Scene: The Training Grounds
The sun had barely risen, casting a soft golden glow over the training grounds. The air was crisp with the promise of battle, and the atmosphere charged with anticipation. Students of every discipline were scattered across the grounds, pushing themselves to the limit as they prepared for the Gunxam. For many, this was the culmination of years of effort, sweat, and sacrifice.
Among them was Charles, his sword moving in swift arcs, cutting through the air with precision. His focus was intense, blocking out the chatter and clamor around him. Sweat trickled down his forehead as he executed the Craqe Sword Technique, trying to perfect the fluid, complex sequence.
Charles grits his teeth, his muscles straining under the intensity of his training.
Charles: (breathing heavily, muttering to himself) "Faster. Stronger. No mistakes."
With each slash of his blade, Charles envisioned the tournament—the faces of his opponents, the thrill of combat, and the stakes that were higher than ever. His thoughts kept drifting back to James. No matter how much he trained, he couldn't shake the weight of James' reputation. But doubt had no place here.
A sudden sharp voice cut through his concentration.
Suzy: (from behind, crossing her arms) "You're pushing yourself too hard, Charles."
Charles stopped mid-swing, lowering his blade as he turned to see Suzy walking toward him, her long pink hair tied back, her usual confident smirk in place.
Suzy: (teasingly) "You're going to burn yourself out before the tournament even begins. What's the point of all this if you can't even lift your sword when it counts?"
Charles: (with a faint smile, wiping the sweat from his brow) "And what about you, Suzy? Shouldn't you be doing the same? This isn't going to be a walk in the park, you know."
Suzy: (shrugging, a casual smile playing on her lips) "Oh, I'm ready. Don't you worry about me? I've got my tricks up my sleeve."
There was a tension between them—unspoken, but undeniable. They were both skilled, and they both knew it. But this time, the stakes were higher than ever before, and no one could afford to hold back.
Charles: (seriously) "What about James? Do you think you're ready for him?"
Suzy: (her smile fading, her voice lowering) "James is... James. He's strong, but he's not unbeatable. No one is. If anything, I'm more worried about Linda."
Charles: (frowning, confused) "Linda? Why her?"
Suzy: (crossing her arms, leaning against the practice post) "She's different this year. Something's changed. She's always been strong, but now... it's like she's out for blood. I've heard people talking about her—she's not just here to win. She's here to destroy."
Charles processed Suzy's words, his thoughts immediately shifting to Linda's calm, calculated demeanor. She had always been a formidable opponent, but if she had sharpened her edge even further, then everyone else was in serious trouble.
Charles: (nodding slowly) "I've heard the same. She's always been confident, but now it feels like she's on a whole different level."
Suzy: (seriously) "Exactly. So while everyone's busy worrying about James, maybe we should be keeping an eye on Linda. Something tells me she's got something big planned."
The two stood in silence for a moment, the weight of Suzy's words sinking in. The competition was fierce, and the stakes higher than ever, but the looming presence of both James and Linda cast long shadows over the rest of the competitors.
Scene: The King's Chambers
Meanwhile, in the heart of the palace, the King was deep in discussion with his advisors. The Gunxam was more than just a tournament. It was a test—a way to find the kingdom's brightest stars and prepare them for the battles that lay ahead. The King knew that this year's competition was critical. The kingdom's enemies were growing stronger, and the Gunxam had never been more important.
Advisor 1: (pointing at the scroll with the match schedules) "Your Majesty, we've finalized the matches. As expected, James Igedvon is positioned at the top."
Advisor 2: (seriously) "We've also received reports that the number of participants this year is higher than ever before. More students are entering the tournament, hoping to be selected for the top university."
King: (thoughtfully) "That's to be expected. The strength of our kingdom depends on the strength of our future leaders. But this year will not be like the others. I sense that the outcome will be far more unpredictable."
Advisor 1: (hesitantly) "With all due respect, Your Majesty, James is the clear favorite. His family's influence, his skills in both combat and strategy... he's been groomed for this."
King: (nodding) "True. But do not underestimate the others. Linda, for one, is far more dangerous than she appears. Her calm exterior hides a storm brewing underneath. She's not just fighting for victory—she's fighting to prove something. And that makes her very, very dangerous."
The advisors exchanged uneasy glances. The King's words were never to be taken lightly.
King: (sighing, leaning back in his chair) "This year's Gunxam will decide more than just who becomes our future warriors. It will shape the alliances and rivalries of the kingdom's next generation. Keep a close eye on every match."
Scene: The Courtyard at Dusk
As the day drew to a close, the courtyard began to empty. The shadows stretched long across the stone pathways as the competitors finished their final training sessions and returned to their quarters for the night. But Linda wasn't finished. Standing alone in the center of the courtyard, her gaze was fixed on the horizon, her mind already far beyond the walls of the academy.
Her friend, Skyen Novac, approached her quietly, sensing the tension in her stance.
Skyen: (softly) "What are you planning, Linda? You've been quiet all day."
Linda: (without turning to face him, her voice low and steady) "I'm not planning. I'm preparing."
Skyen: (confused) "Preparing for what? James?"
Linda finally turned, her eyes piercing and sharp. There was no fear in her gaze, only determination.
Linda: (serious, her voice cold) "I'm not afraid of James. I'm not afraid of any of them. The only thing I'm focused on is winning. Everything else is just noise."
Skyen fell silent, watching as Linda turned her back to him once more, her gaze fixed forward, unwavering. There was something different about her this year. Something darker. And it made him uneasy.
Skyen: (hesitantly) "And if James stands in your way?"
Linda: (without hesitation, her voice deadly calm) "Then I'll make sure he regrets it."
