Melvin walked into the stadium where all his friends were sitting, an awkward smile playing on his lips as he took a seat beside John.
"Um... so I lost, I guess," Melvin admitted, running a hand through his hair.
Ahiro couldn't resist seizing the opportunity for some good-natured ribbing. "Lost to a princess, huh? I thought you were the mighty Thunder Gun."
John chimed in, "Yeah, Melvin, what happened to all that confidence about winning in the Explorer department? Iron Princess got the best of you."
Sia, despite her own recent loss, couldn't resist joining in. "Guess she brought the thunder to your lightning, Melvin."
Melvin rolled his eyes, "Very funny, guys. It's not like she fought fair. That Iron Dame of hers was like a walking shield against my thunderbolts. and to top it off she had that Electric rod lance."
Ahiro chuckled, "Come on, Melvin, it's all in good fun. Maybe next time, don't underestimate your opponent."
The teasing continued, the banter creating a light atmosphere among the friends. Despite the loss, Melvin couldn't help but laugh along, realizing that sometimes a bit of friendly mockery was the best remedy for a bruised ego.
After some laughs at Melvin's expense, Emily said, "Yeah, who would've thought Iron Princess would be so formidable?"
Melvin playfully rolled his eyes, "Alright, alright. let's change the topic shall we".
But John had a last punch to hit, he put his arm around Ahiro's neck and said "Hey, Ahiro, look at us – the only winners in this group!" smiling from ear to ear.
Ahiro took his hint and added to it, "Well, I guess the rest of them have some catching up to do."
John continued to poke fun at Melvin and Sia, but Sia, not one to let John have the last word, stood up with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "You think you're so great, John?" Without warning, she delivered a swift punch to his head, exclaiming, "Take that, meanie!"
John, rubbing his head in mock pain, protested, "What did I do? I was just stating the facts!"
He looked towards Emily to support her but she raised her shoulders in a nonchalant shrug and said. "Well, you deserved it."
The group burst into laughter once again, this time at John's expense. Despite the light teasing, there was an unspoken understanding among the friends – the duals were not just about winning or losing; they were opportunities for growth and learning.
As the laughter subsided, the mood in the group shifted. Emily, breaking the silence, said, "Alright, enough teasing. We all know we've got room to improve. Let's focus on getting better. "
As they prepared to watch the remaining duals and support their friends, the group understood that the journey ahead was about more than just individual victories – it was about growth, resilience, and the unbreakable bonds forged through shared experiences.
As the group continued to watch the ensuing matches, they found themselves engrossed in the impressive displays of awakened abilities. The competitors showcased a variety of powers, each more captivating than the last. The friends, though not directly involved in these particular matches, couldn't help but marvel at the creativity and uniqueness of each ability.
A lively discussion ensued among them as they shared their thoughts on the techniques, strategies, and the sheer power displayed by the participants. Ahiro, always analytical, pointed out the strengths and potential weaknesses in certain approaches, while Melvin added a touch of humour with his witty remarks. Sia, who was now fully over recent defeat, actively participated in the conversation, contributing insights from her own experiences.
As the matches neared their conclusion, Emily glanced at her watch and stood up abruptly. "I should be heading to the waiting room to get ready for my match," she announced her tone a mix of excitement and determination.
Her friends, recognizing the importance of the upcoming duel, wished her the best of luck.
Emily made her way towards the waiting room, the echoes of cheers and battles fading behind her. In the waiting room, Emily prepared herself mentally for the upcoming duel. The cheers from the stadium reached her ears, creating a symphony of encouragement. With a deep breath, she focused on the task ahead.
The duals had become more than just competitions; they were a journey of self-discovery, growth, and resilience. As Emily stepped into the arena, she carried not only her own aspirations but also the collective spirit of the friends who stood by her side.
As Emily stood at the arena, the group seated at the stadium, their attention focused on the upcoming match. Suddenly Sia started to laugh, catching the attention of her friends.
Melvin, intrigued, turned to Sia. "What's so funny?" he inquired.
Sia chuckled before responding, "I just remembered our geek Emily confidently saying she could easily win her match. She even called her opponents 'practically free points.'"
Melvin raised an eyebrow, a smirk forming on his face. "Oh, did she now? Well, that's our Emily, always brimming with confidence."
Ahiro chimed in, "Hey, Melvin, you've known Emily since childhood, right? So, what's her superpower?"
Melvin leaned back, adopting a dramatic tone with deliberate pauses. "Ah, Emily's superpower... You see, my friends, her power well..."
He paused for effect, allowing the suspense to linger in the air. Sia and Ahiro exchanged amused glances, curious to hear Melvin's take on Emily's abilities.
Melvin continued, "Her power is... well, you can see it in action for yourself. And as for her confidence, it's obvious she would win against all other geeks. Why, you ask?" Another pause, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Because she's a B-rank, my friends, a B-rank, she is stronger than all of us."
The revelation of Emily being a B-rank left the group of friends in a state of disbelief. They exchanged astonished glances.
"Remind me never to get on her bad side," John quipped, realizing the implications of being on the wrong side of someone with such a high rank.
Melvin, revelling in the reaction, chuckled and added, "Oh, you have no idea. Emily once got angry with me and punched me so hard that I was in a coma for 4 days." he said to continue to scare John.
Ahiro understood that Melvin was joking and seeing John's face he wasn't in the mood to correct his misunderstanding. Instead he asked, "Wait, how did we not know about this? B-rank is supposed to be on a different plane from C-rank. It's like a whole different league."
Melvin nodded, "Exactly. It's because Emily doesn't like to use her power, and she is more interested in books rather than fighting.?"