The Lilybell gardens pulsed with vibrant life. Flags snapped in the breeze, laden tables overflowed with festive treats, and laughter rippled through the air.
Commander Davel, a striking figure in black leather suit, surveyed the makeshift battlefield with a satisfied smile. Beside him stood his aide, a young man whose strained composure betrayed his nervousness.
"How are the preparations?" Davel boomed, his voice brimming with enthusiasm.
"All systems go, sir," the aide replied, his voice tight. "Stage, monitors, schedule – all confirmed. The KnightGuard participants are ready."
Davel clapped him on the shoulder. "Excellent! This will be spectacular. I'm eager to see our troops' progress since their last training."
The aide nodded, his anxiety a knot in his stomach. The Commander is a formidable warrior, a master of the battlefield. Even in a friendly competition…
Knowing this did little to calm his nerves. A first-round pairing with Davel felt like a pre-ordained defeat.
"They'll all do their best, sir," he managed, striving for confidence.
"I know they will," Davel chuckled. "But they might be surprised by my improvement. I've had a year of training with my little Kara, ha ha ha!"
The aide's eyes widened. Davel's announcement of the tournament, a casual Monday morning affair, ostensibly a sport to assess troop progress– had felt…off.
The timing, coinciding precisely with his daughter's first birthday, felt too convenient.
He knew, even without explicit confirmation, this tournament was a celebration of Kara.
"A great day, sir," he said, forcing a smile. "A great day for everyone."
"Indeed," Davel agreed, his laughter hearty.
"Papa!"
His face light up after hearing those voices.
The mother and daughter arrived, Glory gently passed their child into his arms.
"Happy birthday, my little sprout!" He exclaimed, his voice full of affection. "You look absolutely beautiful in that dress. It's perfect for our little princess."
Glory chuckled. "And she certainly knows how to play hide-and-seek with the caretaker. I wonder where she learned to be so mischievous?"
"Oh, she's a Lilybell through and through," The black-haired man reply, his grin widening.
"Happy birthday, Miss Kara. May your day be filled with joy and blessings with our ancestor."
Kara stared at the new face, curiosity in her eyes.
'He's so tall!' Her first thought, feeling a little intimidated. Despite looking younger than Davel, it can't say with his height.
Although, the parents may know him. He's still a stranger to the young girl.
'What should i do at a time like this?!' In panicked, she tried different impressions without knowing.
Blank face. Glaring face. Shy face.
'What an expression..' The three adults think the same thoughts.
Kara's face flushed in embarrassment as realization struck, she immediately hid her face in her father's chest.
Seeing the child's reaction, they exchanged glances and laughed heartily.
"It's okay, Kara," Davel said, gently stroking his daughter's back. "He's just a big teddy bear, see?"
His wife joined in. "Yes, he's your papa's assistant, a friend. He's been helping with the preparations for the tournament."
"That's right. Come on, Kara, say thank you to him for his hard work," He urged, surprising the girl.
'Eh?! Is that how it normally goes?! It's so formal that is embarrassing to say something!'
Kara look at her Father in hesitant, seeing his confident expression. 'Well, my parents are teaching me how to be polite, so..'
Facing the man, who was looking at her expectantly. His expression was pretty calm, patiently waiting the young miss response.
The brunette slightly tighten her grip on her father's uniform, her eyes dropping.
"T-Tha..." She squeezed her hand together, feeling nervous. "Thank wou..." Managing to squeak out, her voice barely a whisper.
They all smiled broadly.
'Wha— i might have been seeing a blooming flower in the background?!'
She must be imagining... right?
The man chuckled warmly. "You're very welcome, Young Miss Kara. It was a pleasure to help for your big day."
Her parents laughed at the shy response, finding it endearing. Kara felt her cheeks got burn even brighter.
'What? Was it something I said? Was it something I did?' Her face crunch up, slightly annoyed.
The celebration continued in full swing. Kara watched the guests, feeling a little uncomfortable but also fascinated by the colorful spectacle.
"I have a special task for you today, Kara," Davel sat her on his lap, his tone somehow serious, "I want you to the one to evaluate the Knight Guardians' performance in this tournament!" His voice was filled with excitement.
'What? He must be kidding, right?'
A hush fell over the crowd.
.
.
.
'Huhhhhhhhhhhhhhh????!!'
All eyes turned to the one in charge, a wave of surprise washing over them.
