Quite a while later, in the city of Antokiba.
As Kai and Biscuit walk together through the bustling streets of Antokiba, they can't help but take in the vibrant atmosphere around them. The monthly tournament that is being announced will be their first real opportunity to put their teamwork to the test, and they intend to enjoy themselves while doing their best to secure the valuable card offered as the prize.
After a while, they arrive at the tournament grounds: a small stadium centered around a large platform, somewhat reminiscent of Heavens' Arena.
Inside the stadium, challengers of all shapes and sizes prepare for their matches, each hoping to win the valuable card. Unlike most of the other participants, however, Kai and Biscuit aren't interested in selling the prize at the Trade Shop. They intend to add it to their collection instead, making the tournament a valuable opportunity to obtain a card they would otherwise have to acquire through other means.
Kai and Biscuit register for the tournament, eager to put their abilities and teamwork to the test.
"Very well. Registration is now closed. The 16 people present will participate in this month's tournament." One of the organizers announces to the group.
"Now, please follow me. I'll take you to a restricted area inside the stadium where you can prepare in private before we announce the start of the competition."
With that, Kai and Biscuit, along with the rest of the participants, follow the organizer toward a restricted area inside the stadium.
A few minutes later...
"GOOD EVENING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!" A man's energetic voice booms throughout the stadium, immediately filling the arena with excitement.
"Welcome to this month's Antokiba Tournament!"
The attention shifts the center of the stadium, where a tall man wearing an extravagant suit stands on the platform, microphone in hand and a wide grin plastered across his face.
"I hope you're all ready, because we've got an exciting competition in store for you today!"
"16 competitors have gathered here hoping to claim this month's grand prize!" The commentator pauses dramatically, allowing the anticipation to build.
"But before we begin, let's go over the rules! This month's tournament will be a swimming competition!"
The crowd responds with enthusiastic cheers.
"The rules are simple! All 16 competitors will participate in a series of one-on-one races, with the winners advancing through each round until only one remains!"
"The preliminary and quarterfinal rounds will be held in our standard fifty-meter competition pools! The winners of those races will advance to the semifinals, where the remaining four competitors will face off in our one-hundred-meter championship pool!"
A large screen positioned above the stadium lights up, displaying an aerial view of the competition facilities.
"After this opening ceremony, all competitors will be escorted to the swimming complex, where the races will take place. The pools have been prepared exclusively for today's tournament, so there will be no confusion about where you need to go!"
"But before anyone dives in, we'll determine today's matchups by drawing lots!"
A large transparent container is brought onto the platform, filled with sixteen numbered balls.
"Each competitor will draw one number. Those numbers will determine their position in the tournament bracket, and once the draw is complete, we will be able to start the competition!"
The crowd cheers as the commentator gestures toward the enormous electronic board overlooking the arena.
"Competitors must remain within the designated swimming area throughout their matches. No weapons, no interference from outside participants, and no attacks against your opponents! Any competitor who violates these rules will be immediately disqualified!"
He raises one hand dramatically.
"And now, the moment you've all been waiting for... LET'S MEET THIS MONTH'S COMPETITORS!"
One by one, the 16 participants emerge from the restricted area, all dressed in swimming attire.
Kai walks out alongside Biscuit, both wearing the swimsuits they had bought yesterday in Calisia. Around them, the other competitors make their entrances as well, ranging from young men and women (mostly men), each carrying themselves with varying degrees of confidence.
Kai calmly surveys the other participants as they take their positions. None of them immediately stand out to him. No one from Nickes's group, Kazsule's, or the Bombers.
Biscuit, by her part, doesn't seem particularly interested in the rest either, but she certainly looks excited.
"16 competitors!" The commentator continues. "And every single one of them has their eyes on this month's prize!"
"And what is the prize?!" He points dramatically toward a strange handheld device on top of a cushion on a pedestal.
"The winner of this month's tournament will receive the Capricious Remote! A powerful designated-slot card ranked B-27, making it a valuable addition to any player's collection!"
