Underneath the dim, dancing lights of the tavern, we claimed a large table near the corner. Laughter echoed around the room, bouncing off the worn-out wooden beams. The band played a jolly tune, setting a jovial mood for the evening.
"A fine performance, Chang!" Kuroko beamed, raising her mug high. The frothy ale sloshed around as she enthusiastically toasted my victory. Her eyes were full of admiration, the edges of her lips curled into an unrestrained smile that matched her feisty personality.
Sera, ever the tsundere, grumbled but couldn't hide the flicker of pride in her eyes. "Hmph! Not bad, I suppose," she mumbled, arms crossed over her chest, "Even though it was against a love-struck girl." She added, aiming to puncture my pride but only managing to elicit a round of laughter.
Aurelia, the fiery redhead, chuckled into her drink, her laughter warm and contagious. "Well, a win is a win. And that was quite a spectacle," she declared, her prideful smile radiating across the table.
Lila, the kind and submissive, simply smiled and nodded in approval. She lifted her glass quietly and chimed in, "Well done, master."
As I looked at their faces, at the happiness that radiated from them, I realized that I wasn't just fighting for myself in the tournament. I was fighting for all of us. These women, who had stood by my side through thick and thin, were my true victory.
***
I won my next 2 rounds with relative ease. We were back celebrating again The gladiator, the din of voices filled the air, spiked with the occasional high pitch laughter and clinking of mugs. A figure at the corner, clad in a weather-beaten adventurer's cloak, spoke about the latest news from the Grand Tournament, his voice carrying over the other conversations.
"Listen up, everyone!" he started, his voice clear and commanding. "Our local hero, Chang, has progressed into the quarter finals! Made quick work of those last two matches he did, a true spectacle! They've even bumped him up to SSS tier!"
A cheer erupted in the tavern, patrons raising their mugs in toast. After the cheers had died down, he continued.
"But the next round, now that's going to be a real test. The opponent's not just anyone, it's Zhao-Feng, mind you. A real beast, that one." His voice dipped, his expression growing grave. "An L-tier. And not just any L-tier, he's rank 64 in the world, one of the big players."
Murmurs of anticipation rippled through the tavern. The challenge was monumental, it was understood by all present. The mood shifted to one of tense anticipation as they all wondered, could their local hero really best a world-renowned, L-tier competitor like Zhao-Feng?
Q: Have you ever pretended to be a noob before?