The training room was filled with the clash of steel as Dj and Bee engaged in a fierce battle. Dj moved with fluid grace, Bee met Dj's attacks with suprising agility. Bee darted around Dj, landing rapid strikes that Dj, despite his skill, could barely keep up with.

  “Impressive,” Dj remarked, barely deflecting a swift slash from Bee. “You’ve managed to keep up with me. I didn’t expect you to be this quick.”

  Bee chuckled. “You’re not so bad yourself, big brother! But I’m not just here to play…I'm here to win!”

  With a swift maneuver, Bee managed to graze Dj’s side, forcing him to sidestep a particularly close slash. Dj’s smile grew wider. “You’re not just fast, you’re clever too. You’re adapting, and that’s something I can’t overlook.”

  Dj paused for a moment, lifting his blade and raising an eyebrow. “I can’t treat you the same way I treat the others...”

  Dj’s blade ignited with an intense blue fire, the flames swirling around the steel in a mesmerizing dance. “Namino Garuka, Stage 1,” Dj announced. The blue flames condensed around the sword,

  He turned to Bee with a smirk. “Can you handle this?”

  Without waiting for a response, Dj launched forward. The heat from the blue flames singed the air as Bee deflected Dj’s attack with their own sword.

  The intensity of the magical flames caused Bee to falter. Each clash of their blade against Dj’s felt like a shockwave, sapping their strength with each impact.

  Bee stumbled back after one last clash. The force of Dj’s attacks pushed them further away, forcing Bee to regroup.

  Dj was about to speak to Bee, but Bee growled loudly and said, “Now I’ll show you! Charge, Izuka!"

  The room was enveloped in a sudden chill. The air crackled with the manifestation of Bee's ice-infused magic, and their blade transformed into a crystalline masterpiece. The cold aura surrounding Bee intensified to cover a wide portion of the room.

  Dj watched in awe. "Well, well, that's something else…."

  Dj’s gaze flickered to Bee, who was still brimming with anger. “Were you holding back when you faced Dark Whirlwind?” Dj asked, curiosity laced with concern.

  Bee’s anger flared even more. They charged forward, unleashing a torrent of ice with every movement. Their blade released frozen shards of ice while clashing with Dj.

  Dj was caught off guard by the intensity of Bee’s assault. He responded by unleashing a burst of blue flames from his sword. The flames clashed with the ice. Bee’s strength waned under the pressure of Dj’s counterattack. They fell to their knees, panting heavily. “No… I need to be able to do more than that. I have to get strong fast.”

  Dj approached Bee. “Sure, you need to get strong fast, but you also need to relax. The tournament is still a few days away. Don’t let your impatience hinder your progress.”

  Bee looked up at Dj with a frown. “I just don’t want to fall short again. I want to be ready for her, next time.”

  Dj placed a hand on Bee’s shoulder. “You’re doing great. You have nothing to worry about.”

  Dj walked over to Aliana, who was observing Bee’s performance with a thoughtful gaze.

  Aliana smiled slightly. “I remember when Bee first unleashed Sword Magic Level 1 in front of me. Their magical energy was impressive even then. It could rival my power, though their control was lacking, and their power tended to fluctuate.”

  Dj nodded appreciatively. “That’s impressive. If Bee can learn to control that power and master Sword God form, they might even surpass you. And who knows, maybe they’ll surpass me too.” He chuckled.

  Aliana giggled softly, shaking her head. “You’re getting a bit ahead of yourself, Dj. But Bee certainly has potential. With the right guidance, they could achieve great things.”

  Dj responded. “OH, I’m sure of it. We’ve got a solid team here.”

  Bee after catching their breath, suddenly bounded up to Aliana and Dj with renewed energy. “I’m ready for Round 2!” Bee declared.

  Dj raised an eyebrow. “You should really take a break. You’ve pushed yourself pretty hard.”

  Bee shook their head vigorously. “No way! Not just me—everyone else too! We’re all ready for more!”

  At Bee’s enthusiastic rallying, Gaiza, Elena, Becky, and Sybil all stood up. Their faces matched Bee’s pumped-up one.

  Dj scratched the back of his head. He chuckled. “What the hell, if you’re all this fired up, let’s take it up a notch. How about a group exercise to put that energy to good use?”