The crowd erupts into cheers, and Kai's eyes narrow slightly as he looks at the item that will be transformed into the designated-slot card.
He had already been looking for opportunities to acquire valuable cards like "Capricious Remote", and obtaining one through a tournament now that he has the "Paladin's Necklace" is certainly preferable to having to track down another player willing to trade it, or waiting an indeterminate amount of time for it to be sold at a Trade Shop.
"So that's the restricted item they're offering this month, huh? We don't have it in our collection yet, so we have to give it our all to get it. You'd better get ready, Kai. If we have to compete against each other, I have no intention of letting you win." Biscuit says this while raising her fist defiantly, determination shining in her eyes.
"I feel the same way, Biscuit. I fully intend to win the competition and be crowned the winner. So, you'd better not go easy on me if the moment comes. Because that card is going to be mine." Kai replies, gesturing in the same way while fixing his gaze on her.
Unlike him, who is wearing simple black boxer-style swim trunks, Biscuit sports a delicate white and pastel pink bikini, consisting of a top and a matching short, ruffled floral skirt. Her look is further enhanced by her long hair, which is tied in a long braid down her back instead of in two pigtails.
Even though he knows her secret, Kai can't help but think Biscuit looks cute in that outfit. And noticing a couple of competitors also watching Biscuit, he realizes he isn't the only one.
'Would they still look at her that way if they knew what she really looked like?' As the image of Biscuit's true, muscular form in that swimsuit flashes through his mind, a shiver of revulsion runs through Kai's body—much to Biscuit's confusion.
"That's right! One lucky competitor will walk away with this incredible designated slot card!" The commentator spreads his arms wide.
"So, who among these sixteen contestants has what it takes to win?" The commentator turns toward the participants. "But before we can begin, it's time for the draw!"
An assistant steps forward and presents the transparent container to the competitors.
"Please, one at a time, draw a number from the container to determine your position in the tournament bracket!"
The competitors are called forward one after another, reaching into the container to pull out a ball with an engraved number.
Kai draws his number without much thought and steps aside, allowing the next participant to take his turn.
Biscuit follows shortly afterward.
Once all sixteen numbers have been drawn, the commentator turns toward the enormous board above the stadium.
"AND THERE WE HAVE IT!"
The board comes to life, displaying the complete tournament bracket for everyone to see.
The sixteen names are arranged into eight opening-round matchups, with the winners' paths toward the quarterfinals, semifinals, and final laid out before them.
The crowd erupts as the competitors look up at the newly formed bracket.
Kai's eyes quickly scan the names, memorizing the matchups.
His gaze eventually settles on his own position, and then, a few spaces away, he finds Biscuit's name. For the moment, they are on opposite sides of the bracket.
"THE MATCHUPS ARE SET!" The commentator's voice rings out once more.
"And now, competitors, it's time to head to the swimming complex! There, you will prepare for the opening races in the fifty-meter pools! Once the quarterfinals are complete, the remaining four swimmers will move to the one-hundred-meter pool for the semifinals and final!"
The commentator points toward the large board one last time.
"Remember to keep your eyes on that bracket, folks! Your next opponent could be waiting for you!"
The crowd responds with another wave of cheers as several staff members move into position to guide the participants away from the stadium and toward the tournament's aquatic facilities.
"THE COMPETITORS ARE READY! THE POOLS ARE WAITING! AND THE RACE FOR THIS MONTH'S GRAND PRIZE IS ABOUT TO BEGIN!" He raises his microphone dramatically.
"LET THE ANTOKIBA SWIMMING TOURNAMENT BEGIN!"
Kai and Biscuit exchange a brief glance before following the other competitors toward the swimming complex, neither of them saying anything. They both know exactly what they're here for.
"In the first round, we have Ms. Biscuit Krueger facing Mr. Ivona Kawski! An interesting matchup! How will the race that kicks off this competition unfold?!"
As the two participants take their places in their respective lanes in the pool, Biscuit's competitor, Ivona Kawski, glances at her and flashes a smug smile.
