The Ashen Dominion
Chapter 70 - Preparations

Chapter 70: 70 - Preparations

(Kaiser’s POV)

Two weeks had passed in a blink of an eye.

I’ve been in this world for around 2 months and a few days. But for some reason, it feels like I’ve been here longer than that.

I mean, a lot had already changed in my life.

I’m a gladiator slave. I’ve fought and won four matches with my life on the line. I’m in a fantasy medieval world. I acquired a skill.

And I’ve also met different kinds of people...

’I’m already used to being in this world.’

I thought as I sat on my bed. It was night now and I had just finished training and taking my daily protein.

"Two months, huh..."

I’ve spent most of that time training and fighting.

"It’s crazy to think about how just a couple of months ago, I was a normal office worker lazing around."

I mumbled.

Thinking back, I really did have a boring life back on Earth... Like all I did was go to work in the morning, go home at night, then watch random stuff until I fell asleep.

’I guess I wasn’t really living my life back then, huh... I was just surviving.’

I thought to myself.

I was slowly hating life before, calling it bland and boring... But wasn’t I mostly the one responsible for making it like that?

I mean, yeah—I couldn’t avoid working and stuff, I needed money to be able to live.

I even remembered the first paycheck that I got... I was so happy that I started spending it on whatever I wanted. It didn’t last a week, but hey—I was satisfied.

It continued like that for a few months until I decided to save up to buy my own place.

"Haha, I remember when I first got my apartment room... I was so excited."

But maybe after that... That’s when my life started getting boring.

I tried to be financially responsible because I wasn’t really earning that much, just enough for me and my stuff.

I tried dating too... Though none of it really worked out because of work.

I just moved on and continued with my life.

I would go to work, go back to my apartment, and sleep every day.

I did that without fail.

It became a cycle.

I... I became too comfortable with that kind of life.

And because of that—I lost motivation and excitement.

Before I knew it... Life had become dull to me, and I became stuck in a tasteless loop.

Until ultimately... I died.

"..."

I became silent as I thought of my past while lying down on my hard-ass bed.

Then, I thought of what I did in this world for the past two months.

I fought here and there. I did whatever I wanted. I bashed the skulls of those who annoyed me. And a lot more.

"Heh..."

A smile crept up on my face.

"My life here is exciting, huh."

I muttered.

"This time, I’ll try not to make it boring."

Then I added.

I felt excitement when I trained. When I fought... When I won.

I became happier as I grew stronger.

So if that’s the case...

"I’ll continue training. I’ll fight as much as I want... Then I’ll win."

I said.

But I know that after some time, this will bore me out as well... And so—

"In a year."

A year from now on...

"I’ll leave this place and explore the world."

I declared with a smile on my face before closing my eyes.

My life that should’ve already ended continued in a different body, in a different world—let’s just enjoy it until I perish.

*****

After waking up the next morning...

I did my usual morning stretching and light exercises. The air was a little colder than usual, and my body felt just a bit heavier—probably because of the intense routine I pushed myself through yesterday.

Still, I went through the motions like always.

Stretch... breathe... squat... twist...

And after I finished, instead of heading out of my room as usual—I just sat on my bed. My hands rested on my knees, and my eyes wandered to the Degula’s greatsword leaning against the wall across me.

It’s now the 1st week and day of a new month, and my fight with Edmar will be in 2 days.

"..."

So I tried studying about him.

I’ve only watched him fight once. It was last week. He was up against some big guy that wielded a heavy hammer.

Edmar didn’t even flinch. He just dashed around that guy like a damn blur.

He uses dual swords. Twin blades. Light weapons.

He’s fast. And precise.

Deadly too.

He won his match without taking a single hit, and finished it in under half an hour. If I wasn’t paying attention, I might’ve missed the ending. That’s how clean and quick he was.

"He’s the worst opponent for me."

I muttered with an awkward smile, my gaze still locked on the greatsword.

