Ariana rubbed her eyes, glancing over at Day sprawled out beside her. His usual smirk was absent, replaced by an expression of peaceful sleep that almost made him look innocent. Almost.

Today was the day of the battles, and her stomach churned with nervous anticipation. She tried to steady herself, reminding herself of yesterday’s practice and the trust she had in Mina—and, begrudgingly, in Day.

As quietly as she could, she slipped out of bed and began her morning routine. The familiar rituals of brushing her hair, washing her face, and putting on her uniform helped ground her nerves. But every time she thought about stepping into that arena, doubts crept in. Would she and Day really be able to sync? Would Mina and Scrap be enough to cover for any mistakes?

By the time she was dressed, the sun had fully risen, spilling golden light into the room. She turned back to Day, still dead to the world, and sighed. “Of course you’re still asleep,” she muttered, walking over to him.

“Day,” she said, nudging his shoulder. “Get up. It’s battle day.”

He groaned, turning onto his side. “Five more minutes…”

“No,” she insisted, pulling at the blanket he had wrapped himself in. “You need to eat something before we head to the arena. I don’t want you whining about being hungry halfway through the fight.”

He cracked one eye open, giving her a lazy grin. “You care about me that much, huh?”

“Hardly,” she shot back, rolling her eyes. “Now, get up before I dump water on you.”

That seemed to do the trick. Day sat up, stretching and yawning as if he hadn’t a care in the world. “Fine, fine. Let’s go win this thing,” he said, his usual cocky tone returning.

Ariana tried to match his confidence, but as they left the room together, her heart still felt heavy with uncertainty.

The cafeteria was buzzing with energy, the usual morning sluggishness replaced with eager chatter and the clinking of trays. Ariana glanced around, noting how the students in her class had all gathered in their respective teams, huddled close as they shared hurried whispers and strategies for the upcoming battles.

Day’s hands were stuffed into his pockets as they walked, his usual aloofness a stark contrast to the tension thick in the air. Ariana spotted Mina waving enthusiastically from a table near the middle of the room, Scrap sitting across from her with his head propped on one hand, looking half-asleep.

“Ariana! Day! Over here!” Mina called, her voice cutting through the noise like a beacon.

Ariana smiled, making her way over with Day trailing behind her. They set their trays down and slid into their seats, Mina already leaning over the table with her usual cheerful energy.

“You’re up early,” Ariana commented, trying to sound casual as she reached for her cup of tea.

“Of course! Big day today!” Mina replied, practically bouncing in her seat. Her sharp eyes zeroed in on Ariana, narrowing slightly. “But forget that for a second—what’s with those marks on your neck?”

Ariana froze, her fingers tightening around her cup. Heat rushed to her face as she caught Day smirking out of the corner of her eye, clearly enjoying her discomfort.

“It’s nothing,” Ariana said quickly, forcing a laugh and waving Mina off. “Probably just a bug bite or something.”

Mina raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. “A bug bite? That looks more like—”

“So!” Ariana cut in, leaning forward and changing the subject as quickly as she could. “What’s the plan for the battles? Have you and Scrap worked out any strategies yet?”

Mina blinked, momentarily thrown off but easily distracted. “Oh, yeah! Scrap and I were talking about using his speed to outmaneuver the other teams. What about you two? Got any tricks up your sleeves?”

Day leaned back in his seat, finally chiming in with a lazy grin. “We don’t need tricks. Just point us at the competition, and we’ll do the rest.”

Ariana shot him a look, but Mina just laughed, the tension from before melting away. As the four of them continued to talk, Ariana couldn’t help but feel a small sense of relief—at least for now, the attention was off her neck.

As they ate, Ariana pushed her eggs around her plate, her curiosity gnawing at her. She glanced at Mina, deciding to ask what had been on her mind since they entered the cafeteria.

“How does everyone know who they’re up against?” Ariana asked, setting her fork down.

Mina, mid-bite of toast, swallowed quickly and shrugged. “Easy. The top student in the class picks the matchups.”

Ariana blinked, her brow furrowing. “The top student? Who is that?”

Mina grinned and gestured subtly with her fork. “See that girl over there?”