Scene: The Courtyard, Continuing the Conversation
The courtyard was quiet, the day's training over. The sky above them had deepened into a cool twilight, stars slowly starting to peek through. Skyen shifted uncomfortably as Linda remained rooted in place, staring ahead with an unyielding intensity. He knew his cousin was serious about the tournament, but her coldness this year was different—sharper, more focused.
Skyen: (breaking the silence, his voice cautious) "You talk like James is nothing. Are you not concerned? You know how strong he's gotten since he's been away."
Linda: (without hesitation, her tone dismissive) "Concerned? No. I know exactly who James is. He's predictable. He's spent his whole life perfecting his power, but he doesn't know how to use it when things don't go according to plan. That's why he'll lose. He expects everything to work out the way he's imagined it in his head."
Skyen fidgeted, feeling a slight pang of discomfort. Linda's confidence was daunting, but he couldn't shake the feeling that she was underestimating everyone. James, for all his arrogance, was dangerous.
Skyen: (pressing) "Still, Linda, he's not the only one. Charles and Suzy are serious contenders too. Especially Charles... he's been training like a madman, and everyone's saying he's going to be a real threat this year."
Linda's lips curled into a faint smirk as she let out a small, mocking laugh.
Linda: (mockingly) "Charles? Please. That little sword-swinger? He's nothing more than a distraction. Suzy's got more backbone than he does, and even she doesn't stand a chance. Charles will burn out before the finals even begin."
Skyen: (frowning, defensive) "You can't just dismiss them, Linda. Charles is stronger than you think. Besides, Suzy—"
Linda: (interrupting, her tone playful but cutting) "Suzy's got potential, sure. But Charles? He is even not a member of a royal family. A weak link. I don't even know why you let him beat you in that match last month."
Skyen's face darkened, his fists clenching slightly at the insult. He wasn't one to boast, but he'd been holding back for a reason.
Skyen: (gritting his teeth) "I didn't let him win. I just didn't feel like revealing everything I've got, especially not in front of a crowd. There's more to me than just physical strength, Linda."
Linda's smirk widened, clearly enjoying teasing him.
Linda: (with mock concern, her tone teasing) "Oh, poor Skyen, keeping all those secret powers locked up. How tragic. But I think we both know that even at your best, you're not going to beat him in a pure physical match. Face it, cousin, you're great with magic, but without it, you're not going to win any arm-wrestling contests."
Skyen opened his mouth to retort, but before he could respond, the sound of footsteps approaching interrupted him. Akon Isseki strolled into view, a casual smile on his face as he approached his two childhood friends. Taller than both of them. One of the strongest people in the Isseki Family, known for their Technology and Innovation field and ranked as a B group Royal Family.
The Royal Families also Categorized on the Ranks as Two Popular families (Novac and Igedvon) ranked as A and in B category their are three families following C categories as 5 families.
Akon: (grinning as he approached) "What's all this about arm-wrestling and secret powers? Did I miss the drama?"
Skyen sighed in relief, grateful for Akon's timely arrival. The trio had been inseparable since they were kids, and Akon always had a way of lightening the mood, no matter how tense things got.
Linda: (rolling her eyes but smiling slightly) "Skyen's feeling sensitive about Charles beating him, and he's trying to convince me he let it happen."
Akon: (laughing, patting Skyen on the shoulder) "Come on, Skyen, you can't let Linda bully you like that. Charles is a solid fighter, but we all know you've got tricks up your sleeve. Just wait until the real matches—then we'll see who's been holding back."
Skyen grumbled but couldn't help but smirk at Akon's words.
Skyen: (sighing) "Yeah, yeah. I just didn't feel like giving Charles the satisfaction. Next time, it'll be different."
Akon laughed again, always the mediator between Linda's sharp wit and Skyen's defensiveness. He turned to Linda, his expression softening with curiosity.
Akon: (seriously) "So, Linda, what's your plan for the Gunxam? You seem pretty confident about everything. What are you thinking?"
Linda: (shrugging, her tone nonchalant) "I'm not overcomplicating it. James is a brute, and Charles is... well, Charles. They'll be too focused on showing off or proving something. I'm just going to wait for them to slip up, and then I'll take them down."
Akon raised an eyebrow at her calmness. He had always admired Linda's confidence, but he knew her well enough to see that she wasn't interested in strategies or alliances this year.
Akon: (frowning slightly) "So you're not worried about them at all? You don't have any strategies in mind?"
Linda: (smirking) "Strategies are for people who don't have enough power to win outright. Let the rest of them make their little plans and alliances. I'm going to win because I'm the strongest, and I don't need anyone's help."
Skyen: (shaking his head, exasperated) "You're impossible, Linda. We're trying to work out how to handle the tournament, and you're just... not even interested."
Linda: (leaning back, arms crossed, her expression cool) "I've got my plans, Skyen. You two can plot and scheme all you want. I know what I'm capable of, and I don't need anyone's approval. This tournament is just a formality."
Akon looked at Linda thoughtfully, then exchanged a glance with Skyen. There was no talking Linda out of her mindset once she'd made up her mind. He respected her confidence, but it worried him, too. Overconfidence could be dangerous.
Akon: (softly) "Just... be careful, Linda. Even the strongest can fall if they underestimate the competition."
Linda's eyes flashed for a moment, but she gave a short, dismissive nod as if acknowledging his concern without taking it to heart.
Linda: (with a bold smirk) "Don't worry, Akon. I've got everything under control."
The trio stood in silence for a few moments, the weight of the tournament looming over them. Despite their differences in approach, they all knew the Gunxam would be a turning point in their lives. Akon, always the one to break the tension, offered a grin as he leaned back against the courtyard wall.
Akon: (grinning) "Well, whatever happens, let's make sure we give them a show they won't forget."
Linda smirked back, her eyes gleaming with quiet determination.
Linda: (confidently) "Oh, I plan to."