After the chaos of the tournament, a quiet murmur began to spread among the departing spectators. Slowly, people started to return to their seats with their curiousity piqued by the promise of a new announcement.

  The Announcer began her speech. “Well, folks, I reckon y’all are wonderin’ what’s next after the wild spectacle we’ve just seen. It’s been one heck of a ride, hasn’t it?”

  A few chuckles and murmurs of agreement rippled through the audience.

  "Ladies and gents, with both Rawna and Kael out, we’re left with just three competitors: Roselle, Chalcon, and none other than our reigning champion from last year’s Eastern Annual Tournament, Chala.”

  The Announcer continued, "Now here’s the juicy part! Over in the East, the reigning champ gets an automatic spot in the final showdown. And with all the recent hullabaloo, we’re gonna do things just like they do in the East for this practice tournament. That means Chala’s got herself a guaranteed spot in the final battle!”

  The audience murmured while the Announcer continued “We’re all set for the final round with Roselle, Chalcon, and Chala, who’s just waitin’ for her challengers to step up! Stay tuned, ‘cause the Western Practice Tournament’s fixin’ to hit its grand climax!

  The crowd responded with a standing ovation of cheers. The announcer then gave a look around the arena. “Now, I reckon y’all’ve noticed the arena’s lookin’ a bit worse for wear after that fierce tussle between Rawna and Kael. So, we’re takin’ a one-hour break to get the Grand Arena patched up and ready for the final showdown. We want to make sure everyone’s safe and sound when the action picks back up!”

  The crowd broke out into loud murmuring, but the Announcer continued, “Hey now, I know waitin’ ain’t always easy, so I’ll be back in about 30 minutes to fill y’all in on the progress. In the meantime, why don’t ya grab yourself some refreshments, chat with your fellow fans, and maybe even do a bit of speculatin’ on what the final round’s got in store for us? We’ll be back before you know it, so hang tight and enjoy the break, y’all!”

  After the announcement, Roselle, Risebelle, Runebelle, Kintovar, Haras, and Juliana decided to make the most of their free time. They left the stands and explored various areas of the Grand Arena.

  Roselle led the way. She had already ventured into the Cosplay area and an Art Contest during the last break, and this time, she was on the lookout for something new and exciting.

  The first stop was an area dedicated to unique weaponry. Shiny blades, magical staffs, and even a few artifacts resembling goddess items were on display. Roselle, with her curiosity, marveled at the craftsmanship, while Kintovar contemplated the potential of these weapons in her experiments.

  Next, they came across a food court where people from different backgrounds were sharing meals. Roselle's eyes lit up. She sampled various snacks, and even convinced Kintovar to try some unfamiliar dishes. Haras and Juliana enjoyed their meals more reservedly, savoring the flavors while discussing the events of the day.

  Finally, they stumbled upon a makeshift stage where a group of talented musicians was performing. The music resonated throughout the area. Roselle couldn’t resist dancing to the lively tunes.

  While the group continued their exploration of the Grand Arena, they were unaware of a presence lurking in the shadows. Chalcon, the rough and rowdy young warrior, had been keeping an eye on them, just as he had done in the past; however, this time, his watchful surveillance didn't go unnoticed.

  Suddenly, Chala, Chalcon's older sister and the reigning champion of the last Eastern Annual Tournament, approached him.

  "Why do you insist on spying on that girl?" she asked with her hands on her sides. “Why not try to make friends with her if you’re so interested in her?”

  Chalcon’s face turned into a scowl. “I’m not trying to make friends. Roselle is my next opponent, and I want to see if I can gain any advantage by observing her."

  Chala sighed. "You really don’t have to be so angry all the time, Chalcon, and you should give people a chance. You might learn something valuable from them. Besides, in the world of battles, strength isn't always everything."

  Chalcon was ready to retort, but couldn't deny the wisdom in his sister's words.

  Chala had a mischievous smile on her face. She said, “I’m going to help you, brother.”

  Chalcon's shouted quickly, “NO, DON’T DO IT!”, but she was already making her way toward Kintovar and the others.

  Approaching the group with a friendly smile, Chala greeted them with a nod. "Hello there! I noticed my little brother has been watching you all, and he's interested in getting to know you better."

  Kintovar and the others exchanged surprised glances by Chala’s sudden approach. Roselle, Risebelle, and Runebelle eyed the champion curiously.