Ariana followed Mina’s gaze to a table across the cafeteria. Sitting there was a girl with perfectly styled dark hair, eating pancakes with an air of casual confidence. She looked unbothered, even as Leon leaned over the table, speaking to her like she was someone important.

“Elena,” Mina said, her tone laced with admiration and a hint of bitterness. “Zephyr’s meister. She’s the one who gets to decide who faces who.”

Ariana’s eyes widened as she studied the girl more closely. Elena moved with a grace that seemed almost effortless, her demeanor calm and collected even with the weight of such a responsibility.

“She doesn’t look nervous at all,” Ariana murmured.

“Why would she be?” Mina said with a shrug. “She’s the best. She and Zephyr have been at the top since day one. Everyone knows not to mess with them.”

Ariana’s gaze flicked to Day, who was leaning back in his chair, seemingly uninterested in the conversation. But the slight narrowing of his eyes as he looked in Elena’s direction didn’t escape her notice.

“She’s picking the matchups, huh?” Day finally said, his voice low and almost dismissive. “Guess we’ll see if she’s as smart as everyone says.”

Mina rolled her eyes. “Careful, Day. Talking like that might just get her to pair us against her and Zephyr.”

Day smirked. “Wouldn’t mind.”

Ariana shook her head, her nerves prickling at the idea. She couldn’t help but feel the tension in the room as Elena finished her breakfast, her calm gaze scanning the room like she was sizing up her choices. Whatever the outcome, Ariana knew today wasn’t going to be easy.

As Mina and Ariana made their way to class, Ariana couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling twisting in her stomach. She clutched the strap of her bag tightly, her mind racing with thoughts of the upcoming battles. Mina, sensing her friend's tension, tried to reassure her by chattering about strategies and what she thought their chances were, but Ariana could barely focus.

When they arrived, the classroom was buzzing with energy. Students exchanged nervous glances, some whispering quietly, while others looked eager to prove themselves. Ariana and Mina slid into their seats just as Leon walked in, his presence immediately commanding the room’s attention.

Leon clapped his hands together, his usual confident grin plastered on his face. “Alright, everyone. Settle down. I know you’re all feeling the pressure today, but let me start by reminding you of something important: these battles are about learning. This is not a death match, and no one is going to leave this classroom permanently injured.”

The room quieted further, and Ariana felt her shoulders relax slightly.

“Every fight will be closely monitored,” Leon continued, his gaze sweeping across the students. “Madame Verlaine, Andros, and I will be watching carefully. If things get out of hand, we’ll step in. Any injuries sustained during your matches will be treated immediately, so there’s no need to hold back out of fear.”

Ariana glanced at Mina, who gave her a reassuring nod. Despite the tension in the air, Mina seemed excited, her fingers drumming lightly against the desk.

“This isn’t just about brute strength,” Leon added, his voice firm. “This is about trust. Between you and your weapon. Between you and your partner. The teams that succeed today won’t necessarily be the strongest—they’ll be the ones who understand each other the best.”

Ariana’s mind flicked to Day. She glanced at him sitting lazily at the back of the room, his arms crossed and his expression unreadable. Was their connection strong enough? Could she rely on him when it mattered most?

Leon’s voice broke through her thoughts. “You’ll be given your matchups shortly. Use the time before your battles wisely. Plan, prepare, and trust in your training.”

Ariana straightened in her seat, her resolve hardening. No matter how nervous she was, this was her chance to prove herself—not just to Leon or the class, but to herself.

As Elena stepped to the front of the class, the air grew heavier with anticipation. She held a clipboard in her hand, scanning the names with a calm yet commanding presence that demanded attention. Ariana leaned forward in her seat, her hands gripping the edge of her desk, waiting anxiously to hear her name.

Elena listed off matchup after matchup, her voice clear and unwavering. Every time she moved to the next pair, Ariana felt her heart race faster. She caught Mina glancing at her, offering a small, encouraging smile, but it didn’t do much to calm her nerves.

Finally, Elena paused, her sharp eyes scanning the room before landing on Ariana. “Ariana and Mina,” she announced, her tone measured.

Ariana held her breath.

