Bright lights descended down onto the remaining players, as Hydra regained his vision, he noticed that he seemed to be in a dungeon of sorts lit up by torches, weaponry lay around just like the first Colosseum they entered, looking around Hydra couldn’t stop anybody else.

Hydra closed his eyes and started listening closely to his surrounding, soon he was able to pick up an extremely faint cheering from behind the locked doors as Hydra tried to listen in more closely to pick out words his concentration was broken by the same dirty blonde haired youth that he noticed before.

I wasn’t alone…. This is going to be a pain dealing with an idiotic brute

Looking around to spot the group of sixteen players it seemed the majority of them were not there as the only ones inside this dungeon are himself and that rough thug who started the fight in the Colosseum last time.

“Albus was it?” Hydra peered at the rough thug darting around the room.

“Where the hell are we?! Are those real weapons! That’s so cool!” Albus was way too lively for Hydra. Trying to keep some sort of distance, Hydra began to look at the weapons, they seemed to be sectioned into types. One handed, two handed and then ranged weapons.

Inside each type, there were selections of categories with several different variations. You name it, they had it available. It was like paradise for a weapons collector, even if they were all made of one of the weakest mineral, copper.

Looking through the weapons, Hydra began to think about how he wanted to fight.

If only I knew what will be in the test, maybe it’s just two vs two duels?

This caused Hydra to look towards Albus with a scowl while he walked over to one-handed weapons, playing a tank in the last server made Hydra get used to going sword and board. This led him to arrive at the short swords. This challenge was completely different from when Hydra first fought for the champion spot in the first year.

It was just all-out brawl till the last person, this time it seemed to be more methodical huh?

Hydra picked up a copper sword, a thick sword with a cross guard similar to a sai, When he gripped the handle tightly, it split into two. Hydra held out two old Chinese swords, the English name for these swords would be Butterfly swords, Weapons close to a machete in purpose, slashing rather than stabbing which is normally used with a martial arts style of combat that fits the weapons style.

Placing down the butterfly swords for something more flexible, Hydra moved over to the short swords and started to browse. “Try to get something flexible Albus. We have no idea what we are fighting.” Hydra offered advice to Albus reluctantly. He felt like Albus was ignoring his advice.

Testing out the short swords, Hydra came across an old friend from Roman history, a gladius. One of the ‘strongest’ in history supposably, gripping it felt right in the palm. He performed a few slashes and stabs with the weapon to test it out. Nodding to himself, he picked up a scabbard for the short sword and attached it to the starter cloth you get when making your character.

[Copper Gladius]

Style: Shortsword

Rarity: Common

Physical Attack: 5-15

[A short sword made with the template of a Gladius currently summoned by Xaecies to be used him his competition]

The gladius was the main weapon for the Roman empire during its prime, it was used by footmen. It was a stabbing sword as the guard on the weapon is small offering no protection to the hands if any, this meant those who used it were trained to deflect weapons using the blade. The gladius could use its full potential when used with a shield as it allowed the user to hide the point of the sword making it incredibly hard to tell where they would strike. It was a weapon that was easy to pick up as you just had to point it and push forward but one that needed the dedication to master.

Hydra didn’t feel right without a shield so he made his way over in the one-handed section to the shields and since he already had a roman weapon might as well get a roman shield since they had great synergy with the Gladius like most shields do.

Picking up three shields, Hydra let them rest in front of him as he began to think over the properties of each.

Scutum is the best for defense but they lack mobility and were mainly used since the infantry moved as unit, a Parma would be the lightest and easiest to move out of all three but it doesn’t give the best cover for the gladius advantage and finally cetratus, a mixture of the two but less study than both of them. They all had their own advantages and disadvantages but they allowed the gladius potential to be used

After a few moments of deep thought, Hydra came to a decision. Out of the shields, the one that will benefit him in the majority of situations would be Scutum. The Scutum is a rectangular shield that if measured would go from the shoulders of Hydra to just below his knees. The width of it is just bigger than his body as the side also curves inwards towards him slightly. Copper reinforced edges around the shield provide extra sturdiness and make it flexible enough to be used as a weapon if he decides to smash it into people who are down, however, it makes the shield harder to handle due to the weight.

Hydra picked up his new found weapons and looked at his reflection through the sword, his grin widened. He was ready for whatever was to come.

Hydra started training with his new weapons practising directions for stabbing and his footwork with the new shield, soon what felt like an hour had passed. Hydra was wondering what's going on and why the trial hadn’t started. Xaecies never liked to wait. Soon Hydra found out why, Albus was running around like a child on his first Christmas trying to equip all the weapons he possibly could at once.

“What are you doing?” Hydra questioned the young thug. As he watched him carrying around several types of axes, maces, bows and all sorts of extra bits.

“Gettings weapons! Look at how cool this looks!!” Albus then dropped his collection onto the floor grabbing one of the two-handed weapons that was a katana, he swung it about like a child with a toy. “Don’t I look so fucking cool, like one of those samurais.”

“Are you serious? I told you to pick something flexible? Not to mess around with how ‘cool’ you look.” Hydra groaned towards Albus

“Why does it matter? I can use them all and when they break, I can move on the next one!” Albus started to hold the collection of weapons as if it was his life-saving.

“You can only choose a set of weapons most likely, for example, two daggers or a claymore. Xaecies most likely won’t let us enter until then…”

“Fine, i'll get something to punch with then”

Hydra started to search around the one-handed area, picking up a pair of gloves. Similar to hand wraps boxers put on before a fight. Except one difference was that they seemed to have copper studded padding fastened into the knuckle area.

[Copper Cestus]

Style: Battle Glove

Rarity: Common

Physical Attack: 5-10

[A glove that will add power to your punches currently summoned by Xaecies to be used him his competition]

“Here try these, a better version of knuckle dusters, more flexible and slightly protects your arm.” Hydra tossed over the old fashioned boxing gloves to Albus.

Albus strapped in the gloves onto his wrists making sure they fit tightly before saying “Nothing more flexible than your own fists! A beast is in front of you? Punch it! Soldier with a shield in front? Punch him! I like it.”

They were both ready, Hydra’s face showed determination to win as last year he didn’t do so well. This time was sure to be different, he had experience on his side. Albus was buzzing and ready to fight. It was time.

Do you want to begin the fight?

Hydra steadied his posture and calmed himself while Albus did the complete opposite, tightening his fist’s grip and psyching himself up. They both replied immediately and simultaneously. While readying themselves for what’s to come.

“Yes!”