'Couldn't she visit us herself!? The pain is killing me!'
Obai and Bolin clunked along the halls of an old building that was just outside the arena. A shorter guard marched ahead of them with utmost confidence, leading the two men up to a large room that capped the building.
Even though whatever healers the Karada hired had patched up Obai and Bolin pretty well, it didn't get rid of some of the larger damage the two had dealt to each other.
Bolin was humming an unknown tune as they kept moving. No one talked since the three of them left the tiny—and questionable—medical room.
Obai wouldn't have minded a stranger's song on any other day. However, his technical loss still left a bad taste in his mouth. Plus, he couldn't think straight! Bolin was so loud!
"Would you shut up?"
Bolin glanced down and smirked at the grumpy man. This only pissed him off more.
'Why does he have to look at me like I'm a fly?!'
The giant responded in a cheerful low tone. "Ah! He speaks!"
He chuckled to himself as he started to whistle his tune.
'I already hate this guy!'
As much as the giant pissed him off, Obai attempted to ignore him. His mind was busy thinking about how the meeting with Merric could possibly play out.
'She's really just a few steps away. I might be able to kill her if I catch her off guard. But... I really don't know just how strong she is. Can I really do it while wounded and with only a spirit blade?'
He set his dark eyes onto the back of the guard.
'I don't know how strong this guard is. They don't seem like the guys from the arena. Actually... they don't seem like a guy at all.'
He sighed and glared at Bolin again.
'And this guy actually ended up beating me! The Karada said that only the winners are rewarded with their teachings. Is my plan ruined now? Maybe I should kill him and make a break for it. He seems like he's got a decent amount of energy already, even if he doesn't know.'
They eventually stopped in front of two large wooden doors. They looked much nicer than the room Obai woke up in. It was probably the only one they actively kept maintained.
The guard finally turned around and glanced at Bolin.
"Be quiet."
He shut up immediately.
'Ha! Take that! Wait... stop grinning!'
Obai glared at Bolin's still smug face as the doors slowly opened. Inside was a fairly large room that was mostly empty. The walls and floor were wooden, unlike the halls that they previously walked through. In the middle was a large mat that covered most of the floor, some of it stained by blood.
To the left was a beautiful woman dressed in something that resembled a robe. She was currently bent over, wiping what looked like blood off her silk shoe.
"Lady Merric," the guard saluted.
She turned her face, still leaning over, as she smiled at the new guests.
"Ah! There they are! I heard you two were the best of the best! I was so eager to meet you!"
Ilka practically hopped up as she briskly made her way over to face the two damaged gentlemen with a chillingly friendly smile.
Obai furrowed his eyebrows. This was his first meeting with Ilka face-to-face, he wasn't sure how she would act. He didn't expect any hospitality, though.
"You were... eager to meet us?"
Her perfectly shaped face beamed as she looked over Obai.
"Of course! I love it when my men are strong!" she answered whimsically.
'Huh??'
Ilka continued as she studied Bolin. "Y'know... I wasn't sure what I was expecting when I heard about 'the giant and his ballerina,' but I hadn't expected these miraculous bodies!"
'Huh?!?!'
Obai nearly forgot his hatred for Ilka, his face jumping back and blushing slightly.
"Excuse me... but what the hell did you just call us?"
Ilka's eyes narrowed as she smiled coyly, leaning her torso towards Obai. She even giggled softly.
"Oh... looks like the little ballerina doesn't enjoy his title..."
The teasing reignited his anger. "Excuse me?!"
"Oh don't get so angry," she exclaimed, pushing his chest lightly. "I'm sure you aren't little." She winked.
His jaw dropped. Obai was about to retort, however, at that moment, Bolin spoke up. He was much more red in the face than Obai currently was.
"Um... sorry to question your reasoning, but why is this man here?"
He gestured with his side, aiming at the fuming Obai.
"I thought the losers missed out on the opportunity to learn your arts."
Obai sharply turned, forgetting about Ilka once again. He wished he could've looked down at the man that insulted him. Too much teasing from Nova already taught him that if you wanted to intimidate someone with your fury, it was much better if you were bigger.
He had to make do with being short again.
"Listen here big guy! I hate to shatter your pride, but if either of us had a real sword, I would have killed you ten times over!"
Bolin simply smiled. "Really? I found that fight quite amusing. You did quite well, but if I went all out from the start, I feel like you wouldn't be here right now."
"Who says I wasn't holding back either, you basta–"
"Ladies!! Please..."
Both of them fell silent as they remembered that they were in a room with the most powerful person in the Empire.
"Sorry ma'am," Bolin apologized.
Obai scoffed. He wasn't going to let Ilka scare him easily.
'Ugh... what the hell am I doing? I should be focused on what Merric wants from us, not arguing with this bastard.'
Ilka breathed through her nose, closing her eyes, then smiling once again.
"Now... to answer your question... um..."
She looked to Bolin once more.
"Bolin Garus."
"Bolin! Well, to answer your question, this man right here..."
She eyed him, prompting his name.
"Obai."
She stayed silent a second longer in anticipation, waiting for his last name as well. She continued once she realized she wouldn't learn it.
"Well, Obai apparently did such a good job that three out of four of your judges said he was too marvelous to waste. So... he'll receive the same training as you, Bolin."
Both of their eyes widened at the news.
'That's some good news.'
"Count yourself lucky, Obai." Ilka continued her playful smile as she reached behind her head to undo the bun, letting her chocolate hair fly below her hips.
"You out-skilled your own death."