Kara feel the shock ripple through the assembled guests, the participants' faces paled as they stared at the small child with wide, disbelieving eyes.
Her heart pounded, anxiously thinking about the consequences of her father's action.
'What's this guy thinking out of nowhere?! How did it come to having me, an infant, become the one who decides the entire event?!'
"This special event is the day you start to bloom, my beloved daughter," Davel's voice was full of pride. He stood, turning to the audience. "Kara Ashrin Lilybell is the heroine of this tournament. In honor of my little girl's big day, I hope you all don't fall behind her growth. I'm expecting to see the fruit of your training!"
"Sir, yes sir!" they shouted in unison, their voices a bit shaky. Kara stared, wide-eyed. 'How come y'all just agreed to this?!'
Later...
Glory sat on the balcony with Kara in her lap. Despite her small size, she can still see a perfect view of the stage.
"Your papa is such a dummy," The chestnut-haired woman sighed. "Don't believe him, Kara. He's just messing with his troops."
Kara looked at her mother, still confused. Although a spark of annoyance flickered within.
Pouting, her cheeks puffing, "Dam Daddy..."
Glory glanced at her, chuckling. "Yes, yes... He loves you so much, he wanted you to be part of the fun." She thought of something to distract her daughter, pointing at the stage. "See those soldiers, Kara? They're called Knight Guardians, and they're going to show us how strong they are."
The KnightGuards were getting ready, swinging their weapons with practiced athleticism.
"It seems the show will get more interesting,"
'Huh?' The figure slowly approached, a voice she didn't recognise.
A woman with dark-purple hair, and stunning golden eyes. She spoke with familiarity, "How have you been, Glory?"
The chestnut-haired woman turned her attention to the unknown person. A smile slowly crossing her lips, eyes widening in recognition.
"Cloress!" Glory's voice held a note of warmth and surprise.
The two women embraced, a warmth radiating from their shared laughter and murmured greetings. Cloress's hand rested gently on her swollen belly, a soft smile gracing her lips.
"It's been far too long," Glory said, her voice laced with genuine affection. "How are you feeling?"
"A bit heavy, but otherwise well," Cloress replied, her smile twinkling. "The little one is due next month."
Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Next month?! You never even mentioned anything about expecting another! For goodness sake, you never change. Always telling something so important at the last moment!"
Cloress chuckled, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I know, I know. I just wanted to surprise you. It's been a bit of a whirlwind, honestly. This one seems to be in a hurry to join the world."
Glory's gaze wandered to the crowd, her eyes searching for familiar faces. "Where is your husband and daughter?" she inquired, curiosity coloring her voice.
"They're downstairs in the buffet area, causing a bit of a ruckus," Cloress replied, her tone conspiratorial. "Honestly, those two are like two peas in a pod. It's like they both relate to each other, you know?"
Cloress turned her attention to the small girl, her smile radiant. "And who do we have here? I finally got to see you now you reached your first age. What's your name, little lady?"
"My—"
"This is our daughter, Kara," Glory introduced proudly, causing Kara to bite her tongue. "She's the reason behind all this excitement."
'Crap! I was about to say a full sentences on my first birthday!' She thought in a panic.
"I can see why. Davel isn't one to get enthusiastic about formal events like these, unless it involves the battlefield."
"Oh, the way he talked about adding this tournament! It's as if he's a child bringing his dreams to life," The chestnut-haired woman mused. "Sometimes I wonder if he takes his responsibilities seriously."
Watching their conversation, the shared laugher melody their significant bond through the years. 'I couldn't help to but go along..'
The wave of nerve slowly subsided, 'Still.. let's be cautious next time, i have to make sure to act my age.'
Kara heard a distance voice, catching her attention. There, she noticed the tall man from earlier standing center stage, his expression serious. A woman with ginger hair stood opposite him, mirroring his posture.
At that very moment.. She felt a slight shiver of anticipation.
"It looks like it's about to begin.." Cloress voice out. She seemed to sense the brunette's curiosity, her eyes meeting hers with a knowing smile.
The air was thick with excitement, a feeling you could almost touch. The crowd had quieted down, everyone giving their attention. She could smell fresh and flory petals, mixed with the yummy smell of food from the stands below.
Kara looked around the big, open field where the fight was going to happen. It was all green grass with a newly craft field of square stones in the middle. The sun blazed overhead, casting long shadows from the colorful banners that lined the perimeter.