  Before they could react, Chalcon burst out from behind Chala. Chalcon's face turned a deep shade of crimson. He pointed up towards Chala. "Hey! I never agreed to this, Chala!"

  Chala simply chuckled at her brother's reaction. "Don't mind Chalcon; he's a bit rough around the edges. But he does have a good heart. He's just trying to figure out how to make friends and understand the world better. So, if you don't mind, he'd like to chat with you all."

  Chalcon looked away from everyone. He crossed his arms and scowled. "I don't need friends."

  Roselle’s face shifted to a smile. "Aw, come on, Mr. Angry Boy. Friends can be fun, you know?"

  Chalcon's face flushed with anger, and he warned, "You'd better stop calling me that, or I'll slice you up before our fight!"

  Chala intervened swiftly. She delivered a hard smack to her brother's head, and then shook her head with a disapproving face.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  "Chalcon, don't be so rude! Roselle's just trying to be friendly. Besides, you could use a friend or two. Now, be nice!"

  Chalcon rubbed the sore spot on his head and muttered, "Fine, fine. I'll try to ‘behave’."

  Roselle walked up to Chalcon extended a hand toward him with a smile still on her face. "Great, that's the spirit! Friends don't slice each other up, though."

  Chalcon eyed Roselle's extended hand with skepticism. His gaze shifted to his sword, still sheathed at his side. “What kind of friends don’t slice each other up?” he grumbled. “I’ve always used my sword to fight…It’s not really a ‘friendly’ kind of tool.”

  Roselle’s smile softened. She shook her head gently. “Well, Chalcon, real friends don’t use swords on each other. They support each other and look out for each other. It’s about trust and understanding, not fighting.”

  Chalcon’s eyes widened slightly. He glanced at his sister who gave him a reassuring nod. “Trust and understanding,” Chalcon repeated while turning his gaze to the sky momentarily.

  Chala stepped in with a supportive tone. “Exactly. Friends are there for you even when things get tough. They help you grow, and you help them in return. It’s not always about fighting.”

  Chalcon remained guarded, but there was a flicker of contemplation in his eyes. He glanced back at Roselle, who was still holding out her hand. “Well…I guess if you’re all so keen on this ‘friendship’ thing, I’ll give it a shot. But don’t expect me to go easy on you in our fight.”

  Roselle’s smile grew wider. “Deal. And I won’t go easy on you either.”

  Chala smiled warmly. “Thank you for being patient with him, Roselle."

  Kintovar chimed in with one finger raised. “It’s important to have friends, Chalcon. They can help you grow and learn in ways you might not expect. Plus, who knows, you might find that you have more in common with Roselle than you think."

  Roselle turned her attention to Chala and asked, "So, Chala, what's your secret to being the strongest person from the Western Kingdom? “

  Chala's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. "Oh, I'd be happy to share some of my techniques with you, Roselle. It's all about control, precision, and… a bit of creativity. But don't worry, we can discuss that later. For now, let's enjoy the rest of the tournament!"

  The group strolled through the practice tournament grounds. They found themselves in a lively area filled with attractions and activities.

  "Let's try that game!" Roselle pointed to a booth where participants were testing their aim with darts, trying to pop balloons. She pulled Chalcon's hand and said, "Come on, Chalcon, it's going to be so much fun!"

  Chalcon hesitated. “I don’t know, Roselle. It seems... kind of pointless.”

  Roselle clasped her hands together, giving Chalcon a pleading look. “Oh, come on, Chalcon! It’ll be fun, and you might even be good at it! Please?”

  Chalcon’s resolve wavered. He was about to refuse again when he noticed a shadow of sadness pass over her face. It was fleeting, but it was there. Normally, Chalcon’s first instinct would have been to dismiss it with irritation. But today, he was trying to understand this “friendship” thing.

  He studied her face for a moment and remembered what Chala had said about giving people a chance. It lead to an unfamiliar want—an urge to make Roselle happy.

  With a deep sigh, Chalcon said, “Fine. I’ll give it a shot. But don’t expect me to be good at it.”

  Roselle’s face brightened instantly, and she clapped her hands in delight. “Yay! That’s the spirit!

  The duo approached the game booth. The attendant handed them darts, and Roselle gave Chalcon a playful grin.

  "Okay, Chalcon, let's see who can pop more balloons!" Roselle declared.

  Chalcon begrudgingly accepted the challenge, and soon they were both aiming for the balloons, their dart-throwing skills put to the test.