“Your opponents will be…” Elena’s lips curved into a faint smirk as she met Ariana’s gaze. “…me and Kai.”

The words hit Ariana like a punch to the gut. Her stomach churned, and the room seemed to tilt slightly as she processed what she’d just heard. Mina’s hand immediately found her back, rubbing in slow circles to ease the sudden tension.

“Relax,” Mina whispered. “We’ll figure this out. Just breathe.”

Ariana nodded weakly, her throat dry. Facing Elena, the top student, was intimidating enough, but Kai? The same Kai who had a reputation for his exceptional resonance and sharp tongue? It felt impossible.

Elena continued listing other matchups as if nothing had happened, but Ariana couldn’t hear a word. Her thoughts were racing, replaying the announcement over and over. She barely noticed when Elena finished and dismissed the class to prepare for their matches.

Letting out a shaky sigh, Ariana gathered her things and stood, her legs feeling like jelly. Mina stayed close, her usual cheerfulness tinged with determination.

“We’ll be fine,” Mina said as they walked toward the locker room. “They’re probably just testing us. Besides, it’s not like they’ll go full strength, right?”

Ariana managed a weak smile, though the ball of fear in her stomach refused to budge. “I hope you’re right.”

Once in the locker room, Ariana stared at her reflection in the mirror, gripping the edge of the sink tightly. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. This was it—their first real challenge. And whether they were ready or not, there was no backing out now.

As Ariana and Mina made their way to the battlefield, the chatter of other students filled the air, a mix of excitement and nerves. Mina leaned in, her voice low but steady, “The uniforms are specially designed for this. They’re cut- and bulletproof, meant to protect us. As long as no one’s out here with the intent to kill, we’ll all walk away in one piece.”

Ariana glanced at Mina, her words easing some of the tension gripping her chest. She took a deep breath, nodding as they continued. The fear didn’t vanish completely, but it dulled just enough for her to focus.

As they arrived at the edge of the battlefield, the first match was already underway. Ariana recognized one of the fighters immediately—Jin. His weapon was a pair of tonfas, sleek and sharp, with an explosive kick to their strikes. Jin darted across the field with agility, his movements fluid and precise.

She squinted, trying to make out his partner. A blur of movement caught her eye, and suddenly, an arrow shot past Jin, so fast she almost missed it. His partner was somewhere in the shadows, providing support with deadly accuracy.

Their opponents were just as formidable. A burly boy wielding brass knuckles charged at Jin, each punch like a cannonball. He was relentless, his strikes shattering the ground as Jin danced out of reach.

Beside him, a girl with a long bo staff moved with calculated precision. She spun the staff effortlessly, using it to block the arrows and counter Jin’s attacks. Her movements were smooth, almost elegant, but there was a sharpness to her strikes that left no room for error.

Ariana watched, wide-eyed, as the fight played out in front of her. The battlefield felt alive, every clash of weapons and burst of energy sending vibrations through the air.

“That’s intense,” she murmured, leaning slightly toward Mina.

Mina nodded, her arms crossed as she studied the battle. “Yeah, but it’s a good example of what we’re up against. See how Jin and his partner are in sync? That’s the level we need to reach if we want to stand a chance against Elena and Kai.”

Ariana bit her lip, her focus shifting back to the fight. Jin dodged another swing from the boy with brass knuckles, countering with a quick strike from his tonfas that sent sparks flying. The arrow that followed was perfectly timed, grazing the boy’s side and forcing him to retreat.

Even so, the boy and the girl held their ground, their teamwork just as strong. The girl spun her bo staff in a wide arc, creating enough space for her partner to recover and launch another assault.

Ariana’s heart raced as she watched, imagining herself in their place. Could she and Day pull off something like that? Could they match the energy and coordination on display?

She glanced at Mina, who seemed to be analyzing every move with a sharp eye. Ariana took another deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. If they wanted to win, they’d have to give it everything they had.

Ariana’s breath hitched as she watched the arrow strike true, hitting the girl with the bo staff square in the chest. The force of the impact made her stagger, her grip on the staff faltering as the wind was knocked out of her.

