It's not an easy answer to say but he figures Rotor missed the mini arena coverage, and that's okay. He doesn't need to see how brutally he beat Ermac and the Batter while made but the boy deserves an honest answer.

"I survived a mini arena, my two kills were brought on by a lot of anger. Uh, my mentor Linden Lockhearst...he was put in the arena along with me and Karkat. I care a lot for him, so when I saw this tribute, Ermac...stabbing him, I was so angry I b-beat him." He visibly shivered, he was so scared, but he carried on, "Same happened with the Batter, only this time, he killed a girl I considered her family."

He then sighed, "I survived for their sacrifices, sorry if I spooked you."