Chapter 25: A Day of Rest

Karma sat on the balcony of his rented inn room, staring out over the bustling city below. The city of **Celtoria**, which had once been just another stop on his journey, now felt like a second home. His journey through the tournament had been nothing short of extraordinary, and now, having reached the **finals**, his name was on everyone's lips.

"**Top 10 of the Northern Lands...**" Karma muttered to himself, still not quite believing it. His posters were plastered across the city walls, and even beyond the city limits, his name echoed through taverns, guild halls, and markets. The once-unknown tamer had become a symbol of hope, especially for those who thought tamers couldn't compete with swordsmen or wizards.

A soft breeze ruffled Karma's hair, and he leaned back in his chair, taking a deep breath. The past few weeks had been intense, and with the finals now just a week away, he knew he had to recharge. A day of rest was exactly what he needed.

As he relaxed, a soft knock came at the door.

"**Come in,**" Karma called, expecting the innkeeper.

But as the door swung open, Karma was greeted by a familiar face.

"**Maria!**" Karma exclaimed, jumping to his feet. "**What are you doing here?**"

Maria, the cheerful receptionist from the Adventurer's Guild in his hometown, grinned as she entered the room. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, and her usual professional demeanor had been replaced by a more casual, carefree energy.

"**Did you really think I wouldn't come?**" she asked, crossing her arms with a playful smile. "**You've become quite the celebrity, you know. Everyone back home is talking about you. I couldn't just sit by and watch from a distance. I had to come see it for myself!**"

Karma chuckled, feeling a wave of nostalgia wash over him. "**It's been a crazy ride,**" he admitted. "**I still can't believe I made it to the finals.**"

Maria stepped closer, looking at him with a mixture of admiration and affection. "**Well, I can. I always knew you had potential, Karma. You've proven that tamers aren't just background support—they can be front and center, just like anyone else.**"

Karma felt a warmth in his chest at her words. Maria had always believed in him, even when others hadn't. It felt good to have her here, to share this moment with someone from his past.

"**So, what do you want to do?**" Karma asked, raising an eyebrow. "**I've got some free time before the finals. You didn't come all this way just to congratulate me, did you?**"

Maria laughed. "**Of course not! You've been working non-stop since you got here. How about we go to the market, grab some food, and enjoy the city for a day? You need a break, and I'm going to make sure you have fun for once.**"

Karma grinned, feeling the weight of the past few weeks lift off his shoulders. "**That sounds perfect. Let's do it.**"

---

**The Market Stroll**

The city market was bustling with life as Karma and Maria strolled through the colorful streets. The scent of freshly baked bread, sizzling meat, and sweet pastries filled the air, while vendors called out to passersby, trying to draw attention to their wares. Children ran through the streets, laughing as they chased one another, and musicians played lively tunes on street corners, adding a cheerful backdrop to the day.

Karma walked beside Maria, feeling more relaxed than he had in weeks. The pressure of the tournament, the constant training, and the tension of each battle were all but forgotten. For now, he was just a young adventurer enjoying a day in the city with a friend.

"**I've never seen a market this busy,**" Maria said, her eyes wide as she took in the sights. "**It's amazing! Look at all the different stalls! There's so much to see.**"

Karma nodded, smiling as he watched her excitement. "**Celtoria is one of the biggest cities in the Northern Lands. It makes sense that their market would be huge.**"

They passed by a stall selling exotic fruits, the vendor offering samples of strange, colorful berries that Karma had never seen before. Maria eagerly accepted a handful of the fruits, popping one into her mouth and grinning as the sweet flavor exploded on her tongue.

"**These are delicious!**" she exclaimed, offering some to Karma.

He hesitated for a moment, then shrugged and took one. The fruit was soft and juicy, its sweetness instantly refreshing. "**Not bad,**" he admitted, licking his lips. "**Might have to take some back with me.**"

As they continued to explore, Karma couldn't help but notice that people were starting to recognize him. Whispers followed them through the crowd, and every now and then, someone would point at him, murmuring his name.