Jin didn’t hesitate. He surged forward, his tonfas glowing faintly with energy, and delivered a swift, precise punch across the girl’s face. The blow sent her spiraling, her body slamming into the wall with a loud thud. She crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

The battlefield went silent for a moment, save for the faint whistle of the wind. Jin raised a hand, signaling for his partner to stand down. The girl with the bow, barely visible in the distance, nodded and lowered her weapon, the tension in the air briefly dissipating.

But Jin wasn’t done. His eyes locked onto the boy with the brass knuckles, the two of them now circling each other like predators sizing up their prey.

The boy cracked his knuckles, his expression fierce and determined. “Guess it’s just you and me now,” he said, his voice carrying across the field.

Jin smirked, spinning one of his tonfas casually in his hand. “Works for me. Let’s see if you can keep up.”

Ariana leaned forward, her hands clutching the edge of the railing as she watched. The tension was palpable, the air around the two fighters practically crackling with energy.

“Do you think Jin’s got this?” she whispered to Mina, her voice barely audible over the murmurs of the crowd.

Mina didn’t take her eyes off the fight. “Hard to say. That guy with the brass knuckles looks like he can take a hit, but Jin’s quick. If he plays it smart, he might be able to wear him down.”

The boy lunged first, his brass knuckles gleaming as he swung at Jin with raw power. Jin dodged effortlessly, his movements fluid and precise, but the boy’s strikes didn’t let up. Each punch seemed to shake the ground, the sheer force behind them making the audience gasp.

Jin countered with a quick series of strikes, his tonfas a blur as they clashed against the brass knuckles. Sparks flew with each impact, the sound of metal on metal ringing out across the field.

Ariana’s heart pounded as she watched, her unease from earlier replaced by a mix of awe and determination. This was the kind of fight she’d soon face

Ariana leaned forward, her eyes glued to the battlefield as Jin continued to dodge the boy with brass knuckles. His movements were effortless, almost mocking, as if he was baiting his opponent into wearing himself out.

As she focused on Jin’s tonfas, she noticed the faint gray smoke radiating from them, swirling like a living entity. It wasn’t just for show—this aura was giving Jin an unnatural speed, allowing him to weave in and out of danger with precision.

Mina nudged her. “Do you see that? His aura’s insane. That’s gotta be what’s boosting his reflexes.”

Ariana nodded, her grip tightening on the edge of her seat. “I’ve never seen anything like it. He’s not just fast—he’s calculated.”

Jin’s punches came faster, each one connecting with the boy’s brass knuckles. The clashes echoed through the arena like thunder, the ground trembling beneath them. The sheer force of their battle left visible cracks in the floor.

Then, Jin stepped back, his smirk widening as he feinted a final punch from the boy. The move left his opponent wide open. Jin capitalized immediately, delivering a devastating combo—one blow to the boy’s ribs, another to his gut, and a final uppercut that sent him stumbling backward.

The boy wavered but didn’t fall, and Jin closed the gap with a brutal barrage of punches. His tonfas struck the boy’s face repeatedly, each hit drawing gasps from the crowd. Finally, the boy crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

Jin stood over him, his tonfas still radiating that eerie gray smoke. His partner, the archer, emerged from her hiding spot and jogged over to him, patting him on the back as they both exited the arena without a word. The crowd murmured in awe, their eyes following Jin until he disappeared beneath the stands.

Ariana exhaled, realizing she’d been holding her breath. The nurses quickly entered the arena, carrying the boy with brass knuckles and his partner off the field.

“That was insane,” Mina said, leaning back in her seat. “I mean, I knew Jin was good, but that was on another level. Did you see the way he just—”

“I saw,” Ariana cut in, her voice shaky. “It’s like he wasn’t even breaking a sweat. And his aura…”

Mina nodded. “Yeah, that smoke thing? Creepy, but effective.”

Ariana glanced at Day, who was leaning back with his arms crossed, watching the aftermath with a nonchalant expression. She wondered if he was thinking the same thing she was—how could they possibly measure up to something like that?

Mina broke the silence. “We’ve got this, Ariana. We just need to focus on our connection. If Jin can do that with his partner, we can too.”

Ariana forced a small smile, her stomach still twisting in knots. “Yeah,” she said softly. “We can do this.”