The next day, Corvalla was abuzz with excitement for the Neo Gladius tournament. Stefan had commissioned and funded a new multipurpose arena built in the city to accommodate his innovative sport. The Boltus Arena, modeled after the Colosseum of antiquity but infused with a modern flair, stood as a testament to his vision. Cutting-edge Teal technology enabled the creation of an artificial environment and a protective force field, ensuring the audience remained safe from the intense action unfolding within the arena.

  In the press box, Stefan addressed the crowd with enthusiasm. “Thank you all for attending the debut of Byzantia’s newest sport, Neo Gladius! We have created an opportunity for Teal Users to showcase their abilities and compete, much like the gladiators of old. Please enjoy the food and refreshments available to you. The first match will begin shortly!”

  Bella smiled at her son approvingly. “Well done! It seems I can retire now.”

  “You’re not really thinking of retiring, are you?” Stefan swivelled around in his chair.

  “I’m only half joking. My friends and I have done a lot to bring peace and unity to the continent. The MAV program, defeating the Empire, the Anti-Unification Forces, and Jared Moore; we created new land here in the south and resettled over a million people here. We’ve been talking, and we think it’s time we gave your generation the space to shine.”

  “We’re ready.”

  “I know you are!” Bella ruffled Stefan’s hair despite his protest. “Now fix your hair, boy!”

  While Stefan adjusted his hair, Misaki entered the room. “Hi, Aunt Bella!” Misaki hugged Stefan’s mom and gave him a look of disapproval. “Did you really show up to your big day with your hair like that?”

  Stefan grinned at her. “That’s right, I wanted you to fix it for me, come here,”

  Misaki rolled her eyes. “As if!”

  Bella laughed at them. “You kids play nice, I’m going to the owner’s suite to watch with my friends.”

  “Bye, Aunt Bella.” Misaki waved to her as she left. “Ugh! Are you gonna be here the whole time?”

  “Uh, yeah? I announce the matches…”

  “Well, I’m gonna watch the matches from here.” Misaki sat down next to Stefan and crossed her legs to get comfortable.

  “Aww, you couldn’t stand to be apart from me, huh?” Stefan teased.

  “You wish! Go get me some snacks or something!”

  “I don’t suppose I can get security to make you leave?”

  Misaki smirked. “Between my mom being a famous hero and my Teal ability, you’re out of luck.”

  Stefan sighed. “Salty or sweet?”

  “Both!”

  He winked as he passed by her. “Sure thing, sweetheart.”

  “Don’t call me that!” Misaki covered her face as she blushed. “Dumbass…” She said softly when he was out of earshot.

  ***

  Meanwhile, in her changing room, Luna slipped into her sleek Tealon suit, steeling herself for the first match. With a steadying breath, she closed her eyes and murmured a brief prayer, then calls her father, Andres. “Hey, Papa!”

  “Hey kiddo! Don’t tell me you're nervous?”

  “Of course not! I just wanted to know if you were coming!”

  Her mother, Kara, answered. “We’re here! This private suite is amazing! All our friends are here too!”

  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

  “Good! I’m glad everyone could make it! I’m gonna make you both proud!”

  “You already have, Luna.”

  “Thanks Dad. There is one thing I wanted to ask you. From what I’ve heard about your piloting days, it seems like people are describing a completely different person. Did you change a lot to be a great fighter and pilot?”

  “He was sooo scawwy!” Kara interjected, causing Luna to laugh.

  Andres laughed too. “That’s a great question. I realized years after the wars were over that I would default to this persona I had subconsciously created.”

  “The Dragon, right?! That’s what everyone calls you!”

  “Looking back, if I were to give that persona a name, I think it would have been The Dragon. But I don’t want you to think you need to change who you are in order to win your matches. Follow your training and your battle instances. I hope this is helpful to you.”

  “It is!! And you just gave me a great nickname that Stefan can use to announce me!” She giggled and texted him.

  “Good luck, baby girl, we’ll see you soon.”

  “We love you!” Her mom said.

  “Love you too, bye.”Luna stepped out of her room and made her way down the tunnel leading into the Neo Gladius arena, where she found Rody already waiting for her.

  “You know what’s my favorite thing about you, Rody?” Luna asked, leaning forward with her hands behind her back.

  “W-what’s that, Luna?”

  “You always keep your promises. You said you’d wait for me and you did!”

  Rody shrank back as Luna leaned in closer to him. “W-well, I wanted to make sure I wished you luck.”

  “Thanks!” Luna grinned. “I’ll take it with me! Meet me here so I can wish you luck before your match, okay?” Rody nodded, and Luna went on her way down the tunnel.

  Stefan began his introduction to the match. “The rules for Neo Gladius matches are simple: the first Gladius to break their opponent's Teal shield will be named the victor! Now, please welcome your favorite Sunshine Cadet, Luna Cortez! You heard that right, Luna is not only an entertainer, she is now the first Gladius to compete in our new sport!”