  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  After the intense training session, the room settled into a heavy silence. Bee, now battered and bruised, lay on the ground, gasping for breath. Dj surveyed the aftermath with a critical eye. He eyed Bee first.

  "You did well, Bee. I managed to push you one step further, but there's still something holding you back," Dj remarked.

  The training ground bore witness to the wearied forms of Becky, Sybil, Gaiza, and Elena on the ground. Their bodies were marked with sweat and bruises. Each of them were exhausted.

  Aliana nodded approvingly to the group. "Good job, everyone. But before any reports, I suggest hitting the showers. You're all sweaty and in need of some refreshment."

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  Gaiza, in her enthusiasm, almost blurted out something, but she caught herself and suppressed the words. Elena turned her gaze to Gaiza, then said, "Come on, Gaiza, let's hit the showers."

  Elena locked arms with Gaiza, guiding her towards the showers.

  The shower area of the Eastern Sword School provided a welcome respite for the group after their strenuous training session. Gaiza, Elena, Sybil, and Becky gathered around, the warm water easing the tension in their tired muscles.

  Gaiza, appreciating the facility, remarked, "It's great that we have these showers here. Nothing beats a good shower after training."

  Elena nodded in agreement, "Absolutely. It's a small luxury that makes a big difference."

  Sybil, adjusting the water temperature, smiled, "I never thought I'd get used to these communal showers, but it feels like a part of the routine now."

  Becky added, "And it's a perfect time for some post-training talk. So, spill it, guys. How's everyone feeling after today's session?"

  Gaiza shared, "I'm pumped! I feel like I learned a lot. It's exciting!"

  Becky spoke with a mischievous grin, “By the way Gaiza, I notice you’ve still been addressing Aliana like she’s some big shot. Relax a bit! You don't have to be so tight and formal with Aliana. We're not in some academy anymore, you know.”

  Gaiza's face flushed with embarrassment, “I know, but... it’s Q-- Aliana...I...."

  Becky teased,"Oh, look at Gaiza! She’s turning all red! Maybe you're not just pumped from the training, huh? Queen Aliana making you nervous, Gaiza?"

  Elena interjected, "Don't mind them, Gaiza. Just be yourself. Queen Aliana knows we're a diverse group with our own personalities."

  Sybil, with a smile, added, “We’re all here to support each other. No need to stress about Aliana really. You can just relax when you’re with us.”

  Gaiza nodded. "Thanks. I guess I need to loosen up a bit. It's just... it's Queen Aliana, you know?"

  Gaiza, while continuing to enjoy the warm water cascading down, opened up a bit more, "I've been reporting to Queen Aliana since I joined her, so calling her that…. It's just a habit, I guess. But, you know, it's more than that. I respect her a lot, and, well, there's something else..."

  Elena spoke next, "It's okay, Gaiza. We all have our feelings and connections with Queen Aliana. She's a remarkable leader, and it's natural to have a strong bond with her."

  Becky, still teasing, couldn't resist a playful jab, "OH, wait, I see what's going on here. Gaiza's got a soft spot for the Ice Queen!"

  Gaiza's face turned even redder. She stammered, "N-no! It's not like that. I just... admire her, that's all."

  Sybil reflected on her own past, shrouded in mystery except for the time spent with Becky. The memories were like fragments of a puzzle.

  "Admiration," Sybil mused, "it's an interesting thing. I wish I could recall more about my past, find something I could truly admire."

  Becky, sensing Sybil's introspection, placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Hey, Sybil, don't stress about it too much, okay?”

  After comforting Sybil, Becky found herself lost in a whirlwind of memories. Fragments of a past seemed both distant and hauntingly present. The image of Bob's urgent warning echoed in her mind.

  "Becky, Sybil, we need to get out of here!" Bob shouted at them in her memory. "Dark Whirlwind is too powerful. We'll head to another side of town. It's the only chance we've got!"

  Lina nodded in agreement, following Bob's lead. The pair did not even look back. The memory was abruptly cut off, leaving Becky standing in the present. Water droplets mingled with her tears.

  A sharp scream escaped Becky's lips, a cry of frustration, anger, and the overwhelming weight of the memories she couldn't fully grasp. She clutched her head.

  Sybil, hearing Becky's distress, rushed over. "Becky, what's wrong? Are you okay?"

