Auren stood in the center of the arena without losing his cool despite the storm of jeers raining down from the spectators.
Hahaha!
The noise rolled like thunder, each insult sharpened by laughter and the clinking of coins.
From the high stone benches circling the pit, dozens of eyes glared down at him, mocking the very idea that a mere herbalist had dared step into a promotion test.
"Come on! Finish it quick so I can have my money now!" someone shouted, voice cutting through the restless crowd.
"What's the delay? Just kick his ass right away, Jerome!" another barked, impatient and eager for blood.
"Cocky bastard," a man sneered, spitting toward the stone floor. "Does he think he's Robert, the fighting herbalist of Austerra?"
That name alone sparked murmurs.
"Speaking of Robert," an older man rasped from the back,
"I heard he fought side by side with Queen Austaire and that Frameless Freak against the Dark Fate. They say it was their combined strength that saved Austerra."