"Heh. Looks like this one's going to be easy." Ivona thinks out loud, to which Biscuit flashes a seemingly innocent smile.
"Alright, competitors. Ready... Set... GO!"
At the referee's signal, both swimmers dive into the pool and immediately begin the race.
Ivona Kawski swims with rapid, well-coordinated strokes, maintaining a steady rhythm and controlled breathing. His technique and pace are comparable to those of a low-level Olympic swimmer, and for the first few seconds, everything seems to be going exactly as he expected.
However, when he glances toward the adjacent lane, his expression freezes.
In that lane, a torrent of water tears across the fifty-meter pool, Biscuit's small figure almost impossible to make out through the spray. Before Ivona can even process what he's seeing, she has already reached the opposite end, turned, and begun swimming back.
Just a few seconds later, Biscuit touches the starting wall.
"And the winner of the first race is Miss Biscuit Krueger!" The announcer's voice booms across the swimming complex, immediately drawing a wave of excited cheers from the crowd. "INCREDIBLE, FRIENDS! We've barely begun, and we've already witnessed a new record of 35 seconds in the 50-meter race!"
Meanwhile, Ivona remains floating at the far end of the pool, staring dumbfounded at Biscuit as she calmly climbs out of the water on the opposite side before she turns toward him and gives him a playful wink.
Several more races take place before it is finally Kai's turn to compete. However, just as he is about to take his position at the pool, his opponent, Michiro, calls him.
"Excuse me, Mr. Kai Ikeda. I wish to discuss something with you before we begin." Michiro speaks politely, though his sudden approach immediately catches Kai's attention.
"What is it?" Kai's gaze grows cautious as he studies his opponent.
"You may not have noticed, but we've crossed paths before." Michiro says.
"When? I don't remember seeing you before." Kai asks.
"It was a while ago, when you were visiting the Trade Shop in town. I was one of the customers there at the time." Michiro explains.
"At one point after that, I saw using the "Fluoroscopy" spell that you had obtained several copies of "King White Stag Beetle." It's an A-rank card, so you could sell it for a considerable amount of money. Would you be willing to trade one of them to me for another card after the competition?"
Faced with Michiro's proposal, Kai remains on guard, but he is nevertheless somewhat intrigued.
"And what do you offer me in return?" In response to his question, Michiro opens his binder and takes out a couple of cards, holding them out for Kai to see.
"I have a "Risky Dice" and also a "Mood Clock" that I bought at that shop. And if that's not enough for you, I also got a "Fledgling Musician," which can't be won in the tournaments in this city. Does any of them convince you?" Michiro asks as he turns the cards around.
Kai examines the cards in Michiro's hand for a moment, considering the offer.
He had recently had to sell his copies of the "King White Stag Beetle" to bolster his and Biscuit's funds, and he doesn't have a "Clone" on hand either. If he trades away his last copy, he won't have a spare.
Normally, a player wouldn't swap a designated card for a lower-ranking, less valuable one—especially without a spare. But in this case, it isn't a problem for Kai.
He already knows how and where to obtain another "King White Stag Beetle" card, and Michiro is offering him one of three different designated-slot cards that would further advance his collection. Logically speaking, there doesn't seem to be any obvious reason to refuse. After all, card trading is hardly unusual among players, and Michiro's request is modest enough to accept it.
However, the timing is far too suspicious.
'He could have proposed this deal after the tournament ended, or even after this race. But instead, he's doing it now, just as we're about to start. There's definitely a catch here.' As Kai ponders this, his eyes briefly drift to the cards in Michiro's hand.
'Still, if he's genuinely offering me a new card, I can't just pass up the opportunity. And I doubt this is another situation like the one with Genthru. If it were, this guy would have to be a much more notorious player.'
'Besides, even if this is a trap, I can always warn Biscuit about him afterward and make sure she doesn't fall for the same trick.'
"All right, I accept the offer. After this tournament ends—no matter who wins—I'd like to trade my "King White Stag Beetle" for your "Fledgling Musician" card. Is that acceptable?" Kai points to the card in question.