  Luna emerged from the tunnel to thunderous applause. For a moment, she could hardly believe it. This is your chance, Luna. Show them you can be a hero too, she thought, heart pounding. Unable to contain her joy, she skipped toward the center of the arena, waving brightly to the crowd. Many in the stands held signs bearing her name, their cheers lifting her even higher.

  “Her opponent, Emeric Roze, has chosen hilly terrain with a windy and rainy atmosphere. The lower seed in Neo Gladius tournaments chooses the battlefield environment.” Standing atop a hill, Emeric signaled to Stefan that he wanted to speak. “It seems Gladius Roze has something to say! Will it be to wish his opponent a great match? Or some good ol’fashioned trash talk? Let’s listen in!”

  “Tell me, Luna, how does it feel to be handed the top spot in this tournament because your dad’s a hero?”

  “Huh?” Luna tilted her head.

  “Yeah! You just get to waltz in here as the top competitor, and you didn’t have to win one qualifying match! What gives you the right to bypass the qualification process?!”

  Luna scratched her head. “I dunno? My friend Stefan asked me to compete, so I’m here!” She smiled.

  “So you admit you didn’t earn your spot in this tournament?! Then I need to beat you and show everyone you don’t deserve to be here!” Emeric exclaimed as his image lit up every screen in the arena, his expression animated and commanding.

  “Um, okay? I don’t really get what you’re talking about, but let’s have a good match!” Luna smiled as she drew her katana.

  “Oh, it’ll be good alright! I choose a battlefield that will negate those famous flames of yours!” Let’s go!” Emeric fired his rifle at Luna.

  Luna smiled and let out a light giggle as she effortlessly sliced through the incoming bullets with her katana.

  "Hey, this is fun!" she called out, exhilarated.

  The crowd watched in awe, utterly captivated by her speed and razor-sharp precision.

  Emeric drew his sword. “Grr! Fine, come face me in close combat!”

  “Sure!” Luna charged up the muddy hill toward Emeric, her movements a blur of speed and grace. Still smiling, she struck from all angles, her katana flashing with every swing. Emeric could do little more than block and parry, forced onto the defensive by her relentless assault.

  Luna ducked beneath a wide, heavy slash from Emeric, then swept his legs out from under him with a swift kick. He landed hard in the mud, flailing as he tried to recover. When he finally stood, soaked and splattered, Luna gave him a puzzled look, her head tilted slightly. Emeric’s face flushed red as he realized—she hadn’t even been attacking. He’d thrown himself around in the mud for nothing.

  Furious, Emeric charged and swung wildly at Luna. She caught his right wrist with her left hand, stepping forward to hook her right leg behind his.

  “Oopsy daisy! You let your guard down!” she shouted gleefully.

  With a twist of her hips and a burst of momentum, she sent him crashing to the ground. Before he could recover, Luna delivered a final slash across his chest, shattering his Teal shield in a flash of light.

  “You did great! Thanks for the match!”

  The crowd erupted in a deafening roar as Stefan’s voice echoed through the arena, declaring Luna the winner.

  Across the field, Emeric slammed his fist into the ground, frustration etched across his mud-streaked face. “It’s not fair! You’re just a natural with your Teal ability!”

  “Huh? What are you talking about?” Luna slowly ignited her green flames, the eerie light dancing across her soaked armor. To Emeric’s astonishment, the rain did nothing to dim them. The flames burned steady and strong, defying the downpour as if untouched by the storm. “I didn’t use any Teal Waves to enhance my body or anything while fighting you. I thought that’s what you wanted?”

  “Now you’re just making fun of me!”

  Luna smiled and offered him a hand up. “When you’re ready to train, I’d be happy to help you.”

  Emeric accepted her help. “Just leave me alone.” He slumped out of the battlefield.

  “Alrighty then.” Luna turned to the crowd to thank her fans and cheerfully exited the battlefield.

  Stefan resumed his announcements. “Can you believe it! She could have used The Flames of Teal if she chose to, but proved she was the superior fighter without them! Can anyone stop Luna Cortez?”

  Stefan sat back down after his announcements. “Oh, I didn’t see Luna’s text. She came up with a pretty cool entrance nickname. Want me to make one for you?”

  Misaki side-eyed Stefan. “Geez, go propose to her already, why don’t you? And no.”

  “Aww, is Misaki jealous?”

  “No! You just better announce, like, ten times harder for me!”

  Stefan smirked at her. “What if I don’t?”

  Misaki held up some Teal Fire in her hand. “I’ll burn your ass to crisp!”

  “That’s a weird way to say you’re gonna spank me.” He laughed.

  “Ugh! You’re so annoying! Do your job or something!” Misaki crossed her arms and looked away.

  “Sure, sure.” Stefan turned away to continue his work, completely unaware of the faint blush that crept across Misaki’s cheeks.