The Dream

Rajin was carried out of the arena, his unconscious body resting on a stretcher. Medics surrounded him, working tirelessly to heal his injuries and stabilize him. The squad gathered nearby, their faces a mixture of relief and worry. Ubel adjusted his hat, leaning back against a wall.

"Well, that was one hell of a show," Ubel said with a smirk. "Our lightning samurai sure knows how to put on a spectacle."

Kouneli frowned, his arms crossed. "He almost killed Ren. If Maestro hadn't stepped in…"

Velvet interrupted, bouncing on their feet. "But he didn't! And now we get to celebrate, right? Rajin won, so let's focus on that!"

Leonardo Zeshi, or Leo as they called him, stood apart from the group, his eyes fixed on Rajin's unconscious form. "He needs rest. Let's make sure he's okay before we celebrate."

After some time, the medics assured them that Rajin would recover fully. They escorted him to a quiet room to rest, and the squad decided to regroup in the waiting room. The atmosphere lightened as Ubel pulled out a flask and passed it to Velvet, who eagerly took a sip.

"Here's to Rajin's victory," Ubel said, raising his flask. "And to the next match—Leo's gonna crush it."

"Damn right I am," Leo said, cracking his knuckles. "But first, I need to prepare. I'll meet you all back here after my fight."

As Leo headed to the preparation area, the rest of the squad noticed a shady figure lingering in the corner of the waiting room. The man—tall, cloaked, and silent—slipped out of the room, heading down a dimly lit hallway. Velvet nudged Kouneli.

"That guy's giving me the creeps," Velvet whispered. "Let's follow him."

Ubel adjusted his glasses, his curiosity piqued. "I'm in."

Kouneli hesitated but ultimately nodded. The three of them trailed the man through the labyrinthine corridors of the arena, their footsteps silent. The man turned down an alleyway outside, where he stopped to meet another figure cloaked in shadow.

The second figure radiated an unsettling aura. Darkness seemed to cling to them, obscuring their features, save for their eyes. Blood-red with rings that pulsed faintly, the eyes pierced through the gloom like twin beacons. Kouneli's breath hitched.

"Those eyes," she whispered. "They look just like Maestro Evengarde Rest's. Do you think they're connected?"

Velvet's hand hovered near the hilt of her weapon. "No idea, but I don't like it."

The cloaked figure handed the man a glowing orb, its surface swirling with an ethereal light. The man accepted it without a word, bowing slightly before slipping it into his pocket. The exchange was brief, and the squad barely had time to retreat before the two figures parted ways. They hurried back to the waiting room, their minds racing with questions.

"What the hell was that?" Velvet asked, their voice low. "And what was that orb?"

Ubel frowned. "Whatever it was, it's trouble. We should keep an eye on that guy."

Kouneli nodded, his expression serious. "Agreed. But for now, let's focus on Leo's fight."

The next match was announced: "Leonardo Zeshi versus Senshou Aramaki!"

Leo stepped onto the battlefield, his broad shoulders squared and his sword gleaming in the sunlight. Across from him stood Senshou, a wiry Etrean with long black hair and piercing green eyes. Senshou's katana rested casually in his hand, but there was nothing casual about the way he carried himself. He radiated a quiet confidence that put Leo on edge.

The announcer's voice boomed across the arena. "Begin!"

Leo dashed forward, his blade slicing through the air with deadly precision. Senshou sidestepped effortlessly, countering with a quick slash that forced Leo to block. The clash of steel echoed through the arena as the two fighters exchanged blow after blow, their movements a blur of speed and skill.

Leo couldn't help but notice something odd about Senshou's fighting style. Despite his agility and precision, Senshou hadn't used a single mantra. Leo frowned, stepping back to catch his breath.

"You haven't used your attunement," Leo said, his voice loud enough to carry across the arena. "Do you even have one?"

Senshou's lips curled into a faint smile. "I have an attunement. But I don't need it to deal with you."

Leo's eyes narrowed. "Then let's take this up a notch."

Raising his blade, Leo activated his second art: Wind Carve. A powerful gust of wind surged forward, slicing through the air with enough force to leave a deep gash in the arena floor. Senshou moved like a shadow, appearing behind Leo in an instant. The audience gasped as Senshou's katana plunged into Leo's back, the blade emerging from his chest.

But something was wrong. Leo felt no pain, no resistance. He looked down at the blade protruding from his chest, then back at Senshou, confusion etched across his face.

"What… what did you do?" Leo asked.

Senshou's smile widened. "You'll see soon enough."