During their break, the remaining 30 competitors drink as much water as possible before their brief conversations are interrupted. Exactly 5 minutes have passed since they climbed down the rock wall course.
Eustass Barrington: Ladies, gentlemen, and everyone else out there, welcome back to our extravagant competition! If you think the rock wall was absurd just wait till you take a gander at our ropes course. (Half jokingly) I mean seriously folks, this must've cost us about a million gold. (Sarcastically) Glad we know where the priorities of our excellent nation's government stand!
(Awkward silence).
(Clears his throat and projects his voice) Anyways, let the second round begin!
The crowd starts laughing and cheering. Eustass Barrington exits the stage and approaches one of the event crew interns.
Event Crew Intern: Wow, you're so amazing mister Barrington, I hope to be in your shoes some day sir!
Eustass Barrington: (Scoffs) Oh, please. (Mutters to himself as he walks away) Anyone could speak at "exciting" events to these morons and they will clap to distract them from the disturbing reality of our nation's war.
Event Crew Intern: (Dumbfounded) Oh…
The intern puts his head down. Noticing his pessimism could result in the utter destruction of the young man's hopes and dreams, Eustass Barrington puts his hand on the intern's shoulder.
Eustass Barrington: Listen kid, I'm sure you will achieve your dream job. It ain't easy faking a smile all of the time, but if you need an acting coach, here's my card.
Event Crew Intern: Wow, thank you sir! Will you be able to write a letter of recommendation for me?
Eustass Barrington: Perhaps, but don't push your luck.
Eustass Barrington walks away.
Meanwhile…
The officials blow their whistles and the timer starts at 10 minutes. Salv and Oro make it to the stands after waking up and sightseeing. The contestants start climbing up the rope ladders to reach the platforms supported by tall and skinny pine trees. Jelani and Isra are climbing side by side. After a few minutes, most of the other contestants are halfway through the ladders. To no one's surprise, Jelani and Isra have reached the top and swing across to adjacent platforms.
Jelani: Not too bad, Roco. You're finally keeping up with me.
Isra sighs.
Jelani: Wait a second, is that Linn Field's daughter, Caroline?
Isra: I dunno, maybe?
Jelani: How did we not notice her?
Isra: Who cares?
Jelani: (Angrily) Roco you know what this means?! She is going to steal the spotlight from me!
The two twins notice the stellar climber already making her way to the halfway point of the course while they are the ones behind.
Isra: As long as we keep up at our pace right now, we are set for the finals.
Jelani: Yeah, but I… I mean we shouldn't allow another legacy climber to outperform us in a competition as big as this!
Isra: Dude, relax, it's just one round.
Jelani: I don't settle for mediocrity unlike yourself.
Isra: (Mutters to himself) You're the worst.
Jelani: What?
Isra: Nothing.
The two brothers reach the halfway point. They are shocked to see a familiar face catch up to them.
Isra: Silva, ya made it!
Silva: Yessir! Doing much better than last round.
Jelani gets ahead and catches up to Linn Field's daughter. They both are at the final stretch of the ropes course: log platforms that vary in stability.
Jelani: Good job making it this far Caroline, but it looks like you're done for…
Caroline Field: What are you talking-
Jelani confidently jumps on every stable platform, leaving Linn to hop through the faulty ones. To Jelani's dismay, she is still in the running for first place.
Caroline: How the hell do you know every stable platform?
Jelani: I have good intuition.
Caroline: Bullshit.
Jelani reaches the last platform first. Caroline follows soon after.
Caroline: You're a cheating scumbag.
Jelani: (Laughs and then glares at Caroline) I don't appreciate your slander.
Caroline: I can prove you were using your inherited power.
Jelani: Jealousy is not a good look on you.
Isra, Silva, and one other competitor reaches the finish line. The timer freezes and the officials blow their whistles.
Tournament Official #1: The ropes course has concluded! Five climbers remain. Today's section of the competition has ended. We will resume the teen's bracket tomorrow for the finals.
Tournament Official #2: The twenties league starts in an hour. For now, please enjoy the festivities.
Silva and Isra arrive at the stands. They find Dante and Katsuo.
Dante: Great work, Silv and Isra!
Oro: (Excitedly barks and wags his tail).
Salv: Excellent job, gentlemen!
Silva: Thanks man! Best of luck in an hour, I'm sure you'll kill it!
Dante: I hope so. I'll keep it real man, I'd be lucky to crack the top five.
Silva: How come?
Dante: The twenties bracket is pretty stacked!
Katsuo: Nah, those losers got nothing on you bro.
Isra: I agree.
Dante: Thanks boys, I'll try my best!
After about a half an hour, Dante registers and gets ready to compete. Silva, Salv, Oro, Isra, and Katsuo are in the stands and watch Dante compete. Dante qualifies along with the top 5 competitors of the twenties bracket.