Kris friend's gathered around him, laughter filled the area as each of them thanked Kris for his advice and help throughout the stage.
Thursday, who had barely imagined passing the second stage, looked at Kris with admiration.
Memories flashed through his mind, bringing a soft smile to his face.
Thursday couldn't help but remember how everything had changed for him since meeting Kris.
He'd once been part of a different group of friends, but everything shifted when he showed them his Data Beast.
Unlike the others, his was a Bronze potential, considered the weakest tier.
After that, he noticed his so-called friends started to avoid him.
They'd exchange glances, murmuring with that same pitying look that said it all: pathetic.
But what they didn't know was that Thursday's family was struggling financially.
They couldn't afford an expensive Silver Potential Data Beast, but he was still grateful for the Terra Mantis they'd managed to get from a kind neighbor who'd sold it to them at a discount.
With his Terra Mantis, Thursday was able to participate in the Data Beast Examination, just like everyone else, and that meant the world to him.
Yet, as he looked around, seeing his former friends with their higher-ranked beasts and realizing they'd lost interest in him, he felt a pang of loneliness he hadn't expected.
In those moments, he noticed Kris.
Thursday had always sat behind Kris in class, just listening to him talk from time to time.
Kris was quiet, cold to most people—except for Necho.
They'd exchange words in low tones that Thursday strained to hear, secretly wishing he could be part of their group.
He'd even tried a few times to join their conversations, hoping they'd invite him in, but Kris had brushed him off, ignoring his attempts in a way that stung more than he'd like to admit.
But then, Kris's accident happened, and when he returned, there was a noticeable change in his demeanor.
He was warmer, more approachable.
Thursday hesitated, unsure if this new version of Kris was real.
Summoning his courage, he approached Kris once more, asking him a casual question, ready for another cold brush-off.
But Kris had smiled and responded, welcoming him into the conversation as if they'd been friends all along.
That moment had meant everything.
And now, surrounded by Kris, Necho, and their new friends, Thursday felt the pang of loneliness finally fading away.
He looked at Kris with a mix of admiration and gratitude.
Now, with a close-knit group of friends around him, Thursday felt a surge of emotion.
Necho, watching Kris, shook his head with a grin.
'Is this the same person I've always known? Whatever happened to you, man, it's turned you into someone even more incredible.' He clapped Kris on the shoulder, chuckling.
Belle, Chansey, and Selina also looked at Kris with admiration, each grateful for his guidance.
Feeling a bit embarrassed by their stares, Kris rubbed the back of his neck.
"Hey, whatever I said was only one piece of the puzzle. None of this would've worked without your own hard work and determination. It was just the first step toward becoming even more amazing than you already are."
Belle looking at him with affection, nodded.
"Kris, from the second stage to the final one, I don't know if I would've gotten this far without your help."
Selina, agreeing along, added with a warm smile,
"I never thought I'd actually top a stage. Just surviving through the stages was enough for me, but being in the lead? That was not something I'd Imagine."
She looked at Kris with a quiet affection, her gaze holding a mix of appreciation and admiration.
Just as their laughter settled, a shadow fell over the group. They turned to see a tall figure, his black hair swept back in an effortlessly stylish way.
Park Jin-ho's sharp features were the kind that could've belonged to a famous actor, the kind of face that had a natural allure, with a strong jawline and expressive, dark eyes that held a subtle intensity.
A faint smirk played at the corner of his lips as he took in the group, his gaze lingering on Selina with interest.
"Hi, you must be Selina," he said smoothly, his deep voice calm but Confident.
He extended a hand to her, "I'm Park Jin-ho, but you can call me Jin like my friends do."
"You were impressive out there, especially in the attack proficiency test," Jin-ho said, a flirtatious smirk playing on his lips.
"How about we celebrate your success with dinner? I'd love to hear more about your strategy and maybe exchange some ideas..."
Selina simply raised an eyebrow and fixed her glasses, unfazed by his charm.
She glanced back at Kris, gauging his reaction.
He remained calm, watching their exchange with interest.
Selina turned back to Jin, a polite but firm expression on her face. "I'm sorry, I can't today."
Jin's eyebrows shot up in disbelief.
"So how about tomorrow?" he pressed, as if he couldn't believe that his charm didn't have an effect on Selina.
Feeling cornered, Selina glanced at Kris, her mind racing for an escape.
She retreated to him, locking her arm with his for support.
"I actually have a boyfriend, so I can't go anywhere with anyone unless it's my boyfriend," she said, trying to sound convincing.
Kris was taken aback by Selina's sudden declaration.
She looked into his eyes, a silent plea for him to play along. He sighed and turned back to Jin with a nonchalant shrug. "Yeah, she's mine, buddy."
The group fell silent, everyone dumbfounded by the revelation. They exchanged glances, unsure whether to laugh or remain serious. Belle, in particular, stared blankly at her best friend and Kris, her jaw slightly agape as she processed what had just unfolded.
Jin's expression shifted from surprise to a forced smile.
"Oh, really?" he said, studying Kris with newfound interest.
"You must be Kris, the second placer."
Kris simply nodded calmly.
Jin smirked, "Not much of a talker, huh? I didn't know about her having a boyfriend."
He glanced between Selina and Kris, then shook his head with a feigned air of disappointment.
"My mistake." With that, he turned and walked away, but not without a quick glance back at Selina.
Selina gave Kris a grateful look, relieved to have him back her up, while Kris simply raised an eyebrow, unsure of how this impromptu act had turned into such a spectacle.
"Is it true?" Belle suddenly asked, her voice laced with heartbreak as she stared at them, clearly struggling with the implications of Selina's claim.
Before they could answer, Sir Ahmed's voice reverberated through the auditorium, drawing everyone's attention.
"Congratulations, everyone, for finishing the first round of the Data Beast Examination." he announced, his tone filled with pride.
"For those students who failed, you will have a second chance two weeks from now to retake the first round"
A murmur of hope rippled through the crowd at the mention to retake the round.
"As for the students who successfully passed the first round, you'll have time to prepare for the next round, where you will be tasked to battle against the dangerous Virals," Sir Ahmed continued, the gravity of his words settling over the audience.
The excitement in the room intensified as students exchanged glances.
The prospect of battling Virals, though daunting, was also thrilling.
"For the top 10 students who aced the first round," he added, pausing for a second,
"you will receive a special benefit that will be announced during the second round of the examination."