Enna, calm and poised, enters with a soft smile. Her mastery over Teja Shakti is known throughout the kingdom, and her presence radiates a quiet power. By her side is Kaelen, who contrasts her calm demeanor with an air of intensity. As the master of Combat, his reputation as a formidable warrior and strategist precedes him.
Both bow before the King and take their seats.
King: (smiling warmly) "Enna, Kaelen, it's always a pleasure to have you here. I understand you've come to observe this year's Gunxam and to select the students you wish to mentor at the university."
Enna Igedvon: (nodding politely) "Thank you, Your Majesty. This year promises to be interesting. The academy has produced some remarkable talent, and Kaelen and I are eager to see which of them have the potential to join us at the university."
Kaelen: (leaning forward slightly, with a sharp grin) "I'm looking for fighters, Your Majesty—those with the will to win, who don't crumble under pressure. The Gunxam is the first real test for these students. It'll show us who's got what it takes to go beyond the academy."
King: (nodding thoughtfully) "Indeed. The Gunxam is about more than just winning—it's about finding those with the potential to grow and become more than they are now. I imagine you both have certain qualities you look for in the students."
Enna, always precise in her words, speaks softly but with authority.
Enna Igedvon: (calmly) "Yes, Your Majesty. While strength is important, it's not the only thing that matters to me. I'm looking for students who have mastered the flow of Teja Shakti—those who understand that it's more than just a source of power, but a connection between the mind, body, and spirit. True mastery of Teja Shakti requires balance, and that is what I hope to find in the students I select."
King: (with interest) "Balance is indeed critical. Those who control Teja Shakti with precision often rise to greatness. I've seen it myself over the years. And you, Kaelen?"
Kaelen: (with a smirk) "I'm after something a little more raw, Your Majesty. I want to see who can fight when the odds are stacked against them. In real combat, things don't always go your way. It's the fighters who adapt, who push beyond their limits, that I'm looking for. They don't need to be the strongest right now—but they need to have the heart of a warrior."
King: (nodding) "A warrior's spirit—something that cannot be taught, only discovered. I agree, Kaelen. Many students enter the Gunxam thinking that strength alone will carry them through, but it's often those who refuse to give up, even when outmatched, who go on to become the finest."
Enna and Kaelen exchange a glance. Though their methods are different, they both share a mutual respect for the selection process. They know that the students they choose will shape the future of the kingdom.
Kaelen: (grinning) "That's right. I don't care if they're beaten down or outnumbered—if they've got the drive to keep going, I'll take them under my wing."
Enna Igedvon: (smiling slightly) "Kaelen's right, in his own way. Though our methods differ, we both seek potential. I'm less concerned with raw strength and more with how a student uses what they have. A fighter who knows how to manipulate Teja Shakti to gain an edge in battle can be just as formidable as one who relies solely on physical prowess."
King: (thoughtfully) "It sounds like this year's Gunxam will not just be a test for the students, but also for you both, as you decide who is worthy of your guidance. The academy teachers have prepared their students well, but you will be the ones who take them beyond the basics—beyond what they think they are capable of."
Kaelen leans back slightly, his arms crossed over his chest, thinking about the potential of the students he'll choose.
Kaelen: (serious but with a gleam in his eye) "I'm looking forward to seeing what they've got, Your Majesty. The Gunxam will weed out the weak. Only those who truly want it, who have the fire, will catch my eye. The university is for those who are ready to rise to the top."
Enna Igedvon: (softly but firmly) "And I will choose those who are ready to master the most complex techniques of Teja Shakti. The university is not a place for mediocrity—it is a place for those willing to push the boundaries of what is possible."
King: (nodding with satisfaction) "That is why I trust the both of you to make the right choices. You will shape the future of this kingdom, more than you know."
For a moment, the room is filled with the weight of the King's words. Both Enna and Kaelen understand the gravity of their role in shaping the future leaders of the kingdom. The Gunxam is not just a tournament—it is the beginning of a journey that will determine who rises and who falls.
King: (rising from his seat) "I thank you both for your time. The Gunxam will begin soon, and I am eager to see the results. I trust you will both choose wisely, as you have done in the past."
Enna and Kaelen rise as well, bowing slightly to the King in respect.
Enna Igedvon: "Thank you, Your Majesty. We will watch closely and choose those who are ready to excel."