"That works perfectly for me! Then we've finalized the agreement with this, right?" Michiro replies, smiling contentedly as he extends his hand toward Kai.
Kai looks at the offered hand for a moment, analyzing the situation. 'So that's what this was all about. Very well. Let's see what kind of trick he intends to pull.'
"Yes, it's settled." Kai responds taking his hand.
The instant their hands meet, Michiro's smile changes. Only slightly. 'Got you.'
A thin pulse of aura travels from Michiro's palm into Kai's body, spreading through him until it envelops him completely.
Michiro's Nen ability interferes with the target's physical coordination, disrupting the connection between their thoughts, movements, and aura. As a result, the target gradually loses control over the coordination between what they intend to do, how their body moves, and how they manipulate their aura.
To activate the ability, Michiro must offer his hand, and the target must voluntarily accept the handshake. Once activated, its effects last for only one minute.
'Against an ordinary swimmer, even a momentary loss of coordination would be enough to keep them from floating, let alone swimming. Even if you turn out to be a monster like that girl from the first round, the moment you enter the water, you'll sink like a stone and ruin your chances in the race.'
Michiro releases Kai's hand, confident that his ability has already taken hold.
"You'd better not try to back out of the deal later, Michiro, or I'll have to come looking for you." Kai gives him a neutral look.
"Of course, don't worry about that. Alright, we should probably head to our spots now. Good luck with the race." Michiro turns away, putting his cards back into his binder and concealing his satisfaction as he walks toward his lane.
After the brief interaction, the two step onto the starting platforms as the expectant crowd watches from the stands.
"Competitors, take your positions!" The referee raises his hand, and the two settle into their stances.
As they wait for the signal to start, Michiro glances toward Kai, suppressing a confident smile. 'It's over before it even begins. Once the race starts, he will suddenly lose control of his movements and collapse. The poor guy won't even understand what happened.'
"Ready... Set... GO!"
At the starting signal, the two participants dive into the pool.
Michiro immediately begins swimming at a fast pace, maintaining a steady rhythm and synchronizing his breathing with each stroke.
However, in the adjacent lane, Kai shoots forward at incredible speed, moving so fast that his body can no longer be seen clearly, with nothing visible in his place but a massive torrent of water—just as Biscuit had earlier.
Kai's movements remain perfectly coordinated. His strokes are steady, his breathing controlled, and his aura flows through his body without the slightest disruption.
'What?! What is it?! Why isn't it working?!' Michiro stares in shock as Kai effortlessly pulls ahead of him.
Within seconds, Kai reaches the far end of the pool, plants his feet against the wall, and launches himself back with such force that a massive splash erupts behind him, sending him shooting through the water like a torpedo.
When Michiro has barely passed the halfway mark, Kai has already reached the starting wall once again.
"The winner of the race is Mr. Kai Ikeda!" The commentator's booming voice echoes throughout the swimming complex, immediately followed by another wave of enthusiastic cheers from the crowd.
"WHAT A PERFORMANCE, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! 28 seconds! That's another new record for the 50-meter race! Could Mr. Ikeda be the one destined to claim this month's grand prize?!"
Meanwhile, Michiro remains motionless in the middle of the pool, his expression frozen in disbelief as he struggles to comprehend how his plan could have failed.
What he doesn't know is that his Nen ability never managed to reach Kai because of the Development Orb.
According to the principles of Nen, a person can only be manipulated by one ability at a time. The moment Michiro's Nen entered Kai's body and came into contact with the Development Orb, the foreign aura was intercepted by the protective ability already controlling Kai and simply dispersed.
As a result, Kai never felt the slightest effect.
"You'll still honor our agreement after the tournament, won't you?" Kai say from the edge of the pool. "We'll meet at the stadium entrance after the tournament to make the exchange. Don't forget—or get lost, all right?"
Michiro can only nod in resignation. "Of course."
