Leo woke up to see Samantha already awake, stretching quietly and gathering her things to head to the washroom. He blinked the sleep from his eyes and gave a small smile. "Not doing your morning exercise today?" he asked, his voice still a little groggy.
She looked over her shoulder, a glint of calm determination in her eyes. "Saving my energy for today's test," she replied coolly.
Leo nodded, feeling a ripple of anticipation himself. "Makes sense," he replied, quickly getting ready. They both dressed and opted for a light breakfast, aiming to conserve points and energy.
As they were finishing up, an announcement echoed through the room, calling all players to assemble in the hall. Without a word, they stood up and made their way to the large meeting area. The other pairs were already gathering, filling the room with an electric tension as each person awaited the next instructions.
Leo and Samantha quickly spotted familiar faces in the crowd, including Ibuki and Ryuto, the pair they'd met the previous day. As they exchanged nods, Leo noticed Anton, the muscular man from the first round, leaning against a wall, his eyes locked on them with a smirk that radiated a silent challenge. Leo felt his jaw tense; Anton's sneering stare was unsettling.
Within moments, the screen at the front of the room blinked to life, and Officer Vale entered, her sharp, authoritative gaze scanning the group as if savoring the moment. The sight reminded them that every single moment was being broadcast to an eager, unseen audience. Vale smiled, her voice echoing confidently through the speakers.
"Good morning to all our audience, and congratulations to the players who successfully passed the first stage. It's thanks to all of you that we've kept this competition thrilling, and let me tell you—the audience is ready for even more action."
Leo glanced at Samantha, who stood with her arms crossed, calm and unreadable. The excitement on Vale's face hinted at a challenge that would require both skill and endurance. Samantha's focus didn't waver, but Leo could see a spark in her eyes, a readiness for whatever came next.
Vale continued, her smile widening as she prepared to announce the rules. "Now, for today's test, we're taking things up a notch. It's a one-on-one fight. That's right—each pair will choose one representative to face off against another, carrying the fate of their partner with them."
The room murmured in surprise, tension thickening as the reality of the challenge sank in. Leo felt his pulse quicken. They were in a team, but only one of them would be able to defend their pair's spot.
"The players who lose," Vale continued, "will be eliminated from this round, and their pair will be out of the game. To win, you must knock out your opponent and render them unconscious. However, let me be clear: strikes to critical points are strictly off-limits. If you break this rule, you'll be disqualified immediately. Understood?"
There was a collective nod of understanding, though the anxiety was palpable. Samantha's eyes met Leo's, her gaze as sharp and steady as always.
"Oh, and one more thing," Vale added, with a teasing smile. "You're probably wondering about that odd number we have—45 pairs, correct? It wouldn't be fair for one person to go without an opponent, now would it? So, we'll be selecting one lucky pair at random. They'll automatically pass this round without having to fight."
A collective ripple of jealousy and tension washed over the room. The stakes couldn't be higher, and every pair knew that passing without fighting was a rare stroke of luck.
The screen behind Vale flickered and displayed a grid of all the pairs. A countdown started, indicating the random selection process was about to begin. The players held their breath, each hoping their face would show up on that screen.
The countdown hit zero, and the screen stopped on the faces of Ryuto and Ibuki. The young pair's expressions shifted from surprise to relief, and Leo could hear the sigh of release they shared.
Vale's voice cut through the moment, cool and commanding. "Congratulations to Ryuto and Ibuki. You two are excused from today's test. The rest of you," she paused, letting the weight of her words settle, "will be chosen to fight based on votes from our audience."
Ryuto and Ibuki exchanged a quick, thankful look with Leo and Samantha before heading toward the doors to leave. Leo felt a pang of relief for them. It was rare to feel happy for another team in a competition like this, but he felt they'd deserved that break.
Vale continued, "Our audience will decide who fights whom. We'll give them some time to cast their votes, and in the meantime, players are free to wait in the designated waiting rooms."
The room broke out in murmurs as everyone headed toward the waiting areas, some of them casting jealous glances in Ryuto and Ibuki's direction. Leo and Samantha walked together, exchanging a quiet look. They didn't need to say anything; both knew the stakes, and each trusted the other to give their best.
In the waiting room, Leo couldn't help but feel the gravity of what lay ahead. If he was chosen to fight, he'd be carrying Samantha's chance at staying in the competition on his shoulders. He glanced at her, her face focused and composed as usual, and drew a steadying breath.
"We'll face whatever comes next together," Samantha said finally, her voice low but steady. It was the closest thing to reassurance he'd heard from her.
Leo nodded, feeling the weight of her words and the truth behind them. No matter what, they were in this as a team—and today, that trust would be put to the test like never before.