Benji stood in the middle of Stronghold's temporary training quarters, arms crossed and gaze piercing as he assessed his students. John, Alex, Anne, and Gordon sat around him, worn from the day's events but alert, each of them eager for feedback. The prelims had pushed them to their limits, and while they'd all shown raw skill, Benji's expression held a keen scrutiny, as though he were dissecting every moment of their performance.He cleared his throat, nodding at John first. "You adapted quickly, especially when it came to pairing up with Anne. I could see you leaning on your instincts when you were caught off-guard—and you managed to handle that well. But you'll need to channel those instincts more precisely tomorrow. Make sure every strike counts."John met Benji's gaze, a mix of pride and determination flashing across his face. "I'll work on it, Benji. Won't let you down."Benji gave a short nod of approval before shifting to Alex. "Alex, I noticed your endurance was solid out there. You held up well, even with the physical demands the environment threw at you. But you were a bit too... generous," Benji's brow raised slightly, "especially when it came to that token strategy with Anne. In the heat of battle, make sure you're thinking about what's best for your team first."Alex chuckled softly, scratching his head. "Got it. I'll be a little more... selfish."Next, he turned to Anne. Her posture was tense, her gaze downcast after her decision to step back. "Anne," Benji said gently, "today was a test for everyone. Sacrifice is a rare quality, especially when it could mean losing a shot at the finals. But your hesitation—it held you back. We need you confident, whether it's for the sake of strategy or battle."She looked up, nodding slowly. "Understood. I'll be ready next time."Finally, Benji's eyes fell on Gordon, who had his usual defiant look, arms crossed. "You did well on your own. But that lone-wolf approach—there's a limit to its effectiveness. Stronghold needs unity, not just individual strength. Keep that in mind."Gordon shrugged, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Hey, I got across, didn't I?"Benji didn't respond with a reprimand but instead gave a subtle smile. "Yes, but tomorrow will push you harder. Just remember—sometimes, cooperation is the most powerful strategy."Before Benji could go further, the door swung open, and Chris strode in, his eyes bright with curiosity. "Am I interrupting?" he asked with a teasing grin."Not at all," Benji replied, his tone measured but welcoming. "We were just finishing up."Chris crossed his arms, nodding as he assessed the four students, a glint of respect in his gaze. "Quite a squad you've trained, Benji. They might actually stand a chance in the tournament." He cast a sideways glance at his colleague. "You've come a long way since your own tournament days, haven't you?"A shadow flickered across Benji's face, but he quickly masked it. "A lot has changed," he replied quietly. His students exchanged glances, picking up on the tension. "That was a different time."Chris leaned against the wall, a slight smirk playing on his lips. "Different, maybe. But some things stick with you, don't they?"Benji's jaw clenched, his eyes momentarily clouding with a memory before he shrugged it off. "Old ghosts don't matter now, Chris. The focus is on them," he said, nodding toward his students. "And they're ready."John, curious but respectful, glanced between the two instructors, sensing the history they shared. "Benji," he began carefully, "what was it like when you competed?"Benji's eyes softened, but he shook his head. "Maybe one day, John. But right now, it's your journey that counts. So rest up—all of you. Tomorrow, everything we've trained for begins."With that, he turned back to Chris, exchanging a silent understanding before Chris straightened and gave Benji a respectful nod. They'd both come from different paths, but the weight of their shared history lingered—a story for another time.As the students filed out, Benji lingered near the doorway, lost in thought. He watched them with a mix of pride and protectiveness that he rarely let show, then turned away, letting the room empty. Outside, dusk settled over Mira, casting an amber glow over the winding streets. The anticipation of the tournament had brought an energy to the city, but it had also left Alex with a weight he couldn't quite shake.Instead of following the others back to the dorms, he found himself wandering toward one of the quieter corners of the grounds. It wasn't long before he spotted Lila leaning against a low stone wall, watching the last of the competitors trickling back toward the tournament lodgings. She looked thoughtful, distant, and for a moment, Alex hesitated, unsure if he should interrupt. But then he took a breath and stepped forward."Hey, Lila," he said, a friendly tone in his voice. "Guess you're skipping out on the evening crowd too?"She looked up, surprised, then offered him a small smile. "I needed some quiet. The tournament has... a lot of noise," she replied, her eyes drifting over the soft glow of lanterns lighting up the grounds.Alex nodded, stepping beside her and leaning back against the wall. "Yeah, I get that," he said, glancing at her thoughtfully. "It was tough seeing you and Max get cut out of the tournament."Lila's smile faded slightly, and she looked away. "Yeah... guess it just wasn't meant to be this time. But seeing you, John, and the others go on—it's exciting. You're all working hard out there.""Still," Alex said, his voice softer, "you didn't deserve to be taken out so early. You've got the skill for this, and it feels like things just went... wrong."Lila shrugged, but her gaze was distant. "I knew what I was signing up for. Max and I just couldn't secure the tokens in time. Guess that's how it goes."There was a silence between them, but Alex could feel the unspoken disappointment in her words. "If it's any consolation," he said, trying to catch her eye, "I would've taken you over half the people who qualified."She chuckled, the weight lifting slightly. "You know, you're not very good at the whole 'tough competitor' thing, are you? You keep going soft on everyone."Alex smiled, a bit sheepishly. "Maybe not. I mean, when it comes down to it, I'd fight hard if it came to a match. But there's always a part of me that doesn't want to go too far, you know? Especially with people like you."She tilted her head, studying him with a gentle, knowing look. "Maybe that's what makes you different, Alex. Some people will do whatever it takes to win. But you... you care too much about who you're fighting."He chuckled, scratching the back of his neck. "Guess that's my biggest weakness. But I think it's what keeps me grounded, too."She met his eyes, her expression sincere. "Don't lose that, Alex. It's what makes you, well... you."They shared a comfortable silence, the noise of the city fading as night deepened around them. It was a moment that felt far removed from the intensity of the tournament and the stakes ahead. In that shared quiet, Alex realized that, no matter the outcome, having people he cared about—and who cared about him—was worth more than any victory.Lila finally broke the silence with a soft smile. "Good luck, Alex. I'll be cheering for you.""Thanks, Lila," he said, his gaze steady. "I'll make it worth watching."They stood there for a moment longer, two friends in the dim light of the lanterns, each understanding the other in ways words couldn't fully capture. And as they finally parted, Alex felt a renewed sense of purpose, carrying her words with him like a quiet promise.