Another Stupid Isekai

It was very weird how my life suddenly became very slow. There was no fighting, no violence, and no suffering. I had a comfortable house with a nice room, a soft bed, and access to more food than I needed.

My old habits of getting up very early remained. I doubted that my host would be awake when I got up, since even the three Atri were not, so I went alone to have a walk in the garden.

A bit later I joined everybody at breakfast. We had a bit of meaningless chat, and then Bashan offered to show me other parts of his mansion. There was everything that one could need to live comfortably there. A cinema hall where they were watching alien movies, a pool with crystal clear water, a gym for ridiculously strong people, even a library with hundreds of thousands of books. Too bad I couldn\'t read any of those.

We ended up at the stadium, which I saw yesterday.

- This is where Druoag trains from time to time. I used to teach fighters here when I was still active - explained Bashan.

- Would you mind if I were to use it? - I asked.

- Of course not - he said, and smiled at me mysteriously.

Then we returned to have lunch, but the host had to live us, as one of his servants flew to him using the hoverboard and whispered something to his ear. He showed up later when I and the massive Druoag were having a conversation alongside the Atri, near the entrance, sitting comfortably on chairs.

- I have some news - he started with a big smile on his face. - Yagg contacted me. He finished speaking with the High Queen.

I nodded.

- So? What\'s going to happen to me now?

- Well, she wants you out in the world.

- What do you mean by that?

- She wants you to make a name for yourself in the arena. The Royal Tournament would be too much for you, but there are a bit less prestigious leagues there for you to conquer. Yagg already asked me to help with your training.

- First, she wants to hide me, and now she wants me to be seen? - I was confused, and then it all clicked in my head.

What she wanted was The Great One, but I had no idea where he could be. All I knew was that he escaped from her, which I saw when she was demolishing my mind from inside. Maybe she didn\'t find his location, but she knew I was important for his plans, so now she wanted to use me as bait to lure him out.

I doubted that it would work. He was simply too smart to fall for this.

- You are her toy, and she can do whatever she wants with you, but I suggest you go for it. At least you will be safe from Calludins. She is going to take care of that problem for you.

- How? - I asked immediately, as my mind was still focused on the issue of The Great One.

If I were paying more attention to the conversation, I actually wouldn\'t ask that. She was a Queen, and a very powerful being, which meant she could just tell them to back off, and they would listen.

- She promised them a bunch of human slaves - Bashan explained to my surprise. - You didn\'t expect that, did toy? The High Queen cherishes Calludins very much.

I was torn between feeling angry, and completely powerless. I could only hope whoever was to be sacrificed for that, was somebody who deserved it.

- So, when do we start? - I asked.

Bashan looked at Druoag, who immediately caught what the old man was implying.

- Well... I\'m retired now, and as much as I would like to help an old friend, I believe there is somebody who could be an even better teacher than me.

- Hmm... I never trained anybody - said the giant alien. - But it would be a lie if I were to say that I\'ve never considered trying. I have vast knowledge not only about the life of a gladiator and fighting but also about the many different races you might face out there. It could be an interesting endeavor. I\'ll help you if you accept me as your teacher.

I had no problem with that, as I already kinda liked him despite his terrifying appearance.

- I do - I said, and smiled briefly.

- Good - said Bashan. - Yagg is already working on the formalities, which might take him several days. When he returns we should have some intel about your first battle, the league, and the opponent you will be facing. Just keep in mind it wont to be as easy as you were used to fighting in the hole they kept you before.

I nodded.

- Let\'s go to the arena then - proposed Druoag. - I saw a few of your fights with Bashan when Yagg asked us to watch you for some time. There is actually quite a lot to work on. You used to have other abilities, didn\'t you? We heard the Queen put a blockade in your mind.

- Yes - I confirmed.

- It\'s very obvious when you see how you fight. You put yourself often in some strange positions while you dodge, or look for opportunities to attack. I bet you could do something, that is not relying on your muscles\' power to help you move.

- Yes - I agreed immediately. - I had a skill that allowed me to easily relocate in close vicinity.

- How about we work on that first? With physically weaker and slower opponent\'s it was not a problem, but those who can keep up with you, and are keen, will see it, and use it to take you down. It\'s a serious disadvantage - said Druoag.

,m I nodded.

- Let\'s do that - I said as I picked myself up from the chair.

And like that my short peaceful days were gone. We all went to the arena.. Six of us, as the three Atri also joined us.