Kai turns away and getting out of the pool, he leaves the area, while Michiro remains behind, still trying to make sense of what just happened.
And so, the tournament continues.
The remaining races pass by without any significant setbacks for Kai or Biscuit. Both of them continue to overwhelm their opponents with astonishing speed, securing their victories and advancing through the bracket until eventually, only four competitors remain.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE'VE REACHED THE SEMIFINALS!" The crowd erupts as the commentator's voice booms across the stadium once again.
The large electronic board above the stadium displays the four remaining competitors.
"After two intense rounds of competition, only four swimmers remain in the race for this month's grand prize! And from this point onward, we're taking things to the next level!"
A dramatic pause follows.
"The fifty-meter pools are no more! For the semifinals and final, our remaining four competitors will face the challenge of the ONE-HUNDRED-METER POOL!"
The spectators erupt into cheers as the four semifinalists make their way toward the larger swimming complex.
"That's right, folks! Twice the distance, twice the challenge, and absolutely no room for hesitation!"
"And now, let's take a look at our semifinal matchups!"
The electronic board changes, displaying the two pairings.
"IN THE FIRST RACE OF THE SEMIFINALS, WE HAVE MR. KAI IKEDA AGAINST MISS BISCUIT KRUEGER, THE TWO FAVORITES FOR THIS MONTH'S TOURNAMENT!"
A wave of excited murmurs spreads through the crowd.
"Either one of these two has what it takes to claim the championship title! But only one can advance to the final! Who will emerge victorious?! We're about to find out!"
"GET READY, EVERYONE! THE SEMIFINALS ARE ABOUT TO BEGIN!"
As the excitement of the commentator and the crowd builds, Kai and Biscuit rise from the benches on the sidelines and make their way toward the starting platforms at the new pool. Once they are standing face-to-face, they lock eyes, sizing each other up.
"It seems we've finally come to this." Biscuit is the first to break the silence.
"Deep down, we both knew we'd end up facing each other." Kai replies, giving a challenging smile. "I know what you're capable of, so I won't be holding anything back. If I want to beat you, I'll have to give it my all."
Biscuit responds with the same defiant smile, clearly pleased by his words.
"That's more like it. I wouldn't want you to hold back, either. You're quite impressive yourself, after all, so I wouldn't like to leave you behind because of carelessness." Biscuit's smile widens.
"You'd better be ready, my love. This lady has no intention of losing."
Kai's smile becomes more competitive. "Neither do I."
The two exchange one last confident look before taking their positions on the starting platforms, ready for the toughest race of the competition.
"Alright, competitors. Ready... Set... GO!"
As soon as the referee lowers his arm, Kai and Biscuit dive into the pool, and the moment they hit the water, both immediately accelerate to an even greater speed than in the previous rounds. Powerful waves explode around them, and the sheer force of their movements creates such a torrent of water that their figures are almost completely obscured from view.
However, even though both are swimming at breakneck speed, Biscuit begins to fall several meters behind Kai shortly after starting.
'Damn it! He's too fast! At this rate, I'm going to lose!' Biscuit thinks, watching the gap between them widen with every passing second.
'There's no other way. I'll have to stop holdind back and give my true 100%.'
At that moment, the torrent of water obscuring Biscuit's figure suddenly swells in size, and her speed increases so much that she begins rapidly closing the distance with Kai.
'So, in the end, you've decided to use your true power. Good choice, Biscuit. But even so,I have no intention of losing!' Kai thinks, glancing back briefly before turning his attention forward again and pushing himself even harder.
In no time, Kai reaches the far end of the pool. Harnessing his aura and the full strength of his legs, he plants his feet against the wall and launches himself forward with tremendous force. A massive burst of water erupts behind him—far more powerful than before—as he shoots back like a rocket.
However, less than two seconds later, Biscuit reaches the wall as well, using the exact same technique to propel herself forward and close more the remaining distance at terrifying speed.
The two swimmers tear through the water at incredible speed, every stroke driven by the full force of their highly developed bodies. Biscuit steadily erases Kai's lead until, at last, they are neck and neck with the starting wall directly ahead.
