In a tense situation, most people on reflex would stifen up.
Their walking steps would become rigid, sweat from their foreheads, they would take short paces, and some even develop goosebumps.
These were all natural occurrences when dealing with intense nervousness and fear.
However, no matter how strong the opponent, these were instinctive reactions that the assassin had to battle against when faced with his opponent.
It was like the impulse to eat when hungry, or scratch when itchy.
To go against one's natural impulse was a great measure of mental fortitude and capability.
It was evidence that the Assassin had disciplined and trained his mind to such extremities that he had broken out of the natural impulsion of the body.
At the moment, Lenny was putting this into place.
His face had a bright smile as should a winner of his position.
His steps were large, showing his eagerness to receive is reward.
His muscles were not stiffen and he did not sweat.
For any one in the Arena, this had only been a few seconds.
After all, from his entry point to the top of the podium was not a long distance.
However, for Lenny, it was much more.
At the rate his mind was pushing beyond it's limits to think as fast as it was, climbing these steps felt like long unending hours.
Different conjectures and scenarios had played in his head.
Although he was not sure how useful there would be to him, he had even factored out the standing position of every Arena master.
His mind calculating their standing angle to determine which position would be most difficult for them to move in.
It was an incredible complex process so intense that he used magic points to substitute for the amount of energy his brain was burning.
Half-borns usually had better cognitive development than normal humans, however, none had the kind of formal education Lenny had from his former life to be able to pull such an incredible stunt.
The mathematical, psychological, and inspirational experience all merging together to create this extra ordinary moment was literally beyond this world.
One step at a time, until he finally reached the podium.
Of all the Arena masters, Cuban had a smile so wide it even reached his ears.
He could not stop laughing. Then again, how could he not?
He had just won a very very big bet.
He was going to drain his other Arena masters of their hard earned wealth, especially Basit that mocked him time and time again.
For this reason, Cuban's eyes on Chiron was like that of finding a long lost cherished son.
On the other hand Basit and the other Arena masters looked at Lenny with daggers in their eyes.
However, they had to hold back their pressure as it would be seen as disrespectful to the Governor and his family.
The worse of them was surprisingly not Basit, but Lady Hanger.
Lenny observed her body language well.
She even had her fists clenched tightly.
Obviously, she was holding back on remodeling Lenny's face.
It was at this time that Lenny remembered the poll he was carrying.
He quickly removed off his shoulders.
He walked up to Lady Hanger, "forgive me Arena master, but she was already like this when I found her. I believe she arrived at this state Battling Razor."
As Lenny said this, he looked in Basit's direction. Making it seem as if he had been a saviour than the actual culprit.
Lady Hanger took the poll and untied Manta.
However, what she saw was not the confident face of a Gladiator under her tutelage.
Instead it was one of misery.
Lady Hanger undid the wrap on Manta's lips.
However, as she did, she noticed Manta's lips slowly moving. It was like she was trying to say something but the difficulty of it was too much for her tongue to spill out.
Lady Hanger came closer, and then she heard it.
"Please...kill me."
This surprised Lady Vinegar. Manta was actually begging for death.
Lady Vinegar looked at Manta with eyes so tender that it surprised Lenny.
After all, no matter how close, an Arena Master should not look at a Half-born in that manner.
It was quick to hide and disappeared almost as soon as it came, like she was trying really well at concealing it.
But Lenny caught it clear as day.
"Is that... affection?" Lenny thought to himself.
It was unbelievable but it was there.
Lady Hanger suddenly turned to Lady Vinegar, "please excuse me Lady Vinegar, I suddenly feel a bit unwell."
Of course, all in attendance could tell that this was just her method of saying she wanted to begin treatment on Manta immediately.
Lady Vinegar nodded and Lady Hanger immediately left the occasion.
As she left, Lenny chuckled in his mind.
No matter the treatment she was going to perform, it was all going to be futile.
His pain and Pleasure technique was a flawless one.
Then again, this world had magic, the possibilities were endless.
However, even if a solution was found for Manta's situation, that including her limbs, her mind was forever broken.
Of a truth, the easiest and most merciful thing that Lady Hanger could do was put the 'Torso' out of her misery.
As Lady Hanger left, another person stepped forward.
As he did, his nose twitched, evidence that his nose was arrow that pointed him forward.
It was Basit.
He sniffed a bit more as he advanced towards the bone poll Lady Hanger peeled her gladiator from.
He picked up the bone poll and sniffed it a bit.
Just to be sure, his forked tongue took a quick lick of the Poll.
Instantly, he knew whose bones these were, after all.
This was full prove evidence that Razor was dead.
Razor was gladiator with a true name from his Arena master.
That was a bond that was like to that of a mother and her child if not stronger.
He paused as his eyes turned to Lenny.
He suddenly released his Darkline magic and it rushed for Lenny.
The moment the thought to kill Lenny sparked in his head, he took action.
"Fuck!" Lenny cursed. He knew he was a goner.
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