Everyone's eyes was drawn to a massive holographic screen erected at the center of the field, each sides having their own for a clear view. The screen show a lifelike footage of the battleground, allowing everyone to see the duel in vivid detail.
She feel a tingle in her chest, 'Strange.. somehow, i'm feeling kinda excited about this..'
Glory's hands rest on the brunette's shoulder as she lean in, "Oh, looks like Ethel will do the opening this time." She smiled a little, like she knew something.
"The first person who achieves victory will be the starting host," Cloress said. The two woman sat side by side, her hand on her tummy. "Oh, i always don't like that rule. Whenever that happen, i pray to luck that i don't get selected first."
"It's also funny when you really want to win too, huh?" Glory chuckle.
Kara's eyes was glued to the screen. Two people were standing at opposite ends of the battleground. The woman was wearing their formal uniforms, it's standard design aimed to look both like a knight and students.
Ethel stood there with confident, smiling as he awaited for the starting signal.
Both parties drew their weapon. The edge of the woman's sword gleaming in the sunlight, her stance ready and compose, reflecting the seriousness on her expression.
Kara's sight land on Ethel's weapon, and in his hand, he held something that seemed completely out of place in this setting.
'Eh..?' Her eyes widened in disbelief as she realized what it was.
'No way... Is he really using a gun on the battlefield of blades?!' She thought, processing these logic. 'Isnt that unfair?!'
One that looks like it was crafted from real silver, its lines sleek and polished, almost like a piece of emerald. It has intricate carvings, swirling patterns that adds it's layer of sturdiness. The barrel, instead of being a cold, metallic tube, was fashioned from a smooth, dark wood, like a branch from a rare tree.
Some of the crowd gasped and started talking softly. It felt like the air got thicker, everyone discussing the matter.
"A gun user? How rare.."
"He might finish this in one shot," a man muttered, his voice a hushed murmur. "If he can get the drop on her."
The air crackled with anticipation. The woman, her face hardened with determination, took a step forward, her sword held high.
But Ethel, his gaze unwavering, remained rooted in place, his silver gun held steady.
"Prepare yourself!" the woman called out, her voice ringing with authority.
But Ethel didn't respond. He simply tilted his head slightly, his brown eyes gleaming with cool focus. He was waiting, assessing, calculating.
The Female KnightGuard charge forward, her movements show strength in the atmosphere. She dodged Ethel's shots with ease, her agility a testament to the rigorous training they endure.
"You might have an advantage at a distance," the woman shouted, her voice ringing with confidence, "but once I'm close, you're done for!"
Ethel held his ground. But he knew she was right. He was physically weaker than the other tropes, but he was quick, agile, and had a strategy that could level the playing field. He fired another shot, a speed of light that singed the air, but the warrior deflected it with her sword.
"Woah there! You're good, Lyra." Ethel said, his voice calm, "But you're not fast enough."
Lyra lunged, her sword a blur of silver, her eyes burning with determination. Ethel ducked, the blade arcing past his head, his silver hair whipping in the wind. He was forced to back away, his gun held close, ready to fire.
The crowd held its breath. The tension was so thick, you could almost taste it. Some whispered in nervous anticipation, while others leaned forward, their faces alight with excitement.
She pressed her attack, her sword flashing in green aura, a symphony of steel against the air. Ethel took a step back again, his eyes never leaving Lyra.
"She's already using her Arcana," Glory muttered, her eyes glued to the field.
"She's a skilled Arcanist," Cloress agreed, her hand resting on her chin. "But Ethel's calmness is impressive. He's not letting her pressure get to him."
The silver-haired man focus his thoughts, eyes wondering the field in a second. He needed to create an opening, a moment of vulnerability. He fired another shot, but Lyra deflected it again, her sword switching a blur of yellow.
"The second color," Glory breathed, her voice tinged with interest. "Davel told me her Arcana is a three-turn attack. The last swing is impossible to deflect."
"I remember his arms got injured because he decided to experiment on it.."
"Oh, for the love of... that moron." Cloress muttered under her breath, rolling her eyes at the man's blatant arrogance. "He's a walking, talking, ego-stroking disaster.."
"Well, he is lucky he's got students who can control their Arcana properly," Glory said, her voice laced with amusement. "But you gotta admit, he handles them quite well, even with his terrible teaching skills."
"It's over!" Lyra yelled, her voice full of resolute. "You can never blocked my strike!"
