After that, Dumba walked toward the dining table not far from the arena.
Shima invited Adrin to stay at her house for the night. On the way there, she couldn't shake off a strange feeling of regret. She stared at Dumba's back with teary eyes, guilt rising within her.
"It seems Dumba was really angry. Now I'm starting to regret my decision."
Adrin patted the girl's shoulder with his wrinkled hand.
"Don't think too much about Dumba. He's only worried you might get hurt."
"How do you know that?"
"During the match, I couldn't focus because your thoughts kept disturbing me. In your heart, you wished it was you standing in that arena, the one who won, the one who could be with Dumba. You kept blaming yourself for being weak and powerless. You kept wishing that if only you were stronger, then the one who received Dumba's seed today would have been you, not Dona."
"You… How is that possible? Were you reading my mind this whole time?"
"Not only yours, but Dumba's as well. In his heart, he kept stealing glances at you during the match. I know his feelings for you are just as deep as yours for him. That's why I feel sorry for both of you. Fate seems cruel, keeping two people apart even when they share the same love."
"You're right," Shima sighed. "To be honest, Dumba and I have known each other since we were kids. We used to spend time together all the time. But ever since he replaced his father as village chief, I could never talk to him again. His duty separated us. I realized the only way to be close to him again was by winning the festival. But deep down I knew it was impossible. The Trunka tribe has so many strong women, I could never defeat them. Who am I kidding? I'm just a pathetic girl who spends her life in the kitchen."
"Fear not, young one. Tomorrow, I assure you, you two shall be together again."
Shima smiled in relief.
The journey to her home took longer than expected. She lived on the outskirts of the village, far from the crowd. The place was utterly quiet, lit only by the glow of torches. Seeing how primitive the village was, it was no wonder technology was forbidden during the match. What kind of technology could one expect from a place this outdated?
Adrin sat at the dining table, the small flame of a candle flickering between them. Shima's house was built from clay with a straw roof. From the kitchen came the aroma of food so delicious that it made Adrin's empty stomach growl.
When she returned, Shima carried a plate with an enormous fried crab, so big it filled the entire plate. There was also fried chicken and a bowl of hot broth. Everything looked luxurious, a sharp contrast to the humble surroundings where it was made.
"Please, enjoy," said Shima, placing the food and drink before him.
"Wow, this all looks amazing. Did you make it yourself?" Adrin took a piece of the crab claw.
"Yes. I live alone here. This is the only thing I can be proud of. Being a good cook won't make me a respected woman here."
"What are you talking about? Being able to create a feast like this with such simple ingredients, that's remarkable."
"Thank you. You're kind, even though you're a stranger. No one in this village ever cared about me because I'm just ordinary. Here, strength is everything. The only thing I can do is cook. Only my mother ever treated me kindly."
"May I know what happened to your mother?"
"She became one of the chief's concubines. After winning last year's Breeding Festival, she earned the right to receive Dumba's seed and live with him. The winners are allowed to stay by his side as consorts. If you're lucky, Dumba might visit your chamber at night and sleep with you. And if you're even luckier, he'll come horny. If he horny enough to fuck you, you can receive his seed for free."
"What a fascinating culture," Adrin said, chewing on the massive chicken thigh.
"What about you, Sunda? Tell me about yourself."
"Me? Oh, there's nothing interesting about me. I'm just an old wanderer from a faraway land."
"Don't lie. I saw your eyes change earlier, like a tiger's. My ancestors said only the gods possess such power. You must be one of them."
Adrin didn't answer. He focused on finishing the food and drink before him, his face content. His empty stomach was finally full.
Then he said, "You should save your energy for tomorrow, Shima. Rest well. At dawn, I'll begin your training until you're ready to face Dona in battle."
Shima obeyed. She didn't have the courage to disobey him, something about his voice carried the weight of command. But before going to bed, she decided to wash the dishes first.
Adrin was given a spare room, one that used to belong to Shima's mother before she moved in with the village chief. When Shima passed by his door after cleaning up, she noticed a faint blue light leaking from the cracks in the wooden wall.
Curious, she peeked through the small gap. Her eyes widened in disbelief. Adrin was floating cross-legged in midair, wrapped in a bright blue aura that shimmered beautifully in the dark. His figure looked divine, like a god deep in meditation.
She wanted to step inside, but stopped herself, afraid she might interrupt whatever he was doing. Shima quietly closed the door and went to her room to sleep.
The next morning, before the sun had risen, they were already standing in the wide yard behind her house. Adrin's body still glowed faintly with that same blue aura, while the girl shivered in the cold. He observed her carefully, as if assessing every part of her being.
His eyes changed again, burning like a tiger's eyes in the dark.
"Have you ever trained in combat before?" he asked.
Shima shook her head.
"I see. Then I'll have to test you first. Try hitting me."
"Uh… just like that? Anywhere? My mother used to say a good strike should always target the opponent's weakness."
Adrin stayed silent, unimpressed by her remark. Feeling awkward, Shima gathered her courage and attacked without warning, swinging her right leg to kick the old man straight in the crotch, aiming for the one place men were always weak.
"Oww! That hurts!"
But oddly, it was her leg that hurt instead.
"What the fuck?! Poor your wife! Your balls feel like iron!"
Adrin sighed. Clearly, this girl was hopeless.
"Come here."
After rubbing her sore leg, Shima stood back up to face him. The old man's aura intensified, painting the yard in a radiant blue glow. He gathered all that energy into his right hand until it shone like it had been dipped in glittering paint. With that glowing hand, he touched Shima's forehead. The energy flowed from him into her, spreading through her entire body.
Her eyes turned pure white, and a blue aura erupted from her skin.
"O heavenly soul that has been slumbered, I hereby bestow my power upon you. Arise, The Chosen One!"