The transport city came into view just before sunset.
A massive floating dock hovered above the ocean, layers of steel platforms rotating slowly like gears of a giant machine. Lights ignited one by one as ships from different regions arrived—each marked with symbols, flags, and colors of their nations.
Riku stood near the window of the carrier, eyes wide.
"So… this is the Selection City," he whispered.
Bolt peeked out from spirit form, ears twitching.
"Too noisy. Too many strong cores."
Toma adjusted his bag.
"That's because everyone here already passed the first filter. Weak teams don't even make it this far."
Their team stepped off the carrier and onto the platform.
The air felt different.
Heavy.
Charged.
Alive.
Everywhere Riku looked, he could sense cores—some calm, some wild, some frighteningly sharp.
This place…
Everyone here is serious.
[Scene 1 – Registration Hall]
Inside the central hall, a massive hologram displayed rotating brackets.
NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE PRE-SELECTION
Team-Based Elimination
3 Members per Team
A uniformed official scanned their IDs.
"Town Tournament qualifiers confirmed," she said.
"You'll be placed in Group C."
Riku blinked.
"Group C?"
The official nodded.
"High-activity group. Expect constant matches."
Bolt muttered, "Of course we're not getting an easy one."
Behind them, a loud voice echoed.
"Well well… fresh faces?"
They turned.
A tall boy with silver hair leaned against a pillar, arms crossed. His core gauntlet pulsed faintly—controlled, precise.
"First time here?" he smirked.
Toma stepped forward calmly.
"And you are?"
The boy shrugged.
"Just someone you might fight soon."
He walked past them, but paused.
"Oh—and don't underestimate this city."
His eyes briefly locked with Riku's.
"It eats careless teams alive."
[Scene 2 – Temporary Housing Zone]
Their assigned residence was a compact but modern unit overlooking the lower arenas. From the balcony, dozens of practice rings were visible—sparks, flames, wind bursts lighting up the night.
Riku leaned on the railing.
"So many battles… nonstop."
Toma placed a small device on the table.
"Match schedules update every six hours. No fixed rest days."
Bolt's tail flicked.
"Meaning: fight, recover, fight again."
Riku smiled faintly.
"Good."
Both of them looked at him.
"I don't want time to overthink," Riku said.
"If I stop moving… I start remembering things I shouldn't."
Silence settled for a moment.
Then Toma nodded.
"…Fair enough."
[Scene 3 – A Familiar Presence]
Later that night, Riku couldn't sleep.
He stepped outside into the corridor.
As he walked past an open training room, he heard a soft humming.
A girl stood alone inside, adjusting a gauntlet on the bench.
The transfer student.
She was calm. Focused.
Her core rested beside her, pulsing gently.
Riku hesitated.
She noticed him and looked up.
"Oh. You're from the town qualifiers, right?"
Riku scratched his head.
"Yeah. Uh… couldn't sleep."
She smiled slightly.
"Same."
For a brief moment, neither spoke.
Then she said quietly,
"Tomorrow's matches won't be friendly."
Riku nodded.
"I know."
She picked up her gauntlet.
"But that's why we're here."
She walked past him, stopping just long enough to add—
"Don't lose too early."
And with that, she disappeared down the hall.
Bolt whispered,
"She's strong."
Riku watched the corridor where she vanished.
"…Yeah."
[Final Scene – The City Awakens]
At midnight, the city's central core flared to life.
Alarms rang—not emergency, but announcement.
"Attention all teams.
Pre-selection matches begin at dawn.
Prepare accordingly."
Riku clenched his fist.
This isn't just about winning anymore.
This decides who stands for our country.
Bolt materialized fully beside him, sparks dancing.
"Ready?"
Riku smiled.
"Always."
Far above the city, massive arena gates slowly began to open.
The real tournament had begun.
⚡ End of Chapter 22
Next Chapter: "Group C Ignites"
Teams clash.
Strategies break.
And the city finally shows its teeth.