Back in the preparation quarters, Kael, Kyle, and Takeshi stood together—nervous energy crackling between them. Even after days of brutal, nonstop training, the reality of competition made their hearts pound.

  “That’ll be us soon…” Kyle muttered, fingers tapping restlessly.

  Takeshi exhaled slowly, trying—and failing—to hide the tension in his shoulders.

  Kael forced a smile, though his hands were tight at his sides.

  Then the door slid open.

  Anya walked in, hands on her hips, wearing the same warm smile she always did whenever the squad needed her. “Hey,” she said, stepping between them. “No matter what happens out there… just smile and enjoy it.”

  The three boys blinked—surprised, then laughing softly.

  For a moment, their nerves eased.

  To ease the tension building in the preparation quarters, Anya clapped her hands together and said, “Alright, you three. Come with me to the viewing booth. No sense sitting around overthinking when your events aren’t even up yet.”

  The trio exchanged glances… then nodded. Anything was better than waiting alone with their nerves.

  They followed Anya up the corridor and into the elevated viewing booth overlooking the massive arena. The room was buzzing—soldiers, cadets, officers, and spectators all glued to the unfolding match.

  “Over here!” Natalia waved.

  She and Serafina had already secured a row of seats. Serafina patted the space beside her for Kyle, Anya and Kael sat beside them, while Natalia tossed Takeshi a can of soda with perfect aim.

  Takeshi barely caught it. “Oh—thanks.”

  Natalia leaned in, eyes sharp but warm. “Feeling nervous for your upcoming battle?”

  Takeshi opened the can with a soft hiss. “A bit anxious, yeah. It’s… a lot.”

  Natalia smiled softly, then nudged his shoulder. “You’ll win. I know you will.”

  Before he could reply, she leaned forward and gently kissed him.

  Takeshi froze, eyes wide. “W–what was that for?”

  “For good luck,” Natalia said simply, cheeks faintly pink.

  Serafina and Anya snorted, amused. Kyle elbowed Takeshi with a teasing grin. Kael only laughed quietly, happy for them.

  A sudden explosion of noise erupted from the arena outside—cheers, whistles, applause.

  The booth shook with excitement as thousands celebrated the match’s end.

  Jean’s voice boomed across the stadium as he hovered dramatically above the battlefield.

  “THAT WAS AN AMAZING FIRST FIGHT, FOLKS!” he shouted, spinning his platform for flair. “And the winner of this round—the first to claim all six bells—ALYA SANCTI from Battle Infantry Sector 3211!”

  Alya stepped forward on the forest arena floor, raising her bells triumphantly. Nino gave a sportsmanlike bow despite his exhaustion, earning cheers as well.

  Serafina clapped politely. Kyle whistled. Kael leaned forward with a nervous excitement of his own.

  Hours passed in a blur of battles—shouts, cheers, victories, and narrow escapes echoing through the colossal stadium. One match after another lit up the arena, competitors from different sectors showing off the strength of their training.

  Then Cain’s voice cut through the noise.

  “Kyle. You’re up next. Prepare.”

  Kyle exhaled, steadying himself. Before he could step out, Serafina hurried to him, hands clasped tight.

  “Good luck,” she said, voice soft but confident.

  Kyle smiled—one of those small, sure smiles he rarely showed anyone.

  “Don’t worry,” he said. “I’ll win.”

  And with that, he headed toward the preparation gate—toward the battlefield.

  Down in the arena, Jean Jacques erupted back into the spotlight, soaring above the stadium on his hovering platform with theatrical flair.

  “ALRIGHT FOLKS!” Jean boomed, spinning in mid-air. “THE NEXT COMPETITION WILL SURELY ROCK YOUR SOCKS OFF!”

  The crowd cheered, anticipation skyrocketing.

  “For this event,” Jean continued, sweeping an arm dramatically over the arena floor, “we introduce—CONQUER THE CASTLE!”

  The massive ground rumbled. Stone walls rose. Towers assembled themselves from floating pieces. In seconds, a towering medieval fortress materialized at the arena’s center—complete with iron gates, shadowed halls, and an ominous central keep.

