The open hall outside the dorms was quiet during the early hours. Dust motes drifted in the slanted beams coming through high windows.
A girl approached—shorter than Koya, dark hair in tight braids, eyes steady but soft. She stopped a respectful distance away.
"Hey, are you Koya?"
Koya turned, hand resting on the wrapped haft of Ikua's arm. "Yes…?"
The girl gave a calm smile. "Good. I'm Lira."
"My Flow Bound partner," Koya finished.
"Yes."
A beat of silence stretched between them.
Koya shifted her weight. "So… we're training together, right? Since the tournament starts tomorrow."
"That's our best option," Lira said simply.
Koya nodded. "Then let's get going."
They walked side by side toward the outer training fields. Neither spoke much. The silence wasn't uncomfortable—just two people who didn't need to fill it yet.
Next day.
The Golden Arena thrummed with life.
Thousands streamed through the gates—students in academy colors, families in their finest, merchants selling banners and charms, scouts in muted cloaks noting every arrival. The air smelled of roasted meat, fresh earth from the reshaped fields, and nervous sweat. Drums rolled low and constant, building anticipation like a storm gathering.
Inside the competitors' hall, Anna leaned against a pillar, arms crossed. Her partner stood nearby—Gilbert Allen, tall, broad-shouldered, hair perfectly styled, smug smile that never quite left his face. Son of the richest family in the Golden Globe. He flexed his fingers, fire flickering faintly at his fingertips.
"Today everyone will witness my awesomeness," Gilbert declared, loud enough for half the hall to hear.
Anna's tone stayed flat. "Yeah… they'll."
Gilbert laughed like she'd told a joke. "Come on, water girl. With me carrying you, we're guaranteed semis at least."
Anna didn't reply. She just watched him walk off toward the warm-up area, already bragging to another pair.
Cal appeared beside her a moment later, bow slung over his shoulder.
"Wow," he said. "I thought it was a typo when I saw who your partner was. The great Gilbert Allen."
"Yeah… yeah… rub it in," Anna muttered.
They stood side by side, facing forward, watching the crowd beyond the hall entrance.
"Is he still…" Cal started.
"Annoying? Yes."
Cal chuckled. "So bro, your partner, Mary?"
"She's a cutie from Class 1. Went to the restroom not long ago."
Anna raised a brow. "Cutie? Don't tell me you've finally given up."
"Not even close." Cal shrugged. "Calling Mary a cutie is pure honesty. She has the face of an actual baby."
Anna snorted. "okay... if you say so."
Koya walked up then, Lira at her side.
"Hey guys."
Anna straightened. "There she is."
Koya gestured to Lira. "This is Lira. My partner."
Lira gave a small nod. "Hi."
Cal smiled easily. "Nice to meet you. I'm Cal. That's Anna."
Anna eyed Lira. "You two ready?"
Lira glanced at Koya. "We trained yesterday. We'll be fine."
Koya gave a small smile. "We'll see."
The drums outside swelled. A horn sounded—deep, commanding.
The competitors moved toward the arena entrance.
The Golden Guardian stepped to the center of the massive field. Robes shimmering gold, she raised both hands. The crowd—fifty-five thousand strong—fell silent.
"Welcome, people of the Golden Globe," her voice carried clear and steady. "To the Flow Bound!"
The roar was deafening.
She waited for it to settle.
"Before we begin, hear the rules. This tournament is contested by 44 of the 50 students in the academy. The top 6 are exempted until the final stage—they will face the Flow Bound victors in a 2v1 battles to test the rest against the best."
She paused.
"The 44 are grouped into teams of two, making 22 teams total. These teams are divided into two sections—12 teams each. In Round 1, teams face off within their section. 6 victors emerge from each section—12 total advance. Round 2: the 12 become 6 victors, 3 from each section. Round 3: those 6 cross over between sections and fight until 3 victors remain. Round 4: the final 3 face each other in a triple-threat match to decide the Flow Bound champion."
Another pause. Her gaze swept the arena.
"Losing at any stage does not mean you are weak or unworthy. It means you have more to learn, more to grow. That is why we do this. To prepare. To stand stronger when the world outside our wards calls."
She lowered her hands.
"With that said… let the Flow Bound begin!"
The crowd exploded.
Round 1 began immediately.
The boards flashed the first match: Meriosa & Harry vs. Bell & Victor
Meriosa stepped onto the field like she owned it. Beast-flow claws extended, eyes locked on her opponents. Harry—her support partner—trailed behind, head slightly bowed.
Bell and Victor took position—Bell with light-flow blades, Victor with shadow tendrils.
The horn blew.
"Don't get in my way" Meriosa to her partner.
Meriosa moved.
She disappeared in a blur—beast speed too fast for the eye. One moment at her flag, the next behind Bell. Claws raked across his back—shallow, controlled, but enough to make him stagger. Victor lashed shadow tendrils; Meriosa twisted mid-air, landed, and charged again.
Harry tried to help—barrier of weak light—but Meriosa didn't need it. She was everywhere. Claws from left, right, above.
Bell blocked one strike, missed the next. Victor's shadows wrapped her leg—she tore free, snarling.
In under ninety seconds, both opponents were on the ground—Bell clutching a bleeding arm, Victor gasping.
Winners: Meriosa & Harry.
Meriosa stood tall in the center, claws retracting. Harry bowed his head in shame beside her.
"Pathetic," she said, loud enough for the nearest stands. "Didn't even serve as a proper warm-up."
The crowd roared—some cheers, some uneasy murmurs.
In the competitors' stand, Anna stared, mouth slightly open.
"What kind of power is that?" she whispered, total disbelief on her face.
Cal leaned in. "That's Meriosa for you. Number 7 in the top ten ranking. Would've been 6 or even 5, but she has a really bad attitude."
Koya watched silently. Lira beside her tensed.
Ra'an—further down the stand— calm look on his face "challange accepted beast."
The boards flashed again.
Next match: White and cherry vs rose and tod.
Koya exhaled slowly.
Lira looked at her.
"Are you also nervous?"
Koya gripped the haft under the cloth.
"Yeah, a little bit."
To be continued...