"**Is that... Karma? The tamer in the tournament?**"

"**I heard he's one of the finalists!**"

Maria giggled at the attention Karma was getting. "**Looks like you're a celebrity here too,**" she teased, nudging him playfully.

Karma rubbed the back of his neck, feeling slightly embarrassed. "**I guess word gets around.**"

At one point, a group of kids ran up to him, their faces full of excitement.

"**Are you Karma?**" one of the boys asked, his eyes wide. "**We've been watching your fights! You're amazing! Can you tell us how you train your monsters? I want to be a tamer too!**"

Karma smiled warmly at the kids, crouching down to their level. "**It takes a lot of hard work and patience,**" he explained. "**But the most important thing is building a bond with your monsters. They're not just tools for battle—they're your partners, your friends. If you take care of them and trust them, they'll do the same for you.**"

The kids nodded eagerly, soaking in every word. One of the girls piped up, "**Is it true that you defeated a powerful wizard in your last fight? My dad said no tamer could ever beat someone like that!**"

Karma chuckled. "**Well, I had a little help from my monster Shiro,**" he said with a wink. "**But yeah, we did manage to win that one.**"

The kids cheered, clearly impressed, and ran off to tell their friends, leaving Karma shaking his head in amusement.

"**You're like a hero to them,**" Maria said, smiling. "**It must feel nice, knowing that you're inspiring people.**"

Karma glanced at her, his expression softening. "**It does,**" he admitted. "**But honestly, I just want to keep getting better. There's still a lot I have to prove—to myself, and to everyone else.**"

Maria nodded, understanding his words. "**You've already come so far, Karma. You don't have to prove anything to anyone. But I know you—you're not the type to stop once you've reached the top. You'll keep pushing forward.**"

"**Yeah,**" Karma said softly, his mind briefly drifting to the upcoming finals. "**I guess I will.**"

---

**A Quiet Moment**

As the sun began to set, casting the city in a warm, golden light, Karma and Maria found a quiet spot near the edge of the market, away from the bustling crowds. They sat on a stone bench beneath a large oak tree, watching the people pass by as the day slowly came to an end.

Maria stretched her arms over her head and sighed contentedly. "**This has been a good day,**" she said, her voice relaxed. "**I'm glad we got to spend some time together. It's been a while since we've just... enjoyed life, you know?**"

Karma nodded, leaning back against the bench. "**Yeah, I needed this. The tournament has been... intense. I almost forgot what it feels like to just relax.**"

Maria glanced at him, her expression thoughtful. "**You've been through a lot, Karma. I'm proud of you.**"

Karma smiled, but there was a heaviness in his chest. "**Thanks, Maria. I wouldn't have made it this far without your support back home. You've always been there, encouraging me. It means a lot.**"

Maria's cheeks flushed slightly, and she gave him a playful nudge. "**Don't get all sentimental on me now! We're supposed to be having fun, remember?**"

Karma laughed, the tension in his body finally easing. "**Right, right. No more serious talk. Just enjoying the moment.**"

They sat in comfortable silence for a while, watching as the last rays of sunlight painted the sky with hues of orange and pink. The market was beginning to quiet down, and the air was cool and refreshing.

"**So, what's the plan for tomorrow?**" Maria asked, breaking the silence.

Karma shrugged. "**More training, I guess. The finals are coming up fast, and I can't afford to slack off. But today was good. I needed the break.**"

Maria nodded, her eyes soft. "**Just don't forget to take care of yourself, okay? Winning is

important, but so is your well-being.**"

Karma looked at her, feeling a warmth spread through his chest. "**I won't forget.**"

As the stars began to twinkle in the night sky, Karma and Maria sat together in peaceful silence, enjoying the simple pleasure of each other's company. For a brief moment, the pressure of the tournament faded away, and all that mattered was the quiet joy of friendship.

---

**Author's Notes:**

This chapter provides a break from the intensity of the tournament, focusing on Karma's growing popularity and the importance of relaxation and friendship. Maria's visit to the city adds a heartwarming touch, showing the bond between her and Karma, and giving readers a glimpse of the life Karma has beyond the battles. The slice-of-life elements offer a reprieve from the action, allowing readers to connect with the characters on a more personal level.