Battle in the Foyer

No one had expected that, after the example set by that unlucky outsider earlier, anyone would still dare to openly provoke Saturnilos.

The gladiators from the city were better informed. Most had at least heard Zhang Heng's name and knew he was a rising newcomer at Victor Arena. Of course, since Zhang Heng had fought too few matches so far, their knowledge of him remained limited. The gladiators from outside the city, however, had no idea where this Easterner had come from.

After receiving Commodus's promise, Saturnilos immediately turned and walked toward Zhang Heng.

Every gladiator present could feel the blazing fury in his eyes, much less Zhang Heng, who stood at the center of the vortex.

Habitus quietly shifted his feet, putting a little distance between himself and Zhang Heng. Though they belonged to the same Gladiator School, Habitus did not particularly like Zhang Heng, and that was perfectly understandable. Originally, only Bach had competed with him for the arena's star gladiator position, and Bach had not yet fully matured. Habitus was confident that he could surpass Bach in this competition, or at least in its first half. That would have given him more leverage in negotiations with the Gladiator School and allowed him to secure greater benefits for himself.

But now, this previously silent Easterner had suddenly emerged, defeated Nasica, and begun earning Macrus's favor. From then on, Habitus could clearly feel that the Gladiator School's attitude toward him had hardened again. To make matters worse, he had finally gritted his teeth and prepared to accept the conditions the Old Trainer had proposed, strengthening his own abilities, only to be told afterward that the plan had been canceled.

Though Habitus had no proof, his instincts told him Zhang Heng was connected to that latter matter as well. There