We were slowly ushered back to the pits, a few Roman soldiers flanking us while the leading soldiers dealt with the numerous biotechnological security measures we encountered along the way. Some of them required simple means — a few passwords here and there — while a select few required complex means, such as what I assumed to be Valerius’s blood sample.
Although there was something wrong with that line of thinking. If only Valerius’s blood sample could bypass some of those security measures, how then was his vitality still so strong and exuberant?
Unless... they had other ways of replicating his blood sample. That was the most realistic scenario I could think of. And if that were really the case, the already slim chance of escaping from the pits just became even bleaker.
"Hah..."
Exhaling lightly, I shook my head as we walked past the cave rooms.
"Hmm, aren’t you going to consider getting one of them?" Azrael inquired.
"What for?"
"For training?" the young Terrisman said, raising a brow.
"I can train in the pits."
"Obviously," Azrael deadpanned. "However, how can it compare to the freedom you get from living in the cave rooms? Besides, there are certain exercises that simply can’t be done in the pits."
Azrael leaned forward, "And certain secrets you’d rather not reveal to others."
I paused, brows visibly drawn taut. If we were to consider that, getting a cave room did seem reasonable. However...
"How much is one of them?" I still had to consider the price.
"Not expensive," Azrael said, a light smile crossing his lips.
I frowned. "How much is ’not expensive’?"
"About a few Denarii coins," replied Azrael. "Of course, the prince of the Gracian Empire can afford to be extravagant enough to rent the cave room for three months for about one atium shard."
"If we were to convert that to Denarii coins, how many coins would I need?"
"About a thousand."
"What?!" I exclaimed. "What’s with the ridiculous exchange rate?"
"Well... Atium shards are rare." Azrael shrugged.
"Rare my ass," I snapped back. "The standard rate should be about a hundred Denarii coins, and that’s even considering the rarity and difficulty in mining atium shards."
"Well... yes," said Azrael. "But this is the pits. Certain rules are bent to benefit the Romans."
I gritted my teeth, saying nothing in response.
For the most part, however, where was I going to get a thousand Denarii coins from? We were only given a few coins every once in a while. And even if I did attempt to save up, how long would it take to reach a thousand?
Then there was the matter of Atium shards. Why would I be stupid enough to spend an atium shard on renting a... training room? Especially considering the difficulty of getting one in the pits.
At least, so far, only the evolutionary stat assessment seemed to offer Atium shards as rewards. And even then, that was only one. Besides, if I were to spend the Atium shard on renting the cave room instead of using it to strengthen myself, no matter which angle I viewed it from, it would be a losing deal.
In simpler terms, I’d feel the pinch.
"You know," Azrael said, bringing me out of my thoughts. "Considering the fact that you’ll be getting four Atium shards, spending one on getting the cave room isn’t a bad deal."
"Four Atium shards?" I repeated, a startled expression crossing my face.
Azrael chuckled. "A newly Awakened who awakens an advanced B-rank ability is given two Atium shards. Those who awaken A-rank abilities are given three Atium shards. And since you were assessed to have awakened an advanced A-ranked ability, you should... logically be given four shards."
A frown marred my features
I knew what he implied by ’logically.’ At the end of the day, it was still up to Valerius to see to it that I received the Atium shards. If he chose to do nothing about it, there was really nothing I could do.
Clenching my teeth, I could only hope he wouldn’t stoop so low.
"The difference between a normal Awakened and an advanced Awakened of the same rank, particularly from the A rank onward, isn’t as simple as adding two and two," the young Terrisman added. "An Awakened with a top-ranked ability can easily wipe the floor with those of their rank. They aren’t known as the elites amongst their ranks for nothing."
I nodded, affirming his words. However, I was much more concerned about my chances of getting the Atium shards.
Perhaps my brooding expression gave me away. Azrael smiled. "You need not worry about that. He wouldn’t stoop so low."
’Like you would know.’ I suppressed the urge to roll my eyes.
"If you say so," I muttered under my breath, the earlier interaction between him and Valerius flashing through my mind, reinforcing the need to be careful around him.
Perhaps a day would come when we would eventually have to fight to the death. The thought, for some reason, sent a cold chill down my spine. However, that was food for thought for the future.
For now, I still had to do whatever it took to stay alive.
"Hah..." I exhaled, taking numerous steps forward.
A while later, we were thrown back into our pits, a deep darkness creeping into our vision.
Azrael and I conversed from within our pits, lightening the grim mood surrounding us. Although conversing so openly with a fellow cellmate shouldn’t have been possible. The Roman soldiers, more than anything, wouldn’t have missed such an opportunity to oppress the Dormant slaves. However, when it came to a few gladiators — Azrael and me now included — they said nothing and simply turned a blind eye to it all.
Their reaction, though, was subtle, and I wouldn’t have taken notice of it if I hadn’t been one to pay close attention to my surroundings.
"Hmm..." I hummed, my eyes narrowing. What had brought about the change? Was it Valerius’s words, or... the mysterious young Terrisman before me?
"..."
Shaking my head, I decided to wave it off. Whatever the reason might be, it was beneficial to me. So I might as well turn a blind eye to it.
Leaning back against the cold bars of the pits, I closed my eyes, about to enjoy a few moments of respite when...
Tap, Tap~!
The sound of numerous footsteps resounded in my ears. Along with them came numerous sources of energy, rapidly drawing closer.