The next morning, the tournament grounds were alive with anticipation as the crowd poured in to witness the start of Round Two. The sun cast its first light on the arena, illuminating the elevated platforms and thick barricades that separated the spectators from the action. A fresh energy buzzed through the stands, and the sound of cheers filled the air as the first competitors stepped into the ring, which was now a raised circular platform in the centre of the arena.Jimmy's booming voice cut through the morning air. "Good morning, everyone! And welcome to Round Two! Our first duel of the day features Alex of Stronghold, who showed us some serious grit last round, going up against Hager from Terra! Now, don't blink—this one might be over quick, because now we have a new rule! If you go out of bounds, you're eleminated!"Alex took his place in the center of the arena, rolling his shoulders with a relaxed confidence, while across from him stood Hager, his large frame nearly twice the size of Alex's. Hager's imposing stature and the sheer force radiating from him gave the spectators a moment of pause.Jimmy's voice chimed in again, this time with a note of humor. "Now, Hager is known for his strength and bull-like charges, but let's see if Alex's quick wit can match that raw power. Ready, set, go!"The moment the signal was given, Hager exploded forward, bellowing as he charged at Alex with all his might. His heavy footsteps pounded against the ground, each one shaking the platform beneath them.Alex, however, remained calm, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He watched as Hager barreled toward him, fists clenched and jaw set in fierce determination. At the last possible second, Alex sidestepped smoothly, letting Hager rush past him.The crowd gasped in surprise as Hager stumbled, his momentum too great to stop on a dime. He barely managed to catch himself before skidding to a halt at the edge of the arena, his face flushed with a mixture of frustration and embarrassment.Hager gritted his teeth, a snarl building in his throat as he turned back toward Alex. "Stand still, coward!" he bellowed, charging again.Alex sidestepped once more, this time with a slight bow, as if to taunt Hager. The crowd erupted in laughter, and Hager's frustration boiled over. He came to a stop again, this time a few feet short of the arena's edge, his face red with indignation.Alex shrugged, giving Hager an easygoing grin. "Come on, big guy. At least make it a challenge."Jimmy's voice echoed across the grounds, amused as he commented on the obvious mismatch. "And it seems Hager's tactics aren't quite working out as planned. Alex's agility is giving him the clear advantage here!"But Hager wasn't listening to the commentary; he was too busy planning his next move. With a deep breath, he lowered his head and charged one last time, his eyes blazing with resolve.Alex braced himself, waiting until Hager was nearly upon him, then stepped to the side, sweeping a foot out to catch Hager's ankle. The maneuver sent Hager sprawling forward, unable to stop himself from tumbling past the platform.The crowd erupted into applause and laughter as Jimmy called the end of the match, his tone light. "And that's it, folks! A very short—and rather anticlimactic—match for our guy from Stronghold! Hager from Terra is officially out of bounds and out of the tournament!"Hager, stunned and humiliated, pulled himself up from the ground, glowering at Alex. "You think you're so smart, huh?" he muttered, his pride clearly wounded.Alex just shrugged, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Just playing smart, Hager. Nothing personal."As Hager stormed off, the crowd's applause filled the air, and Alex accepted the win with a quick wave to the stands before making his way back to the competitor's lounge. He didn't expect Hager to be pleased, but he hoped the brute would let it go.Back at the lounge, the mood was light. John and the rest of Unit 92 had gathered to congratulate Alex on his win."Not bad, Alex!" John chuckled, giving his friend a slap on the back. "Gotta say, I didn't think he'd fall for that three times in a row!"Alex grinned, glancing around at his friends. "What can I say? Sometimes, less is more."As they laughed, a heavy shadow loomed in the doorway. Hager stood there, his face dark and stormy as he glared at Alex. "You think it's funny, making a fool out of me?" he snarled, his fists clenched.Alex's smile faded, his posture tensing slightly. "Look, Hager. It's just a match. Nothing personal.""Nothing personal?" Hager repeated, his voice growing louder, his pride clearly still raw. Without another word, he lunged forward, intending to put Alex in his place outside the ring.But before Hager could get close, John stepped in, placing himself between Hager and Alex. "Back off, Hager," he warned, his tone steely. "You lost fair and square. Don't embarrass yourself any more than you already have."Hager sneered, looking down at John with disdain. "And who do you think you are? You want to protect him? Then take what's coming to him!"Without warning, Hager threw a heavy punch aimed straight at John's chest. John barely had time to brace himself before the impact sent him stumbling back, pain radiating through his torso.The lounge fell silent as Alex and the others watched in shock. John steadied himself, his expression darkening as he glared back at Hager, the fiery determination in his eyes unmistakable. Despite the pain, he clenched his fists, ready to defend his friend."Enough, Hager," John said, his voice low and unyielding. "You've already lost once. Don't make it worse."Hager hesitated for a moment, but the intensity in John's gaze was unwavering. Finally, Hager scoffed, glancing around the room and realizing he had no support. He muttered something under his breath and stormed out, leaving the room tense and quiet in his wake.John let out a breath, wincing slightly as he pressed a hand to his chest. Alex was at his side in an instant, concern etched across his face."John, are you alright?" Alex asked, worry clouding his usual lighthearted expression.John managed a faint grin, though he winced as he spoke. "Nothing I can't handle. Just didn't expect to take a hit for you."Alex chuckled, clapping John on the shoulder gently. "Thanks, man. I owe you one."John shook his head, his grin widening. "Just make sure it's worth it. If you keep up these easy wins, I'll start thinking you're getting lazy."Alex laughed, and the rest of Unit 92 joined in, the tension in the room easing. Despite the drama, they knew that sticking together—and looking out for each other—was what made them a team.