The day after their lunch date, Luna and Misaki went to the Boltus facility in Corvalla that Stefan operated on his mother’s behalf. The facility conducted Teal research and had many training areas for new technology, including weaponry. Rody and Stefan were talking when the girls entered Stefan’s office. “Sup nerds.” Misaki said, taking a sip of her drink.

  Luna stood next to Rody and flipped her hair. “What were you guys doing without us?”

  Why is she getting so close to me lately? Rody contained himself as the scent of her perfume hit him.Did she do that on purpose? He wondered. “N-not much, Stefan was explaining his vision for Neo Gladius.”

  Misaki sat on Stefan’s desk next to him, winking at Luna.She obviously taught Luna that on their lunch date. “Did you tell him all about how you created a sport for everyone to see what an amazing Teal User I am?” Misaki held her chin up proudly.

  “Yeah. I was afraid if you didn’t have something to do, your ego would consume the city.” Stefan poked her cheek, and Misaki tried to bite his finger.

  Luna giggled at them. “So what did Stefan share with you, Rody?”

  “Neo Gladius replicates the gladiator duels from antiquity, so that Teal Users have a safe and productive environment to hone their abilities,” Rody replied.

  Stefan finished the explanation. “Precisely. As the number of Teal Users grows, I want Boltus to be the leader in their development. It also doesn’t hurt that we can sell tickets and demonstrate our Teal Tech.”

  Luna laughed. “Aunt Bella taught you well!”

  “Mom always said there’s nothing wrong with improving society while simultaneously benefiting from it.” Stefan chucked. “ Speaking of improvements. Why don’t you all try out the new Tealon suits I made for the tournament?”

  “Oh no…” Misaki lamented.

  Luna grabbed Misaki. “YES! C’mon Misaki! You look amazing in that suit!” Misaki scowled at Stefan as Luna pulled her out of the room.

  ***

  Stefan awaited his friends in one of the training areas. It was an open-air field with high metal walls to keep weaponry or Teal abilities from causing collateral damage. Luna entered the training area, gleefully smothering Misaki, who wore an annoyed and tired expression on her face. The Tealon suits were black with gray-colored accents and boots. They were form-fitting and appeared metallic, but were flexible and wore like cloth. The suits had armored parts covering the chest, shoulders, forearms, and knees.

  “Don’t hurt your face smiling so much, Misaki!” Stefan called out as Rody joined him, also wearing his Tealon suit.

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  “Shut up, Stefan!” Misaki scolded.

  Luna hopped over to the boys, feeling herself all over. “These feel better than the last ones you made us! I feel like I can do anything in it!”

  “I’m glad you like it, Luna. Using your Teal Shield should be a lot easier now.”

  “I bet! How do I look, Rody?” Luna asked, posing for him from all angles, including her backside.

  Rody turned red and averted his eyes upward. “U-um…”

  Stefan grinned and elbowed Rody. “Yeah, man, tell her what you think!”

  “Y-you look…um, really cool.”.

  “So do you! Let’s break them in!” Luna took his hand and brought him to the center of the training area. They used Teal Waves to create a thin protective barrier outlining their bodies and drew their swords. Luna sliced the air with her katana to warm up. Rody’s sword was a more traditional style blade from the medieval era.

  “You know the rules. To win, you must break your opponent’s Teal Shield.” Stefan reminded them.

  “We should work on your evasive skills, Rody.” Luna took some Teal out of her ammo pouch. She threw them above her head, and they formed a semi-circle. Using Teal Waves again, she fashioned them into spears.“While we duel, I’ll throw Phalanx spears at you, ready!”

  “Um, not rea—”before Rody could finish, he already had to dodge one of Luna’s spears. Rody raised his sword just in time to block Luna’s katana. Her pretty face and near-constant smile served to conceal her skill as a fighter. Luna kept Rody on the defensive with her perfect swordsmanship and the Phalanx spears.

  “Use everything you’ve got!” Luna encouraged him as she knocked his sword away.

  “Alright!” Rody panicked and attempted to stop Luna’s blade with his hand as she swung down at him. He conjured up the Frost of Teal instinctually, causing Luna’s blade to freeze. The frost quickly worked down Luna’s arm and turned her into an ice sculpture.

  Rody retrieved his sword, but his respite was short-lived. The ice vanished, and Luna emerged from the steam, wrapped in the green Flames of Teal, fanning herself with her left hand. Luna giggled. “That was refreshing!”

  “Let’s see if you can quench these flames!” She grinned at him and fired her Phalanx spears. Rody just barely knocked the spears away in time. But Luna charged and knocked Rody to the ground.

  Their blades crossed between them. Luna’s flames were damaging Rody’s Teal Shield. He attempted to mimic her technique by wrapping himself in frost, but to no avail. Her flames were too strong. “Luna… too… hot,” Rody wheezed.

  Luna turned off her flames. “Sorry! I get carried away sometimes!”

  “It’s fine,” Rody got up with Luna’s help. “I don’t know if anyone can beat you with that Phalanx of yours…”

  “Hmph! I can!” Misaki pronounced proudly.

  “Oh Yeah!?” Luna and Misaki stood toe-to-toe. Both girls were lean and athletic, but Luna towered over the petite Misaki, her larger, more imposing figure casting a subtle shadow across the training area. “Wanna go right now?” Luna smiled confidently.

  Stefan stepped in and rested his elbow on Misaki’s head. “Save it for the tournament, girls.”

  Misaki punched Stefan in the stomach, who playfully recoiled. “Don’t tell me what to do, Stefan! I know! You’re lucky I have to train my protege today, Luna.”

  “Oh fine! I have to go to dance practice anyway!”

  Misaki placed her hands on her hips. “Better not say you were tired when I beat you tomorrow!”

  “I won’t! Cuz I’m gonna win!” Luna grinned and waved goodbye. Rody joined her.

  Once the others had left, Stefan turned to Misaki. “Did you get to ask her on your lunch date?”

  “No…”

  “You know the tournament isn’t going to affect her answer, right?”

  Misaki grabbed her arm and stared at the ground. “My aunt Akari never got to live her dream to be an idol… She died in the final Elerian war. I should be the one living her dream for her… not Luna…”

  Stefan sighed. “Ya know, Aunt Rachel asked you to be the center of The Sunshine Cadets when they first started, but you said no. I don’t get you…”

  Misaki looked up at Stefan with determination in her eyes.“Because I have to prove myself as a warrior first, like Akari did. We live in a peaceful world now, so the closest thing I can think of is winning the tournament and beating the prodigy Luna Cortez. In my mind, if I can’t beat her, I don’t deserve to ask. Okay? Did you arrange the tournament bracket the way I asked?”

  “I did. Is the number one seed too much pressure for little Misaki?” Stefan teased. Misaki pinched his cheek.

  “Ow...” Stefan pulls away.

  “You’ll see…”

  Stefan rubs his cheek. “My, my, all of this just to ask a question.”