As the sun starts to rise, its gentle rays illuminate the tournament grounds in a soothing glow.
Kai, realizing he is awake earlier than usual, glances at his phone and sees that it is only 4:00 am. Instead of trying to go back to sleep, he decides to go out onto the balcony and enjoy the fresh air while experiencing a moment of peaceful solitude.
While making his way to the balcony, he notices someone already there. Straining his eyes, he recognizes Jackson, lost in deep contemplation. Kai walks up to him, letting him know that he is there.
"Hey, Jackson. What are you doing up at this hour?" Kai asks, a touch of surprise in his voice.
Jackson turns, slightly startled. "Oh, hey, Kai. Can't sleep either?" he responds, a hint of curiosity in his tone.
Kai shakes his head. "No, just suddenly woke up, and sleep seems unavailable now. Thought I'd come out here for some fresh morning air. What about you?"
Jackson shrugs. "Just thinking about today's match with Phoenix High," he admits, his voice tinged with a mix of anticipation and nostalgia.
Kai raises an eyebrow. "You? Worrying about the match? That's not like you," he says, genuinely curious.
Jackson chuckles. "No, no. It's not about worrying. It's just that there's someone I know in Phoenix High," he explains.
Kai's curiosity piques. "Oh, really? What's the name?" he asks, a touch of amusement in his voice.
Jackson smiles. "Her name is Ava," he replies.
Kai's eyes widen. "Ava? Wait, she's a girl?" he asks, surprised by the revelation.
Jackson nods, his eyes filled with eagerness. "Yeah. We've been friends since childhood. Our families were neighbors, and over the years we've always had a friendly competition between us in different things. And now, if she takes the stage, I'll be facing her," he explains respectfully.
Kai can't help but smile. "So you're looking forward to battling her, and it's keeping you from sleeping?" he asks playfully.
Jackson's eyes sparkle with enthusiasm as he replies, "Exactly! I've always cherished our friendly rivalry. It will be fascinating to see how much we've both progressed."
Kai lets out a gentle laugh. "Well, I sincerely wish you all the best in your match against Ava," he expresses, feeling genuinely pleased for his friend.
They carry on conversing for a little while longer, exchanging tales and fondly recalling their mischievous escapades from childhood.
As the sky begins to grow brighter, Kai comes to the realization that it is time to engage in some training. He bids Jackson farewell and makes his way back to their shared space.
After a few minutes of light warm-up exercises, Kai finds himself deep in his training routine.
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As the time for the match approaches, the Dragon Academy group gathers at the tournament grounds, filled with anticipation.
The commentator's voice booms through the arena, announcing the highly anticipated final battle between Dragon Academy and Phoenix High.
The crowd erupts in excitement, fueling the air with electric energy.
However, just as Kai is about to get up from his seat for the first match, he notices that his friends are all looking at him with serious expressions.
With a firm tone, Michael asks, "Where do you think you're going?"
Confusion crosses Kai's face. "Um... for the first match? To fight?" he responds, uncertain.
Emily shakes her head. "Kai, you must have forgotten. You're forbidden from participating today. We want you to focus on resting and recovering," she explains, her tone serious.
Kai's brows furrow in surprise. "Wait, you guys were serious about that?" he asks, his gaze shifting from one friend to another.
His friends, Jackson, Aoi, Michael, Sarah, Rachel, Alex, and Emily, all wear serious expressions on their faces.
However, Leon and Ethan find it hard to contain their laughter behind their subtly concealed smiles. In the midst of this atmosphere, Alex speaks up in a respectful manner, "Rest assured that you don't need to engage in combat today. Even if you choose to abstain from the match. As long as we emerge victorious in the other nine battles, we will be declared as the ultimate winners."
Kai's mind races with counterarguments, but Alex's words hit him with the truth. He realizes that his friends are relentless in their decision, and there is no changing their minds.
Looking towards Master Liang, who observes the situation calmly, Kai gathers the courage to seek his intervention. "Sir, would you really allow this?" he asks, a glimmer of hope in his voice.
Master Liang meets his gaze and nods. "Yes, Kai. I think it's best for you to rest. You took action without consulting your teammates, and now face the consequences. As they say, you reap what you sow," he replies, his tone firm yet fair.
Kai's shoulders slump, and a mixture of disappointment and resignation washes over him. He casts a brief glance at his friends, the weight of their collective decision settling heavily.
He knows even Master Liang won't intervene. With a sigh, he returns to his seat, addressing his friends with a resigned tone. "Alright, I won't go. Is that what you all want?"
Leon, unable to contain his laughter, replies, "Yeah, we're okay with that." His mocking smile speaks volumes. He chuckles, his eyes filled with mischief.
Kai narrows his gaze at Leon, making a mental note to exact revenge at a later time. He settles back into his seat, accepting the reality of the situation.
As the commentator announces the beginning of the matches, the first student from each school prepares to take the stage. However, Kai's friends turn their attention back to him, reminding him of their collective decision.
Kai listens to their words and sighs, understanding their intentions. The matches will proceed without him, and he has to respect their wishes.
Kai's lips curve into a bittersweet smile as he shifts his focus to the upcoming matches. Determined to be a dedicated supporter, he chooses to pour his energy into cheering for his friends.
However, within the depths of his heart, there remains a hint of longing for the exhilaration of being in the arena.