  Chalcon took a dart and, with a skeptical look, aimed at the balloons. He missed his first few attempts, but Roselle cheered him on. He felt a small sense of accomplishment when he finally popped a balloon.

  After a few rounds, they moved on to explore other attractions, from a mini roller coaster to a fortune-telling tent and then the Arcade.

  Risebelle and Runebelle decided to split off from the group for a moment. They found a quiet spot to sit down.

  Risebelle decided to strike up a conversation that surprised her younger sister. "Runebelle, I noticed that Roselle has made a new friend today. How do you feel about that?"

  Runebelle's eyes met Risebelle's. She seemed surprised by the question. “It’s fine. Roselle deserves to have a lot of friends, and I want her to be happy."

  Risebelle nodded. "I know you don't talk much, but Roselle cares alot about you. She's been trying to make sure you're in a good mood, even if you keep that face. I just wanted to make sure you're okay with her making new friends."

  Runebelle responded."I appreciate your concern, Risebelle. Roselle is my sister, and I want her to be happy and have friends too... I may not express it well, but I'm glad for her…"

  The duo now set off in search for their sister, Roselle. It didn't take them long to spot Chalcon and Roselle at the Arcade.

  Roselle and Chalcon were engaged in a racing game. Roselle eagerly held the controller .Chalcon, on the other hand, had an aggressive demeanor. “Come on, Roselle, you call this racing? My little sister can drive better than you! You’re slow as hell!"

  Roselle's concentration wavered. She tried to respond but stumbled on her words, and it ultimately cost her the game. Chalcon's character crossed the finish line first, and he was quick to revel in his victory.

  Roselle frowned. "You got lucky," she mumbled.

  Chalcon laughed. "Lucky? You're just a sore loser, Roselle!"

  Seeing her sister's discomfort, Risebelle and Runebelle decided to intervene. They approached the duo at the arcade, and Risebelle spoke firmly. "Chalcon, you're being too harsh on her. Remember, she's trying to have fun. It's just a game."

  Chalcon stared at Risebelle with a dumbfounded look. He scratched his head. “What do you mean, too harsh? It’s just a game. If you can’t handle a bit of teasing, then maybe you shouldn’t be playing.”

  Risebelle’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Teasing someone who’s just trying to have a good time can be discouraging.”

  Runebelle, standing beside Risebelle, added softly, “Roselle is here to have fun, not to be put down. It’s important to let her enjoy herself without feeling bad.”

  Risebelle took a deep breath. “Chalcon, it’s not just about the game. It’s about how you treat people. Roselle was trying to enjoy herself. If you want to be a friend, you’d say something nice like…”

  She trailed off, suddenly realizing the weight of her own words. A look of mild panic crossed her face. She muttered to herself, ‘Uh oh, what did I do? I don’t even compliment people myself. Why did I go and open my big mouth?’

  Chalcon, watching her intently, raised an eyebrow. “What’s wrong?”

  Risebelle quickly shook off her internal embarrassment and folded her arms. “Never mind. Just try to be kind, okay??”

  Chalcon’s brows furrowed. “But isn’t that what friends do? Tease each other? I’ve always seen it that way.”

  Runebelle added quietly, “Not everyone sees it that way, Chalcon. You may be used to things being rough, but that doesn’t mean that everyone’s used to that type of behavior.”

  Chalcon’s gaze dropped to the floor, and he scratched the back of his head, trying to process their words. He glanced up to Roselle and then back to the floor. “I messed up, huh..”

  Roselle managed a small smile. “its okay, Chalcon. I just wanted to have fun. Maybe we can try again later?”

  Chalcon hesitated, then nodded slowly. “Yeah... maybe I went too far. Let’s…start over?”

  Roselle’s smile widened. “That sounds good.”

  "At the 30-minute mark, ladies and gentlemen," the Announcer's was heard through the vicinity,

  The group of friends looked around curiously, trying to pinpoint the source of the announcement. Their eyes eventually settled on a large television screen mounted high above the arcarde.

  The Announcer’s face appeared on the screen. Her face was both lively and informative.

  “Ladies and gents, at the 30-minute mark, I’m here to remind y’all that the Grand Arena is almost ready for the final round! Our crew’s been workin’ hard to get everything spick and span for the climactic battle!”

  The group gathered near the screen, listening intently. Roselle leaned closer to Chalcon, whispering, “Looks like it’s almost time for the final round.”

  Chalcon nodded. “Yeah. This is going to be intense.”