Lucas locked eyes with Leonel.
The arena around them buzzed with faint noise, sneakers squeaking, murmurs from the crowd, Ayumi's voice shouting encouragement but for a moment, all of that faded.
All that existed was Lucas Graves and Leonel Blaze.
One trying to rise.
The other already standing at the summit.
Leonel leaned forward ever so slightly, as if intrigued.
"You're not going to run away like the others, are you?"
Lucas didn't respond.
Instead, he took a step forward, closing the space, chest up, ready.
"I will never run from you." he said quietly.
Jace, over by the wing, laughed.
"Yo, Leon! You letting him talk to you like that?"
Leonel raised one hand without breaking eye contact with Lucas — a casual wave to silence Jace.
"It's fine," Leonel said. "I like players who believe they have a chance."
But inside, a thought ticked in his head:
