As I enter the arena hall, I see Brute and the unfortunate guy down in the centre of the arena. The hall is sloped downward towards the sand covered arena. The arena is round and slightly smaller than a boxing ring. The edges are covered with haystacks. Simple seats are carved into the slope around the centre stage. A few guys are already seated. More are coming through the doors as I look for a seat for myself.

It starts to dawn on the other guy that he is getting this beat down regardless of how much he pleads. His expression changes to fear. After standing still for a few minutes, he charges at Brute, determined to get the beating out of the way. I am expecting Brute to send him flying with one punch, but instead Brute adjusts his strength enough to just knock the air out of him. After one stomach punch he is ready to keel over, but Brute picks him up by his shirt, and starts slapping him around with the flat of his hand.

By the time Brute is done and drops the other guy, I realize that Brute held him off the ground the entire time. Painful and humiliating, I can think of no reason why this guy will not amend his ways. Because Brute slapped him around more than beat him senseless, the guy looks to have no serious injuries, only bruises. As if to confirm my thoughts a mage walks over to have a look at the guy, but promptly walks away without healing his aching body.

The guy sitting next to me starts talking to me. "Not much entertainment, but it is kind of a given with a beat down. Let's hope someone feels like having a rough sparing match, they are much more fun." A sparing match, that sounds a lot more interesting. Though I have combat skills I lack the actual experience to use them. Getting up I start looking for someone I know to spare with.

A few minutes later I am in the ring with Lak wrapping my fists in linen. I look at Lak as one of the mages comes up and gives him a magic barrier covering his head. Lak was always a bit vain about his looks, but if feels a bit like cheating. The mage comes up to me next and explains. "I am going to put a basic magic barrier around your head, it will stop impacts the way a helmet with a mask would but it will still send your head spinning. It is not an excuse to get hit in the head. The fights can get pretty fierce since healing can be applied afterwards."

Seconds later Lak charges at me with the full intent to causing me pain. He is surprisingly fast and good with his hands. I barely manage to hold my ground by applying the little I know of martial arts from my previous life. Thanks only to my regeneration skill I stay on my feet the whole match, as bruises and injuries are quickly healed throughout the match. Though I feel it is a bit like cheating, Lak does not seem to mind. As far as he is concerned he has a self-repairing punching bag.

The match only stops when we are both exhausted. Lak from punching, and me from being punched. The crowd of spectators have grown. Mixed in with the hunters are townsfolk come for a bit of evening entertainment. Many seem appreciative of the fight. Next match looks to be more serious, as bets are taken on who the winner is going to be. Thinking I might gain an advantage, I use analyze on both contestants. As far as my analysis skill is concerned there is nothing separating them. I have no intention to gamble so I leave for home.

At home I get interrogated as to why my clothes are covered in blood, my blood. "If you are going to fight in the arena, at least let us know, so we can come and watch you." Lawra seem interested in seeing me fight. Mari is more worried about me getting injured. I try to assure her. "Don't worry, I got lots of injuries tonight, but they all healed almost immediately."

A satisfying day, I filled my head with knowledge, and trained my body. Determined get through the most relevant sections in the library before I go on any more long missions, I decide to repeat today's routine for the foreseeable future.