At the 21-second mark, they slam into the wall almost simultaneously, and a tremendous explosion of water erupts from the impact, blasting chunks of the pool's edge into the air and completely obscuring the two swimmers from view.
When the geyser of water finally subsides, Kai and Biscuit can be seen gripping the edge of the pool, both gasping for breath after the grueling race.
Back in her lane, Biscuit once again looks like her usual adorable young self.
"That was... quite a race! I'll admit, it was so fast and intense that I couldn't tell who touched the wall first on the return leg. Let's check the footage on the screen and determine the winner!" The commentator immediately plays the recording in the big screen and pauses it at the moment just before the massive explosion. "Let's see..."
As the image zooms in, the commentator and the spectators stare at the screen in confusion. A large hand can clearly be seen touching the wall in Biscuit's lane, a quarter of a meter ahead of Kai's hand.
"It looks a little unusual... but it has to be hers, since she's the one who swam the entire course!" He raises his voice dramatically. "THE WINNER OF THE FIRST SEMIFINAL—AND THE FIRST FINALIST—IS MISS BISCUIT KRUEGER!"
At the commentator's announcement, the crowd begins to roar, excited by the great race they have just witnessed; on the stadium screen, Kai's name fades from the bracket, and Biscuit's name advances to the finals.
"What an incredible showdown, folks! We've determined our first finalist and witnessed yet another world record—TWENTY-ONE SECONDS FOR THE ONE-HUNDRED-METER RACE!"
The crowd roars even louder.
"Now all that remains is the second semifinal between Mogaro and Vashun, and we'll soon find out who will join Miss Biscuit in the final—and whether anyone will be able to stop her from taking home this month's grand prize!"
As the commentator continues to hype up the competition, Kai climbs out of the pool alongside Biscuit, reflecting on what just happened.
'So, I lost. I gave the race everything I had, but in the end, she beat me.' Kai glances at Biscuit, who casually stretches as though she were merely working out a few stiff muscles.
'I see I still need more training and experience if I want to reach her level. At least I managed to push her into using her true power to win.'
Kai then walks over to Biscuit, who turns to face him.
"Congratulations on your well-deserved victory. I'm glad you didn't hold back against me and gave it your all in the end. Thank you for that." He says with a warm smile.
"I had no choice." Biscuit shrugs with her eyes closed. "You turned out to be a tougher opponent than I imagined. If I hadn't gone all out, I would have lost."
Then, the corners of her lips curl upward as she opens her eyes and meets Kai's gaze once more.
"Thanks for not holding back against me, either. Let's compete again someday." She says extending her hand towards him.
Kai takes it and gives her a firm handshake. "Next time, I'll win."
"Keep dreaming." Biscuit replies with a playful smile.
The second semifinal is won by the competitor Vashu, setting up the final everyone had been expecting. However, Biscuit's final opponent proves to be no match for her. She wins the final without much difficulty, officially becoming this month's swimming tournament champion.
Shortly after the commentator announces the result, all of the competitors change back into their street clothes and return to the stadium. There, Biscuit meets the commentator on the central platform, where he is waiting with the tournament's prize in his hands.
"Congratulations on your incredible victory! Here is your prize for winning the tournament—the "Capricious Remote"! Enjoy it!" The announcer declares, proudly presenting the peculiar device to Biscuit.
She accepts it, and the moment she takes it in her hands, the device transforms into its card form.
Card No. 28 Capricious Remote, B-rank: A remote control to manipulate ten emotions someone feels toward someone else, on an intensity scale of 1-10. (You cannot control how people feel toward you.)
"Wow. Look, Kai. It's the first card we've won together." Biscuit says quite pleased, showing him the card before adding it to her binder.
"And there are plenty more waiting for us. Now that the tournament is out of the way, we should start looking for other players to trade with and gather more cards and information." Kai explains his strategy.
"That sounds like fun. Let's do it!" Biscuit smiles, clearly pleased with the idea.