyes. He wouldn't complain, he thought it was a badass theme to stick with.
Shortly before his match would begin, Aurum's eyes widened in surprise, feeling a thrum of power from within the deepest recesses of his being.
He now felt the connection with his soul-bound weapon finally be completed.
Holding his right hand out, Aurum's eyes shined with satisfaction, watching a deadly-looking, gold Gladius forming out of thin air.
Realizing that he needed to give his most loyal companion a name, Aurum went through a few names he'd come up with, only to receive negative vibrations in return.
It wasn't until he realized that this little thing preferred a more feminine taste in names that progress was made.
Finally, the name Aurora was deemed acceptable by this picky little weapon.
'Well then Aurora, prepare yourself, it'll be me and you standing at the top of this world in no time,' he sent mentally, receiving an eager thrum of acknowledgment.
Sensing the guard's approach, he sent Aurora away, eager to get a good fight in.
"S-sir please, if you would, c-come with me you-your fight's about to begin," the guard stuttered out, not daring to meet Aurum's gaze as subtle waves of conquerors haki washed over him.
It hadn't taken long for Aurum to get tired of the disrespect he'd been given down here. Shortly after his first fight, he'd started playing around with his conqueror's haki, learning how to influence weak-willed individuals without being outright blatant with it.
None of the guards that dealt with the gladiators were the stronger ones that Aurum had noticed using haki so bullying them into submission was simple. He quickly received the best possible accommodations and meals that could be provided. There was nothing lavish, Aurum was content with his meditative training as long as he received nutritious meals and a decent mattress.
Maybe from fear, or not wanting to admit the situation to the higher-ups, Aurum hadn't received any scrutiny from the ones in charge.
Sure, that could have set his plans of gaining experience back, but Aurum was the Supreme, of Supreme Kings, damn it, and people better put some respect on his name. If it had come down to it, he'd have been fine slaughtering his way out and starting his journey early.
…
Aurum tuned out the crown and announcer like usual as he walked to the center of the ring, locking eyes with the grizzled, one-eyed, old man standing there.
In that moment of eye contact, an understanding had been made. This old man was being put out to pasture, the Sylvanus family most likely thinking he wasn't worth the slop he was being fed.
A weapon rack was rolled out, Aurum watching the elder choose a standard katana before picking up the same for himself.
"Show me what you've got old man, and believe that one day I'll be to reckoning that befalls this place," Aurum said, low enough that only his opponent could hear.
Now standing center ring, blades at the ready, he saw the old man shaking his head in disapproval, most likely thinking Aurum was an overconfident fool.
Aurum didn't bother with him anymore, solely focused on observing every small movement his enemy made through observation haki.
The grizzled veteran lunged in a practiced overhead strike, Aurum easily meeting the blow, giving the man a mocking smirk as if to say, "Is that all, old man?".
Showing a small amount of annoyance, the old man let up his attack before resuming his offensive with increased fervor.
Aurum simply dodged, redirected, or met each strike with equal force, not showing any signs of effort on his face until the old man took a step back, now breathing heavily, seemingly out of breath.
'So this was why the fighting pit decided to give up on the old veteran,' Aurum thought, now deciding to end the fight quickly.
Normally he'd put a show on for the crowd, ending his enemies in various gruesome ways or allowing the crowd to decide their fate.
It wasn't anything special but the old man was a competent swordsman and for that, Aurum would finish the fight honorable in return for the experience he'd gained.
Stepping forward, Aurum performed a near-perfect copy of the man's downward strike, meeting the elder's guarded blade.
With a quick burst of strength that his adversary wasn't expecting, Aurum now had the elder disarmed, holding his blade to the man's neck.
"Noburu Moriko," the man nodded his head in defeat before slowly getting to his knees.
"Aurum," he simply stated, before taking a step to the side of the now-named Moriko and taking his head off in a single clean motion.