  Jean’s voice echoed like a royal decree:

  “Inside this castle are hologram humanoid puppets—each worth 1 point! There are beast-type puppets—worth 5 points! Each kill will be presented at the screen and at the competitors wristband synchro. And at the very heart of the castle…”

  A single spotlight shined down onto the central tower.

  “…a flag worth 50 points!”

  The cheers exploded.

  “And of course,” Jean added mischievously, “competitors may also steal each other’s points by knocking them down! Only the one with the highest total may claim victory!”

  The gates opened.

  The sound of drums thundered.

  Jean raised his hand.

  “COMPETITORS—ENTER!”

  Kyle stepped into the arena, raising his hand as his spirit card ignited with green light. Leaves swirled around him like a tornado, then burst outward, revealing him clad in his armor, kusarigama gripped and ready.

  The crowd roared.

  “FROM THE BATTLE INFANTRY HEADQUARTERS—KYLE DELOS REYES!” Jean announced.

  Across the arena, his opponent stepped forward.

  “And from the honorable Goetia Family—THEA GOETIA!”

  Thea lifted her spirit card with practiced grace.

  “Spirit Drive.”

  A crimson aura erupted around her—violent and blazing. When it cleared, she stood clad in sleek black armor marked by the snarling dual heads of Orthus. A wicked, double-pronged bident crackled in her hands. The crowd answered with wild cheers.

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  Jean practically vibrated with excitement.

  “IT LOOKS LIKE WE’VE GOT OURSELVES A CANINE CLASH TONIGHT, FOLKS! NATURE’S ASSASSIN VS. THE ORTHUS’ KEEPER!”

  The ground trembled as the castle doors opened.

  Jean threw his arm down.

  “IS EVERYBODY REEEAAADYYYY?!”

  The crowd screamed.

  “THEN LET THE GAME—BEGIN!”

  Kyle and Thea dashed forward, vanishing through the towering gates of the castle.

  Inside the vast stone corridors of the conjured castle, Kyle moved like a drifting shadow, kusarigama spinning, vines wrapping and slicing through every puppet that crossed his path. Each puppet shattered into green light, its point transferring into his wrist counter.

  1… 2… 3…

  He cleared hall after hall until he reached a large chamber—high ceilings, shattered windows, and crumbling pillars.

  Then he noticed it.

  The air shimmered.

  Holographic puppets materialized one after another… ten… twenty… thirty… surrounding him like a tightening net.

  Kyle just grinned.

  “Perfect.”

  He dropped to one knee, palm pressed against the cold stone.

  “PACK HUNT!”

  The floor cracked.

  Roots burst outward like veins.

  From the earth erupted ten vine-wolves, each one snarling with wooden teeth and glowing green eyes. They pounced into the crowd of puppets with primal ferocity—tearing through holographic bodies like beasts on a hunt.

  The chamber filled with shattering sound effects and flying points.

  Kyle’s counter climbed rapidly:

  12… 19… 26… 31 points.

  Kyle wiped sweat from his forehead and murmured,

  “Good boys.”

  Meanwhile, deeper inside the castle, Thea Goetia moved with ruthless precision. Her bident flashed like a streak of black-red lightning as she pierced puppet after puppet.

  She quickly racked up points.

  But then—

  The corridor sealed behind her. Another sealed ahead.

  Dozens of puppets materialized, boxing her in.

  Thea didn’t panic.

  She smirked.

  She slammed her foot into the ground.

  “HELLHOUND—RISE!”

  Black flames erupted in a circle around her.

  The stone floor cracked open.

  A massive two-headed hellhound, its fur made of molten shadow, claws dripping embers, burst forth with a roar that shook dust off the castle walls.

  It lunged into the puppets, tearing, biting, burning through them in a frenzy of flame and fury. Puppets exploded in showers of red sparks around her.

  Her counter bloomed:

  27… 35… 43 points.

  The hellhound growled triumphantly behind her as she strode deeper into the castle.

