The stadium was buzzing with anticipation as the teams from the seven Bender cities assembled in the heart of the Crown of the Forest, Mira's iconic tournament grounds. The vibrant energy of the tournament was palpable, and every eye was on the field as the announcer, Jimmy Vox, stepped forward, ready to address the competitors and the audience. His lively presence immediately captured everyone's attention.Jimmy, a tall man with slicked-back hair and an exaggerated grin, took a deep breath, holding his microphone with the flair of a seasoned performer. "Ladies, gentlemen, and Benders of all shapes and sizes! Welcome, welcome, WELCOME to the 37th Bender League Tournament!" His voice boomed, sending waves of excitement rippling through the crowd.The roar of the spectators echoed around the vast arena, shaking the very leaves of the towering trees surrounding the grounds. Even the competing Benders felt the adrenaline surging through them.Jimmy continued, his grin widening. "Now, I know you're all eager to see some bending action, but before we get to the main event, we've got a little challenge to separate the benders from the, well, not-so-benders!" He gave a cheeky wink, eliciting a chuckle from the crowd.The students, gathered in their respective groups, exchanged glances. The tension among the teams was growing, and everyone was sizing up their competition. The team from Skyshear stood in silence, their pale blue uniforms catching the wind, while the team from Terra shifted their weight, the ground beneath them rumbling with their power.Jimmy's voice cut through the rising tension. "Now, for all you first-timers, let me explain how we like to kick things off here in Mira!" He gestured broadly to the massive Nexus in the distance, the forest full of energy that dominated the landscape. "This year's preliminaries are going to be a race! Not just any race—oh no! This will be a test of your agility, strategy, and quick thinking!"John exchanged a glance with Anne, both of them tensing up as they waited for the details."You see, hidden within the Nexus Grounds—an ever-changing environment the size of an entire city—are 32 tokens scattered across the landscape. The goal? Simple!" Jimmy paused for dramatic effect. "Find a token, get back to the Battle Grounds before anyone else, and you advance to the main tournament!"Alex's eyebrow raised as he crossed his arms. "So, it's a free-for-all, huh?""Exactly!" Jimmy's voice seemed to respond to Alex's thought as he twirled the mic. "There are 56 of you from the 7 cities, and only 32 tokens! Do the math, folks—not everyone makes it through."The announcement stirred up a mixture of excitement and anxiety among the competitors. Anne, John, Gordon, and Alex were all on edge now. The stakes were clear.Jimmy's grin stretched wider. "And here's the kicker! The Nexus Grounds aren't your average playground. Oh no. The environment will be changing throughout the race—deserts, forests, cliffs, and lakes will appear and disappear, keeping you all on your toes!"As the students processed the details of the challenge, Jimmy turned back to the crowd. "So, without further ado, let's introduce the last few teams, shall we?"The team from Veilstead emerged, their presence cloaked in mystery. Their dark, hooded uniforms contrasted with the bright, cheery atmosphere of the tournament. No one knew much about Veilstead, and their isolation only added to their enigma. Anne noticed the way they moved—quiet and deliberate, as if they already knew something no one else did.Then, the final team from Aqualis appeared, their ocean-blue uniforms shimmering like water under sunlight. Their leader, a sharp-eyed bender with flowing silver hair, walked with calm authority. Aqualis was famous for its mastery over water, and their fluid movements reflected the tides they commanded.Jimmy clapped his hands together. "Now that we've met everyone, let's get to the good stuff!" He pointed toward the Nexus in the distance, the energy sphere glowing brighter with every passing second. "Competitors, prepare yourselves! The moment you enter the Nexus, the race begins. And remember—only 32 of you will make it out!"As the teams were given their final instructions, the students of Unit 92 exchanged determined glances. Alex cracked his knuckles, feeling the familiar hum of excitement building in his chest. John flexed his hands, flames flickering subtly at his fingertips. Gordon exuded quiet confidence, while Anne's sharp focus hinted at the strategies already forming in her mind.Before the call to begin, Anne caught sight of someone she hadn't expected—her cousin, Collin, from Mira's team, standing just a few feet away. His sharp green eyes, cool and calculating, scanned the other competitors, but they softened when they met Anne's gaze.She hesitated, then took a step forward, closing the distance between them. "Collin."Collin turned fully to face her, his expression unreadable at first, but a small smile appeared on his lips. "Anne. It's been a while."Anne crossed her arms, a hint of tension in her posture. "Yeah, it has. Didn't think I'd see you here of all places."Collin chuckled softly, the sound almost lost in the noise of the stadium. "Where else would I be? It's the biggest event of the year."For a moment, the tension between them seemed to fade, and Anne allowed herself a small smile. "Just don't go easy on us because we're family."Collin's smirk widened. "Wouldn't dream of it. Let's see if you can keep up."Anne nodded, her competitive spirit flaring as she turned back to her team. But even as she walked away, she couldn't shake the sense of anticipation growing between them. This tournament wasn't just about winning—it was personal.Jimmy's voice boomed once more, bringing the competitors' attention back to the Nexus. "Alright, folks! The time has come! Get ready for the race of your lives!" He pointed dramatically toward the Nexus. "Let the preliminaries... begin!"In an instant, the energy barriers around the arena shimmered, opening the way to the Nexus Grounds. Without hesitation, the teams bolted forward, racing toward the ever-shifting landscape ahead.The first test of the tournament had begun.