In the meantime, Virno had managed to drag himself out of bed and stretch his stiff body. When the door creaked open, he didn’t notice right away.

  Faya: “Be careful! What are you doing out of bed already?!”

  Her voice startled him. He turned his head, then his torso, revealing his bandaged form.

  Virno: “I feel fine. Don’t worry.”

  Rel, standing beside Faya, raised a skeptical brow.

  Rel: “Seems like that doctor might’ve done *too good* of a job.”

  Virno smiled at the comment, but quickly changed the subject.

  Virno: “So... any news?”

  Faya lit up with excitement, eager to share her accomplishment..

  Faya: “Yes -- your rent is now permanently fixed at 250 coppers!”

  Virno’s face immediately softened with joy and relief.

  Virno: “Thank you, Faya… That’s a huge weight off our shoulders. I won’t forget it.”

  But as the words settled in, doubt crept into his expression.

  Virno: “But... did Cabdan really agree to that so easily? He doesn’t seem like the type to just roll over without a fight.”

  Faya had expected this question and delivered her reply confidently.

  Faya: “Don’t worry about it. I threatened to leave the arena if he didn’t. Of course, he wasn’t about to sacrifice his best fighter!”

  She giggled, playing up her smugness. Rel smiled faintly, but it wasn’t genuine. He glanced at Faya, knowing full well she wasn’t telling the whole truth.

  Virno: “Alright… One less thing to worry about then. Thank you, again.”

  He moved toward the door, his posture still stiff from his injuries.

  Faya: “Hey! Where are you going?!”

  Virno: “Home. My mother’s probably worried I haven’t come back yet. Plus, I want to tell her the good news. Can I tell her to stop by tomorrow morning to start working?”

  Faya: “Yes, of course!”

  Rel: "Why don't you come too, since you're feeling so well? We can always use an extra pair of hands."

  Faya's eyes snap in Rel's direction, widening in anger.

  Faya: “Rel! You're supposed to be the responsible one!”

  Virno smiles.

  Virno: ”I'm alright Faya, really. I promise I'll be extra careful.”

  Virno smiled, pausing to look at Rel.

  Virno: “Since you're inviting me yourself, guess I can't pass that up. And... nice meeting you, Rel. Sometime soon, we’ll have a proper fight. Though I should probably learn a thing or two about fist-fighting before I go bare-handed against you again.”

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  Rel smiles and exhales from his nose.

  Rel: “Nonsense. You’re a sword fighter, that much is obvious. Stick to what you’re good at. I’m the one who needs to step up my game -- getting beaten by a newbie in my own arena. How the mighty have fallen...”

  His short laugh eased the tension. Faya smiled too.

  Virno: “I’ll see you guys tomorrow, then. Take care!”

  Rel: “See you.”

  Faya: “... Don’t be late tomorrow!”

  Virno left the orphanage, his silhouette briefly visible through the window as he disappeared down the road.

  Rel crossed his arms, watching the door Virno had just passed through.

  Rel: “Heh. You like him, don't you?

  Faya’s response was immediate: a punch to his arm.

  Rel: “Ow! Okay, okay!”

  Rel’s tone grew more serious as the playful moment passed.

  Rel: “But you do realize Barr will probably sniff this out if he catches wind of it...?”

  Faya’s smile faded.

  Faya: “Yeah... but he won’t. Virno doesn’t need to fight anymore, so there’s no reason for them to ever cross paths.”

  Rel exhaled sharply, unconvinced.

  Rel: “Let’s hope you’re right...”

  Faya quickly changed the subject.

  Faya: “Enough about that! How’s your head?”

  Rel: “Better than the guy you fought before, that’s for sure. A few days and I’ll be good as new.”

  Faya: “Seriously though, what were you thinking, going that far? That’s not like you.”

  Rel shook his head, his expression pensive.

  Rel: “Virno’s a real fighter. I wanted to give him a good match. The way he used his surroundings, fighting until his body gave out... He’s got something, Faya. Something I don’t think I have. Don't think many of us here have, actually...”

  Faya raised a brow.

  Faya: “Are you sure you’re not the one with a crush on him?”

  Rel laughed.

  Rel: “I’m just saying, Faya... I've got a good feeling about the guy.”

  Meanwhile, Virno made his way through the dusty streets of the slums. As he walked, he noticed two girls around Faya’s age passing by. One of them was crying, while the other whispered reassurances.

  Girl: “It’s okay now. We’re almost home. Faya would break their arms before they could do anything else to you. You’re safe.”

  Virno’s curiosity got the better of him.

  Virno: “Hey! What happened to her?”

  The girl shielding her friend turned to him with a glare.

  Girl: “Mind your own damn business!”

  As her eyes fell on Virno’s bandaged torso, her expression softened slightly.

  Girl: “Wait... those injuries -- you’re the one who fought Rel, aren’t you? Faya mentioned you.”

  She hesitated for a moment, then added:

  Girl: “Look, if you know what’s good for you, stay far away from Cabdan.”

  Virno: “Don’t worry. I’m done with him.”

  The crying girl tugged on her friend’s sleeve, urging her to keep walking.

  Girl: “Good.”

  The two turned to leave, but Virno couldn’t let it go.

  Virno: “Wait... did Cabdan have something to do with her?”

  The girl didn’t look back.

  Girl: “Mind your own business!”

  As they disappeared into the distance, Virno clenched his fists, frustration building.

  Virno (muttering): “Everyone seems a bit too tight-lipped about Cabdan. Faya did say she has them by the balls when it comes to money but... is that really all there is to it?”

  With a sigh, he resumed his walk home.

  When Virno reached the front door of their home, he opened it to find his mother sitting at the table, staring pensively at the chipped wooden surface. Bread and water were laid out, untouched. She immediately looked up when he entered.

  Anya: “Virno! Where have you been?!”

  She rushed to him, noticing his bandages.

  Virno: “Before you say anything, don’t worry -- I’m fine! These will heal in a couple of days, a doctor's already seen them. More importantly... I have fantastic news.”

  She paused, curiosity overriding her concern.

  Virno: “Cabdan changed his mind. Our rent is permanently fixed at 250 coppers. And... I don’t have to fight for him anymore!”

  Anya’s face lit up with relief and joy.

  Anya: “That’s... that’s wonderful!”

  Virno: “And that’s not all... I got us both jobs at a nearby orphanage -- we start tomorrow! I don’t know how much it pays, but it’s something.”

  Overcome with emotion, Anya threw her arms around him.

  Anya: ”I-I... don't even know what to say! This is so great, Virno... I don't know what I'd do without you--”

  Virno: “Mother -- my ribs!”

  She pulled back, mortified.

  Anya: “Oh, I’m so sorry!”

  Virno laughed weakly.

  Virno: “It’s fine. I told you, we don’t need him. We’ll manage on our own.”

  Anya didn’t respond, her expression unreadable.

  Anya: “Come, sit... Let’s eat. You can tell me everything that happened.”

  As they shared their humble meal, Virno recounted the day’s events -- carefully omitting the grittier details of his fight and Cabdan’s manipulations.