Ethel's eyes narrowed, his focus laser-sharp. He had been observing his opponent's movements, analyzing her every step, every shift in her stance.
He knew her Arcana was destructive, but it also had a telltale sign.
Lyra's sword flashed with a red energy, but her movements became slightly slower.
The hint, her focus shifting to channeling the power of the attack. It was a brief moment, a fraction of a second, but it was enough for him.
He took a deep breath, this was his chance.
A sudden shift in Ethel's form, a thin energy flowing through his body. His eyes suddenly close shut, his posture almost losing it's balance, as if he were about to fall.
Lyra, still focused on her full-strength attack, didn't notice a subtle change. The crowd, however, sees it. A hush fell over them as they were witnessing the silver-haired man Arcana.
Ethel moved. Not a step, not a stride, but a blur. In a split second, the blade was at his face, then the next it already pass him, leaving no time to wasted.
He didn't stop, his body move swiftly on it's own. Stopping directly in front of the woman's face, catching her off guard.
"Lyra, you've been focusing too much and rushing things." Ethel said in a low voice, his hair hiding his expression. "That I'll have to remained you, I'm your perfect counterpart.."
He fired in close-range, the bullet piercing through her sturdy armor. The force leaving a trail of smoke in its wake.
Lyra, her eyes wide with disbelief, stumbled backward, her sword drop, clanging against the stone. A sharp, stinging pain shot through her stomach, making her gasp.
But Ethel was already moving again. Closing the distance between them, his hand reaching out to grab Lyra's wrist.
She tried to pull away, but it was too late. Ethel's hand was like a vice, his grip firm and controlled as he twisted her arm behind her back, pinning her against the ground.
"You're fearsome in raw power, Lyra. Something i lack." Ethel eyes opened, his voice calm, his gaze locked on hers. "But It's vulnerable to timing and precision. While i have both."
Lyra struggled, her face contorted in pain, but Ethel's grip was firm. He had her pinned, her movements restricted. He could feel the power of her Arcana pulsing beneath her skin, but it was useless if she couldn't move anymore.
"You're right," Lyra said, her voice strained. "I withdraw the match.."
The crowd erupted in applause, their voices mingling with the sound of the wind. Some shouted encouragement to Lyra, while others praised Ethel's skill.
Ethel released his grip, extending his hand to help Lyra up. She took it, her face flushed of embarrassment.
"Thanks," Lyra said, her voice a bit gruff, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "Man.. You got me fair and square. I'll give you that one."
Ethel chuckled, "You fought well. I have to admit, if you landed a hit, I might have been knocked cold."
Lyra's eyes sparkled. "Yeah? But we both know I need to work on my aim. My Arcana isn't as accurate as I'd like it to be. Gotta train harder."
Ethel nodded. "We all have our strengths and weaknesses. That's what makes us better fighters."
Lyra grinned, a fire of determination in her eyes. "Next time, I'll be ready for you. You better watch out, Boss. I won't go down without a fight!"
Ethel smirked, a playful glint in his eyes. "I'll be waiting for that rematch, Lyra. And I won't hold back next time."
Glory and Cloress applaud along, their faces beaming with satisfaction.
"That was impressive," Glory voice out in amusement, "Ethel's always been a skilled fighter, but he's really stepped up his game."
Cloress nodded, agreeing with her. "He's certainly learned a thing or two from Davel. And Lyra, she's a force to be reckoned with. That girl has a lot of potential."
"Wasn't that fun, right Kara?.... Oh?" Glory gaze at her daughter, only to be meet with an interesting reaction. "Looks like your more than having fun." She give a knowing smile.
And it was right on the money.
...
I was completely lost in my own world. I don't even know what face i was making, but my mouth was slightly agape.
Its like i'm in a trance, the feeling sparking my own experience. Seeing something new in the world that i'm only beginning to understand.
This was it! This was what i had been missing but didn't knew i needed!
'The adrenaline-pumping sequences! The Action ganre!' i thought, my heart feeling giddy with excitement. 'That was like something straight out of an anime! The speed, the skills! What's with this intensity?! That move! Lyra's attack, she's so OP! And Ethel's is so fast! That martial arts move! It was so elegant and deadly! I couldn't believe i got to see it in real life!'
This emotion linger even after the match was over.
'If this is the kind of world I'll live in..'
A thrilling mess.
'I wonder what other things I'll have to look forward to?'
Interest piqued.
'...I want this feeling to keep on growing,'