  Outside, on the balcony viewing the hologram displays:

  Hank Goetia chuckled proudly.

  “You’ve done well training your assistant, Gehlee. She’s already in the lead.”

  Gehlee stirred her tea gently, smiling with elegance.

  “Well, father, Thea has potential. It’s only natural she’s trained by the best.”

  Not far away, James Rui scoffed quietly, arms crossed.

  “Tch. Goetias and their pride. I’ll show them who really is the strongest.”

  Back in the viewing booth, Kyle’s squad watched with tense eyes. The hologram showed the score:

  Kyle – 31

  Thea – 43

  Natalia leaned forward, fingers gripping her seat.

  Takeshi lowered his voice. “He can catch up. He always does.”

  Serafina clasped her hands together and whispered,

  “Come on, Kyle… you can do it…”

  Inside the heart of the castle, the sound of battle echoed like rolling thunder.

  Kyle tore through another beast-type puppet, his kusarigama slicing through its body as it burst into green particles. Roots uncoiled around his feet, launching him forward to the next target.

  Across the hall, Thea’s hellhound pinned a towering beast puppet, both heads biting down as her bident pierced straight through the puppet’s chest. It shattered in a shower of crimson sparks.

  Both competitors were relentless.

  Both competitors were fast.

  And both competitors were closing in on the same destination—

  the center chamber.

  The heavy double doors groaned open for each of them at the same time.

  They stepped in simultaneously.

  A massive chamber stretched out before them, its circular floor glowing with holographic patterns. And there, standing proudly on a raised stone pedestal, was the 50-point flag.

  The strongest prize of the event.

  Kyle and Thea’s eyes locked.

  Neither spoke for a moment.

  Then, as if in perfect synchronicity, they both lifted their wrists to check their counters.

  Kyle’s glowed: 73 points.

  Thea’s glowed: 75 points.

  A perfect tie in everything—except two points.

  Kyle exhaled sharply.

  “You’re good.”

  Thea twirled her bident, smirking.

  “And you’re annoyingly persistent.”

  She stepped closer, planting her weapon into the ground between them.

  “Kyle Delos Reyes,” she said, her voice firm yet respectful.

  “let’s settle this properly. You and me. One match. Winner takes all—the flag and the loser’s points.”

  Kyle paused, weighing the offer. It wasn’t just pride. Thea was strong. Losing would mean giving up everything he earned. But backing out would mean accepting second place.

  He clenched his kusarigama.

  “Alright, let’s do this.”

  Thea’s grin widened.

  “Good answer.”

  They backed away from each other, taking their stances.

  Kyle lowered his center of gravity, vines coiling subtly around his arms.

  Thea spun her bident once, flames igniting at its tips.

  A silent gust blew through the chamber.

  The tension thickened like a storm ready to break.

  Outside the castle, the stadium went still.

  Thousands of spectators held their breath.

  The hologram screens displayed the two competitors circling each other in the center chamber—

  the ultimate showdown of the event about to begin.

  Jean hovered high above the arena, hands pressed to his headset.

  “Folks,” he whispered with excitement.

  “We are witnessing something special. Two competitors finally met and now facing each other, neck and neck… and only one of them is walking out with the flag.”

  ChatGPT said:

  Inside the castle’s central chamber, the tension snapped like a drawn bowstring.

  Thea wasted no time—she thrust her bident forward and barked her command.

  “Hellhound—RISE!”

  Her two-headed beast erupted from a circle of fire, both maws snapping, embers spitting from their fangs. With a roar, the hellhound lunged for Kyle.

  Kyle slammed his foot into the ground.

  “Ripping Vines.”

  The floor split open.

  A massive burst of thorn-laden vines whipped upward, slicing through the hellhound’s fiery form. The creature snarled—then shattered into drifting embers, its summon forcibly canceled.

  Thea clicked her tongue in irritation.

  “Fine. Try this—Infernal Chains!”

  Flames wrapped around her arm, coiling outward like living serpents. The blazing chains cracked through the air, racing toward Kyle.

