[109] A familiar opponent

The next morning, a newspaper was delivered to the front door of our suite. Sera grabbed the newspaper and began to scan through it.

Sera squinted at the newspaper, a teasing smirk tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Isn't this lovely? You're up against Alicia first. Guess you'll have to face your hopeful bride sooner than expected, boss." There was a playful note in her tone that suggested she was enjoying this predicament more than she should.

Kuroko, with her trademark grin, jabbed an elbow into my side. "Gettin' cold feet yet, boss? Your old flame has been honing her skills non-stop just to get a ring on your finger," she teased, her eyes glittering with mirth.

Aurelia, the fiery and prideful dragoness, tossed her cascade of cerulean hair over her shoulder and scoffed, "Please. The girl doesn't stand a chance. Our Chang will be just fine. Alicia better start shopping for another husband."

Lila, her soft-spoken, caring nature apparent, set her teacup down and looked at me with her soulful eyes. "Are you... alright with this, master?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "You shouldn't feel burdened by Alicia's vow... We're here for you, regardless."

Meeting each of their eyes in turn, I nodded, a light smile playing on my lips. "Well, I suppose this tournament just got a whole lot more interesting," I said, folding the newspaper and setting it aside.

***

3 days later...

As I walked towards the grand arena, a chattering crowd of fans quickly closed in on us, their excitement palpable. Shouts of my name echoed around us, each one more fervent than the last.

"Chang! We're rooting for you!" "Chang, please sign this for me!" "Chang, you're unbeatable!"

Sera swiftly moved to my right, keeping the fans at bay with her sharp gaze and a wave of her hand. "Alright, people! Give him some space!" she ordered, her tone firm.

Kuroko, ever the entertainer, chuckled from my left. She brandished her daggers in a playful manner, effectively dissuading any overeager fans. "Keep your heads, folks! The show hasn't even started yet!"

Aurelia, standing tall and imposing behind me, spread her wings out ever so slightly – a clear sign to keep back. Her eyes glowed with a fierce protective light as she swept a gaze over the crowd.

Lila, her gentle nature shining through even in this chaos, kindly addressed the crowd, "Please, we need room to move. You can cheer for Chang from a little further away."

With their help, we managed to navigate through the fan-filled space, heading towards the grand arena where the upcoming battle awaited.

***

The grand arena of Roma was an architectural marvel, a colossal amphitheater built entirely of gleaming white marble, etched with intricate designs that depicted tales of heroism and bravery from the ancient times. Its circular layout was surrounded by ascending rows of stone benches that could accommodate a staggering number of spectators. At this moment, every single seat was filled, transforming the colossal structure into a cauldron of noise and anticipation.

Right at the center, the sandpit stretched out like a vast desert, its golden grains glinting under the bright sun. Ringed by a high stone barrier for the safety of the spectators, the arena was designed to be an intense battlefield where warriors would test their mettle against each other.

And there, on the other side of the sandpit, stood Alicia. A contrast to the vastness of the arena, her petite figure was dwarfed by the scale of the surroundings. Her golden hair, touched by the sun, cascaded down to her shoulders in soft waves, glimmering like a halo around her head. Her sapphire eyes shone with a mixture of excitement and determination, a clear mirror of her unwavering spirit.

She was donned in a suit of light silver armor that seemed almost ethereal in the sunlight. It was a knight's armor, intricately designed with delicate engravings, yet robust enough to protect her in the fierce battles. The armor hugged her slim form, accentuating her graceful feminine curves while also showcasing her as a formidable warrior.

Her weapons, a silver sword and a shield, gleamed with an almost ethereal quality. The sword, slender and light like its wielder, was a masterwork of weapon-craft, its hilt adorned with sapphires that matched her eyes. Her shield was equally impressive, bearing the crest of a phoenix rising from the flames, symbolizing her indomitable spirit.

This was Alicia, a stunning vision of beauty and strength, poised to face the challenge in the grand arena of Roma.

The host, a well-built man with a thunderous voice that filled every corner of the vast arena, raised his hand, signaling for silence. Gradually, the clamor of the spectators died down, replaced by a tense silence filled with anticipation.

"Ladies and gentlemen, adventurers and warriors, I welcome you all to the grand tournament of Roma!" His voice echoed in the silent stadium, sending ripples of excitement through the crowd.

"Today, we bring you a duel that you'll be talking about for ages. Two formidable warriors, with skills and prowess that are the stuff of legends!"

"First, allow me to introduce our first contender. She hails from the royal kingdom of Ayre, and is the seventh princess of her line. A warrior princess who has captured the hearts of many with her strength and charm. A lady whose swordsmanship has earned her a rank of SSS-tier in less than two years! Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, the golden knight, the princess of the battlefield - Alicia!"

The crowd erupted into cheers and applause as Alicia raised her sword in acknowledgment. The host waited for the applause to die down before he continued.

"And now, our second contender. A man who has shot from F-tier to SS-tier in less than a year! The champion of our very own Roma arena. A man who owns the legendary flying ship, the White Phoenix, and has performed extraordinary feats of courage and bravery. He is the hero who led the charge against the evil Maroth, saving countless innocent lives. I give you, the rapidly rising star of the adventurer world - Chang!"

Again, the crowd roared their approval, their excitement reaching fever pitch. The host stepped back, letting the cheers wash over the two of us, marking the beginning of the match that was to come.

Q: What would you say to your opponent as a challenge line?