  Becky could only manage a choked response. "They left us, Sybil. Bob and Lina, they ditched us when Dark Whirlwind showed up. And now, we don't even have a place to stay tonight."

  “That's horrible," Gaiza sympathized. "No one should be left stranded like that, especially after facing Dark Whirlwind. You two need a place to stay, right?"

  Becky, still reeling from the shock of being abandoned, could only nod in response.

  Gaiza gave a thoughtful look towards them. "Well, Queen Aliana was actually offered a mansion of her own in the Tournament District which she intends to purchase from someone. I'm sure she wouldn't mind if you two stayed there for the night. It's a pretty comfortable place."

  Becky's mouth dropped open in disbelief. The idea of staying in a mansion, especially one associated with Queen Aliana, seemed beyond their wildest expectations.

  Sybil managed to stammer out, "Th-that would be amazing. Thank you, Gaiza. We really appreciate it."

  The imposing gates of Okun's Mansion loomed ahead as Gaiza led Becky and Sybil through the entrance.

  Gaiza explained, "Queen Aliana was given this place by Okun as a gesture of gratitude for her contributions to the Eastern Annual Tournament. She agreed that you two could stay here for the night."

  When they entered the mansion, its opulence revealed itself in every detail. Pictures adorned the walls, and the polished marble floors which rest under crystal chandeliers. The air carried a blend of exotic flowers and ancient wood.

  Becky looked wide-eyed. “Holy shit, this place is… this place is... insane. Are we sure we're supposed to be here?"

  Gaiza chuckled, "Absolutely. Queen Aliana insisted. You can use any of the guest rooms. Make yourselves comfortable."

  Becky and Sybil explored the mansion and discovered rooms adorned with lavish furnishings and luxurious amenities.

  In a shared moment of relief, Sybil turned to Becky with a genuine smile. "This is like a dream, isn't it? A mansion for the night."

  Becky, still processing the surreal turn of events, grinned. "Yeah, it's like we've stumbled into a different world. Let's enjoy it while we can."

  Becky and Sybil prepared to turn in for the night. Becky and Sybil stood near their respective beds, ready to part ways for the night, but Becky said," Hey, Sybil, mind if I bunk with you tonight?"

  Sybil raised an eyebrow curiosly. "Becky, you know we each have our own rooms, right? Why do you want to share mine?"

  With a wink, Becky replied, "Well, I just thought it'd be more fun. What do you say? We used to share rooms all the time back in the academy."

  Sybil chuckled, "Alright, if you insist.”

  The two friends settled into the room. The coziness of the surroundings enveloped them. The plush bed provided a welcome embrace after the day's challenges. Sybil, while in bed, turned to face Becky.

  "Thanks for sticking around, Becky," Sybil said softly, leaning back against the pillows. "I don't know what I'd do without you…"

  Becky smiled. "You’d probably have to find someone else to bug you and keep you on your toes."

  Sybil shook her head with a fond smile. "No way. There's only one Becky that exists, and I'm glad she's here."

  Becky laughed, leaning back against the pillows beside Sybil. The room felt warmer with the quiet comfort of friendship enveloping them. She put one arm around Sybil, pulling her close. "Sometimes, I just like having someone to talk to before I go to sleep. It makes everything feel a little less crazy. And who better than my partner in crime, Sybil?"

  Sybil relaxed into the embrace. "Partner in crime, huh? More like partner in chaos."

  Becky chuckled, "Hey! A little chaos isn’t bad. Makes life interesting, don’t ya think?"

  Sybil giggled. "True. Life is definitely interesting with you around, Becky."

  "Wait," Becky exclaimed suddenly. "I completely forgot! I saw Dark Whirlwind! I have to let the Doc know!"

  Sybil questioned, "How are you going to do that?"

  Becky grinned mischievously, "You know, the communicator we begged you for? The one Doc gave us for emergencies."

  Sybil's eyes widened in realization, followed by a nervous laugh. "Uh-oh…"

  Becky released Sybil and got up out of the bed. She crossed her arms with a scowl forming on her face. "What's 'uh-oh'? You should have it on you, right?"

  Sybil got up and fidgeted. "Well, Lina has it. She wanted to examine it, so I gave it to her."

  Becky's eyes narrowed, and she shouted, " YOU WHAT?!?"