A greatsword. Big. Heavy. Slow.

It demands full commitment for every swing. One mistake, one missed opportunity—and I’d leave myself wide open.

My fighting style doesn’t match well against someone like Edmar.

He’s probably going to dance around me and chip me down until I can’t move anymore. He’s not like Viktor, who likes to brawl and trade hits.

’This is going to be tough...’

"Haaaaa..."

I sighed.

Even if I landed one clean hit, that might not be enough to stop him.

He’s fast enough to dodge.

Agile enough to strike back.

And skilled enough to make someone like me look like a statue.

"..."

But I didn’t look away from my weapon.

Even so... I’m not backing down in this fight.

After all—

"I bet this is going to be exciting."

*****

After readying myself mentally and thinking of plans, I finally came out of the room.

Creak—

Thud-

And there—I saw Rose, Jhamillah, Jenna, Damian, and Viktor already gathered around on our usual spot.

They were eating breakfast.

Rose was sipping her coffee while Jhamillah and Jenna talked about something that made them laugh. Damian had just finished eating, and Viktor... he looked like he already wanted to start training again.

"Yo."

I greeted them.

They looked at me.

"Morning."

Rose said, smiling at me.

"Good morning, Kaiser!"

Jhamillah followed with a cheerful smile.

"You’re late."

Jenna added.

"Morning, man."

Then Damian.

"Yo."

Viktor just waved at me.

They all invited me to join them, and without wasting time, I headed straight to the gate where the food was handed out.

I received my portion—bread with a small slice of meat inside and a cup of black coffee—before making my way back and sitting down with the group.

We talked for a bit.

Just casual stuff.

Nothing serious.

Jhamillah talked about one of the guards slipping and falling yesterday. Jenna teased Damian about snoring when he fell asleep outside his room because of exhaustion. Rose said Uban and the others were still acting calm. And Viktor just laughed at all of it.

I just listened, eating.

"..."

A smile crept up on my face.

’This morning is good as well.’

I thought.

And after finishing breakfast—

"Ready for another day?"

Viktor turned to me and asked that with a grin.

I just shrugged my shoulders, then smiled and opened my mouth.

"I’m always ready."

"Me too!"

Damian chimed in beside me, smiling as well.

And with that—the three of us stood up and headed to the training ground.

...

...

...

At the training ground, we started with some light warm-ups—basic stretches, mobility drills, and a few laps around the perimeter. Then came the intense part. We trained hard, pushing ourselves as usual.

Everyone focused on their own thing. Viktor and Damian split off to work on whatever personal routines they had, while I went straight to my usual circuit. I lifted weights until my muscles screamed, then moved on to strength drills that targeted my core and shoulders—things I knew I needed if I wanted to swing a greatsword with real control. After that, I practiced my swings over and over again, keeping strict form, adjusting for speed, and refining my footwork with every movement.

The heat, the sweat, the aching muscles... It all became familiar. But even through the pain, I could feel it—slow, steady improvements. I was moving cleaner, reacting faster, and recovering quicker. Bit by bit, my body was catching up to the weapon I chose to wield.

Amd after all this... I would spar against Viktor and Damian.

"You’re getting better at using that thing."

Viktor stated after fighting me, pointing at my wooden greatsword. He won.

"Ugh... I still have long way to go."

Damian commented while looking at me. He lost.

This cycle repeated. Nonstop training. Then rest, protein, and more thoughts about how to get better.

And just like that—

...

...

..

Two days passed.

It was finally time for my fifth match... against Edmar.

"..."

I’m currently sitting on my bed, it was still early morning.

"Fuuuuuuu..."

I let out a sigh.

"..."

I looked at the greatsword I got from Degula, then I looked at my hands.

I smiled a little and nodded my head.

Swoosh~

I stood up, and opening my mouth...

"Let’s win again this time."

Fwip-

I muttered that as I took my greatsword.

Creak—

Thud-

Then I came out of my room.