Who Will Draw First?

Who Will Draw First?

Sustained high-intensity training gradually robbed people of their ability to think. Most had even forgotten how long they had been here.

Zhang Heng and the others now spent every day doing nothing but training, eating, sleeping, and other necessary bodily functions. The latter two were always insufficient; no matter how much they ate, they were soon hungry again, and no matter how many hours they slept, their entire bodies still ached the next day...

Aside from the unlucky fellow who had thrown away his training sword earlier, another seven people had successively been unable to withstand the brutal pressure and chose—or were forced—to withdraw.

Four of them were Roman Citizens, who amicably terminated their contracts with the Gladiator School and went home to seek other paths. The remaining three slaves were not so fortunate; they were sent to the mines the next day.

What surprised Gabi was that Valo, whom he had initially thought least likely to make it, had actually held on.

Though Valo had completed the first day's training before sunrise, he had neither eaten nor rested before being forced into another round of training. Gabi had not thought there was much chance he could endure the second day, but Valo had unexpectedly held on through sheer miracle. Zhang Heng had indeed secretly brought him water and bread, but Valo's own willpower was clearly the truly decisive factor.

This made Gabi admire him somewhat. Combat skill was certainly important for an outstanding gladiator, but unwavering will was indispensable as well. Bach was excellent in that regard. He had the heaviest training load of them all, yet aside from constantly glaring and bristling, he had not uttered a single complaint.

Still, Gabi did not give Valo any special treatment just because he admired him. Valo