The Awakening Of A Beast

At least Kon seemed somewhat knowledgeable about the arena, which was probably the minimum requirement of staying employed here. Daring listened with a focused expression, their ears fixed on Kon's every word and their red eyes focused. In a literal sense Daring wasn't eighteen, they had been alive for only few years now. But Daring knew it didn't work like that on this island and probably not here on the arena either. Daring's identification said they were 18, because their body was and their mind was along that age as well.

"The most interesting show. Of course. It is just entertainment for the masses, after all."
Daring commented in passing with an unimpressed tone, and they looked at the ring briefly. The fight had now ended and the arena was being cleaned for the next one. Daring didn't know whether or not they liked thinking about fighting as a show. But there was no other place on the island where Daring could legally be able to fight and feel like they were actually in a fight, not in a martial arts recital or a spar match.
Daring looked back at Kon, swiping a strand of curly hair out of their face.
"And how will my skill level be evaluated, exactly?"

A spar match, of course. That was the most efficient and accurate way. Although Daring didn't have many fighting skills to demonstrate, merely some self-defense tactics their first owner had taught his NEK0s. And Daring would've preferred to forget about those and everything else about the rotten son of a bitch.
Daring eyed Kon with slight suspicion when he offered to give Daring tips, but since he already knew Daring's species they couldn't undermine themselves by revealing that.

"Biologically engineered nekomimi, or NEK0 for short. I do not have any skills yet that would assure my victory in a fight they wish to see here, but it won't take me long to learn."
Daring couldn't help but ever so slightly scrunch their nose when they mentioned their species. Daring didn't hate being a NEK0, but they hated what it stood for. Being weak, meant to be used and meant to serve. Everything Daring hated.

"They."
Daring said that one single word, their eyes turning increasingly cold. So this person was not a NEK0 then? Or then he was so ashamed of his own kind he didn't want to be associated with them anymore. That Daring could understand. But unlike this person Daring wasn't about to back down or run from who they were. Daring had gained a fighting chance through their robotic limbs, the event that had effectively made their life a living hell had also given Daring a possibility in showing they were everything people said NEK0s couldn't be. This person, NEK0 or not, was like everyone else. Assuming. And even though that angered Daring it angered them in a way that was cold. and logical, and determined.

"I was beginning to think you knew what you were talking about. I'm disappointed to see I thought wrong."
Daring answered, no visible anger or irritation in their tone, just an unimpressed, cold look at Kon. His words had only strengthened Daring's determination to fight on this arena. And the day Daring would win their first fight they would take great pleasure in seeing Kon's expression.

A warning. That meant nothing to Daring. They had already decided they were going to fight here, so in their mind it was already a given. Was it unrealistic? Perhaps. But Kon and his information had been useful. Daring knew what their order of business should be now. And getting more "tips" or any kinds of favours from Kon wasn't included in it.

"No."
Daring said to Kon's words, and glanced towards the arena again. The next fight was about to start. Daring considered staying and watching it, but they would only get antsy because they had pent up aggression now and watching fights would only make it worse. Daring reached and pulled their wheelchair over, Kon couldn't tell but the wheelchair was too heavy for someone with the strength of a 5-year-old to pull with ease.
"I don't need anything else from you."
Daring would climb up from the bottom, and they wouldn't accept anyone's help. Especially not Kon's.

"There is no such thing as luck."
Daring remarked as their last words before Kon left. Daring could guess Kon didn't have the highest opinion of them. Rather, Daring would've seriously doubted Kon's judgment if he did have a high opinion of them. But even if Daring seemed stupid or a rude asshole to Kon they couldn't care less. As for when Kon mentioned Tieragoran Daring didn't react, the name was unfamiliar to them and not relevant at this moment. It would take Daring some time before they would actually fight on the arena. And after Kon left Daring looked at the arena one last time. Daring would probably start coming here decently often. Daring began pushing their wheelchair out of the arena, exhaling a bit as they did. They decided to buy a punching bag or such as soon as they could.