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Chapter 758: 758

Chapter 758: Do You Want To Listen To the Truth?

Gabi had much to deal with, hurriedly leaving the training ground after arranging for tomorrow’s match .

The rest of the gladiator candidates were gathered in front of their trainers, inquiring about their opponents . After they knew about their opponents’ fighting styles, they quickly turned around, looking for people with similar combat styles to spar with them, thus simulating their upcoming battle .

Varo was the only one sitting on the ground alone, motionless .

From the back, he looked really lonely . This time most people could understand his frustration . He was truly unlucky to get Habitus as his opponent . There was a massive gap in strength and skills between the two of them, which also meant that Varo was destined to be defeated by Habitus tomorrow . That could only mean that he would fail his assessment .

Zhang Heng also asked his trainer about Garba, including his chances of winning and losing and his fighting style . The trainer had a good impression of Zhang Heng, even reminding him that he had to pay extra attention when fighting a cunning veteran like Garba .

Upon expressing his gratitude, Zhang Heng walked to Varo’s side .

Without even looking, Varo knew who was approaching him . “Don’t worry,” he said, “I haven’t given up on myself yet . You asked me what made me make up my mind to become a gladiator, right?”

“Are you willing to tell me now?” Zhang Heng sat down beside Varo .

“I saw him that afternoon, the same afternoon I went to help in the arena . ” Varo clenched his fists .

“Who?”

“My best friend, or… rather, ex-best friend . ” Varo laughed sarcastically . “I trusted him fully… gave him all my money so he could help me invest in the textile business in Egypt . Not too long after that, he told me that he had been robbed . The authorities told me that he was dead and all the money was gone . They did send the body back to Rome, though . There were no problems with his height and body shape, but his face was disfigured . ”

“He’s back?”

“Yes, and he is with my wife now . They sat in the stands, enjoying the gladiatorial show . I don’t think they saw me . After all, even I didn’t pay attention to the slaves in the arena when I watched the shows back then . ”

Varo’s ex-best friend’s arrogant behavior surprised Zhang Heng . Initially, Zhang Heng thought the man would leave Rome, moving to a new place forever with the wealth he had robbed from Varo . By doing that, there was no way to prove that this whole thing was a hoax . Nobody expected him to have the audacity to settle down in Rome with Varo’s wife .

“Can you sue him and get your wealth back?” asked Zhang Heng .

Varo shook his head . “Julia Basilica only accepts lawsuits from Roman citizens, and slaves are not allowed to sue anyone . Besides, I don’t have any money to hire a lawyer . And I know he would find all kinds of reasons to defend himself . For example, he could claim that he did encounter a robber but managed to run away . And others had mistakenly identified the dead body as him . After all, I was the one that signed the contract voluntarily at the beginning . No matter what the reason was, I did breach the contract . ”

Varo was now a lot calmer than when Zhang Heng first met him, which was why people said hardship was the best way to mold a person . However, the problem Varo had experienced so far was too outrageous .

After experiencing his wife and his best friend’s betrayal, then losing his freedom, he finally snapped out from his miserable phase . He then went through a hellish training period that was almost impossible for him to survive, only to find out that he would fight with Habitus in his final assessment .

Varo hesitated and asked, “What are the odds that I will win against Habitus?”

“Do you want to hear the truth?”

“Of course . ”

“Not even 10% . ” Zhang Heng told him the truth . “He a gladiator at his golden age . His physical fitness, combat skills, and combat experience are a lot more advanced than you . This gap cannot be made up by sheer willpower . Even after the hellish training, Bach has a very slim chance of winning against him . ”

“What about you?” Varo asked .

Zhang Heng smiled, and he did not answer his question . Instead, he turned around and said, “Your goal is not to beat him . You need to focus on passing tomorrow’s assessment . ”

“As you said, his physical fitness, fighting skills, and combat experience are all above me . It will be a one-sided battle tomorrow . How can I pass the test?” Varo smiled bitterly, “I don’t even know how long I can last in that battle . Ten rounds perhaps?”

“I think you overestimated yourself, my friend,” replied Zhang Heng euphemistically . “Defending or running away allows you to drag the battle, but that’s pointless . ”

Spectators were known to not treat gladiator deserters very well . Once the weaker gladiator was defeated before the audience got to watch the exciting performance, they would urge the organizer to execute the loser . To please the audience, the organizer would not hesitate to do it in front of them .

Thus, even a cunning gladiator veteran like Garba would have to fight hard when he encountered an opponent who was way stronger than him .

“The key to passing the assessment is not the number of rounds, but whether or not you can cause Habitus a little trouble . ”

“Causing Habitus trouble? What kind of trouble? Will my blood be spilled on his sword?”

“It has to be something bigger than that,” said Zhang Heng . “If you are fighting someone else, I don’t think I can help you . Since we have seen Habitus’ fight with Bach, I think I can give you some suggestions . ”

“Really?” Varo asked in surprise . He looked at Zhang Heng again as if looking at the incarnation of Jupiter .

Zhang Heng had rescued him more than once . He bought him three days to prove himself to Gaby, made his protective gear, and now, he was even telling him how there might be a way to take advantage of Habitus .

“Don’t be too happy . I’m not too sure about it as well . After all, it has to depend on your on-the-spot performance and Habitus’ attitude towards you . ”

Zhang Heng continued after a pause, “Logically speaking, he should not participate in this sort of entry-level gladiator assessment . We don’t know why he is on the list now, but my guess is that he has some conflict with Gaby . After all, Bach’s growth will threaten his current position . Gaby is probably taking this opportunity to bring him down . Therefore, Habitus is not in a good mood . Other than that, he is a very proud individual as well . Here is your chance . I can play his role and do some sparring with you . We have the whole day to ourselves . If you can do what I say, you can probably cause him some trouble . Even if everything goes well, you only have about 40% chance to execute the plan . ”

“Enough . 40% is better than 10% . ” Varo gritted his teeth . “From the moment I was sold here, I have only one way to get out of this place . I have to do whatever it takes to regain my freedom . ”

“Very well . Let me tell you what to do . ”

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