  Kyle rolled aside, heat brushing past his cheek as the chains scorched a molten line into the stone floor. His hand hit the ground.

  “Pack Hunt!”

  Ten vine-wolves erupted from the floor around him, roots twisting into muscular legs, eyes glowing bright green. They sprinted toward Thea in a synchronized rush.

  Thea met them head-on, spinning her bident in a sweeping arc.

  Slash, thrust, parry—each movement precise and brutal. Sparks and plant matter flew.

  But Kyle wasn’t done.

  He swung his kusarigama, chain whistling through the air. The weighted tip snapped around Thea’s bident—wrapping tight.

  Her eyes widened.

  The wolves surged in.

  Claws. Teeth. Vines.

  They pounced.

  Thea inhaled sharply, fire glowing in her throat.

  “HELL’S HOWL!”

  A massive flaming shockwave erupted from her mouth—like the roar of a demon. The fiery eruption blasted the vine-wolves backward, shredding them mid-air until they disintegrated into withered scraps.

  The chamber trembled with the impact.

  Kyle skid back, using his kusarigama as a brace. He countered instantly, thrusting a hand forward.

  “Thorn Rush!”

  Dozens of saber-sized thorns launched from his palm, slicing through the air like projectiles. Thea leapt—but not fast enough. One thorn carved into her shoulder, sending sparks flying from her armor.

  She hissed but didn’t falter.

  Smoke curled from the burn as she tightened her grip on her bident, closing the distance with fierce determination.

  Kyle reacted fast, slamming both palms into the floor.

  “Plant Frenzy!”

  The ground erupted.

  Thick black roots spiraled upward, each one splitting open into gnashing wooden jaws, rows of bark-teeth snapping hungrily. They lunged at Thea from every direction, a writhing maze of deadly vines.

  Thea didn’t retreat.

  She ran straight into the chaos.

  Twisting. Sliding. Ducking.

  Roots snapped at her heels, jaws crunching shut inches from her armor. She vaulted off one, flipping through the air, fire burning bright in her eyes.

  She inhaled—

  “HELL’S INFERNO!”

  A roaring inferno burst from her mouth and weapon, flames spreading into a blazing arc that engulfed the wild roots. The jaws screamed as they burned, curling into ash. The entire chamber lit up orange, shadows dancing violently across stone walls.

  Kyle shielded his face from the heat, sweat building on his brow.

  Thea landed, flames flickering behind her like wings.

  Both breathing hard.

  Thea exhaled sharply and canceled her Spirit Drive.

  “I never thought I’d be using this this early,” she muttered.

  She reached to her chest, pulling out a glowing spirit card—then another from her belt. She pressed the two together and yelled:

  “SPIRIT OVERDRIVE!”

  A roaring pillar of mixed fire and water exploded upward, shaking the entire castle. When the radiance finally died down, Thea stood transformed—clad in black-and-silver armor marked with hellhound fangs and octopus tentacles, her new trident crackling with boiling steam.

  Kyle’s eyes widened for a moment.

  A Spirit Overdrive…

  But instead of fear, he felt calm.

  Kael had already prepared him for this.

  A memory flashed—days ago, during training.

  Kyle was on the ground, panting, while Takeshi stood over him.

  “Kyle, come on. If you can’t handle sustained pressure, how can you expect to win a real match?” Takeshi scolded.

  Kyle groaned. “I’ll just use… assassination tactics… that simple…” he gasped, half joking, half dying.

  Kael walked in, arms crossed.

  “And what if your opponent uses Spirit Overdrive?”

  Kyle paused. “Uh… overpower them?”

  Kael sighed.

  “Spirit Overdrive is draining. You don’t beat it head-on—you stall. Let them burn through their spirit energy until they collapse under their own power.”

  Kyle and Takeshi could only nod.

  Back in the present.

  Kyle cracked his neck, steadied his breathing, and lowered into a tight stance—every muscle primed, his eyes cool and focused.

  “Alright then…”

  A small smirk tugged at his lips.

  “Let’s dance.”