Kaelen: (grinning, his eyes gleaming with anticipation) "And we'll make sure that only the best walk away from this tournament with a place in the university."
King: (smiling) "Good. The future of the kingdom rests in the hands of the next generation. Let's see which of them are ready to carry that weight."
With that, the King watches as Enna and Kaelen leave the chamber, their minds already focused on the upcoming Gunxam. The tension and excitement surrounding the tournament are palpable. Both teachers know that the students they choose will one day become the kingdom's greatest warriors, mages, and leaders.
As the doors close behind them, the King remains seated, reflecting on the choices ahead. The Gunxam will soon begin, and with it, the future of the kingdom will be set in motion.
Scene: A Quiet Alley, Just Outside the Training Grounds
The day is fading into dusk, and the warm orange glow of the setting sun casts long shadows across the city. In a secluded corner near the training grounds, Linda Novac stands alone, leaning casually against a stone wall, a cigarette between her lips. Smoke curls up lazily, drifting into the cool evening air.
Linda is dressed in her usual style—bold, unapologetic, and unbothered. Her sharp blue eyes gleam with calm intensity as she exhales a cloud of smoke, staring into the distance as though she's already seeing the battlefield ahead.
Footsteps approach from behind.
Akon, one of her closest friends and a fellow competitor, walks up to her, his expression serious. He pauses a few feet away, watching her for a moment before speaking.
Akon: (with a hint of concern) "You know, most people are stressing about the Gunxam right now. Especially with James Igedvon back in the city. But you…"
Linda smirks, not bothering to look his way as she takes another drag from her cigarette.
Linda: (exhaling slowly) "James? Should I be worried about him? Please, Akon."
Akon: (frowning slightly) "You should take him seriously, Linda. Everyone knows what he's capable of. His family's power isn't something you can just brush off. He's not the same as when you last saw him."
Linda: (finally glancing over at him, her expression unreadable) "And I'm not the same either."
Her tone is calm but sharp, a quiet confidence that radiates power. Akon steps closer, his brow furrowed, unsure if Linda is underestimating James or if she's simply as fearless as she always seems.
Akon: (carefully) "So what's your plan? This year's Gunxam isn't going to be like the others. The competition is going to be fiercer than ever. You know that, right?"
Linda: (smirking) "Of course I know. But you should ask them what their plan is, not me."
She flicks her cigarette away, crushing it beneath her boot, the action deliberate and final. Her posture remains relaxed, but there's a tension just beneath the surface, like a tightly coiled spring.
Akon: (still uncertain) "What about James? He's stronger than before, and everyone's talking about how he's expected to dominate the tournament. Does that not concern you at all?"
Linda: (crossing her arms, her expression hardening) "James is powerful, sure. But power isn't everything. Confidence can break, and fear can weaken even the strongest fighter. I've seen it before. He might walk into the arena thinking he's already won, but that's his mistake. The second he thinks I'm not a threat… he's already lost."
Akon watches her closely, sensing the seriousness in her voice. Linda's never been one to back down from a challenge, but the way she talks about James—there's no doubt in her mind that she's already calculated her victory.
Akon: (softly) "You sound like you've already decided the outcome."
Linda: (grinning now, but there's no humor in it) "I have."
She turns fully to face Akon now, her eyes blazing with a quiet fire.
Linda: (serious, her voice low) "I don't fight to survive, Akon. I fight to win. And this year? I'm not just playing to outlast everyone else. I'm going to break them—one by one. I don't care if James or anyone else thinks they have the upper hand. The moment they underestimate me… they're finished."
Akon feels a chill run down his spine at her words. Linda's calm demeanor, mixed with her raw, unshakable confidence, makes it clear—she's not just in this to compete. She's in it to crush her opponents. To leave no doubt in anyone's mind who the real threat is.
Akon: (finally nodding, understanding her resolve) "You're serious, aren't you?"
Linda: (nodding slightly) "Dead serious. They're all expecting to fight some version of me they've already beaten in their heads. But they've got no idea who they're up against this time."
Akon remains silent for a moment, the weight of Linda's words sinking in. She's always been bold, but this is different. There's a calculated edge to her that wasn't there before.
Linda: (turning away, ready to leave) "Let James be the one who's afraid. I'll be waiting in the arena."
With that, Linda strides away, her confidence palpable. The boldness of her final words lingers in the air, leaving Akon standing alone, more certain than ever that this year's Gunxam will be a battle unlike any other.