Chapter 5: Challenges, insults and a promise of greatness

  The roar of the audience vibrated in the air. The preliminary competition in Japan was underway, and every swimmer knew that this tournament would not only test their individual skills, but also define who would be in the World Tournament.

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  First Race: Jocelyn vs Mizuki Aoki

  Jocelyn stood next to her rival, the Japanese Mizuki Aoki, a swimmer of perfect technique and with an expression of coldness that would intimidate anyone.

  "Do you think you can win?" Mizuki said in Japanese.

  Jocelyn, who didn't quite understand, just answered with a defiant smile.

  "I don't know what you said... but I'll see you at the finish line."

  The whistle sounded and both threw themselves into the water.

  Mizuki took the lead with precise and fluid strokes, but Jocelyn didn't let that intimidate her. He remembered Aurora's words:

  "When you lose the rhythm, don't think... just feel the water."

  With an impressive speed, Jocelyn paired the pace and in the final stretch accelerated. His body exploded in a last stroke that left Mizuki speechless.

  Jocelyn won by half a body!

  The Blue Mountain team burst into screams of euphoria, and while the audience applauded, Mizuki approached and shook his hand.

  "Good job... but next time I won't make it so easy for you."

  "I hope so." Jocelyn replied, proud.

  ?

  Second Race: Bruno vs álvaro Torres (Spain)

  The next to compete was Bruno, who would face the Spaniard álvaro Torres, a strong boy with a look of superiority.

  "Is that the one who represents Mexico?" álvaro mocked. You seem more ready to dance than to swim.

  Bruno didn't let himself be intimidated.

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  "Just wait for the race to start... I'll teach you how to dance in the water."

  The race began and álvaro came out like a bullet, taking a clear advantage in the first 100 meters. Bruno gritted his teeth and remembered Aurora's words:

  "Don't win at the beginning, win when everyone is tired."

  Little by little Bruno began to recover ground. With each stroke he got closer, and in the last stretch, with an incredible final kick, he touched the wall just a fraction of a second before his rival.

  Bruno got up from the water, breathing with difficulty and feeling that his heart was leaving his chest. álvaro, frustrated, approached him.

  "It wasn't luck... you're good." the Spaniard admitted, shaking his hand.

  "I know," Bruno replied, proud.

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  Third Race: Azrat vs Drago

  This duel had something personal.

  Azrat and Drago stared at each other from their respective lanes. Both knew that Talión was already in a higher league, so now it was up to them to show who was the second best.

  "Ready to lose, Drago?" Azrat said with a mocking smile.

  "And you, ready to be humiliated in Japan?" Drago replied.

  Both threw themselves into the water in an explosion of force. It was a brutal confrontation, none of them giving a centimeter. In the final stretch, Azrat launched an explosive kick that catapulted him towards the goal...

  Tie!

  They both touched the wall at the same time. The audience went crazy and the judges confirmed that not even a slow motion could define the winner.

  Azrat came out of the water, exhausted but laughing.

  "I guess you can't beat me so easily."

  "I say the same." Drago replied, shaking his hand.

  From that moment on, both looked at each other with respect... and with a rivalry that had only just begun.

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  Fourth Race: Luz and her unstoppable confidence

  Before Luz could get into his lane, two rival swimmers began to murmur near him.

  "Is that the one who looks like a girl?" said one.

  "Yes... what does someone like that do in an international competition?" said the other.

  Luz looked at them sideways, took a deep breath and smiled at them.

  "And do you know what's the worst thing?" he said, turning around and shamelessly shaking his ass in front of them. This ass... is better than his times in the pool.

  Talion, who had been watching, let out a proud laugh.

  "And you said you couldn't defend yourself?"

  The race began and Luz, with her confidence at her peak, left her rivals behind with an incredible performance. When he finished, he turned and winked at them.

  "Do you want me to teach you how to swim?" he said mockingly, leaving the rivals embarrassed.

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  The meeting of the big five

  At the end of the day's races, the top five met in an exclusive lounge:

  ?  Talion

  ?  Kwan Ji-Hoon

  ?  Erik Thorsen

  ?  Wei Fang

  ?  Alexandre Duvier

  The atmosphere was tense.

  "I guess we are destined to face each other..." Erik said, with his classic relaxed smile.

  "Don't expect it to be easy." Kwan Ji-Hoon warned.

  "The waters are calm... but the chaos comes quickly." Wei Fang murmured.

  Alexandre didn't say anything, he just stared at Talión.

  "And what do you think?" Erik finally asked Talión.

  Talión smiled confidently.

  "I think you are worried about the 500-meter race... but there is something bigger that is coming.

  "What do you mean?" Kwan Ji-Hoon asked.

  Talión looked at them seriously.

  "Because this competition will have a relay race... and that's where Monta?a Azul will show them why we are champions.

  The four rivals kept silent, understanding that this tournament had much more at stake than they thought.

  ?

  End of Chapter 5